A few years ago, Fifty Shades of Grey, a novel trilogy by E.L. James took the pop culture world by storm. Shrill and quiet virgin Anastasia Steele meets the mysterious and handsome businessman Christian Grey while completing an interview in place of her journalist roommate.
The story gets real wild from there. Christian Grey is a dominant lover of sorts. The novels paint a photograph of wild sexual interactions shared between Steele and Grey in his "red room of pain." He even goes as far as to conduct a list of specific lifestyle rules that she is required to follow in order to be his mate.
I was immediately disgusted.
Allow me to make one statement clear: I do not have a disgust toward the BDSM community. BDSM is an acronym meaning bondage, domination, submission, and masochism. This can be a healthy lifestyle for those involved, given that there is mutual respect and safe words involved.
However, this is not the case in Fifty Shades of Grey, or the new film, Fifty Shades Darker.
Christian Grey threatens Anastasia with weapons and harsh punishment, does not allow her to see her family or friends, forces her to take pills, and goes as far as emotionally abusing her. He will not connect with her personally, nor form a bond or relationship in the beginning of the series.
Essentially, Hollywood is glamorizing an abusive relationship, and women are flocking to theaters in support of it.
As a woman, I cannot stand behind a film that endorses these behaviors. As a victim of domestic abuse, I am ashamed of the world I live in everyday. We have public service announcements teaching us that this is not acceptable behavior for a relationship. On the other hand, we have films that make it look healthy, sensual and pleasing.
One quote from the novel states:
"'No,' I protest, trying to kick him off. He stops. 'If you struggle, I'll tie your feet too. If you make a noise, Anastasia, I will gag you."
Now the series is moving on from domestic abuse to perpetuating rape culture.
So think about it. Is this truly the film you want to see with a loved one on Valentine's Day? Is this what we want to teach the women of our future to seek in romantic relationships?
I would encourage anyone planning to purchase tickets to this film to think twice. Abuse isn't a beautiful plot line, nor should it attract a huge audience.
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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
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