Sweet Hereafter April 11, 2006: Making you smarter, one song at a time

Hey kids,

First off, I've added a few superstars to the mailing list so if you're getting this for the first time, congratulations on your entry to this highly exclusive group. Basically, this list serves as a reminder to tune in to the show from 3 to 5 and to give a preview of what's going to be on the show, assuming I've thought that far ahead.

Queen's undergraduate students are currently entering their final exam period before the promises of a summer of freedom and enlightenment. I can remember back when I was an undergrad, an x number of years ago, studying ardently and having to forego listening to music fearing that the background music would interfere with the process of getting smarter for exams. But what is the relation between music and mental capability? Some of you might have heard of a study reported a few years back where listening to classical music, Mozart to be precise, was purported to increase intelligence. While this study may explain why sales of Mozart spike around this time of the year, the so-called Mozart effect on intelligence has since been frequently contested. However, we'll talk about why biologically and psychologically listening to classical music may indeed increase your performace at final exams. We'll rely on scientific evidence and on Malcolm Gladwell for such a discussion.

Thus, we'll try to play smart music. Not nerd music, smart music. Songs from artists noted for the intelligence of their lyrics. Artists such as The Weakerthans, The Shins, Belle and Sebastion, and Sarah Slean will grace our airwaves.

So whether, you're assiduously studying/writing a post-structural essay/crunching numbers/designing websites/writing computer code/doing some serious fundraising or simply chilling, the show will strive to make you better at what you're doing.

And remember that if you miss the show today, our show's podcast is available on this site within a day of broadcast.

Cheerio,

Tuan