Episode 5

1. At the beginning of this episode, Krukowski asserts, “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed-is whatever the powerful have decided is of no use at the moment.” What does he mean by this statement? He goes on to ask, “But might it [the marginal-the rejected-the repressed] not be a key to alternate approaches-to art, to society-to power itself?” (“Marginalized” is an adjective that describes a person, group, or concept that is treated as insignificant or peripheral.)

What is he trying to get at with this question? How does music indicate the differences between the powerful and the marginalized?

 Krukowski asserts, “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed-is whatever the powerful have decided is of no use at the moment.” music which is outdated society decided it to no more popular or exist in the market. So, with the demand of time  music has changed  and the interest of people . Thus, music with time can become unfamiliar, outdated and no longer relevant in a society. Therefore, the audience has a power to control the music. Krukowski refers to power as the audience, corporations and musicians for making the decision on what should be played and will be the next.

How are the music listening experiences enabled by Forced Exposure different from those that Paul Lamere is working on with platforms like Spotify?

Force exposure is listening to everything . There is no way to skip  or the way to choose the songs you want . It is a long process. However, Paul Lamere works on platforms, like spotify is a design recommendation program for the Echo Nest , a division of spotify. So instead of having to scroll through millions of songs to figure out what you want to play you just hit a play button and it plays the right song for you. Digital music companies like Spotify, Apple Music,and Pandora want to work with the entire universe of available music. Forced Exposure’s 50,000 titles are a drop in the ocean for them. Next ,Paul Lamere recommends algorithms, which  has become a pretty amazing place. Spotify’s “Discover” feature, and its predictions of  musical tastes are so accurate can be unnerving.

1. What distinctions does Krukowski draw between being “surprised” by music and “discovering” music? What are the differences between these experiences and according to Krukowski, why are they important?

Krukowski explains surprise is something that you are familiar with or known before. If you know in advance that it is not surprise and surprise is not really a helpful thing. He explains  with an example of google and Facebook that why we are not surprised. Google wants to “surprise” us when we use it to search for something? Similarly, Facebook wants  to “surprise” us when we look for our friends? Not at all they want us to find what we are already comfortable with. Surprise is not the same as “discovery”.Discover is the opposite of “surprise” ; it is more about what is a meaningful signal for each of us.

Discovering is clear for what we are looking or searching for. Discovering music isn’t as  usual as  we used to hear before. In the episode Krukowski also has his own experience of discovering music  “Ghost” by the Forced Exposure. 

Episode 6

1. According to Krukowski, what is noise? What is signal? Why are these distinctions important?

According to krukowski noise means probably the signal that you are not interested and so a lot of what we do as ear surgeons is to try to amplify the signal, and decrease the noise. He further added, sound in terms of signal and noise in the recording studio. Although, signal and noise are always joined together in the analog world. These are distinctions  important because digital allows the boosting of signal without the boosting of noise. Digital signal no noise on it from the medium -no surface noise like an LP, no tape hiss like a cassette, no static like on the radio so, if volume is turned up it gives more volume. In the digital audio world, everything can be louder than everything else. There is no noise to restrain the signal.

2.What central idea about noise does this episode convey? Why is it significant?

The central idea of the episode’s message about noise is that if we are not interested. For example, when I am doing my assignment and next to my side my sister asks me something that I want to hear: that’s a signal, and everything else in the room is noise. But then something new at the television interests me as I am eavesdropping, that voice becomes a signal, and whatever is being said by my sister is  now the noise. It is significant because signals reduce noise. We are very skilled at shifting our attention from noise  to signal, focusing and refocusing on different sounds in the environment, and shutting out others. Therefore, musicians  use digital signals to reduce the noise.  We cannot control the noise because it is unavoidable.

3.   How does this episode relate to other episodes? 

This episode talks about the noise and signal which reflect the previous episode because each episode has illustrated the concept of noise. In the analog recording the elasticity of time is one  good example of noise.In analog recording what is done is done there was no replay. Similarly, in the episode 2 “space” Krukowski represents the logical use  of cellphones and  headphones to eliminate the noise  and make space in the crowd. It is a demand of today’s society to use earphones or headphones to eliminate the noise and to get the signals. Consequently, the musicians and digital corporations use the digital audio to reduce noise. Because they make sounds and signals  perceivable to the audience. In conclusion, noise is probably the signal that we don’t want or either interested.  

