Can you justify downloading illegal music?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mindy on November 16, 2009 at 3:25pm

Do I have a means to justify it other than "I'm kind of poor"? Not particularly, but I've never thought much about it.

However, once upon a time, people would sit next to their cassette players, listening to the radio, just waiting for their favorite song to play so they can record it. I see downloading music as a simpler version of this task and nothing else.

Permalink Reply by Oats on November 24, 2009 at 12:16pm

I remember those days. So right.

Permalink Reply by Mr. Apron on November 16, 2009 at 3:31pm

Anybody can find a justification for doing the wrong thing if they try hard enough. In the end, people just don't like it when society tries to make them accountable for not following the rules.

99 cents to download a song? Poor babies.

Permalink Reply by Mindy on November 19, 2009 at 5:52pm

It's not so much the $1. It's that fifty songs equals $50. It's when you get into the mass downloading that the cost would become hefty.

Permalink Reply by Talia M on November 19, 2009 at 6:28pm

Also, there are people out there to whom a $10 album is a hefty chunk of their paycheck, if they're lucky enough to get a paycheck at all. I understand thinking that illegal downloading is wrong, but let's not look down on people to whom $1 isn't a trivial thing.

Permalink Reply by Mr. Apron on November 23, 2009 at 12:54pm

I don't think I was "looking down" on anybody. But downloading music illegally is a choice that people make, and, when you make choices, you need to be prepared to accept the consequences.

Last time I checked, Pandora was free.

Permalink Reply by leilani on November 23, 2009 at 1:00pm

Sadly I kind of agree... you can rationalize anything if you really want to (and believe me, I would know)

Also, I'm just going to throw it out there that people to whom $1 is a big deal *probably* are not particularly concerned about current prices on itunes. Correct me if I'm wrong.

That said - I think some of the punishments for those who have actually been prosecuted have been absolutely absurd. (Not sure if this was appealed/overturned, but I read about some kid getting caught and charged ~$200,000 - to which I must say, GIVE ME A BREAK!)

Permalink Reply by nicopolitan on November 16, 2009 at 3:47pm

I think I made a flowchart that explains my music purchasing habits.

Oh here it is!

Permalink Reply by Mindy on November 19, 2009 at 5:54pm

Nicely done!

Permalink Reply by Talia M on November 19, 2009 at 6:21pm

I think it's also important to factor in whether the artist is new to the label or not. In that case, they might be seeing VERY little of the album sales, but buying their album would help them get a deal so they can create a second album. Also, for those signed to major labels, often their biggest income is from their tours and if you like the artist you should try and see a show to support them (especially if you're not paying for their music.)

Permalink Reply by Jessica on November 22, 2009 at 9:21pm

Absolutely I do! Not as much anymore but I used to be all about downloading illegally and still get the hook up from some friends with Lime wire. And I absolutely do not feel bad about it at all. I know it does hurt sales but the mark up on music sales and salaries to artists make me think twice. I never feel bad about it and won't.

Permalink Reply by Oats on November 24, 2009 at 12:21pm

Why should the wealthy be the only ones with the capability to discover new music, both good and bad? And why should we have to rely on the radio to select the songs we listen to? Even XM radio plays the same shit over and over.

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