"The Spectacle" is simply one of the most intelligent attempts to resurrect public discourse on the sorry state of our mass mediated culture that I have ever seen. And the music rocks, too. I wish Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens great good luck with this important project.
Peter K. Fallon, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Journalism
Roosevelt University
"a unique sensory experience . . ."
comment re: live performance
One of the highlights of the SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival was the
performance of Thus Spoke the Spectacle by Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens. Their combination of creative original music with thought provoking images
on film presented a unique sensory experience that was enjoyed by our
audience which included independent filmmakers, musicians and artists. Regardless of your position on the political spectrum, their "story" hits
home with current events images that seem to transition with each note
emanating from Eric's guitar solos. We at SENE feel extremely fortunate to
have had Eric and Mike perform at our festival and in hindsight, I wish we
would have scheduled another performance so that more of festival attendees
could enjoy the unique experience that is Thus Spoke the Spectacle.
Don Farias
Producing Director
SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival
"covered my entire first semester media course . . ."
comment re: live performance
You performed at my highschool today (1/24) and I LOVED it, it was an amazing way to present media corruption information and I think it really "stuck" with us. As students teachers are always trying to find ways to inform us and cram information into our heads and with your performance it covered my entire first semester media course. Keep up the amazing work.
Sarah
Wayland High School
"a cultural immunity shot . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Thanks so much to you for this awakening project, this is a very original way to read media as it is pure media literacy. This project, the way I see it, it is an immunity shot injected with great music for a cultural body made of media, as our society is.
I hope you can come to spread this music immunity shot to Mexico, it's very needed here, a big awakening on media.
Vko Visual Artist (Facebook)
"hauntingly foreboding . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Well done. Watched this in my Propaganda class. I enjoyed the presentation's music video format. I can only hope more people will see this. Hauntingly foreboding of the unquestionable immorality of our technological future (and present?).
Cassandra
"a provocative and creative critique . . ."
comment re: live performance
"Thus Spoke The Spectacle" presents an interesting approach to some of the core ideas of Postman and McLuhan (in particular) that combines musical performance with "found" media footage edited in provocative and creative ways to form an alternative critique of our media environment. I do think that it would be of interest and relevance to our students.
Bill Phillips
Department of Culture and Communication
New York University
"thought-provoking and electrifying . . ."
comment re: live performance
Your presentation at Fordham was most creative, thought-provoking and totally "electrifying". Loved the visual metaphors. Must be seen by Michael Moore! Thank You!
Dina Nadelhaft
"investigative journalism and the search for truth . . ."
I hope people watch this video. I hope that we can learn from our past. Whatever happened to investigative journalism and the search for truth?
Meg Seth
I guess I have not challenged my mind enough lately...there aren't enough open minded people around anymore, and when you are constantly exposed to your own narrow minded views and visions of the world, supplied by media-corporations-government...
...suffice it to say we are now living much of the reality of "Myth of the Machine".
Your work follows in the footsteps of progressive rock groups like King Crimson, Soft Machine and Pink Floyd...Keep Up The Good Work!
Patrick "Yasu" Huther
"creative minds from outside the academy . . ."
comment re: live performance
It was a great conference with a stimulating agenda. I especially enjoyed the keynotes of Eric McLuhan and Alan Kay and the spectacular "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" performance. My students will be watching the online version this week.
As a former media professional myself, I applaud the inclusion of these creative minds from outside the academy, which must become less insular in our connected world to remain relevant. Media criticism should not be limited to print or text in this multi-mode media era and "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" provides a model of multimedia media criticism that is outstandingly effective and relevant. Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens are true artists: "The serious artist is the only person able to encounter technology with impunity, just because he is an expert aware of the changes in sense perception" (Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, p. 18).
Alex Kuskis, PhD
School of Professional Studies
Gonzaga University
This was a really interesting video... I was particularly captivated by the religious imagery. It is fascinating and horrifying to see how commercialization affects all aspects of American life. With such an interesting critique, I wonder what you would suggest as a solution-based proposition. How do we confront the spectacle?
