PAOLO FIORE'S BLOG SPOT: Musings on Music, Culture and Life by an Italian Scholar & Musician

Disclaimer & Site Policies

2020-09-25T17:06:00.002+02:00

Hello! My name is Paolo Fiore and I am the owner and administrator of this website (i.e. "Paolo Fiore's Blog Spot", accessible at PaoloFiores.BlogSpot.com); a personal weblog about my interests and findings, my life experiences, and other random stuff. What you have reached here is the page of the Disclaimer and Site Policies. Yes, the legal bit. Please read the following disclaimer carefully before using this website.

General Disclaimer✔
This website and its contents are provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The materials contained on this site are provided for general information and educational purposes only, and do not constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. While the information contained within the site is periodically updated, this site does not represent an editorial head as it is updated without any regularity. Therefore, it cannot be considered an editorial product pursuant to Italian law No. 62 of 07/03/2001 and no guarantee is given that the information provided in this site is correct, complete, and/or up-to-date. Nothing in it should be taken too seriously, and nothing in it should be taken for granted without further own research. I do not accept any responsibility for any trouble or loss which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site.
I consider myself an honest person and I am trying to obey the law, even in cases where I think it is stupid. However, obeying the law on the Internet is not easy these days, and I cannot afford a lawyer. So if I infringe your rights in any way, I feel sorry for that, but there is no need to go to court. Simply sending me an email should be sufficient, no drama required. Also, if you notice any technical problem or want to suggest an improvement I can make to my site or to what I offer, please use the form at the Contact page.

Copyright✔

The content and work on this site are created by me and are subject to general copyright law under international conventions. The reproduction, processing, distribution and any kind of exploitation outside the limits of fair use require the written consent of me. Downloads and copies of this website are allowed for private, non-commercial use only.

As far as the content on this site was not created by me, the copyrights of third parties are considered. In particular contents of third parties are marked as such. If you should still be aware of copyright infringement, I ask for a note. Upon notification of violations, I will remove such content as soon as possible.

Images✔

I do not claim any of the artworks on this site as my own, except for my own paintings and drawings and for the photos taken by myself; I will always try to state a source or give credit to the artist. If I have used your artwork and not credited you, please let me know and I will be happy to add a link and/or a short artist bio.

Images are chosen by me and are sourced from sites such as Photobucket, Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay. I occasionally use work from DeviantArt or Tumblr, and slideshows from YouTube or Vimeo, but will always credit. If I use work from any other sites such as commercial websites or photography websites I will also credit. I choose and use the images for purposes such as illustration and comment, or simply because I like them and would like to share them with my readers.

If you are a visual artist and would like me to feature your work, please get in touch. If you are the copyright owner and you wish me to remove your work, please contact me and I will remove it as soon as possible.

Music✔

I do not claim any of the musical works on this site as my own, except for my own compositions and productions; I will always try to state a source or give credit to the musician. If I have used your musical work and not credited you, please let me know and I will be happy to add a link and/or a short artist bio.

Music is chosen by me and is sourced from sites such as Jamendo, Free Music Archive, and NoCopyrightSounds. I occasionally use music from Soundcloud or Mixcloud, and videos from YouTube or Vimeo, but will always credit. If I use work from any other sites such as commercial websites or music websites I will also credit. I choose and use the music for purposes such as illustration and comment, or simply because I like them and would like to share them with my readers.

If you are a musician and would like me to feature your work, please get in touch. If you are the copyright owner and you wish me to remove your work, please contact me and I will remove it as soon as possible.

My Work✔

This site is my personal blog spot and as such is also part of an artwork. I am both the artist, the artwork and its subject. Everything I do is part of my artwork, which encompasses the whole of my life. This means that in certain cases incidents, characters and timelines may be embellished or changed for literary purposes. This also means that the personal information privacy law cannot be applied to anything I write on this blog, in my social media profiles or otherwise put on the net, because this is all part of an artistic/literary endeavor.

You are free to link, share or reference my work; unless you wish to copy a full post there is no need to ask for my permission. Please do not syndicate or reproduce my posts, in whole or in part, without crediting me and posting a link to this site! For people wanting to reproduce bits of this blog in print, please get in touch! Please do not syndicate or reproduce my music and artwork without crediting me and posting a link to this site! Please do not syndicate or reproduce my personal photos without my permission!

The content of this site is created by me with great care. However, whilst all work on my blog is heavily researched, all views expressed by this site are my own and do not represent the opinion of any entity whatsoever with which I am been, I am now, or I will be affiliated. Also, I can not assume any liability for the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of the content, and I can not be held responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from this site. And, despite my current engagement with the University of Bologna and the Fondazione Golinelli, please note that all views expressed in this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Bologna and the Fondazione Golinelli. Lastly, some sentences or quotes in my blog may be sarcastic or tongue-in-cheek, and I am not to blame if you take them seriously!

