(07-09-2009, 04:44 PM)Lavazza Wrote: Suppose I recorded an album of myself playing the spoons with an old fashioned washboard. (I just might!). I have an idea in advance of how many people will buy it. Lets say 10 people for example. I launch the album, and of my estimated 10 customers, 2 of them download it for free from the internet. Thus I only earn 80% of my expected income, almost as if someone had stolen the other 20%. This is simplified from reality, but on a fundamental level is this not the real life scenario?
Wait Lavazza, you didn't take into account the evil, money grubbing, STS corporate lynch-pins like Walt Disney (who is apparently exerting his influence even from within the cryogenic tube in which he awaits future reanimation) that are the ones you would have to approach, on bended knee, in order to get your music properly launched to begin with. They would increase your potential audience from 10 to 1,000,000, of which 200,000 would pirate it, but the pirates would go see you in concert, and that's where you make most of your money, so it all really works okay in the end.... right? (Oops, sorry, Ali, I think I'm guilty of flamebaiting again.. can you forgive me?
).I must say that I'm having a little difficulty with Ali and ayadew's perspective on this one myself. Ultimately their arguments sound like "it's okay to do wrong to those that do wrong" (meaning the recording industry, not the artists, who are apparently collateral damage).
To each his own I guess, but this is not how I raise my children. Which brings up an interesting question... How would or do you explain this position to your children? I am reminded of the time that my middle child asked me why we bring our own candy into the movies. I explained that, well... um, the candy is outrageously expensive at the movies, because they are gouging us since we're a captive audience. To which she innocently replied, "But Daddy, the sign says no outside food or drink allowed in the theater". Even though this assertion by the theater does not even have the full force of the law on its side, I said the only thing I could say, "You're right, we won't take any candy in." And henceforth, we have had no candy at the movies. My best and favorite lessons in life have been taught by my children.
3D Sunset