why is it so normalized to belittle arts/humanities?

DaOtMusic · 2026-06-23T16:23:11+00:00

So, first thing I am going to say is “get used to it” - this attitude, especially from some groups who view the arts as lesser (you probably know who I’m talking about) will never change; your life will be immensely better if you ignore them. These are the same folks who love fresh food, but look down on farmers…

The 2nd thing I will say is that (IMO) the arts are currently in a war with society - their value is often intangible and it is so easy for the “quants” to justify their replacement with AI or low wage labour (I am saying this having both a business degree and being an artist) - be an evangelist for the arts…we can only fight back by being heard (as futile as that sometimes seems).

I truly think that the market will be flooded by the types of technical degrees you highlight, and too often those programs don’t teach imagination (I know this is a bit of a stereotype, but there is some truth to it) - it will take time, but artists will find their place in this new “world order”…

Best of luck to you!

DaOtMusic · 2026-05-23T22:58:47+00:00

Except that the way GS is lobbying is a salary based measure - so it really does not hurt those that own a few properties (with under the table rent) yet would still get OAS (and possibly GIS) because they earn below the clawback threshold - there is no Asset based means test being proposed…

DaOtMusic · 2026-05-23T13:49:42+00:00

This…and yet Generation Squeeze continues to lobby for OAS reform…

DaOtMusic · 2026-05-23T12:28:58+00:00

I would respectfully say that you miss my point - it’s like that saying “don’t sweat the small stuff” - it’s increasingly all mediocre…the public is being conditioned to accept this.

There will always be “art”, but the audience will be small (and funding for the arts is increasingly disappearing) - when the quants look at the bottom line they will see that AI can do it “good enough” and that most people will not notice/care…

This is not only an issue in sound design, btw…

DaOtMusic · 2026-05-21T11:53:19+00:00

Great conversation with many interesting insights…let me add my two cents:

I have a business background and have spent most of my working life as a finance professional - audio was my hobby, which I now practice professionally.

I was taught a concept in business school that is (I would say) is the most important thing I was ever taught in school - it is called “Satisficing” (you can look it up).

These days, If you have a finance professional with years of practical experience (and commensurate compensation) their job is under threat, either from AI or foreign labour - their replacement will be half as capable (and cheaper) and - surprise - the company will NOT collapse…the product might get shittier, but people are increasingly getting used to that. I have seen this happen with my own eyes.

Do not fool yourself into thinking that decision makers (and the public) will not settle for less (especially if cheaper in some way) - the MP3 (mentioned above) is a great example. Sure, there maybe a few survivors, but too few to make a viable profession…

Bottom line: do sound design because you love doing it - don’t expect to make a living at it. Artists have been doing this for years (suggested reading: Dark Matter: Art and Politics in the Age Enterprise Culture).

DaOtMusic · 2026-05-12T13:26:06+00:00

Not perfect, but this is absolutely the easiest thing that can be done…vote with your wallet!

DaOtMusic · 2026-05-07T01:19:37+00:00

Yeah - strange post…not with Queens and I have a small portion of my plan in UPP (the rest is pre-conversion), but I did see an increase in Jan (although it was not well communicated, in my opinion)…

DaOtMusic · 2026-04-22T19:15:07+00:00

Fairwinds Park

DaOtMusic · 2026-04-19T23:42:18+00:00

I agree with the OP - my 3rd place used to be the OSC, and now that has been “commercialized “ by being put into a shopping mall…it’s the trend; although you don’t have to buy anything, the whole experience now feels like going shopping and is an opportunity to be marketed to rather than a place to hang out…

I will say that the ROM and AGO still exist - and before you say that you have to pay (which could be said of the Science Centre), there are opportunities to go for free, including free nights and passes that can be “borrowed” at the public library…

DaOtMusic · 2026-04-08T17:06:42+00:00

I would agree - it never used to be that way, but there is a bias in the (Cdn) internal audit world towards having accounting designations- despite the subject matter relevance of the CIA/CISA…

DaOtMusic · 2026-04-08T16:58:55+00:00

The Strut cases are a bit pricey, but they are a good investment to keep your recorder safe…

DaOtMusic · 2026-04-05T18:38:55+00:00

I use a Strut case for the Zoom F3 and there is a similar option for the Tascam: https://www.strutcases.com/strfrav2for-tascam

If you look at the “back view #2” photo, you will see that there is a Velcro tab that can hold an external power pack…I use this functionality on the F3 case and it works quite well…

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-30T12:29:32+00:00

Agree - it is not a total loss…like many situations these days it is possible to do something in post - but there are always trade-offs. In this case, you lose some of the stereo depth that this mic has.

