The end of physical media is neigh

@bolong ,

I know, that’s why I wrote that. Clever on your part by the way...

This thread has focused on the perceived benefits and risks of the change in the music and movie industry business practice from physical media to digital streaming.   However, in his original post @erik_squires stated “With the advent of machine learning and AI controlling our music listening we are becoming a world without any control at all over our music or movie culture”.  I can take Eric’s statement two ways. First, the statement’s direct meaning is that machine learning controls what we listen to.  I do not see this 1984-esque statement as fact.  Machine learning and AI generates recommended content based on your history and generates revenue for the streaming services by the sale of your history to those interested commercially.  Let’s not debate the ethics of the latter.  I can also take the statement to mean machine learning and AI can and will be used to create content without the musician or actor, having an effect on culture. I responded in my original post as to what I feel are the dangers to the human, artistic nature of music and theater.  To repeat, I feel we will loose the emotion, soul, and spontaneity with deep fakes that use an algorithm to homogenizes input of all past performances.  I feel it is a sad future state of for the human expression of the art.

 @erik_squires What was your meaning of the statement?

Others: Do you have an opinion on machine learning and AI replacing musicians and actors in the generation of new content? … and its effect on culture.  

https://forum.audiogon.com/users/mahgister.

Like.

Colleagues - Please take a deep breath, let it out, and journey through the past. In relative succession ... Studio outtake and live concert underground records are unfair to artists and rob record companies of profits...Cassette recording of LPs will destroy the music industry and deny artists royalties...Vinyl LPs are obsolete and will be no longer manufactured...Technics has ceased production of turntables...Backstock and new recordings will only be available by CDs with long box packaging to provide liner notes...CDs will only be available in shrink wrap packages...CDs will no longer be readily available but coupons are available in legitimately purchased recordings with download codes...music streaming is the only viable method of obtaining the music you love...

Did this make you smile? As for me, my 3500 vinyl LPs and 1500 (SA)CDs are a treasure, and sound (as MGM used to say) great in stereo.

Now I'll put my first pressing Andy Williams Christmas record on my turntable and enjoy my blessings. Have a safe, enjoyable holiday season and new year.

Do you have an opinion on machine learning and AI replacing musicians and actors in the generation of new content? … and its effect on culture. 

Well AI is here and will only increase in its presence.  But it’s a mistake to think it will become an either/or scenario.  AI may generate some interesting music, but humans will always continue to make incredible music.  A loose comparison may be drum machines — they are certainly capable of laying down good drum tracks but have in no way supplanted the human drummer.  The computer-generated stuff only goes so far.