Noise.

As you’ll know from previous posts, I’ve been working on the Urgent Temporality theory in relation to content, audiencing and consumption of images which will all (hopefully) lead into PhD study. Coupled with the academic side will be an arts-based practice that will draw upon the outcomes of the research and directions of study so I’ve needed to also examine what the work produced will look like, focusing on how the style compliments or reacts against points made. There is also a need to theorise what and how the work exists, exploring its value and establishing the structure in this current climate.

Another purpose of the Urgent Temporality term is as to use as a device to navigate further into the world of academia. I’ve greatly enjoyed my experiences so far and hungry to explore more of this world in my next step. Hence the PhD journey and work searches. Of course, with the current situation, development has proved more difficult than anticipated but I’ll planning on keeping at it.

While I’ve been observing and conducting this research, I’ve seen various techniques employed to gain reaction from others, I assume in an attempt to get ahead. Some of it sounds like a simple search for validation, some is incredibly confusing. The outcomes of these attempts fall into two results they either getting lapped up or simply ignored. On further examination there seems to be no distinguishing factors and identifiable construct to either reaction, it seems incredibly random. I’ve taken to calling these approaches

“…noise…”

As in, it’s the sound that the words and images make to others ears, it’s the tumult surrounding the work, how you make it and how others make it. I must say it has been quite an interesting watch, to see how it travels.

Now I understand that a lot of academia, ideas, research etc is much like most of life and depends on the financial aspect. (Think who you’d have been with enough money? What could you have been? Happy?)

Think the noise depends on where you are situated but it does seem to factor in all levels. Now this is a little bit of a personal conundrum as I always thought that and even though my previous incarnation as commercially led, demanded a self confidence in your practice (one that was easily mistakable for conceit, thanks to certain types of persons.) I will be honest and don’t think I’m very good at it. I was always confident I could get the work done but I’ve never been great at the singing of my own praises.

What is the right amount of noise to make?

What sort of noise do people want to hear? Does a lot of that depends on others? How much really do they want to hear? Does anyone know Specifically what they want to hear?

Citing an example here: I have a starting point for a piece of research involving something that I have had experience of and is now changing from its previous incarnation into something very different mainly driven by lack of knowledge, fashion and capitalism by the current generation. Sorry I know that description is a little vague but I’m unsure of if now, is the right time to lay it all out in it’s naïve, embryonic form or to wait and present it more formed and (possibly under) researched idea. Please let me know your thoughts, I welcome any on this.

What is my next step? Share? Share it before I’ve developed it into a fully-fledged theory? Who am I to suggest theories? Etcetera. The list of question goes on and on…

Academia seems such a strange arena with very distinct yet differing rules. I’ve not been assessed in the same way since I joined, there seems to be a constant, shifting, stable and sliding notion of what it should contain. It’s almost an art form of criteria. Which is fantastic for preparation and planning, I can tell you. I still have a love for academia and harbour aspirations to teach more at degree level, which I’m pursuing with the usual varying degrees of success. One of the keys to this appears to be the amount of noise enabling you to be seen (and heard!) I’ll just have to keep working on that

Blogs need images like books need readers, with this week’s image is….I’ve attempted to produce a visual representation of this blog, using two images I’ve…

 Actually let me drop in a genuine question here.

Can you see any resemblances or am I being too clever or trying too hard?

Any thoughts welcome. 

Thank you for reading…