To Whomever Needs A Goodbye,
First, I need you to know I will miss you. I don't mean in the when I see a Facebook post or when your birthday comes around kind of way. I mean in the aching, miserable kind of way. I'll have a lot more time to think, now that I'm alone, and I'll be thinking of you.
Yes, I know, I'll be busy, onto bigger and better things. I know you think I won't have time for you. You see, that's why I think this time of life is so hard for everyone involved. Because I'm excited too! I'm excited to do what I want and be who I want to be. Yet, even in my excitement, I'll always be imagining the joy you would bring to whatever situation I'm in.
On the last day of school, my senior year, my English teacher pulled an old wooden crate from a shelf, climbed onto a desk, and set the box under her feet matter-o-factly. Mrs. Brown is a Lifetime Education Award winner for her spectacular work teaching the English curriculum for Flathead Highschool's International Baccalaureate program. This short haired, witty woman owned more books that could fit in a classroom, and had the kind of wisdom only gained from being alive a long time. After rearranging herself just so, she informed us that she would be presenting her senior soapbox, the most intense soapbox of the year. She went on to advise us to the usual things, such as to keep reading and always use the library as a resource. However, she ending the speech by telling us a story about her oldest daughter. She told the class that the summer before her daughter left for college, they began to butt heads. This continued to intensify until her daughter left for college, but disappeared when the daughter came home for Thanksgiving. She noted that after a period of "self-reflection" (a Brown speciality), she realized that the reason for the conflict had been twofold. First, the mother was afraid of losing her daughter, and second, the daughter just longed to be free. It's important we understand each other, you and I, and understand what the other is going through. It's hard for the both of us, ya know.
We also can't ignore the simple fact that we will change. I will change. Even if that change or the distance pushes us apart, I will never forget or regret the moments spent with those people I grew up with. Those memories of times much simpler will always hold a special place in my heart, and you will rest there with it.
I know hearts are heavy now with my departure weighing on your mind, but if you are at peace with nothing else, find solace in this. I love you. Whether as a friend, sweetheart, or family, I love you. Let that truth calm your restless head, and find excitement with me in the travels to come.
With Love,
Your College Student
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.]()