Meg Seth
"excellent stuff . . ."
comment re: TSTS
The more I watch this, the more impressed I am with the entirety of your production -- music, lyrics, editing, and the overall intelligence of it. This is excellent stuff. Let me know how to get a DVD copy of the entire work.
DrFallon (YouTube)
NOW THIS...intense, right on! Brings me back to the good old days when I studied Avant-Garde film at Newhouse - never been the same since...
keep up the good work!!!
Patrick "Yasu" Huther
"fantastic show, good music . . ."
comment re: live performance
I seen your show in clinton ny this past sat and thought it was fantastic. It really makes you think. Both of you are very good at what you do and I would like to see your show again if you are in the area. I have told friends to see your show if it is ever in their area. I would like to thank you both for a very good evening out seeing a fantastic show and good music. Thank so very much.
roberta
"rock and roll that might get people to read a book . . ."
comment re: TSTS
"Thus Spoke the Spectacle" provides an intriguing live show. The show provides a fusion of what students will find accessible (music, lights, and images) and intellectual content (it is rooted in classic critiques of modernity and mass culture from Nieztsche to Mumford to McLuhan to Debord to Chomsky). In conjunction with some of these texts, "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" raises particularly interesting questions that can be followed up in the classroom. Particularly, students can evaluate the show's attempt to use the methods of the spectacle to critique the "society of the spectacle" -- can the master's tools be used to tear down the master's house? Is the message separate from the medium?
This is rock and roll that might get people to read a book -- think about exactly how rare that is.
Kurt A. Jordan
Assistant Professor of Anthropology and American Indian Studies
Cornell University
The language--even this language--is music, too. Beautiful composition. Powerful.
flotron9 (YouTube)
"challenging transnational corporations . . ."
comment re: global capitalism
Judith Simmer-Brown aptly noted that "(a)s communist countries throughout the world collapse, the capitalist global economy is all but unchallenged it its growth. Again and again, when traditional societies become modernized, consumerism presents an irresistible path. Global economic interests are now running the entire world."
She goes on to note John Cobb and his theory that religious peoples and communities have the potential to bring the only remaining challenge to transnational corporations and consumerism. Who else will bring that challenge? Thank you for engaging the issue.
Roman
"spectacular dimension to a controversial subject . . ."
This is scary stuff...wars, murderers, terrorism. Religion and the church seemingly replaced by a society consumed with the media, greed, the need for constant stimulation and entertainment.
Great work. Video and music add spectacular dimension to a very controversial subject.
That last shot of the camera flashing in the windows of the hearse is very poignant. Your video is very good and you make your point very well.
Mermaid1962 (YouTube)
"there at the inception . . ."
comment re: TSTS
I am so impressed with what you have accomplished thus far with this project. I am truly grateful to have been there at the inception of The Spectacle and helped to contribute towards its coming to fruition. It is a great joy for me to continue to watch it grow and blossom. The new website is spectacular! Congratulations on reaching this next platform!
Sonny Lawton
"TSTS in Propaganda class . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Thought you'd be interested to know that I have now made TSTS its own module of two weeks in my Propaganda class. We'll finish Ellul in late November, and end the semester watching and discussing THE SPECTACLE.
Peter K. Fallon, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Journalism
Roosevelt University
"a stunning success . . ."
comment re: live performance
Dear Mr. Goodman,
Thank you for your appearance at the Educate Yourself event on January 28th. We at the Eckhaus appreciate the time and effort you put forth to perform for our organization. The event was a stunning success, thanks in no small part to your involvement. Your performance was compelling and well received, and the subsequent discussions were thought provoking, making the Propaganda in the Media installment a worthy addition to the Educate Yourself series. Once again, we want to thank you.
Great job! Killer work. Thanks for turning me onto your stuff. It's awesome to find a like mind out here. Again, great work. Important theme, and a sad reality of our world. Thanks.
