The world is constantly moving. Life often seems to be restless. Big cities never sleep. Cars are racing by. People are rushing to get somewhere, to do something. Goals are being made. Dreams are being chased. Nonstop living.
Is this really living though?
We are so consumed by our final destination that we sometimes forget to actually live. As our childhood diminishes, our perception of what it means to live becomes far more limited. The fact that we are alive and doing something should not be the only qualifiers for living. Going to school, writing an essay, getting a job, walking your dogs -- these are all a part of life, but there is so much more to living than just the routine things.
Living in Los Angeles for 10 years is an experience I would never replace, but the way I lived is something I greatly regret. I was constantly on the go. It almost seems like I was doing everything unconsciously. I would wake up, complete my morning routine, go to school, have lunch, go to practice, come home, shower, eat, study, sleep. My routine would sometimes change, but my point is that, it is living a heavily structured life that stops us from living.
Living is taking a moment to smell the fresh air. It is watching the sunrise, and then watching the sunset later that same day. Living is experiencing the world around you. It is feeling the wind blow through your hair and the sand in your toes. It can be something as simple as eating lunch outdoors while appreciating your surroundings. Living is about taking the time to admire.
It is crucial to just stop what you are doing every once in a while and to simply enjoy life. I first came to this realization when I moved to Santa Cruz. Although Los Angeles is considered to be a lively city, I never experienced true living until I moved here. People hardly ever seem to be in a hurry here. The majority of people, including me, incorporate true enjoyment into their daily routines.
Enjoying life is my definition of living. My attitude about everything has taken a positive turn ever since I started taking life more lightly. I still live a relatively routine life, but it is no longer a fast pace life. I make a conscious effort to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air as often as possible. I enjoy life, and therefore I am living.
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 Politics and Activism![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.]()
![Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.]()