Episode 5

1. At the beginning of this episode, Krukowski asserts, “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed-is whatever the powerful have decided is of no use at the moment.” What does he mean by this statement? He goes on to ask,But might it [the marginal-the rejected-the repressed] not be a key to alternate approaches-to art, to society-to power itself?(“Marginalized”is an adjective that describes a person, group, or concept that is treated as insignificant or peripheral.)What is he trying to get at with this question? How does music indicate the differences between the powerful and the marginalized?

-Krukowski mentions that walking to a record store  and possibility of finding new genre  which were hits in yesterdays ,is more than the in digital platforms like Spotify where recommendation algorithms is used.Therefore today  those musics which aren’t listened are marginalized by those digital medias. Krukowski believes Those  hard copies  we find in record stores can be great use  and can be surprising.

2.How are the music listening experiences enabled by Forced Exposure different from those that Paul Lamere is working on with platforms like Spotify?
-Digital corporations like Spotify, use recommendation algorithm  where they track your location, mood and they play  music accordingly . you will get to listen what spotify recommends you. But  the music  experience you get through Forced Exposure is different. You could be surprised by music. There is always a Possibility of finding what you don’t want  to listen.Moreover there is always somebody  physically available with great information who can help you  get more  about what you didn’t expect.

3.What distinctions does Krukowski draw between being “surprised”by music and “discovering”music? What are the differences between these experiences and according to Krukowski, why are they important?
-“Discovering” music means finding music in a course of search or finding music that we already know what we we are looking for.Today with recommendation algorithms and playlists, digital corporations have created a media universe that  adapt,predictably  us.It is important in a way  that it saves a lot of time and But” surprise “by music means finding for what you don’t know what you are looking at. It could be pleasure of brick-and mortar browsing.

Episode 6

1. According to Krukowski, what is noise? What is signal? Why are these distinctions important?

According to Krukowski Signal is a sound  that we are trying to pay attention to. Signal can shift the target constantly. Whereas Noise is the signal that we are not interested in.For an instance, we see people running in subways to catch the train as the train approach.The sound of the approaching train becomes the signal  But the same sound could be noise to other who is in phone call or may be chatting  nearby.

2.What central idea about noise does this episode convey? Why is it significant?

Our world is enrich with noise.We can never completely ignore the noise.But everything is noise until find a signal that we are trying to pay attention.

3.How does this episode relate to other episodes?

Each episodes shares  about the switch of analog to digital impact to of ways of hearing.It has impacted our time, space ,love, money  basically what’s important in our life.

1.  For consumers it proposes/convinces them people like myself of an idea, message or product which will ultimately benefit our lives by buying something more and claiming as our lives will be enriched but in reality we’ll be losing money having spent on the point the advertisement made.   It’s significant since it depicts the buyers in an image of themselves where they will be enviable and result in being seen in themselves as glamorous by the product or idea that it’s trying to sell which is a means of happiness. However it should also be noted without envy glamour can’t exist according to Berger which the status is open to everyone yet only enjoyed by a select few.
2. It shows the importance as one is an art form and the other which use publicity that often use sculptures or paintings to depict their own message. They both share the same ideals and principle that “you are what you have” but their purposes and effects are different. Publicity while having many direct references to the arts in the past its different as it appeals to a way of living to look up to but haven’t yet accomplished. Publicity images/advertisements claim if you buy into their service or product your way of life which includes even relations and money will flourish thanks to their product. It plays upon your fear of not being wanted , of being enviable, lacking glamour and being a nobody. Whereas the oil painting illustrated the owner of his own possessions and his way of life that he was enjoying already which took into account facts of his life and magnified his view of life.
3. In the video Berger spoke of three dreams, the one I was interested in is ” The Dream Of Later Tonight”. In this dream the advertisements is using in the form of colorful vivid pictures, illustrations showing everyone smiling, enjoying each other company surrounded by products that give off pleasure. It appeals to you in a way that shows your way of life being glamorous due to the alcohol and cigarette that are what is allowing you to experience such a bliss yet contrary to that you’d also know these can kill you and often be abused.

