Relating things I learn in class to things in music helps me retain the information better. This week we learned about the difference between assessment and conventional signals.
Online, assessment signals are signals in which the signal given off is directly related to the trait a person is claiming to identify with. For example, online, one can only obtain a email address ending with ".edu" if they are associated with a university.
Like wise a person who not only owns, but knows every word to every Bob Dylan song would be giving off an assessment signal. The trait of owning and knowing the words to all the songs is directly associated with being a pretty big Bob Dylan fan.
Conventional signals are signals that can still be given off even if the person signaling does not necessarily posses the trait they are trying to identify with. For example a person can have an email address that states student@gmail.com, but they may or may not be a student. Since it is a GMail account, a person can put whatever they want before the domain, therefore allowing them to give off signals that they may or may not be associated with.
May college students have Bob Dylan posters in their rooms simply to say, "Look at me! I like Bob Dylan." But ask them to sing "Tangled Up in Blue" and there in lies your proof that they were giving off a conventional signal. Here the characteristic they are claiming to identify with is not directly associated with the trait of being a Bob Dylan fan. You don't need a poster to be a fan, but you do need a love of the music.
This week's song suggestion:
"Skinny Love" by Bon Iver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pelzrd1wWIA
Why, oh why did I wait until this past week to start listening to Bon Iver, especially when I've known about them for months now?
It's okay, I plan on seeing them this weekend at Austin City Limits Fest to make up for it!
Kimmy
P.S. Isn't his guitar in this video just beautiful?
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