Illegal downloading. Unethical? I’m still torn. Part of me is the broke music fan who enjoys his eclectic mp3 collection made possible in-part by illegal file sharing sites. Yes I download music illegally, but I rationalize my actions based on the idea that music will always be available for free on one site or another, so why pay? It’s practically an obsolete concept. It’s like why people smoke pot- we know it’s illegal, but the risk is low and the return is high (no pun intended) so why deny ourselves the pleasure? I would certainly pay if I had to. I’m a true fanatic. Not because of its availability, but because I can’t live without it. And if the music industry (not the artists) were smart enough, they’d come up with alternate ways to make us shell out money for their precious hard materials. Instead they go around busting kids for ripping Justin Timberlake tracks off Limewire. The music industry is wasting its energy. Put it towards something productive like offering us new services that we’re willing to pay for. Trying to shut down all illegal downloading sites is like trying to cure gay people.

The other side of me is an artist. One that has struggled for many years to get paid for his work. When I was younger, I would create art for myself. It was very personal. Writing was a way to express myself without denouncement from the outside world. As I grew older (and realized that waiting tables was no longer a sane approach to making money), I began to accept the fact that my art had a dollar value and that it was worth trying to sell to the public.
So how would I feel after years spent polishing my craft, arriving at a point where my art was my livelihood, and suddenly people decided they didn’t want to pay anymore (but still wanted to see the show). I think I’d feel used. Maybe I’d feel differently if I’d already had a bunch of money. Most bands don’t. Their art is how they pay for food. They must feel gypped. And obviously I’m aware that illegal downloading can be great exposure for young musicians who would otherwise not have it, that many of those doing the free downloading will eventually pay the price of admission, but I can’t help thinking that there are still artists who feel snubbed by our illegal actions. That their generous offerings of sound are being bandied about recklessly without compensation or regard for the source.