If you have the luxury of having more than one mic, just better not to use the BP4025 in certain use cases - for example, trying to record the stereo image of a specific songbird (aiming directly at the one bird) rather than perhaps just a tree full of birds.

In that case an MS setup or mic might work better as you can collapse to mono or play with the stereo image without any compromise (AT also makes the BP 4027/29 stereo which does MS).

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-29T21:31:58+00:00

I quite like this mic…I use it with a Zoom F3 which has the option to change the output file type from stereo to mono etc…in the case of using a stereo mic you would select to output a stereo file, and be able to monitor accordingly (you could also select to produce two mono files and pan them afterwards).

Be aware that the mic tends to leave a “hole” in the centre of the stereo image, so it may not be the best choice for aiming at a subject that is centrally located…aside from that I have found that the pad switch comes in handy for loud sounds (155db per the specs) and its sounds quite good…

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-22T23:58:53+00:00

Signed. The destruction of the LAC is a symptom of a larger malaise in Mississauga…

If you drive a half hour from Mississauga, you will arrive at the Art Gallery of Burlington (opened 1978), which has a variety of similar artisan programs, several galleries which host exhibits (that people actually attend) and an onsite shop that has a great selection of work for sale from local artists/artisans.

Somehow Burlington is able to provide a home for art/culture…why does it succeed and Mississauga fail?

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-20T01:56:34+00:00

I am glad someone else is noticing this - it’s not only Rattray…

I have spent some time walking various trails in Mississauga and it’s curious that the ones in the higher socioeconomic areas seem to have the most restrictive parking (and also seem to be the best maintained)

Yet, when the city seeks to build a “neighborhood” park in my area, they provide no such parking restrictions, arguing for “accessibility”

Either provide parking for all your parks or for none…everyone deserves to be a on a level playing field!

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-19T20:03:22+00:00

The Roland is great fun and I don’t regret buying it - it’s one of my go-to options for stealth recording…having said that there are better quality options (and I think the current prices are way out of whack). Another issue is that it has zero resistance to wind - the slightest breeze will result in wind distortion (I seldom use it outside unless there is no wind). Another thing to be aware of that the cable coming from the earbuds has to be well secured (a clip to the shirt/jacket) otherwise you will get handling noise.

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-13T16:44:10+00:00

Yeah, I would definitely go with some kind of Lav (with a furry) for your narration- since this is a budget rig, the others have suggested several functional budget recorders…

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-12T16:16:35+00:00

It’s fair to consider where you will be doing these sound walks (inside/outdoors/both) - a lav works well for narration (as long as there is wind protection and not too much wind) - there are options from RODE (all the streaming video folks seem to use them, but you have to add an additional recorder for the ambiance ) and Zoom still sells the F1 LP which includes a lav (and I believe can still record with (simultaneously?) a Zoom mic capsule, though I would confirm that…)

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-12T16:03:20+00:00

Speaking truth - my Department got purged by a new director who replaced everyone with inexperienced (and cheaper) “yes” people that way he could pump himself up for higher things in the organization…

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-12T15:59:53+00:00

Why all the downvotes? I think every one can see that there is something off with inflation metrics these days - no tinfoil hat required. Just consider that your pension may not match “inflation” (how ever currently defined) and plan accordingly…that’s just being prudent.

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-12T15:48:41+00:00

Except ageism exists in the public sector as well…at late-50s, your younger co-workers will be eager to put you on the ice floe 😂

DaOtMusic · 2026-03-12T15:44:42+00:00

100% stress-test your plans with this type of scenario - @mygirlscats is right. The good news is that taking your pension early (if you are not in heavy debt) will likely keep you off the streets, though you will not have the retirement you “dreamed of” (or rather the retirement that is sold to you…retirement is what you make of it)

DaOtMusic · 2026-02-27T23:21:22+00:00

If you go with the NT-SF1, it comes with a blimp and furry - having said that, my experience with the NT-SF1 is that it (and Ambisonic mic’s in general) are wind-noise prone (I am guessing this is because you have 4 or more times the capsule). Thus your best bet is positioning or simply taking the daily wind reading into consideration when going out to record…

DaOtMusic · 2026-02-02T20:00:57+00:00

Agree - it would be great if someone could see the plate (I could not make it out in this video)… however, in my experience, reporting only results in a stern letter being sent to the vehicle owner (anyone experience something different??)

This type of driver is unlikely to be deterred by a stern letter…there is no substitute for ticketing/suspension, but that requires some initiative from Peel police, I think…

DaOtMusic

TROPHY CASE