TedChambers (YouTube)
"creative and highly entertaining . . ."
comment re: live performance
To: Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens
I saw your show "Thus Spoke The Spectacle" twice, and I absolutely loved it. I am a Sociology faculty member, and will encourage my students to come to NYC to see your next performance. I think that students taking courses in the Sociology of Culture, Media and Society, Mass Media, and Cultural Studies will find your performance to be enormously stimulating; "The Spectacle" illustrates difficult academic concepts in a creative and highly entertaining way. I think that almost any professor you show it to would have a reaction similar to mine.
Geoffrey Moss
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Wilkes University
Nice work on WMD BLues! Brilliant! I love that line in the middle where Bush promises liberation. Important to pull that whole scenario back from the memory hole.
Steve McFarland
Great video. You raise excellent points regarding the media. In my opinion, the photographers contributed to the accident which killed Diana, Dodi, and Henri Paul.
ukroyaltyusa (YouTube)
"fantastic in terms of production values . . ."
comment re: live performance
I want to give a testimonial for "Thus Spoke the Spectacle." I went to see the show and thought it was fantastic in terms of production values, content, and aesthetics. It is absolutely relevant to comm studies. Some years ago I introduced Eric to Neil Postman and Chris Nystrom, and they were convinced that the show would be great for a department event. So, not only would I recommend that the upcoming show be posted to the listserve, I'd recommend that the department establish a relationship with Eric Goodman for future department opportunities.
Just used your video on Debord's work in my Media Studies 101 course at UC Berkeley. Just wanted to say thank you -- the students responded very well.
Maria Hollowell-Fuentes
University of California, Berkeley
"outstanding and refreshing . . ."
comment re: live performance
Hello, i am writing to tell you that i respect and enjoy the work that you guys do. The message and effect of your performance is outstanding and refreshing. It is hard to come across such creativity and appreciation for all of the intelligent minds of those writers who many people cast aside. Thank you so much for bringing your performance to our school. Please let me know of any new performances or shows.
Couldn't have put the point across better mate, the press are getting ever more intrusive day by day, and recruiting any Tom Dick and M**** to do their dirty work for them. So much for a private life!
ANTIJPUG (YouTube)
Great show last night. It was awesome to experience the pieces live with a full sound. I think my favorite video is "Now This". I love the music, and the juxtaposition between the reporters and the commercials really lays bare the fear/greed loop that is so central to mediated experience...
Anyway, thanks again for the performance--great events like this will definitely help us build up our audience.
I watched WMD Blues this morning. I liked it a lot. The way you cut between the different clips produces -- dare I say it? -- what is almost a RAP. Having Kissinger say "weapons of mass destruction" at about 1/3 the speed of everyone else was hilarious in the middle. Good work.
Kurt A. Jordan
Cornell University
No doubt our lives have been vastly improved by the machine, but at what cost? The mental process has been undermined as our machines do our thinking for us, social relationships have suffered as people interact increasingly with their gadgets, and we've become addicts of progress and speed.
As in "Myth of the Machine", we must ask ourselves whether it's better for mankind to seek and achieve this kind of "progress" that makes our lives easier, or has the machine become a detriment to our existence? You have brilliantly brought this to the forefront and opened an important discussion - technology, friend or foe?
Sydelle
"stimulating and thought provoking . . ."
comment re: live performance
The performance of Thus Spoke the Spectacle was a very stimulating and thought provoking experience. It sparked a discussion that went beyond the gallery and into the classroom and the community. The event went GREAT!
Sarah Gersbach
Student Director
Eckhaus Gallery
Dark alley of destruction and death. Nice beat.
Dhachia (YouTube)
"relevant to our classes . . ."
comment re: live performance
There is a great show titled "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" that ties in current media studies work with music and video. The show features songs that are adaptations of texts that are relevant to our classes, a couple of songs are titled and written based on books by Neil Postman, Boorstin, and Nietzsche. The music is played to a live screen where media footage is displayed. I am currently a student at the Communications Studies department and have seen the show several times and love it.
