The Decline and Fall of the English Major by Verlyn Klinkenborg 

This piece reinforces the importance of writing and humanities classes in an eloquent and expressive style. The author is a professor, clearly well equipped in vernacular and experience, who has seen a decline of students wanting to take up humanities courses that focus on creative writing. She expresses that the usefulness of an english degree is overshadowed by what have been deemed “useful majors”; majors which focus on a skill that will assure a good job in the future. Klinkenborg expresses that an English major is about as useful as a major can get, as it focuses on the human experience and how we learn from one another. I completely agree with her. I do think that taking wiring classes in order to gain deeper knowledge of oneself and the society in which we exist is helpful, as well as learning about the different voices and trials of generations past. However, I do not think that declaring an English major purely in the pursuit of this loose philosophy she implies is necessary for all. Some people hold no stock in human experience and seek out material possession and to that I can only say; “To each their own”. It is important to seek deeper meaning from your own existence and to know the minds of great thinkers and writers because it can draw you to conclusions about your own mental state and ideals. However if people chose to be ignorant of this practice I’d say let them be. I love learning about writing and reading the works of talented writers but I would not force it on those who don’t share the passion, the same way I would hope to not have mathematics forced upon me (though it has been). I think the main point of the author is to consider you literacy as a tool to better understand people and to pursue the art of literature if that is the path you wish to follow. She makes a compelling and colorful case in the necessity of English classes and certainly convinced me to pick up more books.

A Letter to My Mother That She Will Never Read by Ocean Vuong 

This letter has the qualities of a a beautiful painting. As beautiful as the words are, the images they conjure are far more powerful. This is the story of a mother forging her son, be it though physical punishment or bits of wisdom and experience. The words are fluid and the thoughts are filled with thick descriptions that put the reader right where is being described, but the thoughts are jumbled. The essay reads like there are tears in the eyes of the author, that this stream on consciousness is a recollection of all his mother had given and shown him. I could help but read this in a poetic cadence, every stanza was so ripe with imagery and context for the mother and son relationship that my mind kept speeding up to find the inevitable conclusion. The cultural overlap is what is on display here; the difference of ideal and morals in two very different cultures, and the objective eye of one born to both. There are so many twists and turns to keep discovering in this piece and every realization solidifies the tumultuous and bipolar relationship.

Personal Essay ideas
Possible theme: the evolution of human interaction and the creation of the self. How does our environment determine who we are and how do we find/stay true to ourselves?
Pop culture
Politics
Conversation Techniques
Evolved humanitarian inhibitors (what keeps us separated)
The Past (how it writes the future-how can we operate ourselves from it/learn from it)
Post modern thought (how has it taken hold in this generation-connection to the past)

---

Pursuing imperfection
– staying hungry for information and knowledge
– the ignorance that people need to change, not the individual
– staying true to yourself and constantly growing
– not inflicting your opinions, not trying to change people, but rather revealing a new perspective
– being afraid to challenge your own thoughts
– believing that you don’t need to improve or learn more

