(idm) DIY (the punk "ethic")

From Jon Drukman
Sent Wed, May 20th 1998, 22:57

Rjyan C Kidwell wrote:
> hate to keep this thread alive, but it surprises me that this is the only
> guy here speaking up for the "punk" ethic, save maybe Jon Drukman.

hi there!

> CDs can cost less than $.80 a piece to produce.  Even with the additional
> costs of art production, (films, printing, whatever) paying the
> artists/photographers involved in the art production, mastering and all,
> there is no way in hell these CDs we're buying cost more than 5$.
> Production prices for CDs have dropped nicely over the last five years.
> So why do prices go up?

the "i can't afford it" argument is the WORST argument for pirating
music.  you might as well advocating stealing cars since they cost a
lot.

> Even IDM seemingly "DIY" labels like Skam and Music Aus Strom charge the
> "standard" 10$-12$ for 12", 16-20$ for CDs.  What the hell?  I talked to
> PJ at Modern Music about this and he brought up and interesting and
> unfortunate aspect of this problem: say I was to start a label and charge
> 6$ppd for my LPs.  He could still charge 12$ for them at his store
> because that's what the market will pay.  I think there needs to be more
> awareness about just how absurd these CD prices are.

for imports it's just the mechanics of getting them to your house... it
costs a lot and there are many people along the way who want to get paid
for their time.  that's why i think distributing music over the net has
a great future.  eliminate those greedy middlemen.  someday some clever
person will figure out how to make it worthwhile.  unfortunately i fear
it will be a major label exec who wants a pay-for-play thing like the
up-and-coming techno-horror that is divx.

not directly related but entertaining thoughts about copyright:
http://www.negativland.com/intprop.html

relevant quote:  home taping is killing the music industry.  keep up the
good work!

-- 
Jon Drukman                                            xxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
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Plan: Eat right, exercise regularly, die anyway.