Music and Video Games

Yeah, yeah, video game music is a lot of fun.  I could hum the megaman 2 themesong for hours on end as much as the next guy.  Or the kefka themesong.  Or try to make clicky-tongue-noises to the final fantasy 7 urgent timed mission music (ticky-tocky-ticky-tocky. DUN. DUN!  DUN. DUN!)

But there's a place where music from video games overlaps with music in the real world.  It is a zone where the real becomes magical, and the imaginary solidifies.  So, I'm sharing some of these things that are truly wonderful.

First, the title song for the game Civilization 4.  The song is called Baba Yetu.  It is the Lord's Prayer in Swahili, and the song is absolutely glorious.  Below is a rendition by Peter Hollens and Malukah, who do lots of cool vocal stuff.

The second song I'd like to share is called "The Queen of Blades".  It was written and performed for a competition in 2010 at Blizzcon.  The song is based on the lore from the video game Starcraft, and it is just very well done.

The third song is based on the lore from the game the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.  It was written and performed by the fan Malukah (who also performed in the first video above).  I can't get enough of this stuff!

There are obviously other musical performances based on videogames that are high quality, but I thought I'd share these, which are among my favorite.

Barbaric Pain

For a few moments, consider some things.

First, we are able to create 3D CG movies of immense detail and outstanding quality. For example, Disney employed exciting new lighting technology in the movie Big Hero 6.

Second, we're able to wirelessly transmit all of that information to a 3D television.  That's right.  The extreme detail of the movie can be wirelessly sent via specialized transmitters.

Third... 3D television!!!  It's amazing enough that we have been able to display anything we can imagine on a flat surface.  Now we can trick our brains by using stereoscopic rendering and polarized glasses.  Not to mention the amazing glasses-free technologies on the horizon.

Now, consider that we have sophisticated maps of neural pathways, and unobtrusive techniques for scanning an individual's brain.  Consider also that the primary distance-covering method of neurotransmission is simply electrical.

Consider further that pain is a matter of hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

Then, in light of aaaaaaall that, considering aaaaall that stuff...  Think about our primary method of treating pain.  We give people chemicals that have really poor specificity, and seriously negative side effects!

I'm blown away thinking about all that.  It isn't like there's no motivation to find the best pain treatment.  Someone could get seriously rich off of this, and powerful companies have massive work-forces dedicated to discovering treatments for pain.  Not only are the workers real people who probably are highly interested in solving the pain problem for humanity, but also the companies would benefit immensely by solving this problem.

So, why can't we wirelessly transmit pain relief to people's neural cortexes?

Research into treating phantom limb pain wirelessly is promising.  How far off is unobtrusive pain relief?

You've got to admit that this is a compelling issue.  Thoughts?