Remixing and Remixability

by Lev Manovich

"...Most human cultures developed by borrowing and reworking forms and styles from other cultures." In keeping with our recent theme of database & remix readings, this paper describes how we naturally take what's been done before and remix it into something 'new'. I thought it was interesting that he points out music and computer programming are the only fields that remix openly; while perhaps the fashion industry and magazines do not (ie the Gap does not acknowledge the original designers when they re-engineer new clothes).

What I would like to hear about is, why are some remixings referenced more than others. Why are certain pathways more popular, how come some blogs get more attention. What are they doing that is causing the majority to want to connect to them? I understand we're building this network of neurological-like pathways; streams of information running down the mountain in various paths of varying sizes. Now I want to know how some streams become wide while others shrink and dry up.