The end of physical media is neigh

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. 

Problem with online is that they replace originals with "remasters". There is no way to get the original recording. So hold on to your media.

OP .. "it is impossible to ask for U2?"   AI is doing you a BIG favor!!!