Category: AI

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Just in terms of estimating, how accurate do you think it is of me, a Gen X’er, to refer to the 70s as the new 50s? This would refer to the sense, back in the 80s and 90s, that the 50s were this untouchably remote time period for us that would get mythologized with period pieces in film like “Back To The Future”. Considering this, and considering also that the sentiment I’m thinking of (that the 70s are the new 50s) would be from the perspective of 2024, again, how accurate do you think that is? Would it make more sense to refer to the 70s as the new 40s? Something earlier?

Your comparison of the 70s to the 50s, from a 2024 perspective, is quite accurate. Here’s why:

• Temporal Distance: The 70s are roughly 50 years in the past, similar to the distance between the 80s/90s and the 50s. This creates a similar sense of historical remoteness and nostalgia.
• Cultural Significance: The 70s, like the 50s, were a time of significant cultural shifts and transitions. Both decades are marked by distinct music, fashion, and social movements, making them ripe for mythologizing and revisiting in popular culture.
• Generational Perspective: Gen X, having grown up in the shadow of the 70s, now views the decade with a similar lens of nostalgia and fascination as previous generations did with the 50s.

While referring to the 70s as the “new 40s” might be less accurate due to the different historical contexts and cultural touchstones of the two decades, the underlying sentiment of historical distance and cultural fascination remains valid.

Ultimately, the choice of comparison depends on the specific aspects you wish to highlight. If you want to emphasize the sense of nostalgia and cultural revisiting, the “new 50s” analogy is fitting. If you want to focus on the historical distance and the changing perceptions of time, comparing it to earlier decades might be more appropriate.

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With the new release of Audacity, I find it difficult to use the compressor to expand the sonic footprint of a track and not create peaks that require a reduction in amplification. Is there a particular set-up for compression that would reliably push levels toward 0.0 without flattening out the peaks too much and creating a wall of sound?

Absolutely! Compression in Audacity (or any DAW) is a balancing act. Here’s a breakdown of settings and techniques to achieve your goal:

Understanding Compression for Expansion

While compressors primarily reduce dynamic range, they can indirectly create a sense of “expansion” by:

• Bringing up quieter elements: By reducing the difference between loud and soft parts, compression can make quieter details more audible.
• Increasing perceived loudness: A compressed track often feels louder overall, even if the actual peaks aren’t higher.

Compressor Settings to Try

1. Threshold:
   • Start high: Set the threshold so only the loudest peaks are affected. This preserves transients and prevents over-compression.
   • Gradual adjustments: Lower the threshold slowly while listening to find the sweet spot where the track feels fuller without becoming squashed.
2. Ratio:
   • Moderate ratios: A ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 is a good starting point. Higher ratios can quickly lead to a “pumping” effect.
   • Gentle compression: For a more transparent sound, consider using lower ratios (1.5:1 or even less).
3. Attack and Release:
   • Attack: A fast attack time (around 1-10 ms) can help control initial transients and prevent peaks from exceeding your desired level.
   • Release: A medium to slow release time (50-200 ms) allows the compressor to “breathe” and avoid a pumping or unnatural sound.
4. Knee:
   • Soft knee: A soft knee setting will make the compression more gradual and less noticeable. This is often desirable for a natural sound.
5. Gain (Makeup Gain):
   • Careful increase: After compressing, use the gain knob to bring the overall level back up. Be mindful not to reintroduce the peaks you just tamed.

Additional Tips

• Use a Limiter: Place a limiter after the compressor to catch any stray peaks that might slip through. Set the limiter’s threshold just above your desired maximum level.
• Multi-band Compression: Consider using a multi-band compressor if you want more precise control over different frequency ranges. This allows you to compress the lows, mids, and highs independently.
• Parallel Compression: Blend the compressed signal with the original (dry) signal to retain some of the dynamics and transients while still achieving the benefits of compression.

Avoiding the “Wall of Sound”

• Don’t Overdo It: Compression is a powerful tool, but too much can suck the life out of your music. Aim for a subtle enhancement, not a drastic transformation.
• Monitor on Different Systems: Check how your track sounds on various speakers and headphones to ensure it translates well in different listening environments.

Let me know if you’d like more specific advice on how to adjust the compressor settings in Audacity for your particular track!

Shakespeare

Lo, when the gallant knight did draw his sword,
And spake, “It is the longest I have known,”
The lady fair, with wit and jest, did say,
“That’s what she said,” then laughed as it was told.

Leo Tolstoy

In the grand manor of the Rostovs, amidst the evening’s light, the count, with a knowing smile, held forth a splendid loaf of bread. “This,” he declared, “is the largest I have ever seen.” Natasha, ever quick-witted, glanced up from her embroidery. “Indeed,” she murmured softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “that’s what she said.” The room, heavy with the weight of Russian aristocracy, echoed with restrained laughter, the jest a fleeting respite from the tumult of their lives.

