The democratization of pleasure-giving

I’ve always admired and been envious of song writers, especially those who create durable works that become known as “standards” — songs that worm their way into the culture and embed themselves into our memories.  Here is a thought experiment:  In what ways would the world be different — how would we as individuals be different — if Irving Berlin, to take just one example, had not conjured up and let loose upon the world his scores of smile-making songs?  I don’t think No Difference is the correct answer.

Happy is the person who departs this mortal coil full in the knowledge he leaves behind a pleasure-giving song.

Until recently, the list of people who have beqeathed enduring gifts (songs, books, picture, movies) was short, especially when you consider an estimated 100 billion people have tread the earth.  So chalk up another revolution thanks to the Internet:  web hosting and distribution empowers previously-unsung millions to add to the communal body of pleasure-giving. 

A father in Sweden records his laughing infant son.  The video is uploaded to YouTube.  The baby will laugh — and make others laugh — forever.

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