I decided that this would be a good place for me to get some opinions flowing about downloading. The subject of intellectual property rights always seems to produce interesting conversation, everyone's got something to say about it. I have mixed feelings on the subject and can see multiple sides. Feedback would be appreciated. The following are questions that I feel have been raised by our generation's advances in technology; keeping in mind that recorded media is, in a historical perspective, a relatively new thing.
What responsibility, if any, do consumers have towards artists?
What responsibility do artists have towards consumers?
What is the difference between an artist and a consumer?
Do artists have a responsibility towards society, to make it a better place?
Why is recorded media something that costs money? Is it because of the work it takes? The thought put into it? The cost of the actual printing of a record or tape or CD?
Should the party who ultimately receives the profit be the deciding factor in whether or not a piece of media warrants paying for? (independent VS major record labels)
With that, I will say that I download music. I download films. I do it frequently. I also buy records and DVDs, but not near the quantity that I download. Sometimes I feel bad, sometimes I don't. My justifications have changed over time and at this point, when I do it, I just try not to think about it. I don't know if that's right either though. The truth is, that on this subject I am not sure what's right. There are some artists whose albums I always purchase legitimately, and these days I don't really download movies that are either easy to find or not out on DVD yet.
I plan to discuss this more in the future but for now, if you would, please post comments about your opinions regarding the subject.
Do you download?
If so, how? Itunes? emusic? torrents?
What would make you purchase a piece of recorded media rather than download it?
Thank you!
5 comments:
good questions. I wrote a paper on this topic my freshman year and I don't remember anything that I wrote other than throwing around some ideas about alternative downloading options that would be both "legal" and convenient for the consumer.
I too want to know where the money is going for the music that we pay to download.
But here's my honest input:
I don't download because I get all my music from other people who do download. I'm a freeloader basically and I'm ok with that. I used to download a ton and maybe i still would, I've just gotten out of the habit. I'm not opposed to purchasing a song here or there, but like I said I usually can get someone to do it for me and then give me the music.
Same goes for movies and books. I always just borrow someone else's.
I don't know that's just my way of avoiding the whole system and not spending lots of money.
So i have been in the past a huge music downloader and such. i really havent had huge strong feeling about the matter. i just did it because everyone else did it.
But recently i have been listening to podcasts that ap magizine puts out monthly about the BUSINESS of music and how it fits in with artistry and the digital industry. These podcasts have dramiticly effected my stance. the podcasts have opened me up to how many people that it effects. in the most recent podcast it talks about how much money it costs to produce the average record and how downloading.
The podcast suggests that within 2-3 years the "CD" as we know it will be a non existant format if downloading rates continue.
After listing to these points of view i have decided to try harder to purchase my music.
It could be because I completely missed the memo that downloading was what everyone was doing these days, but I have to admit I had illegally downloaded one album, felt bad about it, and clicked and dragged the files into the trash. Although I haven't researched a lot into the matter, I can only imagine how it is affecting the producers, the owners, and most importantly, the artists. In most cases, artists who are signed onto a record label become fed up with the little money they receive from the money they make off record sales, causing them to have to find other means of income. When an album is bought, the money firstly goes to the store it was bought, then the owner of the label, then the producer, manager, audio engineer and so forth. Whatever is left goes to the starving artist. And as you can see, what money is left is probably minimal. This is why many artists are joining Independent labels... and some bands attempt to produce and sell albums without a label altogether. The band "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah" achieved their initial success without the help of a record label. So, illegally downloading not only puts producers, audio engineers, and other members of the label out of business, it also puts the artist in an even worse predicament than they where in before.
I have bought nearly every album in my iTunes library, and ya, sometimes I wish I didn't have to pay for it, but I'm not going hungry. Besides, its part of the music experience owning the album! You are not only able to enjoy the sense of ownership, but you are supporting the music you love, and the creative minds who put their time and effort into creating something tangible. I don't know, I guess I'm just rambling. All I can say is illegal downloading is like stealing your best friend's priceless jewels and then serving her the royal salute... and a swift kick to the face.
another interesting question is this... because illegal music downloading is so prevalent, what will happen to the music industry? will artists simply have to become their own producers, engineers, and managers? if artists can't make any money with their music, will it cause the progression of music to cease altogether? Or, could all of this give a chance for the music industry to rethink the way they produce music for the better? Could music progress because of its simple desire for progress, and not a desire for money? just some things to think about.
ok, so Andy is at band practice and I am bored out of my mind so here goes....
What responsibility, if any, do consumers have towards artists? We, as consumers, are responsible for supporting the artists we love. They don't just give us music. They give us emotion and feeling, something that I believe you cannot tag a price on. However, we all know the world is not free and without money there is no way for artists to get their music to us even if it is downloading it on the Internet. Therefore, we need to go to their shows, most travel pretty far just to spread their art. And of course we need to purchase at least a few albums of theirs. My friend, Mandi Alva has an actually pretty smart way of downloading. She listens to all the albums online, downloading them for free of course, and if she likes it, she will go out and buy the record. I think that’s a pretty legitimate way of doing things.
What responsibility do artists have towards consumers? Artists are responsible for keeping their music original. We don’t want to hear the same thing album after album. They are also responsible for being eternally grateful to their fans. After all, we are supporting their dream. Literally.
What is the difference between an artist and a consumer? I like to believe we are all artists in our own way. Some more than others of course, and definitely some are much better at it. Artists are consumers as well. They support other artists whether they are just their friends or really love their music. But it is the performance factor that really separates the artist and consumer. Being an artist takes discipline and thought, but being a performer takes much more. Courage, Bravery, and most of all heart. (as cheesy as it sounds)
Do artists have a responsibility towards society, to make it a better place? Absolutely. If you have been blessed with a talent, you have to use it to better the world. After all, Olympic athletes make us all feel warm and fuzzy inside with a sense of pride for our country and humankind when we see them do what they love so much. Same goes with artists. I have seen some pretty emo kids who have had some real problems in their lives and yet something as little as a song can stop them from pushing that razor into their skin. That’s an amazing power to have. And as we all know from the movie Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Haha…
Why is recorded media something that costs money? Is it because of the work it takes? The thought put into it? The cost of a record or tape or CD? The cost of making a record is unbearably expensive. That, and playing shows can sometimes eat up more of an artists wallet than if they had just stayed home. Especially now with gas prices being the way they are. I agree with charging money for recorded media. However, I do not agree with the cost of them. Working in a CD store definitely opened my eyes to that. It is WAY too expensive to buy ALL of your favorite artists albums. And for that matter, if the artist I love is rolling in a Benz and has 6 more back home, they are definitely way too expensive.
Should the party who ultimately receives the profit be the deciding factor in whether or not a piece of media warrants paying for? (independent VS major labels) No. People are greedy. It’s part of our nature. All music should have the same set price. And who cares if the artist is “bigger” than all the other ones. That just means they have more fans, which would ultimately give them more profit anyway. Don’t jack up the price more just cause’ Madonna kissed Britney on the VMA’s. Screw major labels.
And finally, do I download? Yes. I’m a poor college student so of course I do. Yet I don’t think any artists would be beating down my door stealing my little Hyundai for scraps. I still buy albums especially now since I get a discount. I can’t afford them all of course so you gotta do what you gotta do. When I have more money someday I will buy more. But for now, I buy what I can. -Jen
Post a Comment