1 min read

Cheap tricks

If you’re interested in thinking about evidence and belief and rhetoric, it’s convenient to have uncontroversial examples of ‘cheap tricks’ that directly affect attitudes. Ian Gordon has provided one, with his translation of the ‘Imperial March’ from Star Wars into a major key.

The tune is recognisably still film music by John Williams in a military style, but it’s happy, and lively, and on the edge of self-parody: somewhere between ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Chicken Run’.

As an experiment in music, it’s pure fun. As an example of how easy it is to press certain mental buttons, it’s a bit scary.