Reflection
Overwhelming. This is the first word I would use to describe this data and the assignment itself. Looking at the connections and choices and trying to make sense of the connections seemed beyond my scope. I think, for many of us, when trying to understand the web, this is generally what it feels like. Often we only scratch the surface and then give up on understanding the complex connections that have been created and continue to be created. However, upon a closer look commonalities, as well as differences appear.
Analysis
Commonalities
We are all very different students and bring our own personal, cultural, and various other perspectives. We may have other commonalities amongst, but one is for certain, we are all taking this course and our students of a Master degree program and UBC. Within the date, one major commonality is the abundance of more western styles of music such as: Johnny B. Good (USA), El Cascabel (Mexico), Dark was the Night (USA), Night Chant (USA), Morning Star Devil Bird (Australia). Each of these song choices are from a more westernized societies. Many of which we have most likely heard or have been exposed to (directly or indirectly) through media or personal experience. This might suggest that we choose tracks that fit our level of comfort, possibly due to familiarity.
The implications of choosing only that which are in our comfort zone, or that in which we ‘know’ can have severe implications. In an article by Walden University (2023) comfort zones are suggested to allow for confidence and minimize risk. These are great factors when handing in an assignment for a course in a Masters program, but Walden University (2023) furthers that when staying in one’s comfort zone “you can’t make progress by keeping still”. Lack of progress means lack of learning and lack of knowledge.
In a task where a small group of people make choices that represent a large group more knowledge is needed to make the best choice possible. This concept made me think of governments around the world making incredibly important decisions for their populations; choices that affect their people and the world. Knowledge and educated choices; not only make a larger group happy, but generate relationships in which everyone can ‘speak in their own voice, while also remaining open enough to be affected or reached by each other’ (Coleman, 2022). A key factor in the promotion of a well functioning government as Coleman (2022) discusses.
Null Choices
But what about the songs that were not chosen or perhaps chosen very little? Track 19: Izlel je Delyo Hagdutin, an outlier, was chosen once. A song from Bulgaria, a non westernized country whom many of us (most likely) have had very little (or no) exposure to. When I first heard this song, the initial few notes were uncomfortable and loud, as the singing began I grew more uncomfortable and I didn’t understand or know what the song was about. I turned it off. I chose to not include this song in my curated list. I made a decision out of lack of knowledge and comfort level. However, upon further research, Track 19 represents the local Bulgarian mountain people (“rodopchani”, and it is said that the song “speaks from the soul of the mountains” (Lana, 2011). Educating oneself of the voice and the people that are represented gives way to a deeper understanding and appreciation of differences. Perhaps next time I hear something similar, maybe next time I will appreciate it more?
An article by the United Nations (2023) (found here) is a reminder of the importance of seeking out knowledge that may be different than ones’ own (or ones’ community). Seeking to understand new or strange ideas supports communities in sticking together positively through knowledge. The article discusses ten leaders that inspired change. The commonality of each one of these leaders is they educated themselves, listened to a variety of people (especially those voices who were less heard), embraced the discomfort of new information, and tried to make a positive change (United Nations, 2023).
The best choices for a group of people are made when a diverse group of people, spanning different ages, with different social standings, beliefs and backgrounds are represented. The original curated list and our own curated list did not represent this, not matter how much we tried.
Resources
Coleman, S. & Moss, G. (2022). Politicians don’t understand people like me: A qualitative analysis of a lament, representation. Journal of Representative Democracy. DOI: 10.1080/00344893.2021.2022745
Lana. (April 2, 2011). The Bulgarian folk song „Излел е Дельо хайдутин” in space (voyager golden record). Toronto Public Library. https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/arts_culture/2011/04/bulgarian-folk-song-izlel-je-delyo-hagdutin-voyager-golden-record.html
United Nations. (2023). Meet 10 leaders who can inspire you to change the world. Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2020/04/meet-10-leaders-who-can-inspire-you-to-change-the-world/
Walden University (March 12, 2023). The pros and cons of comfort zones. Walden University. https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/psychology/resource/the-pros-and-cons-of-comfort-zones
