Theory-Jamming
Jamming is an expression we relate to musicians coming together and trying out different new tunes, songs and pretty much improvise in an informal gathering. Stephen Stockwell relates this types of gatherings with theorists that come together and share theories and discuss different ideas. Stockwell means that informal theory-jamming works better than formal discussions because you get a certain dynamo in jam sessions that makes creativity grow and there are bigger chances of getting difficult questions answered. A jam session is all about creating harmony in the group, and working together to get the music flowing and presented in the best possible way. To make that happen you have to communicate and listen to others ideas and readjust your own.
I think theory-jamming is a great way to make progress in communication theory. Jamming makes room for mistakes and you have to cooporate to find the "right answer". Even though it is mostly for fun, if you suddenly play a good song you can write the notes down and you can play the song later and show it to others. Not all of the theories during the jam session will be good, but the ones that are can be written down and passed forward. In that way you make valuable theory, and you may have a great time doing it.
Source:
Stockwell, S, Dec. 2006, Theory-Jamming: Uses of Eclectic Method in an Ontological Spiral, M/C Journal, 9, viewed August 16 2011, http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0612/09-stockwell.php
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