The Outside World

A Lot of my posts lately havev been very self centred. But today, i plan to look at whats happening in the big wide world.

First issue: YouTube hands over user details to Fox.

By YouTube handing over user details to Fox, it has given the network free access to pluck out anything that has been posted by users without their permission. So essentially, we're losing all the cool music videos, show snippets and will be left with a video site filled with jackass-esque stunts and musical slideshows dedicated to bands produced by 14 year old girls.

Basically, YouTube has sold out.

At the same time, Apple and other major music distributors in terms of downloadable music have noticed a severe loss in download sales. And they're scratching their heads as to why.

Many claim that its because of Apple's DRM system in iTunes. Others say its because of file sharing systems like Limewire and Torrents.

At the same time, cd sales have dropped less noticeably. Even though they're quick to point out that downloads will replace cds, I guess they haven't figured that many of us out there actually LIKE buying a cd. It helps to have the original disc handy when your hard drive crashes, losing your files!

And many countries are still living with dodgy dial up and adsl internet connections, which makes downloading music a hit and miss situation at best.

Maybe once these countries are opened up to broadband, we will see a serious shift in music distribution.

The way I see it, and please correct me if I'm mistaken, is that people will always try to get free music and share it. So I wouldn't invest much in cd/download sales. The best way for musicians to make money in the future is live shows, merchandise, royalties on songs used in ads etc.

This is both a good and bad thing.

Good in terms of generating a need for more, better equipped live venues to be opened and used.

Bad in terms of public apathy about going to live shows.

So I guess the general public will have to pull up their socks, and go watch more live bands, buy their merch and when you can rather buy the cd than download it.