Division of the non binary society
– in the age of overt progressive thought we still feel the need to put ourselves into teams
– our differences define us and we attach ourselves to those who can relate
– mob mentality takes over to the point where one singular idea becomes the forefront of a movement that all members of the group may not even agree with
– we are quicker to make a first impression that condemns an idea that is adopted by a group before engaging in conversation
– we scream at each other, trying to be louder than the other. No one is listening
– Why do we need to pick a side? Why do we need to align ourselves to a majority in order to feel safe? Is there no middle ground anymore?
– (Red team, blue team).
– We try to spite the other team, instead of thinking of the consequences we seek to destroy or eliminate the group that s believed to be the polar opposite “other”. Animosity and the group antagonist.
– We hate because it is easier that listening to something that disconfirms your beliefs. Rationality doest sell t-shirts, or gets a million likes and shares.
– Radical thoughts grabs the attention. The public eye and the volume of aggression is the weapon of choice.
– society of the liberal world calls for the elimination of racial, gender, economic stigmas, yet we make people choose sides of thought? You either confirm others and are welcomed into the fold, or you challenge others and you are cast out and ridiculed as a bigot.
– Progression has become synonymous with bigotry. The line is more blurred now than ever, and people cant stand to live in a world where everyone does not share the same beliefs.
– Conservatives hate liberals because they “whine and complain” and liberals hate conservatives because they believe them to be racist misogynists. Why do we allow politics to dictate what we feel about people living in certain regions? Misinformations and false leadership dictates our impressions and that impression becomes the only thing we see when we hear a disconfirming thought.
– Gone is the idea of objectivity and discovery. We live in our bubbles and are afraid to look at the outside world. The things you consumed are designed to fill you with superiority and the idea that you are an informed individual, but you are being manipulated by those who seek to turn us against each other.
– Why do we put our faith in false idols? Why must we put stock in people who represent and idea? Can we not, as humans, be an amalgam of ideas? Do we have to pick a side?

Jake Pavlica
Composing the Self
2/28/19
Open Letter Final Draft

To you, the artist,

You, sitting in the back of the class daydreaming about the thing that never leaves your mind. You are in your own world and you hear and see things that no one else could possibly imagine. You may be trapped or stifled; or as if there is some force brewing inside you that needs to be released. If this sounds like you, then you and I are one and the same. You have a head full of sounds, images and creative magma that must be released for the good of yourself and others around you, so all you need to do now is muster the willpower to make it reality.
No matter the kind of art you want to explore, know that it is within your power to make it reality. I spent a great deal of my young life thinking I was alone; that only I looked out the class room window thinking up musical ideas and hoping there was someone out there who felt the way I did. I probably would have stayed that way, trapped in my own creative purgatory, had I not pushed myself to seek out others like me. You may think that you don’t matter, or that no one wants to hear what you have to offer; but I’m here to tell you that you’re dead wrong. Before I found my voice and my people I was completely isolated. I wanted to play music to attain some sort of creative purpose and to meet others who had the same goals. I was so unsure of what I had to offer and what I could possibly bring to a band that was special. On top of that I had no idea how to maintain a healthy creative life along with academics and other responsibilities.
The first step is finding a way to meet people like you. For me this was through a music class in my high school. It was guitar class and I had no idea how to play guitar, nor did I even want to. Since the class was an intro course I figured the class could use some rhythmic time keeping, so I offered my services as a drummer. Before long I had found four guys, all with different influences, who had aspirations to from a band. I was wary at first, as I did not know if our goals were comparable. As we grew I saw that it was our differences that made the music interesting and most importantly; enjoyable to play. I had forced myself into an unknown situation, far from my bubble of comfortability and in that uncertainty I found musical allies.
I formed a band with them and we practiced diligently for months and months after school, crafting material. Even then, we were not sure that what we were doing was “good” in the slightest, but we still did it for ourselves. The profound release of being in unison yet individually important in a unit was unlike anything I had ever felt. After months of sweaty, argument filled rehearsal we got a gig at our school open mic night and we were awful. We were sloppy and arrogant, but we walked away from the gig with a new insight into oursleves as players and as a band.
As time went on and the band seemed to be in a rut, I thought that we would never play for an audience. I once again felt that my world was closed and consisted only of the pieces before me. I soon realized that my scope was too small and I was focusing so hard on doing something with this project that I failed to consider that I did not only have to work with one project. A friend of mine had started a band who’s drummer was moving so I saw this as an opportunity to cut my teeth. In this new band I found an even greater difference in influences that diversified my playing. I found that I could become a chameleon in a different genre while still maintaining what made me unique. I became close friends with the other two members of the group and through them I introduced me to a whole community of artists. Everything from painters, photographers, musicians, show promoters, light designers, and clothing designers all coming together to play local shows. I felt as if I had stepped into some underground fantasy land where I saw creative minds working in a colorful cohesion. It was a world I had never seen before and one in which I had never felt more apart of something, as vast as it was. Before long I had befriended a dozen other people in bands themselves or just fans of music who would frequent these underground functions. A true scene of artists, like a intricate tapestry of people from all different backgrounds and influences coming together in perfect harmony. These collectives do exist, and the doors are always open for fresh voices.
Think long and hard about the people you look up to, be they are musicians or visual artists. What is the distance between you and them? We have this perception instilled upon us that people who have become successful artists are somehow greater than us which creates a monumental gap in generational voices. For us musicians, our idols reside mostly in the past and we draw on them for inspiration. But what happens then when all that you know is outdated? There are lessons to be learned from the past, but you do not want to live in a world of displacement. You belong in this time period and it desperately needs new voices. Pop culture will continue to evolve but it cannot do so without people who are willing to make a commentary on the here and now. As artists you and I have the rare ability to be able to create and build an idea that be shared and expressed to the masses, or better yet to the individuals. Think of how close you feel to your inspirations, if they seem far away then you have the ability to be an inspiration that is more grounded and can speak to a modern audience. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel and you can hold fast to your values but do not forget your environment and your climate.
So to you, dreamy eyed artist, it is a vast ocean out there and there is bound to be someone, if not a group of people that can help you in your journey. Find your calling and actualize the sounds and colors in your head. It is scary, and it should be. You are taking a step into becoming who you want to be, but do not resist it. Allow yourself to trust in others and work with others. The art of compromise and mutual achieving is the name of the game, but there are no rules. You set the boundaries for what you want to do and who you want to work with, and there are those out there who want to hear what you have to say. The moment is right now and there will never be a better time. Use the that thing that you think about that you can’t ever shake from your thoughts to pump new blood into an industry that needs new artists and new voices. Connect with those around you and connect with people who can relate to you and never stop creating.

