Did you know there are over 2,500 genres of music? Most of them have evolved over only the last fifty years. The rise in diversity stems from two major factors, technology and societal change. On this week’s Super Awesome Science Show, we’re going to explore this golden moment in music history with one of Canada’s most notable experts on the topic. He’s Alan Cross, the host of The Ongoing History of New Music.

We first explore the technology side by looking back at the moments that changed music forever. There have been several from the invention of the electric guitar to the synthesizer to the concept of multi-track mixing. Through all of this, Alan relates some of his own memories and moments he’s witnessed over the decades.

Then we get into the evolution of music and society. Music has been thought to be the spark of everything from the fall of the Soviet Union to the end of apartheid in South Africa to the LA Riots of 1992. Alan discusses some of the more personal aspects of society and music and how the notes and lyrics can bring people together not just for a cause, but also for the simple joy of being together.

In our SASS Class, we learn that the best choice of music to improve your ability to workout happens to be your own. We speak with Dr. Jasmin Hutchinson, the Director for Sport and Exercise Psychology at Springfield College in Massachusetts. As she tells us, knowing what right for us truly is personal and that your own playlist is most likely always going to be the best.

If you enjoy The Super Awesome Science Show, please take a minute to rate it onApple Podcasts and be sure to tell a friend about the show. Thanks to you, we’ve been nominated for a Canadian Podcast Award as Outstanding Science and Medicine Series. Let’s keep the awesome momentum going together!

Twitter: @JATetro
Email: [email protected]

Guests:
Alan Cross
http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/
Twitter: @alancross

Dr. Jasmin Hutchinson
https://springfield.edu/directory/jasmin-hutchinson
Twitter: @DrJazzBop

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