Being Brainwashed!!

I have just completed reading Seth Godin's essay/blog entitled "Brainwashed." The motivational piece dealt with how to break conforming to the typical, submitting to fitting in, and following the mainstream. Godin exploits the mainstream world by discussing how we, as people,all do what we are told, following ritualistic and monotonous habits, never realizing that we do them without questioning why we do. He then provides the reader with seven steps to avoid being "Brainwashed..." I chose two of these steps (actually, he calls them "layers") to avoid being brainwashed.



#1 Connect
This layer is by far the most important one to me.  Communication, whether it be face to face or facebook to facebook, is key to be successful and not "brainwashed." Godin uses a narrative of artist Shepard Fairey and his Barack Obama posters and how he used the means of the Internet to advertise and promote his art. He did not make much money on the posters, but by showing on various websites, it became iconic with Barack Obama and Fairey's artwork and now, as mentioned in the essay "the work will find him because of his connections." I apply this in my own life because by being connected, I have been able to interact with others via this class (not really through the blogs), organizations, and social networks to promote each other's works. For example, since I am a video productions major in love with music, I have helped many musicians by making various interview videos, and will eventually post a website to promote all OU musicians (particularly hip hop artists, but others as well).

#3 Make Art
This layer particularly spoke to me because I highly enjoy making art, whether it be graphics, drawings, writings, and videos. In the article, Godin discusses that originality is what makes the difference, what makes us not a brainwashed people. This is absolutely true... I compared this layer with a specific aspect of my life. When I make graphics, I do two different styles: Sampled Graphics and Original/Mixed Media Graphics. Both show off my talent, but the sampled graphics have less originality because I used other people's artwork and altered it into my own work. Compare that to my original works, and I have my own originality and creativity, It is the originality that makes me stand out more.



One of my Sampled Graphics...
























One of my original works, completely drawn and colored by myself






















MY Assessment
In all honesty, I find the blog assignments to be more of a chore, rather than a way to strengthen my creativity. Many of the readings deal with things I have already independently involved myself in. Applying it with the two layers I just discussed, I already have made artwork to set myself apart from others, and I have connected with many (and a diverse group, not just hip hop artists) musicians to visually promote there works. I find the blogs to be a necessary evil in order to pass the class. Possibly this is because I already blog, via Tumblr, but I also just find the blogs more complex than needed. Nevertheless, I drudge through them.

'Shit Gets Real With Napoleon Dynamite'

This previous week, I just completed my song assignment for my Creative Process class. The song, entitled "Shit Gets Real With Napoleon Dynamite", was made in Garage Band and consisted of a hip hop bass line, harmonizing piano keys, hand claps, and drum cymbals. The song gets its name from its cheesy-keyboard sound that is reminiscent of the same odd sounds heard in the 2004 film, Napoleon Dynamite.

Also, check out my partner's hip hop song (containing the same bass line)! Tyler Dawley's song just as innovative, and in my opinion, far more complex! Check them out!!!

"Shit" is indeed about to get real with Napoleon Dynamite...