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.