Aimee Swartz
at 11:54 AM Jul 23 2015
Science // 

Although there's no doubt that music preferences change over time and are shaped by social factors like what our friends listen to and where we live, research has shown that our musical preferences is closely linked to our personality—from how conscientious to how neurotic we are.

Michael Nuñez
at 09:53 AM Jun 9 2015
Gadgets // 

Apple just made itself relevant to music lovers—again. At its annual World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) on Monday, the company announced a new streaming music service for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Apple TV, and Android called Apple Music. The new subscription-based service allows people to search and stream millions of songs from iTunes and also listen to curated playlists.

Brooke Borel
at 10:01 AM May 9 2015
Science // 

Over the past fifteen years or so, bed bug infestations surged worldwide. The bed bug's return was, in part, thanks to an increase in global travel, insecticide resistance, and the fact that more of us than ever before are living in cities—a particularly good setting for bed bugs to thrive. But the pest also made a comeback in a less publicized way through our music.

Sarah Fecht
at 09:29 AM Mar 3 2015
Science // 

When I was learning to play the cello in high school, my cat Stella used to hide under my bed and yowl pitifully. I like to tell myself we just had different tastes. And there's probably something to that. Whereas humans like music to fall within our vocal range and have a tempo similar to a human heartbeat, those noises probably sound like demonic torture rituals to a cat.

fcdiep
at 09:49 AM Nov 25 2014
Science // 

On the one hand, you can fit OK Go's latest album in the coin pocket of your jeans. On the other hand, it takes hundreds of dollars' worth of equipment—and a science degree's worth of skill—to listen to it. Decisions, decisions.

Francie Diep
at 09:58 AM May 16 2014
Robots // 

If a robot read a novel, how would it feel? You might get a sense from these little jingles. Below are some songs that were automatically created by a series of algorithms that turn the emotions in novels into short pieces of music. If the songs remind you, traumatically, of your untalented little sister practicing piano… well, you can't say I didn't warn you.

Francie Diep
at 09:05 AM Nov 27 2013
Science // 

Just as books come in different editions, so do historical pieces of music. Different manuscripts from the time the music was written may have slight variations… and their composers aren't around anymore to say which they prefer.

 
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