Designers Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson explore the intersection of technology, design, and culture through the lens of provocative books. In each episode, we dive into a book that challenges the way we think about society, culture, and design. Along the way, we bring in diverse perspectives and, eventually, authors themselves to discuss their work. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, our discussions aim to inspire new ways of seeing the future.
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Designers Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson explore the intersection of technology, design, and culture through the lens of provocative books. In each episode, we dive into a book that challenges the way we think about society, culture, and design. Along the way, we bring in diverse perspectives and, eventually, authors themselves to discuss their work. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, our discussions aim to inspire new ways of seeing the future.
Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson delve into Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. They discuss the book's exploration of Spotify's impact on the music industry, focusing on historical parallels, algorithmic control, and the creation of 'fake' artists.
The conversation includes personal reflections on the evolution of music consumption, streaming services, and the nostalgia of early music platforms and blog eras. Throughout, they emphasize the moral and existential implications of Spotify's practices for both artists and listeners.
Chapters
00:00 - Synopsis and Initial Impressions of 'Mood Machine'
00:36 - Historical Context and Surprising Elements
01:37 - Algorithmic Control and Fake Artists
02:34 - The Evolution of Music Streaming
04:40 - The Impact of Algorithmic Playlists
07:11 - The Role of Human Curation in Music Discovery
10:17 - The Decline of Music's Artistic Value
11:43 - The Dangers of Algorithmic Influence
14:03 - Nostalgia and the Value of Craft
26:35 - Supporting Artists in the Streaming Era
31:18 - Nostalgia and the Blog Era of Music
36:24 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. Buy on Bookshop.org
Future Perfect Book Club
Designers Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson explore the intersection of technology, design, and culture through the lens of provocative books. In each episode, we dive into a book that challenges the way we think about society, culture, and design. Along the way, we bring in diverse perspectives and, eventually, authors themselves to discuss their work. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, our discussions aim to inspire new ways of seeing the future.
