Under the heading, Does feminism have a bad reputation?, almost 50 participants attended the start conference of the new Feminist Forum at the University of Oslo, at Chateau Neuf Nov 26, with presentations by Charlotte Myrbråten, former editor of the feminist journal Fett, and myself. Mostly students, about a quarter men.
The debate concerned whether feminism today has become a mark of disrespute or negative reactions. In some student circles, saying “I am a feminist” is a risky proposition.
Yet the reaction against what is perceived as “feminism” also has some understandable reasons. For example, when feminism becomes the word for women-only-interests, or upper-middle-class-career-interests. Main reasons why feminism gets into disrespute were discussed, including a belief that feminism only favors women (and is against men), only the middle class, or that it is no longer needed (the goals have been achieved, gender equality is here already).
The debate did not provide “answers”, but it was interesting, fun, open and smart – a good start for the new forum. A debate like this would scarcely have been possible twenty years ago. At that time, the “hard” front lines between the genders would have been much more marked. Today, Myrbråten argued that masculinits, also, could be feminists. This idea would hardly even have been understood twenty years ago. There has been a major change of climate, and it is most noticeable among young participants in the discussion.
The debate underlined the need to know, to create better analyses and theories, and for better research.
Ever since the “Gender equality and quality of life” survey results came in, in 2007, I have worked with improvements of the data base.
Version 5 of the data base has now been constructed and internally tested, eliminating errors. The data base versions 1-4 constructed the main gender equality indexes, as well as easier access to important variables. Version 5 follows this, with new useful variables e g regarding sickness leave, parenting, violence experience, and many other topics.
The data base has 2805 respondents. The variable set is now larger, total 820 variables. Some of these are temporary variables only, but at least 500 variables is realistic.
This is quite a bit above the global gender equality “index approach” with – at best – thirty or fifty variables.
In many ways, the data set is unique. It was constructed in terms of gender equality, and has helped create a new map of gender equality developments.
Why use time and resources for a phd course on “archaic” gift exchange theory, outlined by nowadays somewhat “obscure” theorists like French structuralist Claude Levi-Strauss?
Because, perhaps, there was “something in it”? Something true, across sciences? Something with women “between” men, not just “opposed to” men?
This course enlists main University of Oslo professors as well as independent researchers, as speakers (including Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Elisabeth L’orange Furst, Jorun Solheim) – the researcher interest is collective. Starting from a measurable affair, “who moves in marriage”, we will highlight and develop improved gender equality research.
Although I listened a lot to Talking heads when their music appeared in the late 1970s, I was already in my late twenties, and my main or “formative” experience was from the late 1960s, so this was a kind of repeat of what I had heard before. It was only gradually that I came to realize, a better kind of repeat.
At the time, I had my musical radar open, and got their debut album “77” quite soon, but it was their follow-up “More songs about buildings and food” that really gripped me, beyond my first-round music socialization. I was amazed by the combination of “strange” and “melody”, even pop-hooked melody. Along with quirky but understandable lyrics – “I just want to be with the girls”.
For some reason, I lost interest in Talking heads in the early 1980s, and never listened so much to their other albums.
Time for a change.
I’ve bought “Remain in light” in the 2006 remastered edition (Rhino), and am sorry I missed it in the first place.
Like “More songs”, “Remain in light” is fresh and interesting, today. The first is still in a kind of “Americana”, it is within the bubble or gum wrap of commercial ‘pop’, the second more into ‘world music’. Together they make a shining path in the development of popular music.
Why do I like this music? My premier honor does not go to Byrne’s vocals or Harrison’s keyboards, or to others, although they are all very good. It goes to the bass playing of Tina Weymouth. She deserves a position in the hall of fame of rock music. This “verve” lady plays a great and deep bass, better than almost all I know of, when it comes to making the bass integrate with the ensemble effort, slowing it down, moving it up, based on melody, a greater sense of the whole, not just rhythm. Yes, her bass and the band playing can sound repetetive and tiring at times, but I think this is much due to the role she was given. When she is offered the chance to break loose, she is great. Her bass is the overlooked structure of the Talking heads’ success.
