Things that are killing the American economy

[Joe]

How about the music industry [record labels]? Cd sales have plummeted since '06 because of people choosing itunes or illegal means to get their music. I know most of the stores that do sell music are having hard times and they probably will go under unless they can do something - very effective - to stop piracy and to create a new and competitive way to buy music from them.

Honestly, if anything, using iTunes actually HELPS the artists more than buying a CD does. On average an artist gets mere pennies per 16 dollar cd, but the percentage of royalties received from digital sales is larger, thus making them more money.

I also wouldn't buy any quotes you here from the RIAA or MPAA concerning Piracy and money losses, after all, these same people said that the Cassette would kill the music industry. Letting record labels go under would only Help the music industry, as it would put far more control in the hands of the artists. I need to cut myself off now, because I can go on for hours about this XD



I Love Netflix, though. I find that when I want to watch hokey/campy B movies, or really anything at all, its just easier to find on Netflix, and cheaper overall if you watch a lot of movies.

[Zargabaath]

Honestly, if anything, using iTunes actually HELPS the artists more than buying a CD does. On average an artist gets mere pennies per 16 dollar cd, but the percentage of royalties received from digital sales is larger, thus making them more money.

I also wouldn't buy any quotes you here from the RIAA or MPAA concerning Piracy and money losses, after all, these same people said that the Cassette would kill the music industry. Letting record labels go under would only Help the music industry, as it would put far more control in the hands of the artists. I need to cut myself off now, because I can go on for hours about this XD

I refrered to record lables who get most of the money from cd sales and the stores that sell them. iTunes is better for the artist, however, the artist makes their money from tours; the record label from cd sales and yes piracy is a problem. Even accounting Itunes sales with the physical copy, total sales are way down compared to 5-6 years ago. In current times if the sales of a new cd reach 1 million that is extremely good (think 4-6 million back in the day).

Record labels, along with music stores are on the decline, and artists do have more control if they go independent. Plus it is not so hard to be an independent artist as a some years ago because the internet allows artists to reach the masses.

[Heartless Angel]

Hell, even iTunes and legal means of downloading music are eventually going to get run out of business. It seems like everytime I turn around there's some new site for pirated software. Same goes for the video game industry. Yeah, most new releeases are pretty much pirate proofed, but people are always looking for new and better ways to get shit for free. I honestly wouldn't be at all suprised when they day comes where you can go get a week old first party PS3 game on bittorrent or something. This could kill the movie industry just as easily. I mean really, why would i want to wait a year to go buy a DVD for 10 bucks when someone has it out on bittorrent for free (illegal) download in a month? The biggest contributor to industries going down is human greed. Yeah, if I think only of myself, what am I costing blockbuster by downloading a pirated movie, couple bucks? No big deal right? Problem being, there are a couple thousand other people thinking the exact same thing. That couple bucks turns into a couple thousand bucks pretty damn fast.

[Merlin]

Yes, human greed plays a role in things, but the movie industry and the music industry both have what is coming to them. Both of them, heck even the game industry take a dump and expect people to pay money for it. I think the voice of the people is quite clear. They fail at basic economics, which state that prices will be whatever people are willing to pay. People aren't willing to pay $30 for a Blu-Ray yet they sure as hell keep selling them at that price wondering why. Instead, their solution is to sue their consumer base. Way to win over customers buddy. Instead of suing the consumer base, go after the people dealing illegal material. People can't buy crack if nobody is selling...

Now do I think people should get it for free? Nah. People will buy media that is reasonably priced. Whether you like Apple or hate them, they got the idea of selling music right. Now if they would just lower the prices on their hardware...

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On the subject of people losing jobs, I always dislike the concept of people losing jobs in one area increases jobs in another. Somehow I doubt all the people who lost their jobs are sleeping well at night with the knowledge that they are no longer needed and their job slot was replaced by someone else in another field.

[Kaiden]

After reading through the thread I found it funny to have a Netflix add at the bottom of the page. 8.99 a month for as many rentals as you want or something like that. Retail itself is a dying industry. I buy books, computers, tv's, games, clothes, music and movies all over the internet. I may go into a Best Buy or FYE to look around but its much easier buying things online and usually cheaper. Every year during the holidays the news talks about how more and more people do most of their shopping online. As the retail Industry closes though other doors will open up. Maintaining the internet and sites is probably be a big industry. Working in warehouses mailing out orders that come in. UPS, or other common carriers are probably hiring more and more people with the added work.

[Tiffany]

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On the subject of people losing jobs, I always dislike the concept of people losing jobs in one area increases jobs in another. Somehow I doubt all the people who lost their jobs are sleeping well at night with the knowledge that they are no longer needed and their job slot was replaced by someone else in another field.

I'm not in the US, but this happened to me.

I worked in an Automotive Factory. The company I worked for was a Tier 2 supplier, and had factories all over the world. Anyways, long story short, they decided to ship our machines to the plant in Mexico.

We actually had to train the mexican workers to take our jobs. Of course at the time they denied heavily that our jobs were in jeopardy (what company would, right?) and it wasn't until they gave the notice that our company was closing 6 months later did they reveal that our machines were going South.

Yeah, not impressed.