Into the Zone The Ghost in the Codec
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Oct 1, 2020 Hari, a writer and musician, dives into the complexities of the digital age and how to find clarity amidst chaos. He reflects on the emotional power of music, sharing how recorded sounds can evoke nostalgia and memory. The discussion moves to the birth of the MP3 format, exploring its revolutionary impact on the music industry and the cultural shifts it ignited. Hari also examines the delicate balance between sound and noise, revealing the challenges artists face in preserving the essence of their work in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
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Ghosts in the Music
- Hari Kunzru discusses writing his novel, "White Tears," about music producers faking a blues record.
- He listened to old recordings, reflecting on how they're like ghosts in our heads.
Avoiding Format Wars
- The need for audio compression standards arose to avoid format wars like Betamax vs. VHS.
- VHS won due to longer recording times, despite Betamax's superior quality.
The Standardizer
- Karlheinz Brandenburg, an engineer, led a team developing an audio compression standard.
- Standardization is for those who value agreement and doing things the best way.