Pablo Lopez-Douzoglou
New York University
"critically important . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Phenomenally good stuff. I've seen this live and on film -- it's terrific, and critically important (pun intended).
tarnopol (YouTube)
oh!! i did a presentation on this chapter from postman's book and this would have been perfect!!! too bad i didnt find it half a semester ago.. its great!
Jewels809 (YouTube)
Fantastic. Utterly on point. Looking back and seeing her and how they are sooooo obsessed. She's beautiful and awesome but what were they expecting her to do while walking to her car. How many pics does one need. It's very strange.
Pandamonia (YouTube)
"reactions from shocked to enthusiastic and energized . . ."
comment re: live performance
Hi Eric and Mike -
It was our great pleasure to have you guys perform here at WHS. The Spectacle certainly inspired a lot of discussion over the past couple of days, which I know is exactly what you hoped for. I had a couple of rich class discussions with my juniors and seniors whose reactions ranged from shocked to enthusiastic and energized. There is no doubt that it was especially beneficial to precede the show with a class perusing the web page and your pdf file. By flagging the issues beforehand, the kids were much more able see how the show's segments fit all together into a whole.
Keep up the great work and best of luck to you guys.
Kevin Delaney
Social Studies Department Head
Wayland High School
"poetry in the streets . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Please do more such work - this society definitely needs it. And thanks for sending the link, the videos are really impressive. Nowadays I see more and more people of arts turning to social themes. Poetry is in the streets. Once again...
litikjersti (YouTube)
"thought provoking and moving . . ."
comment re: live performance
The show was (once again) amazing. Even though I saw it at least 3 times, it is still thought provoking and moving. As I've said, I know this would be a great thing for my students to see, and I'll look into the possibility of arranging a performance for the school.
Also, my friend Joe really liked the show as well. He's a big Dostoevsky/Nietzsche fan!
Rob Calabro
Global Studies
Edgemont High School
"the revolution of everyday life . . ."
comment re: TSTS
The spectacle will eat itself. The growing distrust of the corporate media is a good sign. I try to influence people to get involved in the revolution of everyday life. We can destroy the machine by weakening its foundations.
Vigilance in maintaining net neutrality is crucial, though the internet is already partly consumed by spectacle, it is the best hope for freedom.
scumbauggio (YouTube)
"a unique multi-media performance . . ."
comment re: live performance
The Spectacle presents the flood of images and sound experienced in modern society as a unique multi-media performance. Guitar, drums, lights, video, and audio combine to create a relevant and powerful portrayal of the massive amounts of messages humans are exposed to daily. The performance generated thoughtful discussion among our undergraduate students about tuning in and tuning out information.
Stacy Rosenberg
Department of Culture and Communication
New York University
even better than the now..this episode. terrifying stuff, mostly because it rings true. deserves more views, but people are likely busy watching lonelygirl, paris hilton 'news' and skateboarding dogs.
trotskyteats (YouTube)
Maybe they want to scare you to increase your incentives to consume goods and media as means for avoiding of frustration. In addition it's easy to manipulate scared and frustrated individual.
tytryturdsgreat (YouTube)
"intelligent, music rocks . . ."
comment re: TSTS
"The Spectacle" is simply one of the most intelligent attempts to resurrect public discourse on the sorry state of our mass mediated culture that I have ever seen. And the music rocks, too. I wish Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens great good luck with this important project.
Peter K. Fallon, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Journalism
Roosevelt University
"a unique sensory experience . . ."
comment re: live performance
One of the highlights of the SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival was the performance of Thus Spoke the Spectacle by Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens. Their combination of creative original music with thought provoking images on film presented a unique sensory experience that was enjoyed by our audience which included independent filmmakers, musicians and artists. Regardless of your position on the political spectrum, their "story" hits home with current events images that seem to transition with each note emanating from Eric's guitar solos. We at SENE feel extremely fortunate to have had Eric and Mike perform at our festival and in hindsight, I wish we would have scheduled another performance so that more of festival attendees could enjoy the unique experience that is Thus Spoke the Spectacle.
