On Illegal Downloading
By Mr_Lyons
@Mr_Lyons (25)
United States
May 27, 2009 11:23pm CST
Just the other night i had been thing back on the past, days in which i would go to music warehouse(local music store) as a kid and buy cd's. I found myself utterly sad when i thought how badly the music industry has been hurt due to illegal downloads. Through the use of sites such as limewire and frostwire many people download music and other things for free. It is an astonishing thing i suppose getting something for "free". On one hand however as people get these things for free, these artists whom worked so hard to created these works of art for us lose money. How do you guys feel about the fall of the music industry? Do/Have you ever illegally downloaded? If so how does it make you feel?
4 responses
@Redhornet117 (1248)
• Philippines
28 May 09
IMO, It's ok if the artists lose some money. They shouldn't be doing music for the sake of fame or money in the first place. Me, I am also an artist and I make music and I distribute it for free. Why? Because it is my passion. And I truly love music. I just want everyone to hear my music without anyone having to pay for it. True artists will make and make music if they really love the art without getting paid for it. I have my daytime job and that's where I get my bread and butter. LOL.
@Mr_Lyons (25)
• United States
28 May 09
Hmmm that is a ver ygood thought up point, however what if that money was needed for other things such as family matters debt etc? moreover it is alot of money lost. The bulk of money earned by artist now a days, is by concerts. They also do not have another jod to fall back on. They could not afford to distribute their music for free to us all.
@roseyroser (1059)
• United States
28 May 09
That's a very good point! I already download a lot of music. If I really like the artist's music I'll buy it. I think downloading music can also be a way of "trying out" or "testing" the music. There is also so much music out there. If I bought every music album I liked I would be in debt!
@Redhornet117 (1248)
• Philippines
31 May 09
I know it's impossible but I'm trying to make a change. Music should be free and enjoyed by everyone, like air.
@Metalchick (1391)
•
28 May 09
When I was younger I used to always go out and buy CD's but a couple of years back a mate introduced me to a site similar to limewire. After my first week of using it and trying to get my head around how it all worked I was astonished by just what I could actually lay my hands on without paying for it. I don't download as much as I used to as it does take a while to lacate the songs you want and then wait for them to download from someone elses computer especially if they have a very slow connection. It can take anything from several days to download an album successfully if the user if on and offline alot too.
Now I have discovered illegal downloading I don't think i'll stop but i'll just limit the amount I do download. The ethical side doesn't really worry me too much as I like classic rock bands etc which make most of their money through gigs and tours. And I must admit there's nothing worse than waiting ages for a band you like to release an album, go and buy it only to get it home and find out it's not all that good afteral and a little disappointing. I find through downloading I can eliminate this problem and instantly feel better if the CD's crap because I didn't pay for it.
In these hard times especially it really does help me keep much more of a control on my finances too not having to spend as much.
@Mr_Lyons (25)
• United States
28 May 09
Very valid arguments, then again all musicians now d days make their income through gigs and concerts. Would you be fine with the thought of people slowly but numerously syphoning off your money? Money which i might add was more than hard to work for. Also take into account as the economy is worsening, musicians must settle for cheaper pay for a concert or recieve nothing at all. Lastly the ironic part of it all is that by saing yourself in the small run financially, you are'nt stimulating the economy by buying goods. And so the cycle continues.
@fodschwazzle (85)
• United States
28 May 09
I wish I had something worth selling that people were interested in sharing. I don't care how illegally they'd do it, for what price. For a poor artist, one who actually needs publicity, the biggest aid is a good word. And believe me, there are plenty of people out there still buying. Consider the advent of I-Tunes to be the big name backer. If you get a chance to ask Lady Gaga how much she is hurting even though she sells her few (awful) songs many times, please do. The people who need the help do not get that same publicity.
Consider: Radiohead released an entire album for free. They have plenty of admirers, but they might want to expand their listener group. Now, many of us have heard of this band, but not all of us want to pay for a single song, let alone an album. Plus, not having a CD and a case and all that is pretty eco-friendly. Even a larger band like them can occasionally see benefits from free listening.
