@cleeds
The use of technology to completely control the channels of creative content distribution - superimposed on the traditional music industry model, is a recipe for disaster. I'm sorry you can't see this. In the end, it really doesn't matter how clueless the music buying public is. As a community, artists will ultimately determine whether or not large corporations will be able to call the shots in the music industry. I'm guessing open source technological methods will continue to dominate and artists will continue to seek out ways to leverage that technology in marketing their creative output without interference/exploitation from large corporation middle men. The motivation for greed/survival will continue to motivate them just as it has motivated the corporate middle men. But the desire to maintain creative freedom will add more incentive for artists. Tension between the two is as old as the industry itself. On a reasonably level playing field, the bean counter's influence in selecting creative talent and technology will remain limited. IMHO, the more limited, the better.
The use of technology to completely control the channels of creative content distribution - superimposed on the traditional music industry model, is a recipe for disaster. I'm sorry you can't see this. In the end, it really doesn't matter how clueless the music buying public is. As a community, artists will ultimately determine whether or not large corporations will be able to call the shots in the music industry. I'm guessing open source technological methods will continue to dominate and artists will continue to seek out ways to leverage that technology in marketing their creative output without interference/exploitation from large corporation middle men. The motivation for greed/survival will continue to motivate them just as it has motivated the corporate middle men. But the desire to maintain creative freedom will add more incentive for artists. Tension between the two is as old as the industry itself. On a reasonably level playing field, the bean counter's influence in selecting creative talent and technology will remain limited. IMHO, the more limited, the better.