What Is My Duty?
Albums that are sticking like glue:
- The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works: It’s everything I hoped it would be, and then some.
- Burial - Untrue: I’m not ashamed to admit that Pitchfork tipped me off on this one. I can’t put my finger on why I like it so much yet.
- Daft Punk - Alive 2007: Best live album I’ve heard in years.
- Jakob - Solace: Great sleeping music.
A few weeks ago, I read Rob Sheridan’s lengthy diatribe about the state of the music industry and his proposed solution to its many problems. The general idea is that the RIAA is killing its own business by using scare tactics, treating its customers like thieves and using its position of power to alter and protect copyright law for its own selfish purposes.
The solution (according to Sheridan): Stop buying music from labels that support the RIAA. Download it for free instead, and then use your money to support the artist directly through merchandise and ticket sales.
That wasn’t a perfect summary, so go read his rant if you have the time. It was both enlightening and concerning.
In the end, I was left with several questions, which I’ll leave with you to ponder as well. If you any answers I would very much appreciate them.
- I subscribe to Rhapsody in order to legally access as much music as possible for a low price. Certainly some of the money I give them goes to the RIAA’s efforts. Is my subscription to their service helping or hurting the situation? Would I be better off using illegal means to sample music?
- As a follower of Christ, is it my duty to follow the law put before me, or is it to recognize the corruption of the law and do what I can to help correct the situation even if my actions would be considered illegal? (I know that this would be easier to answer if we were talking about something more universally significant than music or art, such as human rights or public health.)
- Does “trying before buying” help to improve the problem of there being so much terrible music that still manages to sell well? (In other words, if I only spend money after I’ve concluded that an artist is valuable, does it mean I’m “voting” for the very best and therefore helping only the best artists to succeed?)
These are just a few of the questions that have been spinning in my head for the last few weeks. Right now it’s only a dialog (mostly internal); I don’t want to take any action that I can’t fully justify and support with a reasonable argument. The only “action” I’ve taken so far is to see if what I’m buying supports the RIAA, so I at least have some idea as to where my money is going. In my selfish nature, I know I would love for music to be free and easily accessible, but I refuse to let my own desires get in the way of making a wise decision.
as you know, im vocal on any number of issues (especially those involving music) and this is where i disagree that you would be terrible on the phone. fact of the matter is, josh, i cant type as fast as i speak (youd do just fine with me).
1) im glad youre enjoying the daft punk album. ive been debating on whether or not to download it (illegally) because i do like both daft punk and live albums on an equal plane. youve swayed me to follow through with continuing my crime spree.
2)RIAA isnt doing anything different than our own government. which does pose a situation regarding the grey area in existance (which doesnt mean the grey area ACTUALLY exists). what i mean to say is, do you know the answer already and youre secretly looking for an answer that justifies (maybe even masks) your true inner desires. would your actions be considered illegal?…yes. i can only speak for myself in saying that this doesnt stop me from doing it. its one of those things that i dont struggle with because the government is a piece of shit and i could care less about what they think and what weight that have to throw around (sue me!), but i will respect your personal decision to follow a higher authority than police officers and piracy laws. in which case, joshua, you have to think, is this worth sacrificing what you are looking to gain in the long (and final?) run. its not a grey area, its a situation in which you wish to fulfill the obligations of each conflicting party. fact is, dude, youre stealing. and although i feel piracy laws are bogus (take a long walk off a short cliff kind of bogus), and RIAA doesnt seem legit, two wrongs dont make a right.
but they seem right to me!
3) (good) music is universally signifigant and to say otherwise is pure blasphemy.
4) bringing me to my next point, good music is relevant, and you will never be without “terrible” music in the world. it strictly conjures up a further complex study of it relevancy and application.
this! is what needs to happen in SLO.
Comment by iAmBaronVonTito — November 28, 2007 @ 8:09 pm