Monotony

I've got a lot of games on my iPhone.  You would logically deduce that's because I've got two kids, and the kids need the games so that daddy doesn't yell.  OK, that's partially it.  The digital pacifier does work, and for each kid, I've got a selection of apps which they know how to use.  And, thus far, they have yet to abuse the borrowed device.  Time limits are well enforced.

Right now I've got four devices with apps on them: my old iPhone 5s, which I've converted into a "game phone/ipod touch/back-up phone."  I've got the family iPad, gen 2.  And, I've got my 6s, and iPad mini, gen 2, the latter which is off limits to the kids...Sara and I mostly use it for Netflix and on vacations (movies, etc.).  A fifth device I help manage is Grandma's iPad...but that's mostly internet-based porn, so there's little I need to update (please don't tell grandma about Oculus/VR/Cardboard/etc.).

Admittedly, my 6s has an amalgam of apps...just in case I forget one of the other iDevices, that both appeal to me during my downtime (between the hours of 1:30am and 4:30am), as well as the kids during theirs.  As you're probably aware, the games that Apple allows through the App Store are (mostly) family friendly, uncomplicated and flashy, different and interesting for short periods of time.  However, due to the size of the apps and our growing shorter attention span, most games are fairly repetitive.  Repetitive.  The games make you do the same things again and again.  They're repetitive.

They're...

Which brings me to the larger question: what is it about this repetitive (repetitive) formula that keeps us downloading, and sometimes, pay for the privilege to mind-numbingly stare at our phones?  The answer may be deep within us.  Secretly, we desire to be in control of our own outcome...by ourselves, and without outside influences.  This is something akin to the Self-determination theory (SDT) which is a "macro theory of human motivation and personality that concerns people's inherent growth tendencies and innate psychological needs. It is concerned with the motivation behind choices people make without external influence and interference."  We just want 5 minutes to unwind with our personal devices in a way that our every-day life does not/can not permit.  And, game designers, while maybe not focusing on the complicated behavioral psychology behind it, understand that if they can put something incrementally out of reach that started out fairly simple, we'll gravitate towards a goal or a game with no end-game.

This isn't new.  Back in my day (get me a cane and beard a la old Bugs Bunny), the place to be was at the mall arcade.  There, you could find any number of games with no conceivable end, such as PacMan, Donkey Kong, Centipede...and the dudes with the piles of quarters trying to get their name/initials shown on the High Score screen.  The difference is that we now carry the arcade in our pockets.  Thanks to FaceBook and Apple's Game Center, the mall is at our fingertips.  No need to have an audience huddled around to show off.  It's broadcast over social media, or within the Game Center app of who has played last, and what their score is.

Now, I don't have an epiphone about this.  I would guess that, as a disappointed Democrat, my use has escalated.  This President has made what I want and value a bit out of reach.  Instead, I'm subconsciously trying to take control of my personal life through achievement in Pokemon Go or Marvel's Contest of Champions.  Both are ridiculously repetitive...but have periodic moments of success before the bar is raised, ever so slightly, making the next level that much more challenging.

What I will say is we need to be mindful of how we spend our time on our electronic devices.  Whether you're hiding from the world, or just trying to tune it out, be careful that it's not taking the place of other social interactions and responsibilities...and that goes for twitter trolling the President and FaceBook too.

Lost value

I think I've presented myself honestly.  I still don't know how a real estate mogul and TV personality became President.  Granted, jury is still out on external influences, but I imagine that will eventually come to light as well.  The long and the short of it is that this man with questionable values and complete lack of experience was voted in, by a system I believe has largely worked so far, as Commander in Chief for the US of A.

That said, he sucks.  Thus far, I'm clearly not in agreement with any of his executive orders.  I also don't believe in the appointments he's made.  And, while it hasn't been proven due to lack of transparency, I think he's got many conflicts of interest with how he makes his nut.

And, the man is a fantastic liar...and regularly requires his staff to cover for him or lie for him.  It's a PR shit-show.

That said, the Press needs to back the hell off a little.  This past week, the scrutiny of the White House about things that flat out don't matter is mind-boggling.  The Press latched on to how unprepared the White House was for an Easter egg roll.  Yet, the photos/videos that came from that even only show the President tossing someone's recently signed hat into a crowd...or his forgetfulness about what to do during the National Anthem.  Or how many muppets will be in attendance.  Really?  This isn't news.  And, as a democrat, I was crying bullshit when Obama was criticized by the Right for saluting Marines while on his cell phone.

It didn't matter then, and it doesn't matter now.

