Mockery: The Dark Side of Remix
As much as everybody here makes fun of Pop Culture and the glittering generalities that the media chooses to focus its attention on, ignoring what most people would consider important news, I know everybody here enjoys hearing about the stars of the Disney Channel. My personal favorite is Miley Cyrus for her incredible acting ability and golden pipes, but this is supposed to be a non-biased forum so I’ll try and keep my personal loyalties aside. Several months ago, Miley made headlines with her backup singer and friend Mandy Jiroux posted a video on YouTube mocking a video posted by the star of Wizards of Waverly Place Selena Gomez and her friend, star of the Disney Channel Original movie Camp Rock. According to Carrie Stetler, author of “Miley Cyrus vs. Selena Gomez: The YouTube battle”, fans find Mile’s attacks “mean but kind of funny”, and most people familiar with both stars will side with Selena and Demi because they are “pretentious and charming.” After viewing both video’s, and the remix video which mashes the similar parts up against each other, I’m going to have to side with Miley and Mandy in this battle. Yes, Demi and Selena are charming, but I find their arrogance overwhelming for thinking anybody would care about such mundane things that go on in their lives.
As far as how this relates to our class, I think it delves into a form of remix that our class has yet to discuss, mockery. Let’s say that Selena and Demi made the video they made to sell and make a profit. If Miley and Mandy made their video for the same purpose, would Selena and Demi be allowed to sue for copyright infringement? I think Miley and Mandy could make a strong case that their mocking is a form of criticism, and therefore is protected under free use laws. As with my other posts, this may have just been a publicity stunt because all of the stars believed that their careers had hit a plateau . Who knows? I hope I’ve given you all something to comment about.
Read this! http://blog.nj.com/parentalguidance/2008/06/mileymand.html
Mash-Up & Remix: The Hottest F-Sem at M-Wash 
First of all, excellent job relating the story to our class’ topics. When I first read this story, I didnt think it was relative; however, you made it clear that the two groups of stars could use copyright laws to their advantage. Also, you supported each side very well. Even though this Youtube fight is silly and unimportant.
-Andrew Hogan