RIP: A Remix Manifesto really made me rethink how we define creativity and ownership in the digital age. The way the documentary explores remix culture, especially through Girl Talk’s music, made me realise how much of today’s art is built on reinterpreting and reshaping existing works. It’s frustrating to see how copyright laws, which were meant to protect creators, have been twisted to benefit corporations at the expense of innovation.
One of the things that stuck with me was how historically, even artists we consider “original” were borrowing and remixing from those before them – Disney, for example, built an empire on public domain stories but aggressively locks down its own content. The hypocrisy is hard to ignore. I also liked how the film didn’t just complain about the system but pushed for solutions, like Creative Commons, to create a fairer balance between protection and freedom.
At times, it felt a bit one-sided, but I get why… It’s a passionate defense of a culture that’s constantly under attack. Watching it made me appreciate how much of what I consume daily is influenced by remixing, whether it’s music, memes. It’s a reminder that creativity thrives on collaboration, not restriction.