OBJECTIVES
I am seeking a part-time job opportunity that will utilize my excellent people skills for customer service. I work well with a team and I am punctual, courteous, reliable and responsible.

EDUCATION

Chapman University
Undergraduate, Sophomore
Majoring in Communication Studies with a Minor in Music Technology
Co-host of weekly Chapman Radio Show – The Sourdough Hour

New West Charter High School
Graduate 2017
Leadership Award for Musical Achievement – organized four person music group, rehearsals, and performances.

EXPERIENCE
Cherry on Top Yogurt & Poke
Customer Service
Assist customers with preparing yogurt and poke bowls, cashier duties, general shop maintenance for cleanliness, appearance and safety.

New York Food Company
Event Staff Spring 2017
Assisted with food prep and plating, event set-up and service. Required attention to detail and interaction with event guests.
Mar Vista Recreation Center Camp Counselor
Volunteer July 2011-2015
Assisted with organizing sports, activities and preparation of lunch for the younger campers.

Eagle Scout Troop 2 Santa Monica
Boy Scouts of America 2010-2017
I earned the rank of Eagle Scout after a rigorous 7 year program in Troop 2. The road to Eagle Scout focuses on leadership, citizenship, emergency preparedness, and personal management.
I am CPR-certified and trained in Emergency Preparedness and First Aid.

SOVA Food Pantry
Inventory & Order Fulfillment 2010-2017
Regular volunteer at SOVA West LA Food Pantry.
Filled orders and maintained stock and inventory.

SKILLS
CPR-certified
Radio Show Host
Musician – drummer, recording artist and live performer
Computer proficient on Mac, Google docs, MS Office.
Hobbies include: hiking, kayaking, and cycling.

