Blog post #3 Week 4

This video is of a cellist who used actual data in the process of composing a piece that reflects global warming throughout the years. The first part of the video goes through his process: how and why he chose to use data to present his protest. He converts global temperature records from the year 1880 to present day: a note for every five years. Climate change is shown throughout the piece, since the data results in him needing to play in a large range of three octaves. His piece showcases how the use of data can be extremely compelling in protest music, as factual information presented in an artistic form can serve as a call to action.


This song by Neil Young is an angry call to action focused on climate change. Lyrically, the track points fingers at those who are blind to what's happening in the world (a theme our group touched on). And although the lyrics are blunt and unapologetic, Young is also hopeful, claiming "When I look at the future/I see hope for you and me". Although it's not typically thought of as constructive in protest music, I think that expressing a sense of hope for the future generations is important.