Computers and technology have both improved our lives and complicated them; made us safer and more vulnerable; and brought both joy and sorrow into our world. And yet when it comes to popular music, the overwhelming majority of songs pile up on the negative side of the ledger. Popular songs about technology tell of destruction and illness. They sing: “Video killed the radio star,” “Machines dehumanize,” “Virtual insanity,” and even “I’ve got Pac-Man fever, I’m going out of my mind.” In this episode, Aaron talks about songwriters’ tendency to tear down these devices in song, even as we use them to realize our creations. This episode is part one of a recording of Aaron’s lecture from the 2024 Trenton Computer Festival. Here’s a link to part two.