Song Lyrics Don't Reflect The Personality Of A Generation

So, a psychology professor, Dr. Nathan DeWall at the University of Kentucky, analyzed hit songs between 1980 and 2007 and found a correlation between egotistical song lyrics and increasing narcissism in society. (see http://www.npr.org/2011/04/26/135745227/study-narcissism-on-rise-in-pop-lyrics)

I don't buy it. Statistics alone can't derive the meaning of song lyrics. This study ignores the nuances of song writing like metaphor, sarcasm and irony. (Although I will admit that pop music isn't known for subtlety. See e.g., Rebecca Black - Friday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0) For example, the Prof. Nathan DeWall cites Weezer's song, "The Greatest Man in the World" (see e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYrz-M2Zc8E) as one such narcissistic song. Sure, without even hearing it, it sounds narcissistic; and that would be the case if Rivers Cuomo wasn't being sarcastic.

To analogize, this study is like a regular computer playing jeopardy compared to the IBM supercomputer, Watson, playing Jeopardy. It might give us some interesting results, but they are not going to be correct.

If anything, I think the increased frequency of narcissistic lyrics is a reflection of the music industry itself, rather than of the personality traits pop musics listeners. The record companies today are hit machines (see http://www.thejazzlawyer.com/2011/02/25/you-want-a-fucking-record-deal/) and don't particularly care what ridiculous garbage is on the radio so long as it makes money. This is especially true since record companies don't make money selling records anymore. Today, record companies sell image not music. (see 360 deal, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/arts/music/11leed.html)

So maybe superficiality rather than narcissism is the real culprit here. But hey, that's pop music for ya.

Booth in Picture of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address?

Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865. With victory for the north only weeks away, a specter of his death was even closer: supposedly John Wilkes Booth is in the picture too. Booth murdered Lincoln a little over a month later, April 15, 1865.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, its only about three weeks until spring break. But I have and Evidence midterm and 25 page rough draft standing in the way! I know I can do it though, just have to keep my nose to the grindstone.

Halfway / Halflife

Well, I am almost half way done with this semester (not inlcuding reading week and two weeks of finals). I am doing a lot of writing for my two seminar classes, Adv. Legal Writing and Adv. Entertainment Law. I have my first major assingments due for both in two weeks, including a 20 - 30 page article for entertainment.

I am writing about the musician Tom Waits and his suits involving the right or Publicity. The right of publicity is a property right that protects an individual from unwanted use of her likeness, voice, name, identity and more depending on the jurisdiction and relevant state statute. Tom Waits doesn't do commercials, but lots of companies want his music to promote their product. So, Tom Waits sues them when they use his voice or an impersonator of his voice in a commercial. My argument is that he should not be able to do this, because he is not the only artist to sing with a gravelly voice. Wait's voice is a sound-a-like to many artists voices, including Howling Wolf, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, and Capt. Beefheart. Pop culture has a short memory, however. Tom Waits is the modern equivalent of an amalgamation of these artists, and so his voice is "unique". More on this as it develops.

Otherwise, I am doing well and just trying to keep up. The 1Ls are a constant reminder that I have it a lot better than I did; the feeling is like a glass of water in the desert.

New Place, New Year

I am finally all moved on to the new place and it is great! I hung out at the pool all day yesterday. My room is pizza shaped which makes for a layout challenge. We finally got our hot water turned on and I am excited for my first hot shower in 5 days!

School starts Wednesday. I am taking business associations, constitutional law, music industry contracts, advanced entertainment law and hopefully advanced legal writing, if I get in (I am still on the waitlist). I am excited to get to school and meet all the new 1ls!

Summer Vactation Sea Change

Finals are finally done! It was nice to only have two this semester. I think I did pretty well so that is exciting.

Finals over, its time for vacation and a few changes. On Tuesday, I am flying to Seattle. I'll be there until Saturday, then I am heading to Vancouver until Thursday. From there I will fly to Lollapalooza in Chicago! My friend Adam is going too. We are outdoor concert veterans: we have been to 5 or 6 together. Gonna be great.

That's it for the vacation. Now on to the change. I am moving to a really nice apartment complex on Sunset & Vine. It will be a two bedroom/two bath, at about the same price I am paying now. The complex has a pool and a gym and it is in a much nicer and hipper neighborhood: Hollywood!

Books on the Shelf

Only a few days until my vacation. One thing Mom always made sure I had on a summer vacation was a big stack of books, and I have pretty much continued the habit of doing my heaviest reading during the summer. Here are my planned books:

1. Neuromancer by William Gibson
   
2. All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman
   
3. The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
   
4. Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook by Bob Baker

That should pretty much do it, because I only have month off. Reviews of these to come!