In my research for wikis and collective intelligence, I couldn't help but go back to M.I.A.'s 20 track mixtape that pays homage to Wiki Leaks. It's called Vicki Leekx--one of her new pseudonyms, and she released it as a free download. She's always been an advocate of the site for its whistle-blowing tactics, and the album great demonstrates such.The mixtape takes quotations directly from Assange's interview on the importance of Wiki Leaks:
We chose the right format
We leak the information to the public
And we defend ourselves against inevitable illegal and political attacks
M.I.A. greatly adheres to this idea on the site's importance in a world where the government secrets may not be as iron clad as they used to be.
In addition, she appears to relate to Wiki Leaks subversive use of the Web 2.0 world to her own status as an artist in the music industry. She states in one of the tracks, "I’m not talking about getting it for free. I’m talking about making it freer."
A more in depth analysis of the mixtape in relation to Wiki Leaks along with a free link to the download site may be found here
One of her most recent music videos of the mixtape. Titled "Bad Girls," the music video "Ouarzazate, Morocco in solidarity with the women to drive movement." Take a gander:
I really like that you mentioned M.I.A. I frequently look to her to get an idea of what important cultural issues are going on, and her support of Wikileaks is no exception.
My question is (or at least, I wonder): Do any of the issues M.I.A. supports link back to collective intelligence? If not, do you anticipate seeing her chime in on this topic anytime soon?
Truthfully, This is more of a pleasure post than a CI post. It seems that M.I.A. is acting moreso as a groupie because WikiLeaks' purpose as a collective intelligence shadows her own in music. They shined a light on secretive and underhanded government activities (such as the Tamils' massacre release that I'm sure M.I.A. read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/01/wikileaks-sri-lanka-mahinda-rajapaksa). I do know that she's attended some of Assange's lectures, and she's working with him in writing music for his show. It would be fascinating to see her join the team with her popular status as a consultant or patron since WikiLeaks operate. For all we know, M.I.A. might be one of the many anonymous contributors to the organization. Assange does need a new right hand man after all.
I really like that you mentioned M.I.A. I frequently look to her to get an idea of what important cultural issues are going on, and her support of Wikileaks is no exception.
ReplyDeleteMy question is (or at least, I wonder):
Do any of the issues M.I.A. supports link back to collective intelligence? If not, do you anticipate seeing her chime in on this topic anytime soon?
Great post.
Truthfully, This is more of a pleasure post than a CI post. It seems that M.I.A. is acting moreso as a groupie because WikiLeaks' purpose as a collective intelligence shadows her own in music. They shined a light on secretive and underhanded government activities (such as the Tamils' massacre release that I'm sure M.I.A. read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/01/wikileaks-sri-lanka-mahinda-rajapaksa). I do know that she's attended some of Assange's lectures, and she's working with him in writing music for his show. It would be fascinating to see her join the team with her popular status as a consultant or patron since WikiLeaks operate. For all we know, M.I.A. might be one of the many anonymous contributors to the organization. Assange does need a new right hand man after all.
ReplyDelete