Don Farias
Producing Director
SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival
"covered my entire first semester media course . . ."
comment re: live performance
You performed at my highschool today (1/24) and I LOVED it, it was an amazing way to present media corruption information and I think it really "stuck" with us. As students teachers are always trying to find ways to inform us and cram information into our heads and with your performance it covered my entire first semester media course. Keep up the amazing work.
Sarah
Wayland High School
"a cultural immunity shot . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Thanks so much to you for this awakening project, this is a very original way to read media as it is pure media literacy. This project, the way I see it, it is an immunity shot injected with great music for a cultural body made of media, as our society is.
I hope you can come to spread this music immunity shot to Mexico, it's very needed here, a big awakening on media.
Vko Visual Artist (Facebook)
"hauntingly foreboding . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Well done. Watched this in my Propaganda class. I enjoyed the presentation's music video format. I can only hope more people will see this. Hauntingly foreboding of the unquestionable immorality of our technological future (and present?).
Cassandra
"a provocative and creative critique . . ."
comment re: live performance
"Thus Spoke The Spectacle" presents an interesting approach to some of the core ideas of Postman and McLuhan (in particular) that combines musical performance with "found" media footage edited in provocative and creative ways to form an alternative critique of our media environment. I do think that it would be of interest and relevance to our students.
Bill Phillips
Department of Culture and Communication
New York University
"thought-provoking and electrifying . . ."
comment re: live performance
Your presentation at Fordham was most creative, thought-provoking and totally "electrifying". Loved the visual metaphors. Must be seen by Michael Moore! Thank You!
Dina Nadelhaft
"investigative journalism and the search for truth . . ."
comment re: WMD Blues
I hope people watch this video. I hope that we can learn from our past. Whatever happened to investigative journalism and the search for truth?
Meg Seth
"in the footsteps of Pink Floyd . . ."
comment re: The Myth of the Machine
I guess I have not challenged my mind enough lately...there aren't enough open minded people around anymore, and when you are constantly exposed to your own narrow minded views and visions of the world, supplied by media-corporations-government...
...suffice it to say we are now living much of the reality of "Myth of the Machine".
Your work follows in the footsteps of progressive rock groups like King Crimson, Soft Machine and Pink Floyd...Keep Up The Good Work!
Patrick "Yasu" Huther
"creative minds from outside the academy . . ."
comment re: live performance
It was a great conference with a stimulating agenda. I especially enjoyed the keynotes of Eric McLuhan and Alan Kay and the spectacular "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" performance. My students will be watching the online version this week.
As a former media professional myself, I applaud the inclusion of these creative minds from outside the academy, which must become less insular in our connected world to remain relevant. Media criticism should not be limited to print or text in this multi-mode media era and "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" provides a model of multimedia media criticism that is outstandingly effective and relevant. Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens are true artists: "The serious artist is the only person able to encounter technology with impunity, just because he is an expert aware of the changes in sense perception" (Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, p. 18).
Alex Kuskis, PhD
School of Professional Studies
Gonzaga University
"commercialization of American life . . ."
comment re: Separation Perfected
This was a really interesting video... I was particularly captivated by the religious imagery. It is fascinating and horrifying to see how commercialization affects all aspects of American life. With such an interesting critique, I wonder what you would suggest as a solution-based proposition. How do we confront the spectacle?
Meg Seth
"excellent stuff . . ."
comment re: TSTS
The more I watch this, the more impressed I am with the entirety of your production -- music, lyrics, editing, and the overall intelligence of it. This is excellent stuff. Let me know how to get a DVD copy of the entire work.
DrFallon (YouTube)
"turning criminals into bluesmen . . ."
comment re: WMD Blues
Dig how well the spoken-word clips gel with the music -- turning these criminals into bluesmen. Perfectly timed.
Doug Tarnopol
"intense . . ."
comment re: Now . . . This
NOW THIS...intense, right on! Brings me back to the good old days when I studied Avant-Garde film at Newhouse - never been the same since... keep up the good work!!!