I was not aware of her later career with the Tom Tom Club. A new live CD sounds very good – to be checked out.
The new novel by China Mieville, Embassytown, is just great.
As an old science fiction fan, running low on new input for several years, I would never have expected this. Here is a true science fiction novel that shows the superiority of the whole genre, over the money-pushing fantasy bullshit that has polluted our shelves.
Having read some of his former novels, if I had not known, I would never have expected Mieville as the author of this. Since his former novels are good, this is great praise indeed.
Ursula K. LeGuin writes on the cover of my copy, that this is “a fully realised work of art”. On many levels, when reading, I am reminded of her masterwork, The left hand of darkness.
Mievelle’s novel continues the best traditions of science fiction, as well as doing an utterly astonishing “concretization” of postmodernist language theory.
I am still in the middle of it – but this is very much recommended.
I just saw that Bob Dylan has a new album, Tempest, coming in September, and thought that this might be a nice place to sum up listening experiences the last months. Listening for good music, now as always.
Among music bought this last semester, I quite like Supersilent: 10, very experimental, great sonics.
Generally, albums bought in the last period have a bit better sound than before. LP producers seem to be advancing their act. Even a “niche” company like Rune Grammophone in Norway, the publisher of the Supersilent LP, makes sonically good recordings. Improved sound is noteworthy in some other European cases also, like the Nik Bartsch: Llyria LP, made in 2011 by ECM – remarkable sound quality, even if ECM LPs have generally always sounded quite good (if a bit thin, clinical, etc). Some of the tracks, like Exodus and Tomorrow never ends, on the Herbie Hancock: Imagine project LP were notably enjoyable also. I play some flute and guitar, and if the sound invites me to play – it is good, in my judgement. This one really does.
In 2011 I bought several “keeping up” albums by old groups and artists. The results were mixed, but often favorable, so I continued in 2012. I enjoyed, for example, the best tracks on Tom Petty: Mojo and on Robbie Robertson: How to become clairvoiant. I also managed to get hold of a few hard to get original gems, like Donovan’s 1970 double LP, HMS Donovan (an album with some great, overlooked songs with amazing sound, even if my copy, bought from Iceland (!), is only the second issue from Dawn (the legendary company). I also enjoyed Wizz Jones’s similarly overlooked LP Right now, reissued by Speakers’ Corner (I think, on my suggestion). I also bought new groups or artists, like Field Music: Plumb (quite good) and even Adele: 21 (hmm, well). Some music I buy just to get a feeling of current changes of taste – being interested as a researcher.
As analog sound is becoming more re-accepted, some “fresh tape” albums, relatively speaking, from the 80s and 90s, are getting good new remastering. An example is Talk Talk: The Colour of Spring, 2012 edition, on EMI (EMCX 3506) – a great album, better sound than the original I had, and well worth it. Another example is Paul Simon, Graceland – the new remaster.
Clearly there is more attention to quality in many places al0ng the chain. Among those who should be honored for this is, not least, Michael Fremer of Stereophile, who almost single-handedly started “the analog counter-revolution” back in the late 1990s. Back in the time when CDs as “perfect sound forever” was received wisdom.
Let me tell you my own take on this.
Personally, I held on to the “digital is superior” theory for five years or so in the early 1990s. I liked data programming, which became one of my favourite hobbies, along with music. This happened after a long period of recording LPs to analogue tape, in the 1970s and 80s, with a Revox A-77 recorder, and playing some of the LPs direct on a decent but limited system.
I thought, OK, let me give digital a try. At first, I was confirmed, or so was my impression. A bit is a bit, right! It was only after a while that I really started to note the digitalization deficits. The format was so practical and inventive – I wanted it to be best. But after awhile, I realized that CD sound was not such a great improvement of LP sound, after all.
In 1997 I bought a used Lyra Clavis pickup, somewhat by coincidence, meeting a good dealer at the south coast of Norway (Vidar Sonesen/Audio Art). After that, things never became the same. I gradually became transformed back into an analog person, simply using my ears. I started upgrading my analog rig. Vinyl was clearly the best source, even if one has to live with some medium deficits, like ticks and pops, decentering, warps etc.
