As social media addicts, we have a chance to break the cycle of using networks owned by those who stand to make billions of dollars. Instead of being drawn to the ‘hot new social network’, we should be mindful of networks that offer us control and sustainability, not just features. We should avoid falling into the same trap again and look to open networks like Mastodon or the Fediverse, that adhere to the open web and allow us to talk to every other network. 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