When one
thinks of innovation, they are likely to imagine the
likes of Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison ,Marie Curie, Jane Austen etc. All pioneers of great ideas and movements that have had an
influential impact on society in one way or another.
Due to
innovation, the modern day has seen an abundance of new technologies. As a result, globalisation has intensified, due to the ease of ability to share new ideas across physical and cultural boarders.
As a result
of innovation, the modern day has seen an ever-growing expanse of new
technologies. This has allowed for the intensification of globalisation, and an ease in ability to share new ideas across
physical and cultural boarders.
It is
therefore no wonder that arguments risen questioning where the line falls
between innovation and plagiarism. This is particularly relevant within the
music industry, with top-of-the-chart countdowns, nightclubs, and Hollywood
soundtracks etc. continually being plagued with the boisterous remixes of
classics as well as mashed up collaboration of previous works.
But what is innovation?
According
to my trustee Oxford dictionary:
Innovate (verb)
– Bring in novelties; make changes in
When interpreted in
conjunction with the societal history, it is easy to see where we get our
Edisons and our Einsteins. However, in a modern sense, to innovate may be interpreted in a completely different way.
The music industry, with
its remixes and mash-ups, is just one example of how innovation is continuing
in modern industries. Reproducing a song as a remix or mash-up is a form of
innovation in that it updates the songs emotion and character, allowing its re-entry into the market as a new
product.
In
relation to the subject of my blog; this form of innovation can be witnessed in
many a surf film, with remixes of music often created for, and incorporated
within the film to communicate the energetic and adventurous attitude of
footage. As a result, surf manoeuvres seem gnarlier than if paired for example
with a Bob Marley tune.
An example
of this can be seen in Julian Wilson’s profile film, in which the feature’s
trailer incorporates the up-beat grunge of a Sharam Jay Remix of Cassette Kids’ Lying
Around.
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4QpI-m5mrE
This remix promotes an animated vibe, which may have been
harder to recognise if paired with original track:
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsGwiwvk9Gw
We should
consider remix’s rather than copies, as innovations due to their ability to
intensify or change the character of the principal sound,
adding a somewhat novelty to the original piece.
References:
Berkun, S. 2013, 08/05-last update, The Top Women Innovators of all Times [Homepage of Scott Berkun], [Online]. Available: http://scottberkun.com/2013/top-women-innovators/ [2013, 18/08].
Sykes, J. & Fowler, H.e.a. 1976, The Concise Oxford dctionary, 6th edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
