Performance has become one of the key terms for the new century. But what do we mean by performance? In todays world it can refer to experimental art; productivity in the workplace; and the functionality of technological systems. Do these disparate fields bear any relation to each other?In Perform or Else Jon McKenzie asserts that there is a relationship cultural; organisational; and technological performance. In this theoretical tour de force McKenzie demonstrates that all three paradigms operate together to create powerful and contradictory pressures to perform...or else. This is an urgent and important intervention in contemporary critical thinking. It will profoundly shape our understanding of twenty-first century structures of power and knowledge.
#1764845 in eBooks 2002-09-26 2002-09-26File Name: B000FBFEJQ
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A wry and honest account; brilliantly observed throughoutBy SiriamI should state at the outset I am a great Semisonic fan and was listening to them before they hit big and still miss them. Thankfully Dan Wilson still remains active though I am reliant on US shipments to the UK to get his releases.Slichters book is a great read because he is a very honest writer recording his personal feelings and emotions well from the early rehearsal days in Minnesota to the demise of the band at their own behest after the failure of their third album "Chemistry". As the drummer; you begin to understand why they are the butt of endless jokes or maltreatment in so many bands; yet as the least road hardened of the three band members he is also the most open minded in observing and covering what a roller coaster and insecure existence the rock and roll lifestyle is.From feelings of insecurity as to whether his drumming will cut it through his incisive views on how other performers behave; why most record companies do not succeed; and; the group are not in control of their destiny (musical or financial); the book is certainly recommended as a primer as to how it can all go wrong however much favourable reaction you garner from audiences and critics. His comments on the US radio and TV industry and its politics and interaction with music are worth the price of the book and go a long way to explaining to a Brit why the US rock industry (followed by the UK) has collapsed since the 60s 70s so spectacularly (too much consolidation and corruption!).The only bummer for me was a throw away comment about their final London concert having been flat - as someone who was there and certainly saw the audience rocking and still count it as one of the best shows I have ever seen; it simply showed there can be different perspectives to every story!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Thoughtful; nuts and bolts description of everything involved with ...By John GelhardThoughtful; nuts and bolts description of everything involved with being in a successful rock band; from origination to break out. So interesting.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fifteen Minutes of FameBy ClintonReally fun and; best of all; well written. Love the humility of the author; the drummer for a band that had one big hit and then faded into obscurity. Great insight into the music industry and the fickleness of fame. The last page may be the best.