Patrick "Yasu" Huther
"fantastic show, good music . . ."
comment re: live performance
I seen your show in clinton ny this past sat and thought it was fantastic. It really makes you think. Both of you are very good at what you do and I would like to see your show again if you are in the area. I have told friends to see your show if it is ever in their area. I would like to thank you both for a very good evening out seeing a fantastic show and good music. Thank so very much.
roberta
"rock and roll that might get people to read a book . . ."
comment re: TSTS
"Thus Spoke the Spectacle" provides an intriguing live show. The show provides a fusion of what students will find accessible (music, lights, and images) and intellectual content (it is rooted in classic critiques of modernity and mass culture from Nieztsche to Mumford to McLuhan to Debord to Chomsky). In conjunction with some of these texts, "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" raises particularly interesting questions that can be followed up in the classroom. Particularly, students can evaluate the show's attempt to use the methods of the spectacle to critique the "society of the spectacle" -- can the master's tools be used to tear down the master's house? Is the message separate from the medium?
This is rock and roll that might get people to read a book -- think about exactly how rare that is.
Kurt A. Jordan
Assistant Professor of Anthropology and American Indian Studies
Cornell University
"beautiful composition . . ."
comment re: WMD Blues
The language--even this language--is music, too. Beautiful composition. Powerful.
flotron9 (YouTube)
"challenging transnational corporations . . ."
comment re: global capitalism
Judith Simmer-Brown aptly noted that "(a)s communist countries throughout the world collapse, the capitalist global economy is all but unchallenged it its growth. Again and again, when traditional societies become modernized, consumerism presents an irresistible path. Global economic interests are now running the entire world."
She goes on to note John Cobb and his theory that religious peoples and communities have the potential to bring the only remaining challenge to transnational corporations and consumerism. Who else will bring that challenge? Thank you for engaging the issue.
Roman
"spectacular dimension to a controversial subject . . ."
comment re: The Madman
This is scary stuff...wars, murderers, terrorism. Religion and the church seemingly replaced by a society consumed with the media, greed, the need for constant stimulation and entertainment.
Great work. Video and music add spectacular dimension to a very controversial subject.
Sydelle
"very poignant . . ."
comment re: The Tragedy That Remains
That last shot of the camera flashing in the windows of the hearse is very poignant. Your video is very good and you make your point very well.
Mermaid1962 (YouTube)
"there at the inception . . ."
comment re: TSTS
I am so impressed with what you have accomplished thus far with this project. I am truly grateful to have been there at the inception of The Spectacle and helped to contribute towards its coming to fruition. It is a great joy for me to continue to watch it grow and blossom. The new website is spectacular! Congratulations on reaching this next platform!
Sonny Lawton
"TSTS in Propaganda class . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Thought you'd be interested to know that I have now made TSTS its own module of two weeks in my Propaganda class. We'll finish Ellul in late November, and end the semester watching and discussing THE SPECTACLE.
Peter K. Fallon, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Journalism
Roosevelt University
"a stunning success . . ."
comment re: live performance
Dear Mr. Goodman,
Thank you for your appearance at the Educate Yourself event on January 28th. We at the Eckhaus appreciate the time and effort you put forth to perform for our organization. The event was a stunning success, thanks in no small part to your involvement. Your performance was compelling and well received, and the subsequent discussions were thought provoking, making the Propaganda in the Media installment a worthy addition to the Educate Yourself series. Once again, we want to thank you.
The Eckhaus Staff
"killer work, important theme . . ."
comment re: Now . . . This
Great job! Killer work. Thanks for turning me onto your stuff. It's awesome to find a like mind out here. Again, great work. Important theme, and a sad reality of our world. Thanks.
TedChambers (YouTube)
"creative and highly entertaining . . ."
comment re: live performance
To: Eric Goodman and Mike Stevens
I saw your show "Thus Spoke The Spectacle" twice, and I absolutely loved it. I am a Sociology faculty member, and will encourage my students to come to NYC to see your next performance. I think that students taking courses in the Sociology of Culture, Media and Society, Mass Media, and Cultural Studies will find your performance to be enormously stimulating; "The Spectacle" illustrates difficult academic concepts in a creative and highly entertaining way. I think that almost any professor you show it to would have a reaction similar to mine.
