Why Pay For Recorded Music Anymore? Part 2

I have heard, many times, people argue that the record companies are ripping off the recording artists, making huge profits on their music while paying the recording artists next to nothing for their work. So, why shouldn’t consumers rip off the record companies as a matter of justice?

I wonder if the people who make this argument would be willing to forgo burning a copy of a friend’s Sara McLaughlin CD, and instead, pay $15 for it, if they knew that all the money would go directly to Sara McLaughlin? I’m guessing they would still not want to pay for it, and would just find another rationalization to “rip” it off. “Oh, that Sara is rich and famous already, she won’t miss this $15”, they might say.

Well, you could make the same rationalization for shoplifting from Wal-Mart. It could be argued that they underpay their suppliers and their employees. It would be wonderful if we could all just go into Wal-Mart (or Target or the local grocery store) and take anything we want without paying. This would certainly be to our advantage, at least for a couple of fun shopping sprees. But suppose this suddenly became common public practice? But how long do you think Wal-Mart, or Target or FoodMart, would continue to be there for us after that?

Whatever inequities exist in the contractual agreements between recording artists and record companies is an issue to be resolved between those particular parties. It is not a reason for stealing. It is a only RATIONALIZATION for stealing. To all those who are truly concerned about the plight of recording artists in the record business: Do you really think that NOT paying a record company for their music HELPS the artist?

There IS a good reason for stealing, of course. That reason is: we just don’t want to pay for it! Hey, it’s okay to feel that way! It’s human nature! But think of this when you wonder whether a CD of music you truly love is worth $15: Most people will spend AT LEAST $15 a person for dinner and drinks at their favorite restaurant and not think twice. And this is for an experience that may last only an hour. A CD of music can be enjoyed over and over again in perpetuity, AND it is calorie free.

And of course, these days, you can digitally download a CD for $10, or buy only the tracks you want for 0.99 per track. How easy is that?

I’d next like to make some spiritual observations about “ownership”. To be continued……