Task 9 – A Reflection on Grouping

Based on the music that we chose for the previous task, the members who chose tracks similar to me included Stephanie and Saniya. All of us focused on conveying as much information as possible and acknowledged the importance of a diverse track list; though we went about it in different ways.

While we may have been grouped as “like-minded” along these parameters, a closer look at all of our websites reveals how different we are. I can tell from Saniya’s Task 4 writing that she is right-handed; I am left-handed. Not being able to make mistakes intimidates her; I’ve embraced mistakes as something to be proud of, proof of my consideration and possibilities to grow. Her story in Task 3 and even the colour palette of her website prove how different we are (if I ever voluntarily told a cutesy story about a bunny, it’s safe to assume I’ve been replaced with a clone). Even less likely would I pick a white background as Stephanie did – I avoid white digital backgrounds and themes as much as possible, and dim my phone to the lowest setting, to keep from aggravating my eyes. However, on the whole I think Stephanie and I are quite similar. The contents of her bag, the way she analyzes texts and tasks is similar to mine.

I don’t believe the things we have negated will ever be reflected in analytical data, however, I would like to comment that we do not necessarily have control over how much of us is analyzed. Consider that we, as school staff, cannot take or share any photos that identify students, for the sake of their privacy. However, the press is not bound by these rules, and freely take candid photos of students at events and ceremonies and publish them in the paper and online, identifying students and teachers in the caption. I’ve seen my own photo come up when searching the name of the school online; I don’t even know who took it or when. Facebook and Google’s auto-tagging of faces is another example. The information about ourselves that ends up online, or that can be analyzed, is not always within our control, which can lead to a skewed perception of (and potentially dangerous) situation for us.

Audio Decathalon

Of the 27 pieces riginally on the Golden Record, I believe the following 10 serve the most purpose in being kept:

The following music was included on the Voyager record.

  • Java, court gamelan, “Kinds of Flowers,” recorded by Robert Brown. 4:43
  • Zaire, Pygmy girls’ initiation song, recorded by Colin Turnbull. 0:56
  • Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México. 3:14
  • “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry. 2:38
  • Georgian S.S.R., chorus, “Tchakrulo,” collected by Radio Moscow. 2:18
  • Bulgaria, “Izlel je Delyo Hagdutin,” sung by Valya Balkanska. 4:59
  • Navajo Indians, Night Chant, recorded by Willard Rhodes. 0:57
  • Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen. 0:38
  • India, raga, “Jaat Kahan Ho,” sung by Surshri Kesar Bai Kerkar. 3:30
  • “Dark Was the Night,” written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson. 3:15

I removed all classical and lyricless music. I think as much information should be conveyed as possible in each track. Another species may interpret a message from music that we unintentionally sent because we do not treat music as a concrete information-carrying medium, it is best we stick to messages we share intentionally. We also do not need excessive European influence on there, nor the whale songs. If other species can indeed interpret those messages, I would be wary of what they may be saying.

-B

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