Geoffrey Moss
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Wilkes University
career advice . . .
comment re: Now . . . This
dont give up the day job..... joking, it was very good
misterbeercan (YouTube)
"back from the memory hole . . ."
comment re: WMD Blues
Nice work on WMD BLues! Brilliant! I love that line in the middle where Bush promises liberation. Important to pull that whole scenario back from the memory hole.
Steve McFarland
"excellent points . . ."
comment re: The Tragedy That Remains
Great video. You raise excellent points regarding the media. In my opinion, the photographers contributed to the accident which killed Diana, Dodi, and Henri Paul.
ukroyaltyusa (YouTube)
"fantastic in terms of production values . . ."
comment re: live performance
I want to give a testimonial for "Thus Spoke the Spectacle." I went to see the show and thought it was fantastic in terms of production values, content, and aesthetics. It is absolutely relevant to comm studies. Some years ago I introduced Eric to Neil Postman and Chris Nystrom, and they were convinced that the show would be great for a department event. So, not only would I recommend that the upcoming show be posted to the listserve, I'd recommend that the department establish a relationship with Eric Goodman for future department opportunities.
Nancy Silverman
New York University
"students responded very well . . ."
comment re: Separation Perfected
Just used your video on Debord's work in my Media Studies 101 course at UC Berkeley. Just wanted to say thank you -- the students responded very well.
Maria Hollowell-Fuentes
University of California, Berkeley
"outstanding and refreshing . . ."
comment re: live performance
Hello, i am writing to tell you that i respect and enjoy the work that you guys do. The message and effect of your performance is outstanding and refreshing. It is hard to come across such creativity and appreciation for all of the intelligent minds of those writers who many people cast aside. Thank you so much for bringing your performance to our school. Please let me know of any new performances or shows.
Arielle Blum
Wayland High School
doing the dirty work . . .
comment re: The Tragedy That Remains
Couldn't have put the point across better mate, the press are getting ever more intrusive day by day, and recruiting any Tom Dick and M**** to do their dirty work for them. So much for a private life!
ANTIJPUG (YouTube)
"live with full sound . . ."
comment re: live performance / Now . . . This
Hey Guys,
Great show last night. It was awesome to experience the pieces live with a full sound. I think my favorite video is "Now This". I love the music, and the juxtaposition between the reporters and the commercials really lays bare the fear/greed loop that is so central to mediated experience...
Anyway, thanks again for the performance--great events like this will definitely help us build up our audience.
Steve McFarland
"almost a rap . . ."
comment re: WMD Blues
I watched WMD Blues this morning. I liked it a lot. The way you cut between the different clips produces -- dare I say it? -- what is almost a RAP. Having Kissinger say "weapons of mass destruction" at about 1/3 the speed of everyone else was hilarious in the middle. Good work.
Kurt A. Jordan
Cornell University
"rock on . . ."
comment re: TSTS
GREAT SITE!
Rock on, Spectacle!
Stephanie Bennett
"technology, friend or foe? . . ."
comment re: The Myth of the Machine
No doubt our lives have been vastly improved by the machine, but at what cost? The mental process has been undermined as our machines do our thinking for us, social relationships have suffered as people interact increasingly with their gadgets, and we've become addicts of progress and speed.
As in "Myth of the Machine", we must ask ourselves whether it's better for mankind to seek and achieve this kind of "progress" that makes our lives easier, or has the machine become a detriment to our existence? You have brilliantly brought this to the forefront and opened an important discussion - technology, friend or foe?
Sydelle
"stimulating and thought provoking . . ."
comment re: live performance
The performance of Thus Spoke the Spectacle was a very stimulating and thought provoking experience. It sparked a discussion that went beyond the gallery and into the classroom and the community. The event went GREAT!