Liability for Content✔

As a service provider, I am responsible for my own content on this site according to the general laws. However, I am not obliged to monitor transmitted or stored external information or to investigate circumstances that indicate illegal activity. Obligations to remove the content or block the use of information, if they are illegal, remain unaffected under general law. A liability in this regard, however, is only possible from the date of knowledge of a specific infringement. Upon notification of violations, I will remove such content as soon as possible.

Liability for Links✔

My site contains links to external websites of third parties on whose contents I have no influence. Therefore, I can not assume any liability for these external contents. The respective provider or author of the pages is always responsible for the contents of the linked pages. The linked pages were checked for possible legal violations at the time of linking. Illegal content was not recognizable at the time of linking. However, permanent content control of the linked pages is not reasonable without concrete evidence of an infringement. Upon notification of violations, I will remove such links as soon as possible.

Disclosure of Affiliations✔

This site contains advertising and some contextual affiliate marketing links (for example Google AdSense, Amazon.com, iTunes Store, etc.) for which I may be paid in the form of commissions or fees, for referrals or for sales of products and/or services written about. That means that, should you choose to buy a product or service following one of those links, I will receive a commission from the product creators. It doesn’t cost you a dime, but the compensation I receive from these sources helps me defray the operational and management cost for operating this website and to continue offering all content at my blog spot 100% free. (Note: The content of posts on my blog is never influenced by advertisers or an affiliate partnership, nor there are posts written for the sole purpose of promoting a product.)

Data Protection✔

The use of this site is usually possible without providing personal information. As far as personal data (for example name or email address) are raised on my site, this takes place on a voluntary basis. These data will never sell, rent or give away to any third party without your explicit consent. Please note that data transmission over the Internet (for example, when communicating via email) may have security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of the data from access by third parties is not possible.

The use of my contact data published in the site for sending unsolicited advertising and information materials is hereby expressly excluded. I expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of the unsolicited sending of advertising information, such as spam emails.

Comments✔
The comment mechanism on my blog uses Disqus. The comments are hosted on Disqus and loaded from there, without my direct influence. Per default, comments are not shown, such that no external content from Disqus is loaded. As soon as you click on the comment links, however, the content is loaded, and at this point, Disqus can set cookies, track you, and might even show ads.
Regarding comment policy, I make a sincere effort to be respectful, kind and transparent on my blog, and ask the same respect from you. For this reason, rude, offensive, or harmful comments will not be tolerated. You are welcome to disagree, just do it nicely. Please leave your email address (or your IM contact) if you want a personal response.

Language✔
Despite the fact I am Italian, this is an English-speaking website. If you want to comment publicly in a language other than English as well, please always accompany your post with a complete English translation. Don't worry if your English isn't perfect (not even mine is that good!), your thoughts are what really matter.

Guest Posts✔

Generally, I will not use guest posts on this blog because it is my blog—in case you haven't noticed, I'm very territorial! However, if you are an established scholar or blogger and have something you think I would dig, please do get in touch anyway as I am always happy to check out samples of your writing. Your work remains your own and, in case of use, full credit will be given. In any case, no guest writer will be given access to my Blogger account.

Reviews✔

I am happy to review relevant products and samples from companies or from individuals (e.g. books, records, artworks, tech stuff, etc.). Although, if I have suspicions about you being a 'reputable' or genuine company I will not review your merch, as I will not feel comfortable giving you an address to receive the product. Please note that a free sample does not guarantee a favorable review.

Contact✔

For more information and business inquiries, please contact me on Skype (live:ThisIsPaoloFiore) or send me an email (PaoloFiore at Mail dotcom). Feel free to write in your choice of English or Italian. I apologize in advance that I can’t respond immediately to all messages due to the volume of messages I receive. To make sure your email would pass through my spam filters and be duly noticed, please use a clear subject and include my full name (not just the email address) in the "To:" field.

Donate✔

Donations to support my work here and on my social profiles gratefully accepted! You can support me through my Ko-fi page or via PayPal. I'm also on Patreon, if you want to support my art. Thank you so much to those who have already given!

IMPORTANT: THIS BLOG ADHERES TO THE SLOW BLOG MOVEMENT AND SUPPORTS THE BLUE RIBBON ONLINE FREE SPEECH CAMPAIGN.

Start Here: Announcements + FAQ

2020-07-27T16:12:00.010+02:00

This year I have temporarily suspended most of my public activities, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown restrictions (particularly strict in Italy). During this period, I changed my opinion about social media (previously avoided due to privacy concerns) and created several social profiles, starting to share my experiences and findings on the Web.

However, I soon realized that I couldn't always elaborate and expand my thoughts as I wanted. So I decided to launch this personal blog. If you would like the full story of how I came to this decision, you can join my occasional newsletter, and the first welcome email tells the story and provides you with my vision going forward.

