What sound are you nostalgic for? I’m quite fond of the original Game Boy’s sharp beeps — some people prefer the warmth of a record, others the coolness of a CD. Regardless, technology defines how we hear, and, in turn, what we miss in the silence.
Let us know what aspects of today’s music you think we’ll be nostalgic for in a couple of decades’ time. (It might be autotune, you never know.) As always: ian@howwegettonext.com.
Future Nostalgia: What We’ll Miss When the Music Stops
Kate Solomon, How We Get To Next
From the crackle of vinyl to the clipped edges of MP3s, the ways we listen to music influence why we love it. But will those facets of the experience survive in the future? [6-minute read]
‘Bots’ Will Choose Your Music in 2030
David Emery, How We Get To Next
How will radio evolve in the coming decades? An industry marketing director sets out a vision of skippable songs, hyperlocal news and connections to our wearable devices. [9-minute read]
What Does Your Walk Sound Like?
Nikita Taparia, How We Get To Next
Responding to last week’s essay on geographical music, Nikita Taparia asks: Why not use motion to control what we listen to? [3-minute read]
The History (and Future) of Live Music
Vas Panagiotopoulos, How We Get To Next
The experience of listening to music performed in-person is wholly different than hearing it through headphones. From the first prehistoric performances to the blockchain, join us on a roller coaster ride through the history and future of the concert. [9-minute read]
Starting a Band in 2040
Andy Malt, How We Get To Next
Forget jamming in a garage — when the next generation starts to make music, it’ll enter an upside-down industry. Here’s what your kids’ band experience will be like. [10-minute read]
Denmark’s Giving Everyone Free Ponds
Ian Steadman, How We Get To Next
Want a pond? Move to Denmark and you’ll get one for free. That story and more in our roundup of world news that you won’t find in your local paper. [3-minute read]
This Little Recording Studio in the Desert Connects People Across Continents
Alice Bell, How We Get To Next
In Western Sahara’s refugee camps, one small recording studio — filled with tea, music, wires, and song — is changing the lives of the locals. [4-minute read]
Get Rich or Die Vlogging
Gaby Dunn, Fusion
The economics of internet fame make for grim reading — social media stars are too visible to have real jobs, but too broke not to. [15-minute read]
Roads to Rome
Benedikt Groß, Philipp Schmitt and Rapael Reimann, Roads to Rome
All roads lead to Rome. At least they do in these beautiful infographics of travel distances through Europe and the United States. [20-minute explore]
A Machine Successfully Predicted the Hit Dance Songs of 2015
Meghan Neal, Motherboard
The recipe for what makes a pop or dance song a hit has apparently become so formulaic that a computer algorithm can predict which will top the charts. [6-minute read]
Record High Arctic Temperatures in 2015 Having ‘Profound Effects’ on Region
Oliver Milman, The Guardian
Arctic temperatures are over 5° F [3° C] higher than the long-term average. Peak ice extent has also reached a new low. [3-minute read]
YouTube: Where You Can Experiment on Humans as Much as You Like
Alan Martin, Alphr
So-called “social experiments” are appearing on YouTube with a cavalier disregard for the ethics of professional science. [6-minute read]
