In his “Legal Theory Lexicon” post on “path dependency”, Larry Solum works in a nice little “Stairway to Heaven” reference:
Sometimes, if we choose the left fork, we may be able to reach exactly the same destinations we could have reached via the right fork, but sometimes, our choices foreclose some possibilities altogether. It isn’t always the case that in the long run, there’s still time to change the road you’re on.
In so doing, Larry skillfully manages to communicate meaning through lyrics taken from a song that — although I spent countless hours learning how to play it — always struck me as meaning-challenged. But now, I’m inspired, and will try my best to work obscure Zeppelin references into my law-blogging. Starting next time.
Posted by Rick Garnett on December 18, 2006 at 08:31 AM
Comments
If you’re trying to follow Solum’s example, you don’t need to go for “obscure,” given that “Stairway to Heaven” may be the most (over?)played rock song ever. Although I’ll admit to spending some time in my high school years working out the intro guitar parts.
Posted by: Joseph Slater | Dec 18, 2006 10:20:26 AM
Speaking of inspiration, we shouldn’t forget the song that (must have? perhaps? should have?) inspired Led Zeppelin: George Gershwin’s “Stairway to Paradise” (1922)
I’ll build a stairway to Paradise With a new step ev’ry day, I’m going to get there at any price: Stand aside, I’m on my way!
Posted by: Anthony D’Amato | Dec 18, 2006 8:49:03 AM