Friday, April 23, 2004
I think that there's no better argument for biological determinism than the influence of the weather on the soul. One likes to think that their moods and feelings are fairly rational, that they have fairly sound, even if person reasons for feeling as they do. But, how can one account for the *profound* influence of a gloomy day on one's disposition? Walking home this afternoon, having finished Mann's Tonio Kroger , I felt a deep and unyielding malaise, which I couldn't really account for in any good way (I doubt it had too much to do with the novella, which I was fairly irritated with.)
I really think that this is as close we get to a corporeal understanding of fate; while it's easy to imagine the mechanism of the outside world, when you realize that your insides are as determined, it goes a long way towards eroding those weedy little ideas of free will.
I really think that this is as close we get to a corporeal understanding of fate; while it's easy to imagine the mechanism of the outside world, when you realize that your insides are as determined, it goes a long way towards eroding those weedy little ideas of free will.
Monday, April 19, 2004
Possible NYU Adjunct Strike
(this, or course is the Dean's slant, the one that the union sent is predictably of the other bias, you can easily infer the relevant content, this is just the one that was on hand)
Dear NYU Student –
By now many of you are aware that the union representing our part-time, or
adjunct, faculty – the United Auto Workers – has set next Wednesday, April 21,
as a strike deadline.
In our opinion, the Auto Workers union is embarking on an unnecessary and
regrettable course, particularly given that recent bargaining sessions
involving an outside mediator chosen by the union have been productive. We
understand that the possibility of a job action is the last thing you need as
you approach exam period and the end of an academic year. We want to reassure
you that University’s highest priority will be to maintain your academic
progress.
Regardless of whether or not certain part-time faculty members strike, the
University will remain open, and you should plan on attending your classes and
participating in your regularly scheduled activities. We believe that the vast
majority of our fellow faculty members, recognizing the responsibility we have
to you as our students, will hold classes and act in a manner that will sustain
your academic progress.
The United Auto Workers union has been publicly discussing the prospects of
engaging in a job action for quite some time; accordingly, the University has
been planning for this possibility. If there is a strike, you will promptly
hear from your school’s dean, who will provide you with further information and
give you contact information should you have any concerns or questions. You
can also get the latest news and information about the status of negotiations,
including details on both the University’s and union’s proposals, at the
following Web site: http://www.nyu.edu/adjunct.issues.
We cannot promise you there will be no disruptions, but we are working hard to
ensure that they are minimal. We can say that the University and its deans,
faculty and administrators will do whatever it has to do to guarantee that your
hard work this semester will not be in vain, that your academic program and
course work will be completed in an appropriate and responsible way, and that
those of you who are scheduled to graduate, will do so.
Sincerely,
John Sexton David McLaughlin
President Provost
Dear NYU Student –
By now many of you are aware that the union representing our part-time, or
adjunct, faculty – the United Auto Workers – has set next Wednesday, April 21,
as a strike deadline.
In our opinion, the Auto Workers union is embarking on an unnecessary and
regrettable course, particularly given that recent bargaining sessions
involving an outside mediator chosen by the union have been productive. We
understand that the possibility of a job action is the last thing you need as
you approach exam period and the end of an academic year. We want to reassure
you that University’s highest priority will be to maintain your academic
progress.
Regardless of whether or not certain part-time faculty members strike, the
University will remain open, and you should plan on attending your classes and
participating in your regularly scheduled activities. We believe that the vast
majority of our fellow faculty members, recognizing the responsibility we have
to you as our students, will hold classes and act in a manner that will sustain
your academic progress.
The United Auto Workers union has been publicly discussing the prospects of
engaging in a job action for quite some time; accordingly, the University has
been planning for this possibility. If there is a strike, you will promptly
hear from your school’s dean, who will provide you with further information and
give you contact information should you have any concerns or questions. You
can also get the latest news and information about the status of negotiations,
including details on both the University’s and union’s proposals, at the
following Web site: http://www.nyu.edu/adjunct.issues.
We cannot promise you there will be no disruptions, but we are working hard to
ensure that they are minimal. We can say that the University and its deans,
faculty and administrators will do whatever it has to do to guarantee that your
hard work this semester will not be in vain, that your academic program and
course work will be completed in an appropriate and responsible way, and that
those of you who are scheduled to graduate, will do so.
Sincerely,
John Sexton David McLaughlin
President Provost
Sunday, April 18, 2004
TEF - Corrugation (Pitchphase)
TEF = Kevin Novak, a Texan noisenik and community veteran, collaborator on splits with Prurient and Richard Ramierez. His "Corrugation" is the debut recording for Pitchphase Records (project of Herr Pechuga), editioned at 100 cd-r copies.
The operating function here seems to be the maxim "keep the rug moving under their feet." Aesthetically, it's opposed to the expected flood of white light of harsh noise; Corrugation bears closer resemblance to the splatterbreaks (do people still call it that? I always liked the sound of it) of Schizuo, Nomex, etc. The focus is on discontinuity, not development, constantly branching away and away from any idea that sounds like its going to keep the piece going in one direction, and exploring the unfamiliar world of the counter-intuitive. The tonal palette is relatively consistent (bursts, feedback whines, scratches, throbs), but its the editing thats the fun, stubbornly insistent on taking you where it wants to go. Not really ugly noise, it's actually quite graceful.
Pitchphase, http://www.pitchphase.com
The operating function here seems to be the maxim "keep the rug moving under their feet." Aesthetically, it's opposed to the expected flood of white light of harsh noise; Corrugation bears closer resemblance to the splatterbreaks (do people still call it that? I always liked the sound of it) of Schizuo, Nomex, etc. The focus is on discontinuity, not development, constantly branching away and away from any idea that sounds like its going to keep the piece going in one direction, and exploring the unfamiliar world of the counter-intuitive. The tonal palette is relatively consistent (bursts, feedback whines, scratches, throbs), but its the editing thats the fun, stubbornly insistent on taking you where it wants to go. Not really ugly noise, it's actually quite graceful.
Pitchphase, http://www.pitchphase.com
