Society has a hold on us. Telling us everything that it thinks we should do. We should get wild, and party on our birthday. Even if it's before our 21st, we should go out and get "turnt." Make a few bad decisions and forget everything. And wake up the next morning full of regret and hungover. Where's the fun in that?!?
I woke up on my birthday and had birthday cake for breakfast, celebrated at work with my coworkers, had dinner with my parents, and you guessed it more birthday cake with all my friends and a night of two steppin' and line dancing. I remembered every aspect even down to every individual that wished me well on Facebook. I got to reflect on the highlights of my life, and take the time to make a few suggestions on some exciting things to do before turning 20!
1. Give your life to Christ, make Him the Lord of your life. Chase His pace and you will be amazed at how wonderful your life will play out.
2. Let your parents become your best friends. After the curfews and rules of the house, a true friendship starts to form. Use them for support, encouragement, and even a few laughs.
3. Make your friends a top priority. You only get to experience these years once, so do so fully. Enjoy the late night adventures and Taco Bell.
4. Travel. Clichéd I know but see the world. See the states. Just go see something. This world is too beautiful to miss out on the view.
5. Fall in love with yourself. Every aspect. Your personality, your looks, your whole life. I promise you this will make you so much happier.
6. Eat lots of good food. Especially ice cream. Eat your weight in ice cream.
7. Go check out the stars. They are so beautiful and they remind you just how small you and your problems are in this big 'ole world.
8. Learn to cook. This task will make you feel like more of an adult.
9. Watch a lot of movies. Got the movies and eat buckets full of buttery deliciousness.
10. Play a team sport. Whether competitive or not, you will learn a whole lot about other people and even yourself. A little bit of competition is good for the soul.
11. Find a hobby that you absolutely love. And spend countless hours caught up, wrapped up in carefree thoughts.
12. Get a dog. Other than your parents, it's the only thing that will always be excited to see you and love you unconditionally.
13. Do something that you never thought that you could accomplish. It's amazing what your body can do if your mind wills you to do it.
14. Love people with your whole heart. With everything that you have. Every day. Every single person. This world needs a few more people with that mindset.
15. Work a job, even if it's for the summer, that you absolutely love. Fall in love with it and your co-workers.
16. Dance, a lot. Line dancing, two steppin', bumpin' and grindin', or whatever floats your boat. Just dance, and if you get a chance to dance in the rain that's pretty alright too.
17. Create a few of what I like to call "colorful memories. “These are the times you make choices that might not be 100% the thing you should be doing, but it's fun and creates some memorable nights.
18. Find some time to give back. Anywhere your heart feels a little tug is the perfect place to start. This makes you realize how well off you are and have a new found appreciation.
19. Laugh. Often and so hard that your belly hurts.
20. Take advantage of everything that crosses your path. Good or bad it's an opportunity that will help you grow in some way. So it with a grain of salt and find a way to seize it.
The past 20 years have been great! I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me with this crazy beautiful life.
Recommended for you
The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
Trending Topics
Trending Stories
Best of Student Life![Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.]()
![Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.]()
![Towson University]()
![Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.]()
