Derrida after class.

When I walked into class this morning I had no idea what Derrida was about. I read the article, yet nothing made sense. Now after class it all seems a little more clear and graspable. The concept of trace is always at work in life. It’s inescapable. I think about Of Montreal when I think about this concept. I have listened to Of Montreal and the song “Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games.” This song is then in the Outback commercial with different lyrics. For me, when I see the commercial my mind goes back to the original song. But for some people who have never heard the original, the remake becomes the point of reference. So if they ever hear the original, they won’t be able to get the annoying images of steaks and “let’s go outback tonight” out of their minds. The original song is then heard through the commercial filter. Then in the natural fashion of trace, this outback song becomes a part of my cultural understanding. So, even though I had prior knowledge of the original song, the remake shapes my view of it. Whenever I listen to the original, my mind flashes steaks and blooming onion.
Besides this example, it also happens with other commercials and the songs used. For instance, there is a commercial with Yeah Yeah Yeah’s singer Karen O. It’s Adidas I believe. Anyways, when I saw them recently, as I looked at her, my mind reverted back to the Adidas commercial. But while I watch the commercial I see Karen O pulling crazy onstage antics in bizarre outfits. What I’ve seen leaves an impression and impacts the other. Since music is usually what I pay attention to in commercials, they become sharply embedded in my consciousness. I start to define brands by the songs in their commercials.


Kelsey. November 13.