Sarah Gersbach
Student Director
Eckhaus Gallery
the rhythm of death . . .
comment re: Now . . . This
Dark alley of destruction and death. Nice beat.
Dhachia (YouTube)
"relevant to our classes . . ."
comment re: live performance
There is a great show titled "Thus Spoke the Spectacle" that ties in current media studies work with music and video. The show features songs that are adaptations of texts that are relevant to our classes, a couple of songs are titled and written based on books by Neil Postman, Boorstin, and Nietzsche. The music is played to a live screen where media footage is displayed. I am currently a student at the Communications Studies department and have seen the show several times and love it.
Pablo Lopez-Douzoglou
New York University
"critically important . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Phenomenally good stuff. I've seen this live and on film -- it's terrific, and critically important (pun intended).
tarnopol (YouTube)
wish I saw it sooner . . .
comment re: Now . . . This
oh!! i did a presentation on this chapter from postman's book and this would have been perfect!!! too bad i didnt find it half a semester ago.. its great!
Jewels809 (YouTube)
strange obsessions . . .
comment re: The Tragedy That Remains
Fantastic. Utterly on point. Looking back and seeing her and how they are sooooo obsessed. She's beautiful and awesome but what were they expecting her to do while walking to her car. How many pics does one need. It's very strange.
Pandamonia (YouTube)
"reactions from shocked to enthusiastic and energized . . ."
comment re: live performance
Hi Eric and Mike -
It was our great pleasure to have you guys perform here at WHS. The Spectacle certainly inspired a lot of discussion over the past couple of days, which I know is exactly what you hoped for. I had a couple of rich class discussions with my juniors and seniors whose reactions ranged from shocked to enthusiastic and energized. There is no doubt that it was especially beneficial to precede the show with a class perusing the web page and your pdf file. By flagging the issues beforehand, the kids were much more able see how the show's segments fit all together into a whole.
Keep up the great work and best of luck to you guys.
Kevin Delaney
Social Studies Department Head
Wayland High School
"poetry in the streets . . ."
comment re: TSTS
Please do more such work - this society definitely needs it. And thanks for sending the link, the videos are really impressive. Nowadays I see more and more people of arts turning to social themes. Poetry is in the streets. Once again...
litikjersti (YouTube)
"thought provoking and moving . . ."
comment re: live performance
The show was (once again) amazing. Even though I saw it at least 3 times, it is still thought provoking and moving. As I've said, I know this would be a great thing for my students to see, and I'll look into the possibility of arranging a performance for the school.
Also, my friend Joe really liked the show as well. He's a big Dostoevsky/Nietzsche fan!
Rob Calabro
Global Studies
Edgemont High School
"the revolution of everyday life . . ."
comment re: TSTS
The spectacle will eat itself. The growing distrust of the corporate media is a good sign. I try to influence people to get involved in the revolution of everyday life. We can destroy the machine by weakening its foundations.
Vigilance in maintaining net neutrality is crucial, though the internet is already partly consumed by spectacle, it is the best hope for freedom.
scumbauggio (YouTube)
"a unique multi-media performance . . ."
comment re: live performance
The Spectacle presents the flood of images and sound experienced in modern society as a unique multi-media performance. Guitar, drums, lights, video, and audio combine to create a relevant and powerful portrayal of the massive amounts of messages humans are exposed to daily. The performance generated thoughtful discussion among our undergraduate students about tuning in and tuning out information.
Stacy Rosenberg
Department of Culture and Communication
New York University
"great work . . ."
comment re: Now . . . This
Really really great work.
hrheingold (YouTube)
"terrifying stuff . . ."
comment re: The Tragedy That Remains
even better than the now..this episode. terrifying stuff, mostly because it rings true. deserves more views, but people are likely busy watching lonelygirl, paris hilton 'news' and skateboarding dogs.
trotskyteats (YouTube)
"scare tactics . . ."
comment re: Now . . . This
Maybe they want to scare you to increase your incentives to consume goods and media as means for avoiding of frustration. In addition it's easy to manipulate scared and frustrated individual.
tytryturdsgreat (YouTube)