Interviews with Digital Media Thought Leaders

Inspiration in the Long Tail

Podcast Audio | Posted by Phil Leigh on April 6, 2010

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This article was authored by Phil Leigh and released by Online Video Insider earlier today. (April 6, 2010)

About five years ago Chris Anderson wrote a Wired Magazine article entitled The Long Tail. Basically it concluded that the Internet’s ability to provide a nearly infinite supply of Digital Media would shift consumer interest and spending toward less popular content merely because it makes such content more accessible. For example, when out-of-print books are hard to find the very fact that they are scarce tends to make them less popular. If we cannot find a copy we cannot inspect it. Moreover, we might not even be aware the title exists.

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However, when all books are available as Digital Media, there is never a shortage. Similarly, titles are searchable via Google. This enables readers to discover previously rare books they might never otherwise had an opportunity to examine.

Correspondingly, the nearly infinite supply of videos at websites like YouTube are enabling consumers to discover, and repeatedly enjoy, content that might only rarely be available on television. Some of it might never be found on TV. One inspiring example was first revealed at the 2007 TED (Technology-Entertainment-Design) Conference.

Specifically, Venezuela has more children playing musical instruments than playing soccer. One British expert stated without qualification “there is no more important work being done in music now than in Venezuela”. It is a remarkable assessment for a country with a per-capita income about one-third of the United States. Venezuela is only about the size of Texas and New Mexico combined in terms of geography and population. Yet even the casual observer can see from this video of the nation’s high school orchestra that something remarkable is happening in there.

Readers who watch will not be surprised to learn that the oldest orchestra member was 19 and the youngest were only 14. Their youthfulness is obvious from various camera close-up shots. However, what is surprising – even stunning – is the quality and feeling in the performance. The writer has never seen anything like it including all other performances viewed on YouTube from the World’s top symphonic orchestras.

But don’t take my word for it. Just watch how the often reserved British reacted to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. The ovation and encore had to be cut short in our links simply because YouTube does not permit video clips to extend beyond ten minutes. In short, the reaction was much like one that might have been expected if today’s most popular “Rock” artist had just finished a concert.

When Venezuela’s high school students can provide such wonderful music, it is only natural for those outside the country to be curious about what happens to such talented and disciplined youths afterward. Upon investigation it will be learned that the next step is the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra where the top age is 26. This YouTube video shows that group performing at a festival in Salzburg, Austria which is the city of Mozart’s birth.

Perhaps some readers might conclude that an article about the accomplishments of youthful Venezuelan musicians is too obscure to be relevant in the United State and other major countries. However, the significance of the story may be underscored by the fact that 28-year-old Gustavo Dudamel was made Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic starting with the 2009 – 2010 season. Not only is young Dudamel leading an undeniably important orchestra, he is a product of the Venezuelan music system and conducts all the videos linked in this article.

If the popularity of these musicians grows in YouTube’s Long-Tail, perhaps we’ll see them on TV. If not, it’s reassuring to know that owing to the Internet the Long-Tail will henceforth always be available. No doubt, there are more inspiring stories distributed within the Tail inducing viewers to spend more time there. Consequently, it’s only sensible that all video should migrate to the Net where the audience is growing, content is searchable, advertising is accountable, and online transactions are feasible.