I was not alone. After having literally been run down in a flea market, I stopped over-eager excursions into cheap used LP bins. Good analog costs money, yes. But it pays off. All the more reason to share information about what does sound good, and what does not, among the now-increasing analog offerings.
New LPs in 2012 – spring:
Dr John: Locked down. Quite good but too stressful – somewhat disappointing. Check out Duke Elegant instead, much more relaxed. The melodic core, harmonic logic and strictness of Ellington’s music seem to have worked exceptionally well for the doctor, on this “The duke meets the doc” album. It is a shame that it exists only on CD, not on vinyl, but the music is so good you mainly forget all that.
Bob Dylan and the Band: The Basement Tapes, in the new Mobile Fidelity (MFSL 2-382) edition. Agree with Michael Fremer – this improves on the original. Not a basement revolution perhaps, but enough to make re-listening more worthwhile.
On CD (I am not a vinyl fanatic); World Party: Arkeology. Although some parts are kitch or filler material, or in a draft stage only, on the whole, this 70 song set is remarkable and well worth a listen. Wallinger is one of the overlooked entrepeneurs of pop (see earlier blog post, under Music, on this site).
I was not happy about Pink Floyd’s Wish you were here, the new remaster, and returned it. It was not quite centered, and the variation in pitch was really unforgiveable on the long beautiful opening of Shine on you crazy diamond, which for me is a major part of wanting to own this LP . Even more so because the band experiments with pitch. If the speed is not 100 percent correct, the whole thing fails. I tried another copy, thanks to the Big Dipper shop that sells vinyl in Oslo, but that was decentered too.
Vinyl bought, but not yet listened to (phono stage on repair) – some have not yet arrived:
Doors: The Doors (first LP) and Strange Days (second LP), both on 2 x 45 rpm
Madeleine Peyroux: Bare bones
Patricia Barber: The Cole Porter Mix
Astra: The Black Chord
Grateful Dead: Reckoning
Glenn Frey: After Hours
Little Feat: Rooster Rag
And I’ve ordered Dylan’s Tempest, of course.
Former minister Knut Storberget and former chief editor of the daily newspaper Dagbladet, Lars Helle, on how work/family balance is now a concern for men as well as women:
http://www.aftenposten.no/kultur/–Familielivet-er-for-travelt-til-at-jeg-kan-ha-en-lederstilling-6920620.html
Who would think, that gender equality reduces violence in the home by almost two thirds. Not I. I thought the evidence would be mixed, in line with international research. Yet this result popped up, in my research, and would not go away, whatever variable I corrected for. Some findings are more important than others, and this is one of them.
A summary of the evidence, in Norwegian, here (2.7 mb): Likestilling og vold mot barn
[June draft version – oversize pictures, some pictures and comments missing, etc]
The “Masculinities in motion” conference at the University of Oslo (May 31 – June 1, see program here), was very successful, with almost 200 participants from Norway, the Nordic region, and several other countries, and a broad range a keynote and workshop presentations.
The conference showed the emerging width of the men and masculinities research field. Workshop papers included topics from A to Z, men and the military, therapy, health, households, work, culture, music, method – some with imaginative titles like Becoming an international man and Breakdance, that’s me!
The conference also showed increasing depth, for example in the fathers and families workshops, the multicultural workshops, health, and others. Professionals and activists were also participating, although the main groups were researchers and students, with fairly good gender balance. Especially encouraging was the presence of many young researchers, showing recent recruitment into the field. The policy part, in the second day, gave interesting new Nordic region information as well as informed debate.
Being the host and leader of the conference work group was great, with so many good people to work with. It was also a bit exhausting. The feedback, afterwards, has been very good. Together we managed to build more of the two main “bridges” that we hoped for, in the planning of the conference – connecting men and masculinites studies to gender equality research, and to health and quality of life research. I hope that most of the 60-70 papers presented will see their way into referee journals, books and other publications. They will surely make a difference.
Here are some photos from the conference (many thanks to the photographer, Nina Heilmann, STK).
Like all good men, we started with a bit of technology, or how to make it work – here is conferancier Thomas Walle, right, and a student assistant (….) left. We had a lot of help from students involved in the conference.
