seen the scenario countless times – music industry sounds all bells alarming people that quality new music is doomed in this anti-creative and pirate-ridden world. However, a study by economist Joel Waldfogelm
shows that rise of file sharing has not had a negative impact on creation of quality new music and artists, quite the contrary, and ultimately reveals the reason for the real reason behind the industry’s inquisitions.
The study ran a comprehensive statistical analysis by crunching numbers from charts and amount of albums that exceed certain quality thresholds and ultimately concluded that pre-Napster and post-Napster periods in no way support the industry’s claims. In fact, it turns out that creative output has actually increased with the rise of file sharing whereas the quality pretty much remained the same.
Furthermore, the study yielded some interesting results that may point at just why the industry is clutching at straws. Namely, the only actual difference prior to and after Napster saga is the rise of independent labels and indie artists.
It indeed makes sense – seeing how major labels squeeze out the last bit of cash from what was once considered to be art, the big boys are in no way interested to see their profits decline. Thus, they resort to hollow arguments in order to gain “moral” justification for stripping individuals of centennial earnings before courts, acting like crusaders of creativity in the process.
We must admit, it’s pretty mind-boggling to see the music industry in its current shape propone creativity. An uninformed (or deaf?) person would think that major labels are the only thing that stands between today and a sad, creativeless and artless world. Unfortunately, one needn’t be hearing endowed to review the artists lists on these creative-crusader major labels, and the real truth of why cash has taken precedence over art lies therein.