London’s Lindy effect

I learned about the Lindy effect on a recent trip to London. Came up in the context of music, especially music in Indian Colleges, where the bands, albums, vinyls, tripping are passed down from seniors to juniors. Every year, a new crop comes in and every year the “chosen” juniors are indoctrinated and mentored in the “appreciation of music”. A rite of passage.

That music, those moments seep into their being, develop roots forming strong neural networks and bonds. That music, represents the best years of their lives (well at least for most).

So, years after college, when these younglings have younglings of their own, as they pass the baton, listen to that music, it transports them back to an un jaded time of youth, possibilities, love, laughter and a lightness of being.

So what has this got to do with Lindy you ask (I bet you thought Lindy was the senior who introduced my friend to music – LOL)

The Lindy effect (also known as Lindy’s Law^[1]) is a theorized phenomenon by which the future life expectancy of some non-perishable things, like a technology or an idea, is proportional to their current age. Thus, the Lindy effect proposes the longer a period something has survived to exist or be used in the present, it is also likely to have a longer remaining life expectancy.

Hence that music, that specific genre of music from the 60’s, the Woodstock classics, will be around, even after we are gone….

And just what does that have to do with London? Besides the fact that I learned about Lindy in London (love the way it rolls off my tongue), the city has stood strong for centuries, representing power, possibilities, adventure and rebellion. Growing up with the books I did, it also represents the thrilling romance and adventures of centuries gone by. Not to forget theatre, musicals, books, hidden treasures around street corners, boisterous pubs, and of course Ottolenghi.

And if you grew up in India, especially around Mumbai (Bombay), London feels like home (not the weather, the familiarity of architecture, language and railway stations) So every time I visit London, I know I will be back. The longer I wait to get back to London, the longer I will continue to revisit this gem. My London Lindy effect.

Where else do I see the non-perishable Lindy effect…the longer you have been friends with someone, the longer that friendship thrives….On the comforting note 💕