In the coming weeks, this blog will be updated and become fully operational. Be sure you are subscribed to the RSS feed to know when a new post is out. Meanwhile, news and statuses from my world can be found on Twitter @PaoloFioreRules, the feed managed by my faithful DPA Siriana. Below you can find the most frequently asked questions about me and this blog. For more information and business inquiries, please email me (PaoloFiore at Mail dotcom).

Frequently Asked Questions

�1. What is this?

This is the featured post of Paolo Fiore's Blog Spot, which means that it's probably the first post of the blog that internauts and web adventurers will come to. So think of this as a brief introduction.

What you have reached is the door to the personal blog of Paolo Fiore; probably one of the few blogs on the Web focused on the study of music as an academic subject as well as on a variety of related topics concerning the arts, science, technology, and the human condition. On top of that, you will also find posts about Paolo Fiore's life experiences, updates on his ongoing projects, links to his other online activities, and other random content.

�2. Wait, who (or what) is Paolo Fiore?

Paolo Fiore is me. A symbiotic entity consisting of a user account and internet activity linked to a human being currently located in Bologna, northern Italy, most of the time. The digital part deals with most I/O and memory storage while the human part acts as the main cognitive processor and interface with the physical world.

�3. But who the hell are you, really?

Okay, you got me. I am an Italian musicologist, who currently makes a living teaching music privately and doing independent consultancy work, while pursuing an academic career at the University of Bologna, doing musicology research and some teaching assistance. I am also a music composer and producer, and I run both a project studio and a netlabel. I have from a while been involved in writing and public speaking about music, and I'm also studying aesthetics, communication, cognitive science and many other subjects. I have composed and/or produced music for many acts and in many genres, from classical & avantgarde to jazz & electronic—and I have performed as a DJ in clubs and festivals across Italy. Furthermore, I am even a fine art connoisseur and an (amateur) digital painter.

Anyway, a handy overview of who I am and what I do is the About section on my Facebook profile. For a more formal view see my LinkedIn profile page, although it's basically the same thing.

�4. Where I can find out what you're doing besides the blog?

From my digital personal assistant Siriana, who announces my activities and engagements on my Twitter feed (@PaoloFioreRules) in the minimalist, ringing tones of a talking clock. From my Facebook page (@PaoloFioreRules), that entertain followers with frequently-updated content: daily status, photos, audio/video clips, work diaries and more. And from my YouTube channel, from my Instagram photoblog, from my LinkedIn profile page, and from my scientific portfolio on Academia, my music portfolio on SoundCloud and my art portfolio on DeviantArt. You may also be interested in checking out what I share on my Tumblr microblog, the stories I write on Medium, the reviews I post on Goodreads and Discogs, the answers I give on Quora, and the pins I save on Pinterest.

These are all my active social media accounts: my little empire in cyberspace. Relax, and when you have a minute go to look at them. The goal of this blog is also to provide some kinda sense to my activities, which admittedly, at this point can be a bit confusing (even for myself!)... but I hope this blog at least provides an outline. Well, ummm, I'm doing my best!

To find out more content about me on the Internet, you can use my full name and my personal hashtag (#PaoloFioreRules) as search queries. Also, be sure to visit my Company's website, its Facebook page, and its YouTube channel.

I am on a journey of life. If you want to join me, then feel free to add me on these social media for the latest updates!

�5. What do you plan to achieve more?

First I want to write more articles and books (I've written several articles and essays about my research and related topics published in scientific and popular journals, and I'm currently working on my first book). Work at a research center, doing musicology research. Maybe teach music at a college or a university. Deliver lectures in many cities (I give academic and public lectures on issues related to musicology and philosophy of music). Provide consulting to many people and organizations (I deliver consulting services for those who need musical and musicological expertise). Write my own regular newspaper column of music commentary (I was an editor for the now-defunct website MusicScoop.it, and I’ve occasionally written for various Italian publications). Make some more records (you can listen and buy my recent music compositions and productions on various online platforms). Play concerts of my music (not just spun records). Handle the artistic direction of a music festival. Maybe hold an exhibition of my artwork (you can support my art on Patreon). And, naturally, continue to help more and more people take their music project to the next level with my small but growing music company PF Music, consisting of a music production studio and record label in Bologna, Italy.

If you can help me reach these goals email me, please! :)

The physical appearance of Paolo Fiore

�6. Can I play/show a work of yours I found on the web in a concert/art show I am organizing?

Yes, but please contact me first. I often have wildly different ways of presenting stuff of mine which is on the web in real space (aka its complicated), though I am up to considering anything.

�7. Do you participate in public events for your work often?