Dave Eggers is able to build a world and a character out of thin air. Even reading this passage out of context gives us all the insight into the world and the person he is trying to create. He has a way of pushing forward the narrative through a limited third person view that never seems to slow down. It is a very organic writing style that, while well crafted, seems very human and real. His dialogue is verbose and much of the context of the story is revealed through the inner thoughts, mostly questions, of the protagonist. I’m particularly a fan of his descriptions; how instead illustrating the fact that police were on the verge of arresting Mae (the protagonist) he merely said that shadows descended upon her and handcuffed her behind her back. Its not even a flashy description but I locks the perspective of the story in one place and makes the limitation of the narrative more believable and real . Or in the case of “He looked over his teacup to her, his eyes steady. She met his gaze, then, briefly overwhelmed, she looked away, only to find his face again, this time in a framed photo on a nearby shelf.” Eggers not only reports on the emotions in the scene and the setting of it but also reveals the inner feelings of the protagonist though something as simple as an averted gaze.

Jake Pavlica
Composing the Self
2/21/19
Open Letter 2nd Draft

You, sitting in the back of the class daydreaming about the thing that never leaves your mind. You are in your own world and you hear and see things that no one else could possibly imagine. If this sounds like you, then you and I are one and the same.
No matter the kind of art you want to explore, know that it is within your power to make it reality. I spent a great deal of my young life thinking I was alone; that only I looked out the class room window thinking up musical ideas and hoping there was someone out there who felt the way I did. I probably would have stayed that way, trapped in my own creative purgatory, had I not pushed myself to seek out others like me. You may think that you don’t matter, or that no one wants to hear what you have to offer; but I’m here to tell you that your dead wrong. Before I found my voice and my people I was completely isolated. I wanted to play music to attain some sort of creative purpose and to meet others who had he same goals. I was so unsure of what I had to offer and what I could possibly bring to a band that was special. On top of that I had no idea how to maintain a healthy creative life along with academics and other responsibilities.
The first step is finding a way to meet people like you. For me this was through a music class in my high school. It was guitar class and I had no idea how to play guitar, nor did I even want to. Since the class was an intro course I figured the class could use some rhythmic time keeping, so I offered my services as a drummer to the class. Before long I had found four guys, all of with different influences, who had aspirations to from a band. I was wary at first, as I did not know if our goals were comparable. As we grew I saw that it was our differences that made the music interesting and most importantly; enjoyable to play.
I formed a band with them and we practiced diligently for months and months after school, crafting material. Even then, we were not sure that what we were doing was good in the slightest, but we still did it for ourselves. The profound release of being in unison yet individually important in a unit was unlike anything I had ever felt. After months of sweaty, argument filled rehearsal we got a gig at our school open mic night and we were awful. This did not stop us though, it was only another lesson under our belt to push us forward and allow ourselves to grow.
As time went on and the band seemed to be in a rut, I thought that we would never play for an audience. I soon realized that my scope was too small and I was focusing so hard on doing something with this project that I failed to realize that I did not only have to work with one project. A friend of mind had started a band who’s drummer was moving so I saw this as an opportunity to cut my teeth. In this new band I found an even greater difference in influence that diversified my playing.This introduced me to a whole community of artists. Everything from painters, photographers, musicians, show promoters, light designers, and clothing designers all coming together to play local shows. It was a world I had never seen before and one in which I had never felt more apart of something, as vast as it was. Before long I had befriended a dozen other people wither in bands or just fans of music who would frequented to these underground functions. A true scene of artists, like a intricate tapestry of people from all different backgrounds and influences coming together in perfect harmony. These collectives do exist, and the doors are always open for fresh voices.

So to you, dreamy eyed artist, it is a vast ocean out there and there is bound to be someone, if not a group of people that can help you in your journey. Find your calling and actualize the sounds and colors in your head. It is scary, and it should be. You are taking a step into becoming who you want to be, but do not resist it. Allow yourself to trust in others and work with others. The art of compromise and mutual achieving is the name of the game, but there are no rules. You set the boundaries for what you want to do and who you want to work with, and there are those out there who want to hear what you have to say. The moment is right now and there will never be a better time. Use the that thing that you think about that you can’t ever shake from your thoughts to pump new blood into an industry that needs new artists and new voices. Connect with those around you and connect with people who can relate to you.