Krukowski boils down this concept very simply by saying that “even yesterday’s hits end up in the dollar bin eventually.” Popularity is fleeting and the powerful will stick to whatever is popular and making them money. Most physical copies of the top ten albums from this year will probably sell for a few dollars in 2050, unless physical copies of music become a collector’s item in the future. Krukowski believes that by going back and looking at things that have been forgotten, we can reuse and reinvent.

Forced Exposure has all of its employees listen to every track on every album they have. This makes the employees experts at helping customers. They are better equipped to introduce something the customer may never have heard before. At Spotify, they are trying to make a “magic music player that knows exactly what you want.” They want the customer to have a continuous flow of music that is similar to what they might like without having to ask.

When I was twelve my TV broke and was unable to show picture, with the exception of a thin line in the middle of the screen. Lucky for me, the TV had a radio setting and I could faintly tell which station it was on based on the think line. For the next few years, whenever I wanted to watch TV I would listen to the radio instead. I was exposed to so much more music then than I am now. I was forced to listen to songs full through or constantly switch stations until I found something I liked, but it vastly broadened my music taste. I love Spotify, but I get tired of listening to songs that fall into the same genre. I do “discover” new music that is similar to my tastes, but it makes it easy to fall into a pattern. I miss hearing something totally out of left field on the radio that I wouldn’t have found if the DJ hadn’t spun it.

Noise is sound in the background, sounds that “you’re not interested in” according to Krukowski’s doctor. Signal is the main sound, the sound “you’re trying to pay attention to.” These terms are the difference between sound that someone wants versus sounds that they don’t.

The point of this episode is to show the significance of noise. We all know the importance of signal, because it’s what we actively choose to focus on each day. Krukowski talks about the background conversation in the Beach Boys song, which I think enriches the song and makes it special. He also talks about how audio engineers concern themselves with removing noise from songs and focusing on the signal as much as they can. In this way, they are controlling what they want us to hear.

Krukowski relates this episode back to each one before it. The imperfections of “real” time add more to the signal than the lack of noise in machine time. Headphones allow everyone to control the signal no matter where they are. Digital transmission on cellphones treats the voice as signal and removes all noise, which in turn removes depth of meaning in phone conversations. Similar to the first episode of Ways of Seeing, streaming strips music of context. Context is noise and the music itself is signal. Finally, in a world where corporations are catering to the individual, they have made everyone a signal, trying not to leave anyone out.

Ways of Hearing

Discussion questions for episodes 5 & 6

Episode 5

1. At the beginning of this episode, Krukowski asserts, “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed-is whatever the powerful have decided is of no use at the moment.” What does he mean by this statement? He goes on to ask, “But might it [the marginal-the rejected-the repressed] not be a key to alternate approaches to art, to society-to power itself?” (“Marginalized” is an adjective that describes a person, group, or concept that is treated as insignificant or peripheral.)
   

What is he trying to get at with this question? How does music indicate the differences between the powerful and the marginalized?

-The music like Krukowski stated he goes to record store just to window shop even if he doesn’t find anything, he tends to consume knowledge every time he goes to the record store. He stated he goes to antic stores to find some rare old records and bands that they don’t have any use for.

2-How are the music listening experiences enabled by Forced Exposure different from those that Paul Lamere is working on with platforms like Spotify?

-Enabled by Forced Exposure different from what pull Lamere is working on, They’re offering exposure for many records, knowing that Spotify is a platform to increase their records sales such as a digital copy of the record. Using Spotify as a marketing platform.

3-What distinctions does Krukowski draw between being “surprised” by music and “discovering” music? What are the differences between these experiences and according to Krukowski, why are they important? 

-According to the episode, Krukowski stated discovering new music can be surprising to many listeners, but people tend to get bored by listening to similar music. In this day and age, we tend to have the same music from the different artists by just different styles of their own.