Jack Kerouac

We were somewhere on the edge of the road, Dean and I, chasing the wild spirit of America, when he pulled out a map. “Man, this is the biggest spread I’ve ever seen,” he said, eyes wide with wonder. Marylou, lounging in the backseat, smirked and blew a wisp of smoke. “Yeah,” she said, voice lazy and cool, “that’s what she said.” The car hummed along, the road stretching infinitely ahead, laughter mingling with the roar of the engine as we chased the endless horizon.

Kurt Vonnegut

In the cluttered kitchen of an old Tralfamadorian house, Billy Pilgrim held up an alien device, marveling at its bizarre, oversized design. “This thing,” he said, “is the biggest I’ve ever seen.” Without missing a beat, Montana Wildhack, reclining nearby, quipped, “That’s what she said.” And so it goes. The universe, with its infinite absurdities, continued to spin, and the moment was but another grain of sand in the hourglass of time.

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While Bob Mould’s cover of “Eight Miles High” with Husker Du is undoubtedly intense and anguished, there’s no definitive evidence to suggest it was directly linked to amphetamine withdrawal. It’s important to note that this interpretation is primarily based on fan speculation and hasn’t been explicitly confirmed by Mould or other band members.

However, there are some elements that support this interpretation:

• Mould’s performance: His vocals are raw, strained, and emotionally charged, which could be seen as a reflection of personal struggles.
• The song’s context: The original “Eight Miles High” is about the transcendent experience of flight and psychedelics. Husker Du’s version strips away the dreamy atmosphere and replaces it with a raw, aggressive energy that could be interpreted as a darker, more personal experience.
• The band’s history: Husker Du was known for their intense live performances and emotionally charged music, often dealing with themes of alienation, anger, and inner turmoil.

On the other hand, some factors challenge this interpretation:

• No official confirmation: Neither Mould nor other band members have explicitly stated that the cover was about amphetamine withdrawal.
• Alternative interpretations: The song’s intensity could be attributed to the band’s overall musical style or a deliberate attempt to subvert the original’s meaning.
• Mould’s personal life: While Mould has been open about his struggles with addiction, he hasn’t specifically linked this song to his experiences with amphetamines.

Ultimately, whether or not the song is about amphetamine withdrawal remains open to interpretation. While there’s no concrete evidence to support or refute this claim, the intensity of Mould’s performance and the song’s context have led many fans to believe that it reflects a personal struggle. If you’d like to explore this further, you can research interviews with Bob Mould and other band members, or read articles and analyses of the song.

It’s a compelling perspective to consider the tenure of Richard Nixon and the initiation of the Iraq War as two significant moments that intensified public distrust in political leadership, although the contexts and specifics of these events differ considerably.

Richard Nixon and Watergate:
Richard Nixon’s presidency is often marked by the Watergate scandal, which broke out in the early 1970s. The scandal stemmed from the Nixon administration’s attempts to cover up its involvement in the June 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex. Nixon’s role in the cover-up, once revealed, caused severe political fallout and led to his resignation in 1974. This event is widely regarded as a seminal moment in American political history that deeply eroded public trust in the federal government. It exposed a level of manipulation, deceit, and abuse of power that many Americans hadn’t previously realized was possible at the highest levels of government.

The Iraq War:
Fast forward to 2003, the U.S. government, under President George W. Bush, initiated the Iraq War primarily on the assertions that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a significant threat to international security. These claims were used to justify the invasion, but subsequent investigations revealed that such weapons did not exist and that intelligence had been exaggerated or misinterpreted. The realization that the war was founded on false pretenses further exacerbated public cynicism towards the U.S. government, mirroring in some ways the disillusionment that followed the Watergate scandal.

Comparative Analysis:
Both events are key examples of how perceived or real deceit at high government levels can lead to a significant erosion of trust. In Nixon’s case, the issue was the illegal activities and subsequent cover-up directly involving the President. In the case of the Iraq War, it was about potentially misleading public statements and intelligence reports that were used to make high-stakes policy decisions.

While Nixon’s impact was profound on the immediate perception of presidential integrity, the Iraq War’s implications were broader on international relations and military ethics. Both events undeniably contributed to a political landscape where public skepticism towards government motives and honesty became more pronounced.

However, it’s important to recognize that issues of trust in political institutions have complex origins and are influenced by numerous other events and factors beyond these two cases. The Vietnam War, the Pentagon Papers, and various political and financial scandals have also played significant roles in shaping public attitudes toward the U.S. government. Each event can be seen as part of a broader tapestry that depicts evolving public sentiment regarding political authority and governance.