I posit myself in this world in the role of a sponge. My main goal has always been absorption; always searching for a new experience or a new perspective. In a non academic sense I consider myself to be a student of the world, constantly searching for some new facet of life to explore. My primary passion thus far in my life has been music. I come from a music household, taking most of my influence and insight from my father. He was the one who introduced me to the drums and all the possibilities that exist for the instrument. His stories of touring the world and seeing the highs and lows of the industry have guided me and led me to seek out my own experiences, using his failures as lessons. Since my father was the gateway into music, I have tried to forge my own road beyond his experiences to seek out my own. The baseline of knowledge and ideas that he laid out for me provided a stable exoskeleton to fill in the blanks where I see fit. We often have discussions and disagreements about musical topics and it delights me to see that I am not just a carbon copy of my father; thought the similarities are still evident.

Growing up, hearing the autobiographical tales my father would tell of being a traveling musician always inspired me to seek out my own adventures. I try to push myself out of my comfort zone an try new things when the opportunity strikes. One way in which I have found that is the use of networking in a musical/ art community. Working with different styles of musician and different people gave my playing most versatility and allowed me to form strong relationships within the community. Above all I play music for a basic hedonistic catharsis. Though it can sometimes be a tool for money or popularity I had the thought set at a young age to play the way I wanted to and the play what I wanted to. Do not mistake this for selfishness or some ego driven search for gratification. I play music to enrich my life, and I think many other could say the same. Every week, every gig that happens bring a new experience and a new side to music. It forces you to evolve in order to better connect with people. Even the worst gig can be the best because it taught you something about yourself and it keeps you in a state of imperfection. How boring would it be to be perfect? I don’t think perfection exists, at least not in the rational mind of music. If you are no longer willing to learn and improve then you are lost. I seek to live in the moment and take it one gig at a time.

Thinking about the future has a way of bringing everyone down, or at least dampening the fire of youth that I think should be fanned for as long as possible. I seek to give people what I get from music. There is no worry at a show. Escapism is the primary goal; for a few hours you can be surrounded by people who all want to forget whats going on outside the walls of the show. A show is a place where young people, and frankly anyone, can be unabashedly themselves. There is a common purpose that is shared between he performers and the audience; a kind of symbiosis. There is true unity through live music and a way of bringing artists together to be involved with something greater than the sum of its parts.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail”

In Martin Luther King Jr’s letter during the time of his incarceration one line in particular stood out to me: “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds”. This sentiment is the bedrock of King’s ideology and movement. He writes this letter that seems to echo with the same powerful timbre his speeches used. He is addressing the government directly and calling for the end of injustice against those who do not fit the ignorant, cookie-cutter, archetype of the American mainstream. Moreover, King calls into question the idea of a single American culture in this letter and explores the idea that America is an amalgam of cultures and people that all deserve and equal right to happiness and inequality. King is moving the chess pieces of the Civil Rights Movement from behind bars, which give his words and expense that much more urgency and raw power. He talks about how he is tired of waiting and he also expresses the difficulty of remaining civil in times of such divisiveness. He uses every ounce of emotional appeal to encourage protestors to take the higher ground of using civility as the weapon of choice to combat oppression. He also bolsters his point by using anecdotes of children being tired away from theme parks that are exclusionary to non-whites to remind people of the true cause that they fight for; equality, not bloodshed.

“Three Guineas”

Virginia Woolf uses her wit an intelligence to masterfully deflect a question to one of more pressing importance. When a man wrote her a letter which asked her advice on how to stop a war, Woolf used her status as an educated woman to pose the man, and all men, a well thought step into gender equality. Wolf uses her humor and intellect to bring the topic o center around the oppression women face under the rule of men and how inherent differences exist between the genders. The draws focus on the homeland side of the issues, leading us to the conclusion that less violence would occur if women were given the proper opportunities to speak their mind or climb to positions of power in order to present new perspective. Her retort letter uses her own brilliance as a catalyst for the frame of though that could be achieved worldwide if other women were afforded the education and skills that she possesses.

