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Appropriation-based art forms, such as sampling, collage, remixing, modding and mashups, have become a mainstream phenomenon in recent years, due to the rapid proliferation of networked computers and devices, and the transition of the cultural archive to digital formats. While many in the business and legal communities frame these emerging cultures as a form of “piracy” or “infringement,” the millions of practitioners have begun to develop a more nuanced ethical framework surrounding these practices. In his keynote, Aram Sinnreich will present new, survey-based research analyzing these emerging ethical codes, and explore their significance for law, industry and society at large.
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Ethics Remixed:Emerging Attitudes about Art, Technology and Appropriation
Aram Sinnreich, Ph.D.Assistant Professor
Journalism & Media Studies
DMY Berlin FestivalCopy/Culture Symposium
4 June, 2011
As Silicon Has Redefined Society…
…Networks Have Permeated our Lives…
…And Given Rise to “Configurable Culture”
This Was the Subject of My Recent Book
In 2006 and 2010, I co-fielded two surveys, designed to capture the awareness, behaviors and attitudes regarding configurable culture.
The 2010 survey had over 3,000 adult respondents from around the world.
But How Popular is This Stuff, Really?
AWARENESS
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 3,046
(%)
Awareness of Configurable Culture: Music Mash-ups
Awareness: Youth Lead, But Elders Catching Up
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 3,046
(%)
Awareness of Configurable Culture: Video Mash-ups
Awareness: Youth Lead, But Elders Catching Up
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 3,046
(%)
Awareness of Configurable Culture: Video Game Mods
Awareness: Youth Lead, But Elders Catching Up
ENGAGEMENT
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 3,046
(%)
Engagement in Configurable Culture: Customized Music Play List
Engagement: Significant Growth Over 5 Years
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 3,046
(%)
Engagement in Configurable Culture: Created Video Mash-Up
Engagement: Significant Growth Over 5 Years
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 3,046
(%)
Engagement in Configurable Culture: Used Video Game “Cheat”
Engagement: Significant Growth Over 5 Years
(%)
MUSIC
VIDEO
GAMES
SOFTWARE
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 1,240
Consumption-Adjacent vs. Production-Adjacent
Engagement in Configurable Culture (Global 18-34, 2010)
OPINIONS
“To what extent do you consider mash-ups and remixes 'original'?”
Source: Radar Research/IntellisurveyJuly, 2006; n = 1,765
Opinions About Configurable Culture (US 2006)
New Generation, New Attitudes?
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 1,186
“To what extent do you consider mash-ups and remixes 'original'?”
Or is it Just Fear of the Unknown?
Opinions About Configurable Culture (US 2010)
“To what extent do you consider mash-ups and remixes 'original'?”
Yeah, It’s Just Fear of the Unknown
Opinions About Configurable Culture (US 2010)
Source:Radar Research/IntellisurveyNovember, 2010; n = 1,186
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FORLAWS & ETHICS?
Beyond Copyright and “Copyfight”
PRIVATE PUBLIC
The “Free Culture” Argument
PRIVATE PUBLIC
The Configurability Argument
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Beyond Copyright and “Copyfight”
For-profit Commercial Non-profit
Unpermissioned Legal Permissioned
Pretension Authenticity Referenced
Unoriginal Innovation Original
Easy Labor Hard work
Bastardization Moral Homage
Radical Continuity Evolution
UNETHICAL ETHICAL
New Ethics Are Already Emerging
Waste of Time Use Value Fun/Helpful
Exploitative Social Effects Fair/Harmless
2006
2006 &2010
Unoriginal Original
“Occasionally, you’ll get [a remix] that’s better than the original, but that’s pretty rare.” - DJ Food
“Remixes and mash-ups are creative and fun at times but i still prefer the original music rather than remixes.”
“They give a complete breath of fresh air (if made successfully) in things we've already heard or seen.”
“I think mash-ups and remixes can never take place of original. In remixes and mash-ups the original concept and thought is lost and the result is never as good as original.”
Ethical Standard: Innovation
“I think it’s important to give people credit. I think, in some ways, that’s even more important than the money.” - Si Begg
Bastardization Homage
“I think some of the material that is remixed is good, but some also ruins the original piece.”
“I think generally, an artist should feel flattered when their work is part of a mash-up, because it is a tribute to them.”
“I think remixes are an insult to the original product. It's never half as good as the original.”
Ethical Standard: Moral Rights
“You still borrow from things, whether you copy licks on a guitar or on a sampler. To me it’s still art. It’s a blank canvas, you’re taking pieces and adding them.” - Go Home Productions
Rupture Evolution
“The remixes and mash ups are a good idea looking at the changing world. I love changes but not to forget or lose my origin.”
“Everything we do is a remix or mash up of pre-existing knowledge. No one can claim that what he say or do is his own property, since we all use knowledge that others created previously”
“I never liked remixes either for music or movies. I hate it. Original is original and always as everybody say old is Gold”
Ethical Standard: Continuity
“In my opinion, what we were doing was beneficial for the game.” – DJ Drama
Exploitative Fair/Harmless
“To a certain extent, some remixing and mash-ups should be allowed for more creative outlets for future technology advancement and enhancements.”
“The internet is a free form of media and if you can find it you should be able to use it”
“Ownership of 'art' in the modern age must have a shorter duration than the past.”
“All the technology available even to children takes away originality. The basics of songwriting, composition, and the origins and history of music are somehow lost when so many buttons are pushed and not enough thinking is involved.”
Ethical Standard: Social Effects
To Sum Things Up:
• In a few short years, global networked communications have given rise to configurable culture
• Younger people lead the way, but older adults are catching up
• These new “grey area” cultural forms produce new ethics and values
• Yet our laws are still mired in old-fashioned, black & white copyright
• We need new laws and economies to capitalize on these new cultural forms, rather than artificially strengthening the old ones
Thank you. Danke.Aram Sinnreich, [email protected]
With thanks to my co-authors:• Mark Latonero, USC Annenberg• Marissa Gluck, Radar Research• Nadia Riley, Rutgers SC&I