Kenneth Goldsmith introduces UbuWeb as “a large site dedicated to the free distribution of generally hard-to-find and out-of-print avant-garde materials” and I’m wondering what are the logistics when distributing other writer’s work for free? I’m assuming you’d have to get the OK from the writer to distribute their work like when using an image you did not take yourself in a publication, etc.
I have been encouraged by many of my friends to make an Instagram account to share my work. Although Goldsmith has changed my perspective on sharing work on the Internet, I still have mixed feelings about doing so. Partially because I think with unlimited availability and access to things they become less desirable. Are there examples of artists who oppose Goldsmith’s views? How do you/peers feel about this?
Goldsmith talks about “…the speed with which the transfer and exchange of ideas is happening. Over the past few years, this tendency has increased with blogging. Even such established media outlets as The New York Times are requiring their reporters to blog constantly during the day…” and later says “Instant feedback on your work: does it get any better than that?” which makes me consider the vast amount of people blogging/posting/commenting on things. The amount of feedback and responses one may receive is massive, and I (maybe being pessimistic) assume a lot of it is total shit written by people who aren’t experts on whatever you have shared. There are people who are paid by companies to blog/post/etc. on these company’s sites/applications because they draw attention and a large following, bringing people to the site/application (good for business). I imagine the ratio of people who are assets to these companies vs. people who are not is 1:1,000,000… or something. Again, I am left questioning the idea of value and worth of something that is posted on the Internet. Is there anything that these companies who pay bloggers/posters value other than followers??? If so what companies?