[Af_List] Spiral Control

[David Borrie]

This is why 'the interesting stuff is happening outside of academia'; as Damian says, they can't teach what hasn't been written about, and if so, this compromises their relevance somewhat, as in lagging behind their own publishing schedules the academic elites are slow in reacting to changes out in the real world. 
 
I feel the response to this can be for academia to resort to the exclusivity of its own output, as this accompanies an assessment and publishing timetable and can therefore be monitored and reacted to in 'real-time' and under lab conditions. And it is here that the carrots can start to enter the proverbial bung-holes.
 
I appreciate Andrew's perspective, and I am sure much of value can come from teaching music within a learning institution. Nevertheless I take issue with his implication that it is only in a collegial environment that such things as group critique and exposure to totally new / different approaches can exist. 
 
I like many others in the 'real world' am an autodidact, and will tell you that you don't need to attend university to hear and be influenced by an Alvin Lucier composition or read about Xenakis. On the other hand, you're damned unlikely to encounter Merzbow or This Heat within the campus boundary.
 
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