Music Downloading

Times are changing; It is now easier to make a few mouse clicks and have music faster than going to a store and buying a CD. Times are changing; Technology now enables us to have a perfect copy of something, with no generation loss.

Copy and paste, copy and paste, copy and paste, copy and paste.

Unlike the days of analogue equipment. You used to have to buy a record to get a good copy, you used to have to buy a tape. You wanted to share that tape? Pop the tape in, play it for a tape recorder, copy w/ generation loss.

Things are changing. Record companies and artists can't make a ton of money now. That isn't really the problem...The problem is much bigger. Money is the problem, this is just a symptom.
Record Companies want money, artists want money, everyone wants money involved with music.

P2P Technology cuts in on these profits, and the old model of business is failing.
Something new is needed. Either radical or minor, something needs to change and something WILL change. Adaptation.

Some artists have been extremely inventive in how to adapt to these new times. The user has to adapt too. If you want the bands you like to continue to put out albums, but their albums, buy their merch, go to their concerts. Support them!

Record Labels...they basically have a monopoly...four record companies controled approximately 82% of the music industry, in 2005. As of recent they have been cracking down on Youtube Accounts that feature audio from their signed artists. One of my favorite videos, that had basically fell into line with "fair use" had the audio removed. Yet, videos, that have the entire song, and just one image, or "lyrics" to it put up by some half wit user, are still up and running. I see a problem here...copyright law is being violated, but not just by users, but by companies.
But who cares, right?

No one. Well, almost no one. Most people don't care and just want to be left alone and not do anything.

God forbid if you are an artist who is starving and speaking up against illegal downloading. People are TOUCHY about it. As I said, things are changing and things need to change and things will change. Most likely for the better. But things might get worse before they get better.

On a side note, I have to ask, would you pay $23 dollars for a Miley Cyrus CD? Most of you wouldn't. Hell, anyone reading this probably wouldn't. Here we get a classic view of manipulation

http://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Montana-Meet-Miley-Cyrus/dp/B000OYC3L6
"List Price: $22.98 "
"Price: $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25 "

Good deal? Isn't it? You would think so.
However, I don't feel it is...I Pre-ordered an album, "The Art of Breaking Apart" by Velvet Acid Christ for 12.97. factoring in shipping, $15.47

Let us look back at Miley Cyrus CD. You have to spend twice as much money to get "Free Shipping"

Good Ol' America - Buy more and save money!

If you are buying other things, JUST to get that price break, you aren't saving money. You are spending more money. Buy something you don't want to cut back the price of something you do want. You are getting fucked over. Sometimes it IS worth it...but not usually.
Example:
Sobe buy 5 for $5 and get one free. Good deal for ME because I happen to like Sobe and would actually save money from this deal. But this is food/drink. I like food/drink so it probably isn't the best example.

Anyway, just ranting. Hope you had some interesting new thoughts.
-Ian