Ever wondered how everyday objects are made, but wished the explanation came with a catchy tune? That's exactly what a 21-year-old college student in California has done, and it's taking social media by storm. Meet Cashen Tomlinson, a marketing major at California State University, Long Beach, who’s behind the viral sensation Learning with Lyrics. This Instagram and TikTok phenomenon combines AI-generated songs—think Taylor Swift meets construction equipment—with educational content about how things are made. From why manhole covers are round to how vending machines detect fake coins, Tomlinson’s videos are both entertaining and enlightening.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is this the future of education, or just another form of brainrot? Tomlinson’s videos, which have amassed 900,000 followers on Instagram and 548,000 on TikTok, are undeniably addictive. Fans rave about the catchy tunes, with comments like, 'This is my favorite Taylor Swift song!' (spoiler: it’s not her). But Tomlinson argues that the very thing that makes his content 'unskippable'—its captivating nature—is what makes it an effective learning tool. 'It’s teaching you something interesting,' he says. Do you agree, or is this just another example of mindless scrolling?
Tomlinson’s process is a fascinating blend of creativity and technology. He starts by brainstorming topics, then uses AI tools like Google’s Gemini to generate a research brief, which he meticulously fact-checks. Next, he crafts the lyrics, often rewriting hooks and simplifying complex terms to ensure clarity. The music? That’s where Suno, an AI music generator, comes in, producing melodies paired with an AI-generated female vocalist. For visuals, he combines stock footage, custom animations, and AI-generated clips from tools like Veo or Sora. Even the profile image for @LearningwithLyrics is AI-created.
And this is the part most people miss: Tomlinson’s primary audience isn’t kids—it’s 25- to 35-year-olds. His videos have already earned him a few thousand dollars through TikTok’s creator rewards program, a thrilling achievement for a college student. But beyond the earnings, Tomlinson’s work highlights the democratization of content creation. With just an idea and access to off-the-shelf AI tools, anyone can create something this impactful.
So, what do you think? Is Learning with Lyrics the future of educational content, or just another viral fad? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
