Hey it’s Will. I saw some articles recently about scientists reversing ageing in mice, and how scientists want to develop this for humans. Usually famous actors or directors have the money and caliber to do things like go to space. I doubt that if we can reverse ageing it will be given to everyone, it’ll probably be monetized, but maybe the best performers of our generation may get a treatment like this to keep us creating and entertaining. I’d like to stop ageing for free.

Thought 1

I’d rather watch a filmed version of a Broadway musical or a concert than wait months and pay hundreds to see the same show, all in the comfort of my home. Digital technology so far has impacted the way we view performance, but thousands still go to see it live. It’s funny but incorporation of digital technology, like a hologram of Elvis Presley, would make me want to go see it in person more, so I’m eager for the future of both technology and performance.

Thought 2

I was thinking about what is live, and what isn't. For example if you see a lightning bolt, is it live? Most people would say yes, but most people don't think about the time it takes for the light particles to travel distance and get to our eyes, or how the thunder takes even longer, meaning you hear it seconds after it has actually happened. With this in mind, how much delay can there be to consider something live? I think the answer may be just a 'reasonable' amount of time, like the few seconds thunder, or even fireworks, take to hear.

Thought 3

When the wifi cuts out for a long time, I’m almost forced to be productive or creative. I play guitar, I think, I socialize. If we frame our work into ‘needing’ certain aspects of digital technology, we don’t allow ourselves to be forced to be creative and productive. At the same time, we can’t stand the world without wifi for long, and whether it’s part of the performance or behind the scenes, digital technology now and in the future may become extremely prevalent and open up vast creativity, we just need to open up our mind when the wifi is down from time to time.

Thought 4

"medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. "

This is one of my favorite quotes from Dead Poets Society (film). Technology will continue to progress to affect our lives, hopefully for the better, and the same goes for performance. Researchers, programmers, scientists might make huge changes while we are alive, but what is life without our own contribution. No matter how much we change, it’s important that we learn, that we create, and that we are here.

William Moran-MacDonald