As to the issue artist treated unfairly in distribution of money with streaming. I agree there are issues here, but this is not inherent to streaming platform, its simply an unfair business model at present.
And since when have we not had unfair business models in the music business? I remember when a few record companies controlled the entire recording and distribution networks, Some bands signing for multi $100k contracts, others for relative pennies, and that if they could get recorded at all! Think of how many band never even got to record in the bad old days! I know I have a few cd's of these totally obscure bands from 60's into 80's where bands only output was some demos that were never released in the day. What about all these bands?
No, if one is going to lament the good old days, if you look back without the rose colored glasses you'll see they weren't so good. I lament what I believe will be the passing of vinyl, don't lament the business models that existed during it's heyday. I'll also add, the vinyl situation as it applies to business models continues to be very bad. I bet more than 90% of streaming content NOT available on vinyl. Most of the vinyl I see is the some reissue of some reissue of older material for which bands have been handsomely paid or current popular bands which are also being handsomely paid.
At least with streaming and the wide availability of home recording equipment one has a much better chance of having your music heard vs. vinyl. Since streaming I've heard the most obscure bands imaginable, both current and from those not so good old days. Just yesterday I discovered Moondog, totally obscure experimental artist from the 60's, the guy had to invent his own label, and of course no one heard his music back in the day, eventually left for Europe to be heard. This guy also has amazing life story, which is another bonus of streaming in that you get some insight into artists with attendant stories on artist and/or recording screen.
Streaming is awesome in that I get to discover new artists and new releases from old artists all the time. My musical horizons have been pushed much farther than vinyl ever allowed. Back in the day, the only way I could broaden my music horizons was through University student FM stations.
How can vinyl hope to compete with streaming going into future. I don't think its possible just based on some of the above. Vinyl requires expenditures most artists can't afford, pressing and distribution costs alone make it prohibitive. Vinyl will never be more than nostalgic or niche in future.
