Understanding history teaches us to not only avoid making the same mistakes but also avoid making new mistakes that come from misunderstanding history. For example, Irish liberalism didn’t materialise during the advent of the Internet in the 1990s; it is a product of the experiences of the Irish, especially post-famine. Post-famine Ireland valued conformity and obedience above all, which resulted in immense dissatisfaction within the populace. This dissatisfaction stewed for decades until the general public embraced cultural change, which quickly swept through the nation. Read full article here
Oddities
Why Do Modern Pop Songs Have So Many Credited Writers?
The music industry has changed dramatically over the last few decades – with the number of songwriters credited on number one hits more than doubling. This is due to a combination of factors, including money, the computer and a changing definition of what songwriting is. For example, if The Beatles’ classic “I Feel Fine” was released today, it would likely have four writers credited instead of two, due to the influence of producers, samples and interpolations. With the rise of lawsuits, artists now preemptively add songwriter credits to their songs, even if the similarities between their song and the source material are coincidental. It all goes to show that the music industry is becoming more complex and competitive. Read full article here
Merv
March 29, 2023
