Why Song Lyrics Are Getting Simpler

Learn how a man wrote sentences using only his mind; how popular song lyrics got simpler; and the bitterness of Bitrex.

Brain-computer interface lets people communicate by imagining they're writing by Grant Currin

• Composing thoughts: mental handwriting produces brain activity that can be turned into text | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Nih.gov. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/News-Events/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/Composing-thoughts-mental-handwriting-produces
• Willett, F. R., Avansino, D. T., Hochberg, L. R., Henderson, J. M., & Shenoy, K. V. (2021). High-performance brain-to-text communication via handwriting. Nature, 593(7858), 249–254. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03506-2
• Sample, I. (2021, May 12). Paralysed man uses “mindwriting” brain computer to compose sentences. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/12/paralysed-man-mindwriting-brain-computer-compose-sentences
• Timmer, J. (2021, May 12). Neural implant lets paralyzed person type by imagining writing. Ars Technica; Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/neural-implant-lets-paralyzed-person-type-by-imagining-writing/

Popular song lyrics have gotten simpler over time by Kelsey Donk

• Rigg, C. (2021, May 17). Newer generations prefer simpler song lyrics. PsyPost; PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/2021/05/newer-generations-prefer-simpler-song-lyrics-60800
• Varnum, M. E. W., Krems, J. A., Morris, C., Wormley, A., & Grossmann, I. (2021). Why are song lyrics becoming simpler? a time series analysis of lyrical complexity in six decades of American popular music. PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0244576. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244576

Bitrex Is The Most Bitter Substance In The World by Anna Todd

• Denatonium- The most bitter compound known. (2021). Scienceofcooking.com. https://www.scienceofcooking.com/denatonium.htm
• Just how bitter is Bitrex? (2012, September 18). Bitrex - Keeping Children Safe. https://www.bitrex.com/about-bitrex/how-bitter-bitrex
• The Bitrex Taste Test. (2014, May 20). Bitrex - Keeping Children Safe. https://www.bitrex.com/taste-test
• US4479889A - Compositions and method for degrading foodstuffs - Google Patents. (1968, October 9). Google.com. https://patents.google.com/patent/US4479889
• SciShow. (2018). What’s the Most Bitter Chemical? [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xl_inefbHE
• CONSUMER’S WORLD; Mother Fights to Ruin the Taste of Poison (Published 1989). (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/20/style/consumer-s-world-mother-fights-to-ruin-the-taste-of-poison.html

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