[UPDATE: Due to <redacted>, which was totally pathetic, this homework has been postponed until Festivus. At that time the <redacted> will very certainly be among our list of grievances.]

The cold weather of fall is now upon us. We shall huddle together thankful for either the outdoor heaters or the climate-controlled indoors. Either way, there is homework to do.

The main assignment is to come prepared to discuss the argument that “Pet Sounds” is the greatest album of all time. Here is a disagreement with the idea from Holden Karnofsky. Here is Tyler Cowen’s take for more color.

The first extra credit assignment is to be ready to discuss the idea that old music is killing new music. As a foundation read this Atlantic article. For more from the same author, Ted Gioia, see this web–archived post on how the entire creative culture is losing its ability to innovate.

The second extra credit assignment is to play around with this AI-based lyrics generator. Bring your most interesting samples.

For fear my choices would contribute to the destruction of modern music, I will hold off on any jams for this week. See you Friday!