When Music Becomes Us: A Philosophical Look at Identity, Memory, and Jimmy Cliff

Episode 55: November 24, 2025. Ska and Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff passed away today, prompting a deep reflection on how music shapes who we are. In this Philosophical Currents segment, UND philosophy professor Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein joins Main Street to explore why the songs we discover as teenagers become part of our emotional DNA, how music forms identity and community, and whether today’s instant-access digital listening changes that bond. From revival theaters and vinyl rituals to TikTok swipes and earbuds on the go, Weinstein examines how our relationship with music evolves—and why truly listening is never a waste of time.