Author: YING JIANG

The documentary “RiP: A Remix Manifesto” explores the issues of copyright law, creative freedom, and remix culture in today’s digital world. It questions the usual ideas about intellectual property by showing how strict rules on copyrights can actually hold back creativity and innovation. The film made me think differently about what it means to be original, as it shows that all creative work is built on what came before. The idea of “remixing,” as discussed in the documentary, really captures how today’s culture works. We keep using, changing, and improving existing ideas and content. From the video, I also found out that even a basic song like “Happy Birthday” is owned by Warner Bros. Apparently, if you sing it in certain places, you have to pay Warner Bros, which seems pretty crazy to me. It’s just a birthday song, meant to spread happiness, but it turns out some people just see it as a way to make money. And what’s even more unfair is that the people making money from it aren’t even the ones who wrote the song. After watching the film, I realized that there is a huge conflict between the interests of business and the creative people who want to express themselves. The film taught me that if we want to continue to see very new things, we need to think differently about who owns ideas and take a more open and flexible approach to intellectual property.

“A new media object is subject to algorithmic manipulation. In other words, media becomes programmable.” (Manovich, pg27) Manovich introduces the concept that any form of new media can be manipulated using algorithms. This idea stems from the principle of numerical representation, which means that all elements of new media are constructed using digital codes, or numbers. As a result, these elements can be modified with mathematical algorithms. This marks a significant shift from traditional analog media, where images, sounds, and texts were fixed and less susceptible to change, to modern digital media which can be easily altered, transformed, and customized. For example, a digital photo is made up of tiny dots called pixels, and each pixel has a number that shows its color and brightness. This allows programs like Photoshop to add filters, change colors, or completely modify the image through algorithms. This is different from traditional film photography, which requires chemical processes and physical changes to edit a photo. Manovich’s principle of numerical representation highlights the inherent flexibility and transformable nature of digital media, setting it apart from older, more static forms of media. This principle not only underscores the fluidity of digital media but also paves the way for automated processes. In these automated systems, software can execute complex media manipulations autonomously, without direct human input. This shift not only revolutionizes how media is created and modified but also expands the creative possibilities available in digital forms, making media manipulation more accessible and versatile. This foundational change is pivotal in understanding the evolution from analog to digital media landscapes.

1. Ideas
2. Soul
3. Story
4. Experience
5. Everything is possible
6. Be yourself
7. Build connection
8. Dedicate
9. Practice everyday
10. Always learning
11. Focus
12. Never give up
13. Always give it a try
14. Don’t be afraid of failure
15. With an open mind

After I finished the reading I chose lesson one: Don’t Be Embarrassed. “You often reveal things about yourself that others may find appalling, weird, boring, or stupid.” I found this line kind of interesting to me because it’s so true that putting yourself out there creatively can feel terrifying. Anytime you make something, whether it’s writing, painting, music, or anything else, you’re showing a part of yourself. Not everyone is going to like it. Some people might think it’s dumb, confusing, or just not worth their time. That fear of judgment can be enough to make you want to quit before you even start. What I like about this passage is that it doesn’t hide that fear,  it acknowledges it. But at the same time, it kind of encourages you to keep going. It reminds me that feeling exposed or uncertain is just part of the process. If I had held back for fear of looking weird or stupid, I would never have created anything. Honestly, some of the most interesting and influential art comes from people who are willing to be a little weird, take risks, and be themselves without any shame. It also got me thinking about how we judge other people’s art. How often do we overlook something simply because it’s different or unfamiliar? Maybe art that seems “weird” or “boring” at first is actually the kind we like best. This passage challenges me not just as a creator, but as a person who experiences art. It reminded me to be open-minded, to appreciate the courage it takes to make something personal, and to embrace the weird, messy, and imperfect parts of creativity. Because at the end of the day, art isn’t made for perfection, it’s made for authenticity.

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