Jake Pavlica
Composing the Self
2/14/19
Open Letter 1st Draft

WHAT is your story topic (not the title–this may not come until the end), but rather tell, as concisely as possible, what is your letter about?)
My open letter will be directed towards people pursue a creative field. I’m going to tackle it through the lens of music, as that is the one I’m familiar with. I will give my amateur advice on multi-tasking and different ways to achieve goals.

WHY are you compelled (exigence) to write this letter?
Finding the time to start creative projects and juggling them with “real” work has been a significant struggle in my life. I want to assure people that it is possible to maintain healthy creativity as well as being traditionally productive. I want people to understand that there is always a way to meet and collaborate with like minded individuals to build an artistic community.

WHAT is the situation you address in the letter?
I will be addressing the shortage of bands and fresh voices in the music industry and the constant need for growth and differ perspectives in art.

DOES an opportune and/or critical moment (kairos) exist in this situation?
The opportune moment will exist within the mind of the reader. Whether or not the material resonates with them will be the critical moment. If, after reading, they feel compelled to begin work on a project they have dreamed about but never gotten around to seeing it through, then that will be the critical moment. The moment is right now and there will never be a better time.

WHO is your specific, target audience? What other audiences might you engage with this story?
My target audience is artists and musicians alike. Most examples and situations will be directed towards musicians but I feel hat the material can span over the entire artistic scape. I will be tying music into the concept of “scenes”; places in which all art forms are represented and work in unison

WHAT are the constraints of your rhetorical strategy? Note what factors (persons, events, objects, relations) have the power to constrain decision and action needed to affect change. Consider how, where or why these “inartistic proofs” (which can include values, assumptions, knowledge level, socio-political ideologies) might come into play.
I guess the constraints that I will be addressing are both mental and atmospheric. For everyone trying to embark on a creative project there is always in intangible grip of expectations and self doubt as well as the idea of competition and inadequacy. I will assure my audience that these factors only serve to further your own process and will eventually refine you into making something that is pure.

WHAT are the appeals of your rhetorical strategy? Here, cite as many possibilities that you can of the following appeals: pathos—ethos—logos (“artistic proofs” that originate with you). Explain in each case why the appeals that you cite are appropriate to your persuasion – how do they address the noted constraints, for example?
I will employ ethos; seeing as how I have been through this kind of experience and have insight to share about it both in hindsight and in my own goals. I will also use pathos; I will try to appeal to the people who feels stifled in their environment or that there is no one who they can relate to (either in music or around them). Other than those two I will use my own brand of call-to-action.

WHAT overall purpose do you (the author) intend to express?
I intend to express my desire to see more people coming forward to speak their truth and to be themselves. It is an extremely vulnerable position to want to put you art out into the world for all those who are willing to see it and I want to assure the reader that people are willing to see. I want to explore the idea that feelings of isolation and stifling can be remedy by getting out of your comfort zone, meeting people who you can express yourself with, and creating something as a team for people to look at or listen to. Basically I will be talking about how to network in a creative setting and how you never need to do things alone if you don’t want to.

DOES your strategy construct persuasion toward an argument, an idea, an opinion, a redesign—or perhaps a combination of these persuasions?
My persuasion leans toward that of wanting to see more young people coming out into the artistic community. It will be a persuasive call-to-action that attempts to lure artists out of hiding and present themselves before idle ears and eyes.

WHAT multimodal sources can you bring into your composition that would support or strengthen your persuasion?
As of now I will be using my own experience to talk about this topic. In a way this letter is being written to myself when I was timid about putting myself out there in a creative way. I can also find quoted from musicians and artists to bolster my points, but for the most part I want this to be a reflection of my experience at this time in my life.

Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock have been friends for over forty years. In the pursuit of their art, they’ve shattered boundaries previously believed unbreakable, they’ve revolutionized the concept of innovation, and have chosen to make the endeavor of living compassionately and courageously the center of their lives.

