This is an example of the twisted logic that people try to employ to garner sympathy for an obsolete business model.   A bunch of musicians, lawyers and associated henchmen of the music industry, making desperate arguments for their existence. 

I don't really buy CDs anymore.  Why?  Follow me...

Background:

I've downloaded music in the past, and shared songs with friends, but the novelty has pretty much blown over for me.  I've either gone out and bought the CDs, or I just don't listen to the files.  Maybe 500Mb of my 21Gb MP3 collection was never purchased by me. So sue me.  I'm hardly a pirate.

Why I don't buy:

I just don't have the extra money available to indulge the reflex that I had in my 20's, when I'd just buy 2-3 CDs on a whim.  I have kids, bills, and no time, so I just can't see the point in dropping $40+ for music I don't really miss if I don't have it.

And its not like radio (Internet or analog) is helping.  I don't really listen to music on the analog radio, and when I tune in to Internet radio, its more for ambient background noise.  For some reason, I'm more attracted to western classical music, Asian/Indian music, Drum and Bass or stuff from small, indie labels that you can't get in HMV.

When I *do* buy new music on CD, it typically comes through some strong branding and recognition, or through recommendations by friends.  For example, there are a couple of bands/groups/people that I collect, like REM, the Tragically Hip, Mary J Blige and Talvin Singh. Or when my friend Doug told me about Signs by Badmarsh and Shri, I listened to a couple of streaming songs, and then decided to buy the record. 

In short, Clearchannel or RIAA, or America's Top 40, I don't need you anymore, and I've never trusted you to give me what I wanted.

I don't think I'm alone, either.

There, that feels better.

10:13:06 AM