With the invention and exploitation (meant in the best way possible) of the internet, art is seeing a renaissance.

People have access to things they never would have ever found, and they’re enjoying local as well as international cultures, all from their computer.

I remember years ago, trying to find rare European imports of CDs, I’d have to either order them off the internet for a huge fee, or to find the small record shop that would order them in for me.

Someone today would have no problem finding those CDs, or in this case, MP3s or other audio files.

With iTunes carrying more and more international releases, you can find just about anything from anywhere, as long as the licensing deal allows it to be shared in other countries.

For example, an amazing band from Iceland – Sigur Rós (don’t ever ask me to pronounce it) – has seen success in North America, despite their lyrics being in Icelandic.

This is due to their outstanding music, but also the ability their music has to cross the seas so easily.

Other aspects of art are seeing this Renaissance as well.

A great example would be the French film Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, or known in short here as Amélie.

An outstanding film, in all French, with subtitles for other languages. Not likely to be a hit.

Its recognition as a great film with award nominations did not guarantee its success, as it received a limited release in North America, its dedicated fan base helped push it to a cult success.

Or Italy’s Life Is Beautiful, in all Italian, was a success worldwide, after the movie was released to other countries over the course of two years, with demand coming from film goers.

Despite several industries suffering, the art within the industry is still very much alive.

Remember to support those artists you love, as directly as possible, because they deserve it.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: Amelie, Art, Music, Renaissance, Sigur Ros, Success

Amelie · Art · Music · Renaissance · Sigur Ros · Success

It still amazes me to this day that despite all of the terrible things that happen to good people, we just put up with it.

I’m referring to the fact that there’s people working every minute of their waking life to make someone else some money.

This is the way huge companies are structured in our capitalist world, the little person does all the work, and the guy on top reaps the benefits.

People put up with it, because its the only way. You’re stuck at the lower levels, just trying to pay your mortgage, and hoping one day, you’ll make it a little higher on the ladder.

Will this happen with hard work? Probably not.

The man at the top will always protect himself and his own, and if he can find a way to exploit someone down the line, he will, because it makes his and his more money.

This needs to change.

Millions of people lost their jobs due to the downturn of the economy, while the rich stayed rich.

It seems the economy did nothing but hurt the little guy even more.

The companies fell, yet the pieces at the top remained. How is that fair?

The top should fall hardest, if a company fails, its the leader’s fault, and they should be held accountable.

Pressure should be placed on corporate leaders, that if their company fails, it will be them paying the price, not their underlings.

People need to speak up if something doesn’t seem right. As I wrote yesterday, companies make huge mistakes, often. SPEAK UP!

Let these leaders know that their making a bad choice, and it will hurt the company.

But don’t just speak up about that, speak up about everything, and if you know other people have a problem with something, get their help with it.

Only then will we stop being slaves to the executives:

To make our voice heard.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Technorati Tags: Ability, Success, Worth

Ability · Success · Worth