Coming Down to Earth

In American Studies this year we are exploring something known as the "collaborative lecture" (or as Mr. O'Connor refers to it, the "collecture ©"). It is essentially just like it sounds, a lecture that the community adds to and improves. In my opinion, this is a fantastic idea. As it not only lets the student get information and point of views from their peers, but it also minimizes the amount of outside research that each student has to do! It also brings the teacher onto the same level as the student. This got me thinking as to whether this concept to be applied to other areas.

The first example I thought of, of course, was the music industry. It always seems as if the artists are on another level than the fans. However, thanks to the internet and social networking, this is changing.



Facebook has completely changed how people, including bands, connect with each other. For example, I follow a phenomenal folk-rock band named Fleet Foxes. They have been recording a new album, and throughout the entire process, the band would update fans on how recording was going, possible album titles and even giving sneak previews of the tracks! What truly amazed me, however, is that they would respond to fans' questions. They would even joke around with them in the comments section of their post. It suddenly feels as if these artists are truly human. It is a great feeling to know that these artists care about the fans that got them where they are.

My next example is with a band who always tries (and succeeds) to do everything completely out of the ordinary. This band is Radiohead. After being fed up with their record label and the music industry in general, the band left their label, EMI. Soon after, they recorded and released the chart-topping album In Rainbows. This release, however, was very unique and caused quite a bit of controversy. Before going with a traditional release that runs through the record company, then is sold to the fans for a very high price, Radiohead gave away their album on their website. Fans could pay whatever they wanted for it - and people paid anything from $0 to thousands of dollars. It seems as if this was an attempt to connect to the listener, not the consumer. For Radiohead, there is a clear difference between the two. They are even trying to think of new and innovative ways to release their next album in an effort to develop an even stronger bond with their fans.

It seems as if the concept of connecting is gaining popularity across all fields, and the collecture © is a clear example of bringing what are usually viewed as the higher powers (teachers), down to Earth.