Optimistic nihilism has become a popular philosophy among the younger generations, promising they can create their own meanings and values in a meaningless universe. But this twenty-first century spin on nihilism is a shallow understanding of what Nietzsche proposed, as it fails to confront the dark questions that come with it, such as the morals of killling others. Ultimately, this kind of nihilism often leads to substance abuse and depression, as it offers no real solutions for dealing with the insignificance and anonymity of life. 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