Re: FSF : lackeys of their corporate masters

[Stefaan A Eeckels]

On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:42:29 +0200
Martin Dickopp <expires-2004-06-30@zero-based.org> wrote:

> Stefaan A Eeckels <tengo@DELETEMEecc.lu> writes:
> 
> > On Thu, 06 May 2004 18:51:14 +0200
> > Martin Dickopp <expires-2004-06-30@zero-based.org> wrote:
> >
> >> I agree that nowadays, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make
> >a> profit by /distributing/ music, but at the same time, the need for
> >> companies in the business of distributing music decreases.  So while
> >I> do indeed believe that the future for the "music industry" looks
> >rather> dark, I don't think less music will be created.
> >
> > Actually, being able to make a profit from selling recorded music
> > isn't under threat at all.
> 
> It isn't under threat in the sense of disappearing completely, but I
> predict that it will become more difficult.
> 
> > People still buy CDs,
> 
> I don't, simply because my 10+ years old CD player cannot play the "copy
> protected" (i.e. deliberately not CDDA standard compliant) CDs sold
> nowadays.  Given the choice between bying a new CD player and not bying
> any new CDs, I prefer the latter.

My kids still buy as many CDs as before, and the whole
download thingy hasn't made the slightest difference. 

> I agree that in theory, a market for recorded music exists, but in
> practice, the "music industry" is trying very hard to destroy this
> market by alienating their customers, and it might eventually succeed.

You no doubt mean the popular music business, and indeed
they have been singularly stupid, both in their belief
they can manipulate the public's taste, and their attitude
towards youngsters sharing music.

> > As to no less music being created if people stop paying for access
> > to music on CDs or in MP3s, I agree with you. But that music
> > might linger in the composer's archives after having been 
> > performed live a few times. The real contribution of affordable
> > recorded music is that millions have been able to discover and
> > enjoy music they would otherwise not even know existed. 
> 
> But today, it is becoming more and more feasible for musicians to
> distribute their music without the help of the "music industry".

Insofar as good recording equipment is getting cheaper,
and the Internet can be used for distribution. Yes, but
their prospective customers still must be able to hear
them, something that's only marginally easier with Internet
radio (hint - you can't listen to it without your computer
and a fast connection. But we might get to an Internet where
one can search for music the way one can search for words. 
It's just not there yet.

> > Also, don't forget that software isn't an art form,
> 
> Well, I can certainly appreciate some computer programs as a form of
> art, so let's say being art is not the only purpose of software. :)

Those that are art will still be produced. Those that are
plain boring will not be done. Haven't you noticed that
there aren't all that many Free accounting suites (if any)?

-- 
Stefaan
-- 
"What is stated clearly conceives easily."  -- Inspired sales droid