Props to Digital Renaissance
http://www.digitalrenaissance.se/2009/02/05/quotes-for-the-music-biz/#comment-771
“you have to make people open their wallets for the right reason”
I hate to sound like a simpleton... but, I've got to say it:
There is at least one good reason for people to open their wallets...
that is: To support Content Creators.
My feeling is that fans are pretty happy.
1. free music
2. unlimited selection
3. unlimited access
4. all the different listening options
is it worth talking about whether or not fans are happy? of course they're happy.
Let's get back to this "right reason". I think that is a discussion about the ethics of commerce. This is laid out nicely in a book titled "Systems of Survival: A dialogue on the Moral Foundations of Commerce and Politics" ~ Jane Jacobs
Paraphrased in the extreme, there are two systems of survival, "Taking" and "Trading".
Surrounding music, I will simplify and say that there are two key players: A-The content Creator B-The Consumer
Right now, I think one could argue that content creators are being taken from. That is, consumers aren't necessarily offering any goods or services to the content creator.
We are witnessing new models of generating income from content, ie. Adverts on Spotify. But, how does this get back to the content creator? Is it meaningful for the ContentCreator? Does the Consumer feel as if they are "Trading" with the artist, when they listen to a commercial. Or this an instance of "Taking".
I believe a more significant method of "Trading" between artist and fan will exist in the future.
It seems obvious: The right reason to open your wallet, as a consumer, is to directly support a content creator. Direct Support!
Trade, don't Take!
