Only for music lovers!

The music genome project began in January 2000 when a group of musicians and technologists had the idea of creating a deep analysis of music. Pandora.com is mainly about capturing the essence of music 'at the most fundamental level'. Genome stands for the idea of attributing 'genes' and musical characteristics to the songs and artists' styles. What they do, is decomposing music to its fundamental components and find identity within genres, musical instruments, notes, orchestration, lyrics, rhythm, etc. They capture these singularities and find the characteristics that make a song similar to another one. It's not about the genre a music band or songs are supposed to fit in, but the uniqueness that identifies them. Pandora.com is a personalized -and customized- 'radio station' that works like this: you pick a song or an artist you like, then Pandora finds a song yo may also like. Let's say you specifically like Paranoid Android by Radiohead. They will identify Paranoid Android's characteristics in rhythm, lyrics, instrumentation, music style and they will find you a similar song. You learn something about the song you like with the description they provide, and then they suggest songs. You can either vote for 'yes, I like it' or 'no, I don't like it, that's not what I asked for'. You can play music for free, whatever you feel like listening. You can create your radio stations (by song or by artist). Feedback is great for them to narrow the styles and for you to have just what you like. So, there you go! You have your own personal radio station playing free for unlimited time and you can discover a new world of artists and songs and if you love music you are going to be fascinated by the new discoveries. It's a shame that you can only access Pandora in the United States. They are working on expanding their business to other countries. I think it's a great idea: interesting and complex relationship between consumer, music bands, online music stores and a strong online community that can be very powerful for marketing efforts. An example of using new technologies to build new relationships just where people are: online, looking for customized content available immediately. I love Pandora.com!

'O' by Cirque du Soleil

I had the chance to visit las Vegas last weekend. A quite different kind of trip when you go with your family instead of going with friends, as I did the last time. A different pace, a different perspective, different timing and different priorities. No that is better, it's simply different. Walking Las Vegas Blvd with a dry suffocating heat makes it difficult to appreciate daytime dynamics. So, the challenging weather was an open invitation to go inside the hotels, visit the shops and of course the casinos. If you are not used to, suddenly you are immersed in a surreal condition where you confuse the sense of time between blinding lights and repetitive noises. Random voices, isolated screams, the weird smell of alcohol and ashtrays combined with the fresh smell of shampoo of someone who just started the day, or the night, or whatever. It was my mother's birthday so we had some plans to celebrate her. We booked a show, months ago. 'O' by Cirque du Soleil. The Bellagio, fancy ceilings, pretentious people, and tourists walking hiding their cameras to picture the casino. Curious introduction. All around the 'O Theatre' you can see the impecable marketing design for Cirque du Soleil that seduces you in a fascinating and weird way. This time in Vegas, a famous sculptor beautifully shaped some of the acrobat artists in complicated positions, what makes them look even more beautiful. A mini gallery was placed in the lobby of the theatre. After that, half an hour wait till the start. People are never on time. It makes no sense that I try to recall exactly what happened that day. It's the kind of thing that you have to experience yourself in order to understand its complexity. This is my fourth Cirque du Soleil. I've been there as a different spectator. First an eager, naive, hungry, fool spectator. It suprises you. You feel so ridiculous. Secondly, I've been there as an informed spectator. I researched, read about the story, the symbolism, the translations, the characters, the sequence. I felt ridiculous too. It still surprised me. It's incredible. It's like a weird and complex nightmare, or the sweetest and most magical dream. I can't believe human minds can conceive this genial idea. Everything is flawless. Nothing makes sense, but it doesn't matter. Doesn't have to. It's timeless, it's beyond any reasonable explanation. You have to see it, feel it, be part of it. Let them surprise you. Laugh and reflect on life, death, childhood, innocence and the beauty of being alive. The geniality of human minds. How we can build and destroy at the same time. Think about it. It's amazing.

What about my blog?

Hello, I am Gaby. I am a student at UCSD. I have a major in Communications back in Mexico City (where I am originally from) and I've always been passionate about writing. I guess it's how I feel more comfortable, because it's inherent to me. It was very complicated to come up with a name for this blog. Because writing for me is an act of freedom. Limiting myself to write about a certain topic is discouraging. Mostly because I like to write about everything. Basically my impressions on what I read somewhere in the street, the thoughts that come to my mind when I read a book, the places I've been to, the music that is an authentic soundtrack of individual and collective lives and moments, what moves me, and what doesn't. But, I would like to share with you what I really think my passions are about. Music, art, fashion and expressions. That's what I think is representative and original among cultures, clear and particular units of meaning. So, music, art, fashion and expressions differentiate and represent us in a positive way or enforce stereotypes and prejudices in a negative way. I think that is fascinating. This is my personal opinion, not an absolut truth. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you.