There were two welcome speeches, the first from the University of Oslo, by Jorunn Økland, leader of the University’s Centre for gender research.
And the second by the minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, Inga Marte Thorkildsen.
The welcoming speeches contributed to the good atmosphere at the conference, and a common focus on what the new research says.
Thomas Walle (right), introduces the first “trio” keynote, with me (left)
In the next picture I look to the right, trying to make the rest of the trio agree with me. The point of starting with a trio was to show the new, larger scope of the men and masculinities field, and make different viewpoints more visible and accepted.
The second trio speaker was Jan Wickman.
The third, Lucas Gottzen.
We presented new material, like this:
Some views from the audience:
Ongoing discussions, here with Nina Jon from the conference arrangement committee (left) and Thorkildsen (right).
The conference participants got a quite strong initial input and enjoyed a break.
The second keynote was Michael Messner, on his new research on anti-violence work among men in the US.
The third keynote was Susan Meriläinen, University of Lapland, speaking of gender equality, masculinity and international business culture.
Meriläinen was commented by Jeff Hearn.
On the next day, Ulla-Brit Lilleaas introduced the health topic, discussing her new study.
She was followed by Svend Aage Madsen, asking, is there a gender-equal health model?
The last part of the second day had a Nordic politician panel and a practice oriented focus. Part of the panel here.
[Some pictures]
The Iceland representative told the audience that, despite severe economic setbacks, Iceland would not go back on its gender equal parental leave reform, and is instead planning to extend it.
After the politicians, practicioners got their say, including NGO initiatives. Here, Lennart Lock, Norway.
This was followed by researcher perspectives on politics and practice, here Marie Valentin Beck, Denmark.
This section ended by a presentation by Ingolfur Gislason, Iceland, the picture shows the conferencier thanking the presenter.
Jørgen Lorentzen commented on the politics and practices part, outlining future possibilities.
The final keynote, made by Sigtona Halrynjo, warned against continuing gender inequality, especially in working life.
Halrynjo presented data on continous gender inequality in careers paths in society, and its consequences for men.
The conference was ended by Nina Jon, speaking for the conference group, emphasizing that men are not just on the top of the statistics, but at the bottom too, and the need to investigate more.
So far, the response has been that the conference worked very well.
According to the evaluations from participants, after the conference, some participants liked some keynotes better than others, and some have noted that a few papers in the workshops were less good than others. Mainly, the evaluation is very positive. Discussions at the conference were good, bringing research a step further.
Here is a final picture of informal audience discussion groups, during a break.
I don’t usually buy digital music (rather, analog LPs), but I make an exception in this case: World Party: Arkeology, a 5 CD box set with 70 songs and a booklet. I have ordered it.
World Party is about pop music, they are somewhat derivative, often poorly recorded, and so on, but I find them (or the band’s main man, Karl Wallinger) to be interesting and innovative, creating a cultural synthesis of pop music history.
To my mind, at his best, he is a master, re-recording classical pop sensibilities into the climate of the 80s and 90s. This is when one famous power holder claimed that “there is no such thing as society”. World Party proves the opposite.
One can be comforted by Wallinger singing “what is love all about”, but the listener is also constantly confronted and challenged. This is not just due to other songs and the context where the Beatles-like message of love is brought in and developed, but also by the way the music is presented and arranged. This is a “world party”, beyond Wallinger’s initial “private revolution”, the title of the band’s ramshackle first album, mostly with Wallinger playing the instruments. Due to sometimes bad quality, or more likely, his opinions, Wallinger and World Party were controversial in the music press and general media, and never received full endorsement or recognition at the time.
Their unruly and questioning “striving for depth” factor is what, speaking just for myself, makes the music unusually interesting.Wallinger tries to walk in the tracks of the giants in the pop field. He wishes to lift the whole “pop” thing, which incidentally includes the “lower classes” too, up to a higher stage.
So what works, for some, as just middle of the road pop music, nice to play in the car, or even drivel – may yet reach quite a lot deeper, when one listens more. The poor recording quality is a shame throughout this band’s career. Perhaps the new investment will help correct this, and increase the depth – we shall see, or rather, hear.