Yesterday, the NY Times irresponsibly Tweeted out a comparison of the 2015 Superbowl Champs visiting Obama vs. the 2017 Champs visiting Trump.  What is missing is the fact that in 2015, the entire organization was invited on the stage, vs. just the team in 2017.  The staffers were all there...just in the audience.  Thanks for jumping on the hate-train, NYT.  I'm sure you'll publish a retraction in the smallest of print.  

I guess what I'm saying is, I'm all for criticising the President for his wish to reduce budgets for the arts, for his administration's plan for public education, as well as there severe lack of scientific understanding on all levels.  Those are legitimate gripes, regardless of the potential benefits for businesses...which I believe will be minimal at best.  Coal is still dead, global warming is a thing, and Americans with pre-existing conditions need to be protected against health care vultures.  These are issues.

So, and I know I'm guilty of it too, when you see a story about how he announced that he launched 59 Tomahawk missiles against a sovereign nation, pay no attention to the "the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen.”  That's not the story...the story is Russia.  The story is sarin gas.  The Story is the French election or the uprising in Venezuela.  Because, we know from history, when you focus on the "cake" part of the story, it makes you look like a fool to the masses, your rhetoric loses value, and you may even lose your head.

see: Marie Antoinette

Dead Radio

And just like that, I got en e-mail from a fellow DJ indicating that the link had been removed from the theater's website, and that the stream was down.  This was a couple of Fridays ago.  I had already done my 2hrs of radio, we was becoming "usual" on the prior Wednesday, early evening.  That show, I had done as I had done a number of times before: I grouped mini-blocks of semi-related music.  I had some brand new music by Jazz is Phish, given to me straight from the band itself.  I bundled that tune along with a live cut from a Phish show I saw, and a Zappa tune which the Phish regularly play.  Later, in the second hour, I had decided to play 3 songs all with the same name: Rock & Roll.  Again, the block was heavily influenced by my interests...hell, it was my show...and featured the Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin and G. Love (along with Special Sauce).

As per usual, my show started with a cut from one of the Grateful Dead's commercially available live albums: this time a show from the home state of NJ...Englishtown to be precise, recorded on September 3, 1977.  Another very personal track as my Father-in-law was at this show while my mother-in-law was heavily pregnant with my wife.  I don't know if he specifically remembers the encore, but I played Terrapin Station thinking he'd probably dig it.  Immediately following, I play a cover of a Grateful Dead song by Keller Williams for my wife who loves him (he ain't half bad, if I say so myself).

It was a well thought out show like every other show I did.  Granted, I don't really know if people who tuned in thought so.  However, there were always between 12 and 25 people streaming the feed, which was really encouraging thinking that someone out there thought my musical taste was worth tuning in to.  It seemed that things were moving smoothly along after a fairly major bump as the morning DJ/Station Manager departed for more promising work.  And then that Friday, we got the e-mail.

Now, I should say that, as a recent volunteer for this experiment, I feel like I got out more than I put in.  It was a thrill to be on the "radio."  The concept that I was in control of someone else's good time was fun.  I mean, I may have possibly influenced someone to purchase or listen to music they would have otherwise not known about.  Yes, like this blog, feedback is minimal, but I know my mom listened (she's also likely to be the first 'like' on this entry) and I got to meet some really cool DJs...people with years and years of musical experience.  In fact, the Dead-as-the-first-track followed by a cover is something I completely ripped off/borrowed from a DJ whom I'd been listening to for years.

Make no mistake, I would have carried on, mostly because I thought the process of planning a show using almost entirely my catalog of music was fun.  In some cases, I dug deep in my digital jukebox for tracks I had long forgotten, and it was energizing trying to remember how I came across that album or artist in the first place.  A good time.  But I understand the economics of renting a space, maintaining the equipment, paying the licensing and streaming fees and, when push came to shove, the station was working deeply in the red.

A couple of people asked me to find another gig...maybe start a podcast, but short of being on another live show, there's not the same thrill.  Yeah, I would select the music similarly, but being able to react to things like Chuck Berry's death would be gone.  The spontaneity would be missing.  And, for that reason, unless I find something similar, I think I'm done with this extremely short chapter in my life.  If you listened, thank you.  If not, I've got a couple of things I'm thinking of starting/returning to where you'll have plenty of chance to react to it, both positively and negatively.  In the meantime, if you want to hear that show...the one from 1977, there's this copy available on YouTube.

Grateful Dead, Live in Englishtown, NJ 9/3/1977

It's Friday, and a good day as any to blast some Dead from your car as you drive home.  When you do, remember that a (former) DJ recommended it to you...not some soulless streaming algorithm.