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Let It Beep—the Secret Story of “Sosumi”


Related link: http://www.boingboing.net/2005/03/24/early_apple_sound_de.html

Every time I talk with Jim Reekes, who shaped the sound of Apple for more than a decade, I’m astonished by his vision. But not only does he have brilliant ideas, he also has a knack for wonderfully sardonic sound bites:

  • On speaking out: “There’s a fine line between a bad attitude and an amazing insight.” (Reekes explains that the determining factor is usually whether someone asked for your opinion.)

  • On the futility of censorship: “Today’s perversion is tomorrow’s profits.”

  • On the record industry: “I will be dancing on the grave of little round pieces of plastic. Where did we ever get implanted with this need to buy what we’re hearing? It’s kind of sickening that music has become the Happy Meal.”

In yesterday’s Boing Boing cover story, Reekes—whose Apple business card read “Chief Ethics Officer” for a year until too many people complained—retells the story behind “Sosumi,” his notorious error sound. The links in the article add lots of fun detail.

What’s another joke hidden in plain sight (or sound)?

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