Episode 6

1. According to Krukowski, what is noise? What is a signal? Why are these distinctions important?
   -According to Krukowski noise is a signal to our ears that interests us, everything else besides the interest is basically noise that we hear daily. This distinction is important because it gives us interest and knowledge of what we want to hear.
2. What central idea about noise does this episode convey? Why is it significant?
   – This episode conveys that every noise leads to an interest to a listener such as music or any noise that interesting to an individual.
3. How does this episode relate to other episodes? 

-These episodes related to other episodes because the main topic is noise and digital technology that every human being is using, knowing that listening is really important as human beings.

Episode 5

1. At the beginning of this episode, Krukowski asserts, “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed-is whatever the powerful have decided is of no use at the moment.” What does he mean by this statement? He goes on to ask, “But might it [the marginal-the rejected-the repressed] not be a key to alternate approaches-to art, to society-to power itself?” (“Marginalized” is an adjective that describes a person, group, or concept that is treated as insignificant or peripheral.)                                                                                                                      Krukowski mean by his statement the old records that left and no one is looking for it, so the powerful decide to ignore and leave behind and not even mention, the powerful here is the online big company that control the market and decide which is important and interesting and which to ignore and not even mention. Marginal records or the rejected records might be from our history and its important that we go back to our history to understand our future. culture without history like a car without wheels, they might be the key of changing many  approaches such as art, society and even the power itself through lifting them up fromthe shadows to the lights and from the ground to top of the mountains so then their good effort will be seen to everyone.                                                                                            
2. How are the music listening experiences enabled by Forced Exposure different from those that Paul Lamere is working on with platforms like Spotify?                                                                       You have to scroll through millions of songs with Forced Exposure to figure out what you want to be playing, but you just have to hit the play button at Paul Lamere ‘s platforms, like Spotify, and that’s the correct song for you, based on your contexts, your mood, where you are, or what you’re doing, without you having to think about it.                                   

3. What distinctions does Krukowski draw between being “surprised” by music and “discovering” music? What are the differences between these experiences and according to Krukowski, why are they important?

Being surprised in music means that you will hear something that you have never expect at all , but discovering in music means that you are looking for a specific type of music, and surprise is not the same as “discover.” Since a huge digital corporation, eager to engage every one of us and as much of our time as possible with their product, surprise is not really a helpful thing. Music recommendation services like

Spotify wants to give us the music we probably like. At least enough to let it keep on playing.Which is not something that sounds like nothing we’ve ever heard before. That could be the best thing we’ve ever heard. This is contradicts with Forced Exposure ,where you might have the worst experience ever in listening to music which you would click away from, before any ad tracker had the chance to tally your attention. Knowing this relation is very crucial to those music corporations in the world since they want to keep our attention — or at least, keeping us engaged inside their program, which is at the moment the goal of some of the most powerful corporations in the world. And through this goal, they are replacing the freedom and chaos of the internet at large, with the control and predictability of their programs.

Episode 6

1. According to Krukowski, what is noise? What is signal? Why are these distinctions important?

noise : it’s every-thing that you’re hearing, the background noise that you may not be paying attention to. signle is the sound that we want to hear among all other sounds which are noises.  the different between them are important to understand because In a recording studio, microphones open up a rich field of sound, just as Dr. Quesnel describes for our ears. But instead of our brain, it’s then up to an audio engineer to decide what in that is signal, and what is noise—maximizing one, and minimizing the other.

2. What central idea about noise does this episode convey? Why is it significant? 

the main idea in this episode is about signle and noise and how is important in a recording studio to maximizing the sound wich is the signle and minimizing the noise so the when we hear the music or the new record we can hear the signle clear and the sound smooth and there will be no noise.

3. How does this episode relate to other episodes?

ways oh hearing is about how digital devices and technology changed our live and change           from using analog to using digital in music industry. technlogh has made a revolution in music and made recording look very easy and way better comparing to analog ways. so noise and signle episode is related to the other episode because its the step that make sounds clear and audio engineering using technology to cut as mush noise from the signle so they make a record very clear and pure.