Even if you are only experiencing your first semester, by now you have figured out that college comes with some form of anxiety. Some worry
about their grades. Some spend their time freaking out about their current
relationship status. Some stress over the freshman 15. But the worst of all is the fear of missing out, better known
as FOMO.
I have grown up wanting to be included in everything, but
since coming to college my desire has sky rocketed. After
first semester of freshmen year, and attending a few froshes, my thoughts were, “Hey, unfinished, possibly insect infested basements are enjoyable." Then, the Holy Grail was upon us, aka Husker tailgates. After taking a
few steps into the back yard of a sacred bottoms house, I was certain
that tailgating was the reason I was put on this earth.
Second semester
approached, and formal season was in full force. It took one formal for me to
decide that my past homecomings and proms were not even on the totem pole of
fun, and that formals were top tier. I have committed to every ski trip, thus far, and experienced my first spring break in Panama City Beach, this past year. What
I’m saying is -- college is fun.
It is my third year and I am 95 percent positive that FOMO is a
real disease, and I am sure I am diagnosed and in critical condition. For
those of you who also think you may suffer from this disease, bear with me. If
you don’t think missing out is all that bad, you should. I know you have
heard it all before. You have four years to do this. Four years seems like a
decent amount of time, until you are a graduated adult and the last time you let
loose and had fun was at your 40 year old co-worker’s Christmas party.
Dramatic? Definitely. True? I guess you will find -- but why take the risk?
We all have busy lives in college filled with studying, applications
and jobs, but sometimes it is okay to run away from your responsibilities. Here
are three simple rules to follow.
1. Frosh until you die. Frosh until you can roll
over in your grave when you find out your grandchildren are taking naps
Thursday to Saturday nights. I am a junior at that awkward age of
20, and I have no shame in attending every social I can. Everyone has their own
form of fun, but at least go, meet someone new and hit your head from dancing
under extremely low ceilings.
2. Say yes to formals. Take a night off from work or
studying. Get set up with a blind date with a fraternity you barely know. You
might end up being able to say it was the best night of college you have had so
far.
3. Go on trips. Traveling is one thing, but
traveling with a large group of your favorite people is the crème de la crème.
Embrace your broke college kid stereotype and donate plasma, or break out your
childhood piggy bank if you have to. It is worth it.
Moral of the story -- in a few years these memories are all
you will have. That is enough to have me freaking out with FOMO. College comes
once. Do not miss out.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
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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