If you are interested in this world you probably heard about U2's lead singer Bono call for tougher controls over the spread of intellectual property over the Internet. You can read it on New York Times online.
I've been U2 fan for many years. I've been Bono's fan for many years. I've bought almost every U2 record since early 80's. I've enjoyed their work and their music all of these years. I've downloaded here and there some of rare U2 recordings since MP3 files become reality. I also paid ~$100 couple of times to see U2 and Bono live. I've been their fan even in this millennium when they haven't been able to deliver music that streets and public wants.
I've been also using internet since its mass inception. Certainly I've used it for file sharing (including MP3 files), using different applications such as Napster, LimeWire, Vuze, Miro...I've downloaded my share of 'intellectual property'.
However, more then ever, this method enabled me to discover art(s) that otherwise I wouldn't be able to discover. This led me to purchase more audio records and video products than ever before. I've actually have become a much better consumer. I've seen many more movies in theaters than before 'file sharing' era.
Nevertheless, to say, I paid Bono and his band for their art.
Generally, people don't agree with Bono - Couple of opinions on this topic:
New artists are getting launched and discovered daily because of the internet.
Anything that is worthy gets bought, garbage goes to the trash bin where it belongs.
Is the reason for being an artist to make art or to make money? This is the essential question. Some of the greatest works of art throughout the ages have been created by people in poverty. Perhaps their poverty improved their art? Bono was undoubtedly a great artist but maybe he is too interested in money now to produce really great art. Maybe his art is controlled in his mind by the potential for it to make money. So he always takes the safe, monetarily rewarding path. If so, he has cheated himself and his audience.
We begrudge Bono talking about how poor starting musicians are, and how poor people are in Africa and how we're not doing enough, all while wearing $500 sunglasses. What would you say if Bill Gates told you that you weren't doing enough to ensure computer accessibility in Africa, or Dick Cheney told you that you
weren't tolerant enough towards Muslims or that you took your civil liberties for granted?
The hypocrisy and holier than thou attitude is the problem, not the money. There's a difference between Bozo and Mick Jagger, for instance. The latter knows how to keep his mouth shut.
My daughter has been a full time musician for 15 years now. She is an indy musician that travels Canada & the USA. She has NO big label sells her CD's from a table between sets and is thrilled just to be able to eat and have enough gas to get to her next gig. Bono has made it big and good for him but file sharing has helped give my daughter a bigger audience than normal. They come to her gigs and buy her CD's anyways they know it helps keep the music alive. Bono should stick to the other causes (and they are many..some good ones) he is into and stay out of this one....Gimmy....Gimmy...Never Gets.
I never thought I would see the day that Bono would be a shill for the record companies. I guess piles and piles of money changes your perspective, and heaven help the person who takes a penny from that pile. Bite me Bono. Musicians must adapt to the new market, its called the internet. So what if you can't become rich from record sales anymore. That has been a scam for decades anyway. If any musician used his brains, they would understand the record industry is a leach on their creativity, and they pick and chose who is gonna be the next thing. Bah, the whole monetary system sucks anyway. An economy of scarcity breeds corruption, greed, and crime. We need an economy of abundance. Visit Venus Project online, and see what the future should be, but most likely won't because of mankind's collective stupidity.
Oh man. I didn't know Bono felt so strongly about this. Well, I know the rest of the world has been doing things a different way for over a decade but a middle-aged Irish rock star has an opinion so we have to change. I'm glad someone who can charge $100+ for a ticket to his show in a sold-out stadium can stand up & say that artists aren't getting their cut. Kinda like how he can fly all over the world and then chastise world leaders how they're not doing enough for Africa while wearing a $3,000 suit & $500 sunglasses. When I'm done writing this post I am throwing my laptop into the garbage and then going to the store to buy a $20 copy of U2's Pop. It shall be my most prized possession.
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