From their early days composing and playing together with Miles Davis in Davis’ Second Great Quintet, to branching out and flourishing in their individual endeavors, Wayne and Herbie’s contributions to the world of music have been nothing short of extraordinary. Together, they’ve won a combined total of twenty-five Grammys. Despite their countless accolades, they’ll both insist that their greatest achievements lie in their roles as husbands, fathers, and humans of this earth.

After the recent rash of tragedies around the globe in the past year from Paris to San Bernardino, we had the opportunity to ask Wayne and Herbie how the next generation of artists can respond. Below is an open letter with their thoughts.

__

To the Next Generation of Artists,

We find ourselves in turbulent and unpredictable times.

From the horror at the Bataclan, to the upheaval in Syria and the senseless bloodshed in San Bernardino, we live in a time of great confusion and pain. As an artist, creator and dreamer of this world, we ask you not to be discouraged by what you see but to use your own lives, and by extension your art, as vehicles for the construction of peace.

While it’s true that the issues facing the world are complex, the answer to peace is simple; it begins with you. You don’t have to be living in a third world country or working for an NGO to make a difference. Each of us has a unique mission. We are all pieces in a giant, fluid puzzle, where the smallest of actions by one puzzle piece profoundly affects each of the others. You matter, your actions matter, your art matters.

We’d like to be clear that while this letter is written with an artistic audience in mind, these thoughts transcend professional boundaries and apply to all people, regardless of profession.

FIRST, AWAKEN TO YOUR HUMANITY

We are not alone. We do not exist alone and we cannot create alone. What this world needs is a humanistic awakening of the desire to raise one’s life condition to a place where our actions are rooted in altruism and compassion. You cannot hide behind a profession or instrument; you have to be human. Focus your energy on becoming the best human you can be. Focus on developing empathy and compassion. Through the process you’ll tap into a wealth of inspiration rooted in the complexity and curiosity of what it means to simply exist on this planet. Music is but a drop in the ocean of life.

EMBRACE AND CONQUER THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

The world needs new pathways. Don’t allow yourself to be hijacked by common rhetoric, or false beliefs and illusions about how life should be lived. It’s up to you to be the pioneers. Whether through the exploration of new sounds, rhythms, and harmonies or unexpected collaborations, processes and experiences, we encourage you to dispel repetition in all of its negative forms and consequences. Strive to create new actions both musically and with the pathway of your life. Never conform.

WELCOME THE UNKNOWN

The unknown necessitates a moment-to-moment improvisation or creative process that is unparalleled in potential and fulfillment. There is no dress rehearsal for life because life, itself, is the real rehearsal. Every relationship, obstacle, interaction, etc. is a rehearsal for the next adventure in life. Everything is connected. Everything builds. Nothing is ever wasted. This type of thinking requires courage. Be courageous and do not lose your sense of exhilaration and reverence for this wonderful world around you.

UNDERSTAND THE TRUE NATURE OF OBSTACLES

We have this idea of failure, but it’s not real; it’s an illusion. There is no such thing as failure. What you perceive as failure is really a new opportunity, a new hand of cards, or a new canvas to create upon. In life there are unlimited opportunities. The words, “success” and “failure”, themselves, are nothing more than labels. Every moment is an opportunity. You, as a human being, have no limits; therefore infinite possibilities exist in any circumstance.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO INTERACT WITH THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOU

The world needs more one-on-one interaction among people of diverse origins with a greater emphasis on art, culture and education. Our differences are what we have in common. We can work to create an open and continuous plane where all types of people can exchange ideas, resources, thoughtfulness and kindness. We need to be connecting with one another, learning about one another, and experiencing life with one another. We can never have peace if we cannot understand the pain in each other’s hearts. The more we interact, the more we will come to realize that our humanity transcends all differences.

