Kids aren't watching TV
I've noticed alot of the new folks I'm meeting at USC (South Carolina) don't own TV's and if they do they don't even have cable and only use them to watch DVD's.
I read a comment where someone asserted that the economy can't handle physical merchandise. I believe this is true. The movie industry and video game industry need to pick up fast before their product is victimized by illegal downloading even more so than they already are. I can envision well a future with no need for racks or cases but only portable size hard drives each specified for a certain medium; music, movies, video games, etc. As a down home environmentalist (I do what I can and I'm not wasteful) I look forward to this day but am fearful for the job losses in the package manufacturing market.
The internet is the way of the future. Any attempts to fight it is folly. But while new technology is prevailing kids are also demonstrating a desire for vintage merchandise of all types, clothes and music especially. I know both my friends and I revel in our latest finds from thrift stores and used vinyl shops. This I believe is a defining characteristic of our generation and speaks volumes about our ideologies; embrace of the future and respect for the past.
3 Comments
January 14, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Totally. Who was it that thought of SlotMusic? Seems like another minidisc to me.
Sure the internet is the way of the future, but I still think there's a digital divide that exists and drives people to buy physical.
January 14, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I agree about the divide but I believe that is with a more hardcore music fan base such as myself. I love having a CD booklet printed with lyrics and art work. However, the majority of folks buying music I don't believe are like that now. Like I said less packaging is great for the environment but it comes with a certain melancholy requiem.
January 20, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I believe the drive that leads music lovers to buy physical merch these days is branding. The internet and how we use it, is carving out a new type of socializing. Even Steven Spielberg admitted that one day we will all be watching new movies on You Tube without ever having to go to the movies.
We do desire, however a tangible product; a cd with liner notes and photos etc. I believe that branding is the way that artists will be connecting with fans. As a result consumers will buy the CD and the merchandise, and not rely on one digital download for their musical experience.
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