Yes, I often participate in public events, due to speaking engagements, DJ gigs and other commitments, and I also like to meet the public to discuss my work. Find out the next public events I'm currently scheduled to by checking regularly my Facebook Page. Feel free to contact me if you want to propose an event to attend.

�8. If I want you to come to do a lecture/performance in my city, what do I need to do?

Tell your friendly local promoter or event organizer (or it could be an art gallerist, store owner, school principal, etc.) that all I require is travel expenses (currently from Bologna, Italy), accommodation, plus a fee of around € 1000 for a regular public lecture or performance (in English or Italian). If that works for the promoters, get them to send me an email and we will take it from there!

�9. Will you come to do a private lecture/performance at my loft or club?

Again, I am up to considering anything, so contact me and I'll see if it is something I can work into my schedule.

�10. If I'm looking for musical advice, can I discuss my issues with you?

Sure! If you would like to work directly with me so I can help you figure out ways to improve your musical comprehension and experience, my music consulting services (now available in both English and Italian) is where you get started. Learn more about the "Music Consultations with Paolo Fiore" by reading the FAQs in the Notes on my Facebook Page.

�11. What is your favorite record at the moment?

Always Ambient 1: Music for Airports by Brian Eno. Timeless. Oh, and also PF Music Volume 1. Timely.

�12. What’s this PF thing you keep talking about?

That’s my brand, which identifies and aids recognition of various business ventures I'm doing. In particular, several music projects (including music research, production and promotion) that I'm carrying out through my own company PF Music. It’s also my merchandise & publishing imprint.

�13. What is PF Music?

PF Music Co. is the Italian independent holding company for several music projects (both public and under development), including music research, production and promotion, which I've founded in 2020 and personally run since then. Based in Bologna, Italy, PF Music includes a music research & production project studio specialized in sound and music computing and audio editing/production and a digital record label that publishes every kind of electronic music.

The "grunge" effect is intended

�14. Why is this blog so black?

A dark background provides a high contrast that is better for reading, especially at night. And if Google Black - Blackle - can save terawatts of energy worldwide each year, I can certainly help by reducing global warming by a watt or two!

�15. What's the best way to search the blog archive?

To search the whole blog, simply enter the keywords you are looking for into the search box in the upper right of the page, or scroll through the labels in the left sidebar to find what interests you (click the hamburger button on the Homepage to toggle the sidebar). Alternatively, you can type my full name plus your search term into a search engine, then follow the links headed "PaoloFiores.BlogSpot.com".

�16. Do you read and respond to comments left under the posts?

Yes, course I do! I read all of your comments and questions, so don't be shy! Please leave your email address (or your IM contact) if you want a personal response.

�17. Can I comment in Italian?

No, sorry. Despite the fact I am Italian, this is an English-speaking website. If you want to comment publicly in a language other than English as well, please always accompany your post with a complete English translation. Don't worry if your English isn't perfect (not even mine is that good!), your thoughts are what really matter.

�18. Do you accept guest posts?

�19. Can I send you a product for a review?

Yes, you can! I am happy to review relevant products and samples from companies or from individuals (e.g. books, records, artworks, tech stuff, etc.). Although, if I have suspicions about you being a 'reputable' or genuine company I will not review your merch, as I will not feel comfortable giving you an address to receive the product.

�20. Can I donate?

Yes, you can! Donations to support my work here and on my social profiles gratefully accepted! You can support me through my Ko-fi page or via PayPal. I'm also on Patreon, if you want to support my art. Thank you so much to those who have already given!

�21. Can I step through the door now?

Of course! I'm thankful that you will. You can browse backward from here or start at the beginning and work forward. The chronological archive is your friend—or you may prefer to read through the titles displayed in the month view looking for something that strikes you.

I try to incorporate my passions and influences into my posts as best as I can. While I write and edit everything myself (unless otherwise noted), it would all be for nothing without the sources, suggestions and constructive criticism provided to me by friends and readers. Thanks for your help!

The layout of this site is deliberately simple so that it can be easily updated and it has been developed to work well on PCs, tablets and smartphones; but I absolutely welcome suggestions on what sort of layout or features might make it more pleasant and efficient.

This will be a work-in-progress and will evolve over time. Subscribe to the RSS feed of my blog and turn on notifications to be updated when I release new posts! If you have a blog too and want to do a collaboration with me, don't be shy to ask me! I'm open anytime. Lastly, I'm extremely grateful for every single one of you who reads, comments and shares my posts—as long as you keep doing that, I'll keep writing them! :D

— So, welcome to my blog spot! If you still have a question, please drop me a line or write it down below in the comments! Be sure you are subscribed to the RSS feed and to my newsletter, hence... Enjoy!!! 😊

'🅲🅰🆄🆂🅴 🅿🅰🅾🅻🅾 🅵🅸🅾🆁🅴 🆁🆄🅻🅴🆂❗❗