Drew Kalil

First Year Writing Seminar

Juxtaposition Argument
February 27, 2015
Some words are used interchangeably although they should not be. For many people, the
problem goes unnoticed because of lack of knowledge on the topic. This in not right. In the
literary world, two terms are being used incorrectly synonymously. Remixing and forwarding are
two literary transformations that are often used interchangeably although they are two different
transformations.
Lets begin with the origin of the misconception. It is very easy to see why there is a
problem with properly using these words. Both remixing and forwarding are words that describe
a process of transforming an original text and changing it into something else. In describing
forwarding, Harris says, As I use the term, a writer forwards a text by taking words, images, or
ideas from it and putting them to use in new contexts. In forwarding a text, you test the strength
of its insights and the range and flexibility of its phrasings.[Harris 37] Compare this to
Stedmans definition of remixing, an overarching term that includes any act of composition
that involves the deliberate manipulation of previous clips, or samples throughout a majority of
the work. [Stedman 108] These definitions are very similar. Both of them begin with the work
of someone else. Then the author puts their own spin on it and then releases the new version of
the text.
In both cases the transformation process is quite similar. Stedman uses the example of
littleton_pace, the username of a person who posts remix videos to Lost Video Island, to

demonstrate the transformation process. When asked where she gets her inspiration to do her
videos she replied, Most of my videos have been inspired by other peoples videos that I have
seen or songs that I have heard.[Stedman 114] To transform the original video of lost into her
own work, littleton_pace uses various clips of dialogue and video to create this new story,
touched up with a golden, overexposed video effect and with a sweeping solo piano
accompaniment.[Stedman 113] Likewise Harris recommends when forwarding a piece To
shift the focus of your readers away from what its author has to say and toward your own project.
Writers often describe themselves as drawing on or mining other texts for ideas and examples,
but extracting such materials is only part of the job. You then need to shape them to your own
purposes in writing. [Harris 38] On the surface, these seen like two different transformation
techniques, but really Harris is just being more general. littleton_pace shifts her audience away
from the original piece by splicing the clips together in a new way and with her video effects. In
doing so she is mining for details and then making them her own.
However there is a distinct difference between the remix and forwarding and that is the
final perspective the author has on his or her piece. A remix author believes that he or she owns
their new creation, whereas an author that who is forwarding a piece intends that their piece will
be forwarded further. littleton_pace said, [M]ost of the vids that Ive seen are original
concepts, in fact the art of clip theft is something that is heavily frowned upon in the vidding
community. Someone would have to have the permission of another vidder to remix their
work.[Stedman 113] Whereas Harris says, And these forwards can themselves be forwarded,
to sometimes unexpected sites and publics [Harris 37] This subtle difference of intention is
what differentiates between the two words. On one hand the remix is intended to be the final
product, and on the other the forwarded piece is made to be forwarded again.

Two words, very similar yet different, have been used interchangeably for two long.
Remix and forwarding are two different types of writing processes with different intentions.
Remixes are meant to be the final product, while forwards are meant to be forwarded more.