Girl Talk: Transformative Use and Fair Use
Because of the rapid development of music from Girl Talk and similar technological-artists, there is much controversy of the authenticity of their works and products. As said in the video, we as a species have been able to grow off of each other and share ideas that act as catalysts for rapid technological development and social enhancement. Without the collaboration of our peers, user generated content, that benefits society, would be dramatically limited. You can go back as early as who first strung and played a guitar? Did the earliest musicians and guitarists copyright his idea or style of music? -No, but they used it to build and generate new and unique music. That is what GirlTalk is doing with his works. He is using an instrument of his own (the computer), to combine music in a way that it would have never been laid out before. Even lyrics and meaning are completely revamped and switched around. I understand the frustration that comes from musicians who created their music via classical instruments, but they must not fight the change that comes with society. Music, especially, has been forever changing in style and genre. Some rock songs come from folks songs, and some people write covers in their own ways. All of these things are users creating their own unique content, just as Girl Talk does. "Fair use" should be used for people who have claims to the credit of developing someone else's content, but what Girl Talk is doing is generating new and personalized content. That is what you call "transformative use." This content is one of a kind.
I enjoyed how you added the part of the progression and development of music today. Girl Talk is definitely a different take on arranging and producing music, which could obviously draw a lot of frustration from musicians. His work, though, I feel offers a transformative purpose in the intentionality he places behind creating his work.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mention about the original artists and their frustration with the work that Girl Talk is producing. I find it personally annoying myself that there are many that refuse to accept change in situations like this. I think what Girl Talk does is very entertaining and should be flattering to those that created the sampled music in the first place. They could even become inspired by what Girl Talk has created and maybe make them think about taking their own music in a new and innovative direction.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit on the fence regarding the case of Girl Talk but with your statement, "Without the collaboration of our peers, user generated content, that benefits society, would be dramatically limited", I'm now adamantly for Girl Talk and his work. I'm not necessarily a fan of his music, but the principle behind it reflects how we're constantly evolving and creating while building upon art that has been previously created. It's imperative that we as a society continue to innovate and create things in order to improve and grow.
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