You're absolutely right, Todd. Everyone deserves to be reasonably compensated for the creative and productive "value-added" work that they do. Sadly, there seem to be three extremes that get in the way: 1) Greed -- some (like monopolistic, anti-trustworthy Microsoft and grossly over-paid athletes, actors, corporate CEOs, etc.) who excessively, disproportionately, and unreasonably profit from whatever "value-added" they contribute to society; 2) Theft -- those who steal the value-added of others' work, whatever it may be, without being willing to pay reasonable compensation; and 3) rip-off-artists who profit disproportionately on the work and productivity of others. (One has to wonder-out-loud what "value-added" lawyers, packagers, and the advertising industry provide to society. For a $5.00 box of cereal a farmer gets what, 9-cents?
It could be argued that the computer software "shareware" concept and the GNU-Linux "open source" initiatives just might be among the most significant developments in the history of mankind. For in this we see the very best of humanity -- many, many talented people freely sharing their best efforts for the good of all -- and many appreciative users supporting those efforts in various ways. But then, sadly, there are too-many who want everything free and contribute nothing to anyone. Perhaps the web will remedy this problem in creative new ways that we have not yet seen. On Friday 05 July 2002 12:13, you wrote: > While I'm all for sharing and sticking it to the RIAA, MPAA, and "the > man," I tend to side with the artist on this issue. It would be nice to > see a distribution system in which the artist could reap the benefits of > his/her labor more than the record label. > > It's great to share as in free software, but you are projecting your > ideas about sharing onto others. How do you make your living? Shall we > all of a sudden decide that your labor should be shared for free, > without any input from you? People who develop free software do so > willingly. I don't think it's fair to project that onto others so you > don't have to spend $15 on a crummy CD. > > Lately I'm having a hard time finding music I want to purchase anyway. > That's the fault of the record labels and FM radio. Blah!! > > I know this will be an unpopular position on this list, so let me > practice moving side to side and ducking . . .
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