STRIVE TO CREATE AGENDA-FREE DIALOGUE

Art in any form is a medium for dialogue, which is a powerful tool. It is time for the music world to produce sound stories that ignite dialogue about the mystery of us. When we say the mystery of us, we’re talking about reflecting and challenging the fears, which prevent us from discovering our unlimited access to the courage inherent in us all. Yes, you are enough. Yes, you matter. Yes, you should keep going.

BE WARY OF EGO

Arrogance can develop within artists, either from artists who believe that their status makes them more important, or those whose association with a creative field entitles them to some sort of superiority. Beware of ego; creativity cannot flow when only the ego is served.

WORK TOWARDS A BUSINESS WITHOUT BORDERS

The medical field has an organization called Doctors Without Borders. This lofty effort can serve as a model for transcending the limitations and strategies of old business formulas which are designed to perpetuate old systems in the guise of new ones. We’re speaking directly to a system that’s in place, a system that conditions consumers to purchase only the products that are dictated to be deemed marketable, a system where money is only the means to an end. The music business is a fraction of the business of life. Living with creative integrity can bring forth benefits never imagined.

APPRECIATE THE GENERATION THAT WALKED BEFORE YOU

Your elders can help you. They are a source of wealth in the form of wisdom. They have weathered storms and endured the same heartbreaks; let their struggles be the light that shines the way in the darkness. Don’t waste time repeating their mistakes. Instead, take what they’ve done and catapult you towards building a progressively better world for the progeny to come.

LASTLY, WE HOPE THAT YOU LIVE IN A STATE OF CONSTANT WONDER

As we accumulate years, parts of our imagination tend to dull. Whether from sadness, prolonged struggle, or social conditioning, somewhere along the way people forget how to tap into the inherent magic that exists within our minds. Don’t let that part of your imagination fade away. Look up at the stars and imagine what it would be like to be an astronaut or a pilot. Imagine exploring the pyramids or Machu Picchu. Imagine flying like a bird or crashing through a wall like Superman. Imagine running with dinosaurs or swimming like mer-creatures. All that exists is a product of someone’s imagination; treasure and nurture yours and you’ll always find yourself on the precipice of discovery.

How does any of this lend to the creation of a peaceful society you ask? It begins with a cause. Your causes create the effects that shape your future and the future of all those around you. Be the leaders in the movie of your life. You are the director, producer, and actor. Be bold and tirelessly compassionate as you dance through the voyage that is this lifetime.

Link to the letter: https://nesthq.com/wayne-shorter-herbie-hancock-open-letter/

My thoughts:

These two musical giants aim to address the animosity that plagues our modern society. In recent years there have attacks on ways of life that we hold dear to us in free thinking nations; things such as the terror attack at the Bataclan Theater and neighboring cafe. These are places we go to escape from the world. The authors of this letter seem to be making the point that we have the ability to be different than those who seek to destroy the things we hold sacred. The situation they address is that of a divided world that has as great a capacity for compassion as it does for hate. They try and encourage us to think beyond ourselves and to embrace unity over destruction. Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter have been titans of the Music Industry through America’s most infamously turbulent times, and there influence has never wavered. Their motivation for this piece is to prevent artists from being afraid or discouraged from the world they are trying to connect to. As artists they strive to create new landscapes for people and give everyone a chance to escape into something they can appreciate, and they want others to feel empowered to do the same. It can be intimidating to think that you could be performing or enjoying a concert and suddenly armed radicals can storm the building and try to kill everyone who doesn’t share their fear and hatred; these two musicians aim to reassure fellow artists that good still exists as long as you have the right mindset. Being that the two men have been wildly successful in their careers, their persona is that of wisdom and experience. The both have no doubt had their bought with ego and creative ruts but they nonetheless encourage artist to power through them and continue to explore the freedom of art. They present the ideas of awakening your humanity and creating an outlet that is free from ego, agenda, and closed mindedness; to respect what has come before you and try to make something pure. This letter is for the artists who feel they have no direction and no sympathetic ear to turn to. Artists who feel that the divided world is designed to break you down. The authors are trying to elevate a new generation of free thinkers who are louder than the small minded radicals.