Thoughts on the music for free debate

Why would something that can be replicated at almost no cost be free? Why would only something that is tangible or produced in a physical format be valuable?

I believe that we should transform into a world that has a virtual economy for most of it's presence. One that doesn't pollute, one that is infinite and reproduction is so easy we all have enough of what we perceive as valuable.

Music is made by professionals, by people that make an effort to entertain others. They need to get paid in order to feed their kids, live with a roof above their heads, smoke and so forth. If not these people cannot continue to do what they love and believe in. In some form they should get paid for what they create.

Why did banks get this right, they transformed from a physical business (Checks, cash etc.) to an almost 100% digital business and their curve is up most of the time? Why does the fact that what they do digital is still perceived as valuable? Maybe it's not the best comparison, but think about it? I was thinking of the impact of technology on the way we behave. Imagine we invent a jacket that makes us invisible and we would go out shopping. Everything we put under the jacket becomes invisible and the shop owner sees his/her business decline and doesn't have a F%^&* clue whats going on. After two years we all have these jackets and nothing is safe anymore. Before we know it retail organizations lobby and try to stop the technology that makes things invisible, smart business people start selling detection products and before we know it we all have to pay a invisibility tax.

My point is that we should all pay for music, maybe a bit less than we did buying CD's or other physical products that carry cost of distribution, resources and production, but digital also has a cost.The prize should be set in a frame of acceptance. The acceptance that value is created at the source, the person that made the music you, me and everybody loves to listen to. Wanting these things for free is tempting, but not very realistic and fair.

Comments

[Harvey]

Musicians should know the correct way to pitch their work.

[martijn]

I disagree. Musicians should deliver a great piece of music. The business should take care of packaging and sales.