Quick Dash-Through

An intersting article on Arctic Monkeys. The writer's comments that "Their success suggests that the Internet is changing not only the way the world listens to music, via iPods and other download devices" stands in stark contrast to the blame-it-on-the-internet syndrome expressed in a recent study from the University of Leicester (also in the UK), that "because of greater accessibility through mass media, music was nowadays seen more as a commodity that is produced, distributed and consumed like any other." As a result, music is"taken for granted and does not require a deep emotional commitment once associated with music appreciation." In my single opinion that does not come anywhere close to the truth.

Taking the view that music is sacred and outside the market, the U of L researchers point their finger at the internet, which has been blamed for a culture of theft. Rampant and illegal downloads, it's been argued, has destroyed the music industry. Rather, I would argue, the opposite is true. As a fan of many music genres, I stopped listening to radio and buying music because radio stations in my slice of America all sounded the same, and the expense of CDs and lack of value for money meant a gamble each time I bought music. I never used Napster, but the mere fact I'm able to put all my music on my computer and haul 5000 songs around on a device the size of a pack of cards is so freakin cool I'm back into music. Streaming iTunes at the office has exposed me to many bands previously unknown to me, and the availability of information (www.allmusic.com, for example, and also artist websites) allows me to bypass the music press and banality of radio stations. The Arctic Monkeys' music isn't really my taste, but more power to them for going the route of the internet. Perhaps instead of killing music, the internet has liberated it, giving musicians and listeners direct access to each other, without the priesthood of the press and record companies. I believe that we'll see a resurgence of TV as well using this new model. Whether the iPod's $1.99 per episode will free TV shows from the networks in another story, but one can only hope.

Hi Anders! Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. What you say is very similar to my own experience; and I think that the degree to which music is liberated from the corporate stranglehold on most genres in this country depends on individuals' recognition that that's really what the RIAA and their ilk are.

Now, if a similar resurgence of TV brought in pro-freedom programs, I'd be more enthusiastic about that medium getting an infusion of vitality. But I ain't holding my breath. (I will also publicly state my interest in participating in aforementioned TV programs in some way, too.)

Hi Sunni. Just as blogging seems to have generated a critical mass in terms of online communication, podcasting may be creating the same trend in terms of audio. Although there is no great economic model for either podcasting or blogging (though a handful of people manage to make money in each area), we can see how mere mortals now can reach millions without the intervention of the media or government priesthood. Videocasting is not far away from gaining the same momentum, but whether that means more pro-freedom programs, or just more imaginative programs (or just more programs), who knows. Have you thought about podcasting your interviews from Sunni's Salon, or otherwise podcasting in general? There might be some way to make money there and promote freedom.