Old Masters Threaten Download Backlash

A Glasgow art student creates the latest YouTube phenomenon using obsolete computers and a Radiohead tune

A New Sensation on the Internet

THE VOICE is vaguely familiar, but the backing band is anything but. On drums, an Epson dot-matrix printer. On bass, a Hewlett-Packard scanner. On lead guitar, a ZX Spectrum. And on vocals, filtered through the innards of broken hard drives, Radiohead's Thom Yorke.

This supergroup of obsolete machinery and one of the world's most famous singers was brought together by a student at Glasgow School of Art, who over the course of last week has taken it from being his final-year video project to becoming an internet sensation. Since their performance of the Radiohead song Nude was posted on websites last week, the video has attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers and worldwide acclaim, as well as receiving the blessing of the band itself.

The Birth of Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)

Entitled Big Ideas (Don't Get Any), the four-minute video is the work of 21-year-old James Houston, a graduating visual communications student. After it appeared on YouTube and several other internet sites, Houston, who claims he is not a musician, has been offered a record contract, been interviewed by American radio stations, had the video broadcast on Current TV, and been offered the chance to screen it at the Reading and Leeds festivals. It attracted so many visits to one website that the counter measuring the number of views broke and, rather bizarrely, is in the top 10 favorite YouTube music videos in Russia.

"It's crazy," said Houston. "It's spiraled out of control. I'm shocked by this. But it's flattering. I'm just an arts student, but this is a monster. It's grown much bigger than I thought it was going to be."

The Making of Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)

Filming in a Glasgow studio, Houston reprogrammed an old printer and scanner to create the rhythm section of the song. He then used the high-pitched sound of a rubber-keyed Spectrum to mimic the guitar parts and played Yorke's disembodied vocals through the coils within old hard drives, creating a ghostly, distorted sound through the unorthodox speakers. Finally, over two days of tweaking and synchronizing, he filmed his makeshift band playing the song from Radiohead's latest album, In Rainbows.

"I just thought it would be nice to get all this redundant hardware, try to get big ideas and get them to do something they aren't designed to do, and make a wee bit of a mess of it," he said. "It's a nice touch. It's generated a lot of nice comments. People have seen the emotion in objects that aren't alive. They're struggling to be something they aren't."

Achieving Worldwide Recognition

On the same day that Houston posted the video online, Colin Greenwood, Radiohead's bassist, called it "brilliant" on their website and revealed he "had a Spectrum flashback moment". It was David Smith, a London-based lecturer in technology and a personal friend of the band, who recommended the video. He has invited Houston to come and give a lecture to his pupils about "intelligent remixing".

"The video is amazing," said Smith. "The first time I saw it I thought it had an unusual quality. It was outstanding. You see a lot of videos on the web that are clever, but this was highly intelligent, amusing, and thought-provoking. It just struck me immediately as being a unique piece of work - a really good example of the intelligent remix. And it's a great role model to have in front of a young teenager, so they can think, 'I could do something as clever as that.'"

Praise from Glasgow School of Art

Academics at Glasgow School of Art have been equally generous with their praise. Paul Stickley, the head of visual communication, described Houston's work as "witty" and said it contained "a very Glaswegian cheek to poke fun at celebrity status". "We've some exceptional people, and James is one of them," he added. "But it is surprising that he now seems to have an international reputation and he hasn't even graduated yet. On the other hand, we are getting quite used to that. When one of our students puts something online, it usually goes intergalactic."

Conclusion

James Houston's remarkable video creation, Big Ideas (Don't Get Any), has taken the internet by storm, capturing the attention of viewers and industry professionals alike. With his innovative use of obsolete technology and a well-known Radiohead song, Houston has garnered worldwide recognition and praise. This extraordinary success serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists and showcases the power of creativity and intelligent remixing in the digital age.

The Influence of Technology on the Hospitality Industry

While James Houston has demonstrated the unexpected potential of outdated technology in the realm of art and music, the influence of technology is also evident in other industries, such as hospitality. In recent years, hotels have embraced technological advancements to enhance the guest experience and streamline operations.

1. Seamless Check-In Processes

Hotels now provide self-check-in kiosks or mobile check-in options, allowing guests to bypass long queues at the front desk. This technology improves efficiency and increases guest satisfaction by reducing wait times.

2. High-Tech Room Features

Many hotels now offer rooms equipped with smart devices and automation systems. Guests can control lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems through voice commands or smartphone apps, providing personalized and convenient experiences.

3. Virtual Reality Tours

Hotels utilize virtual reality technology to offer immersive virtual tours of their properties. Potential guests can explore hotel rooms, facilities, and nearby attractions, helping them make more informed booking decisions.

4. Enhanced Communication Channels

Hotels have integrated messaging platforms and chatbots to facilitate instant communication with guests. This allows for prompt responses to inquiries, requests, and even room service orders, improving overall guest satisfaction.

5. Data Analytics and Personalization

Advancements in data analytics enable hotels to gather and analyze guest preferences and behaviors. This information allows for personalized recommendations and tailored experiences, creating a more memorable stay for guests.

6. Sustainable Practices

Technology plays a vital role in the adoption of sustainable practices within the hotel industry. Energy-efficient lighting, automated temperature controls, and water conservation systems help reduce environmental impact while maintaining guest comfort.

As technology continues to advance, hotels will continually seek innovative ways to leverage its potential. The integration of technology enhances the overall guest experience, improves operational efficiency, and drives the future of the hospitality industry.