[PanicLord]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Like Andrew, I think illegal downloading shows people do not is respect basic morals, and just because it's almost impossible to police doesn't make it justifiable or right.

Hell in a handbasket really does to me describe the way the music busines has been careening over the past years, particularly the giant chunk controlled by people like Cowell, and the money shift Andrew described so well towards lazy 3rd party companies.

What continues to surprise me .. perhaps because I am of Meat's generation, is the incredible sense of "entitlement" people seem to hold these days. Just because a live performance hasn't been officially recorded and released gives me no belief I am entitled to grab it from an illegal source; there are many live shows I don't see .. but I make the effort to see what I can, delight in those and hold them in my memory .. just as I prefer to buy a quality physical single release and play it when I want, knowing I have contributed to the artist who makes their living through entertaining me with great music. And to suggest that all performance should be free is just a nonsense. Some make their living by entertaining us as paid professionals, and thank God they do. I am happy to have earned my crust in other ways and to invest it in those who are talented, creative, driven and energetic enough to light up my life with their endeavours.

I don't feel I have a "right" to obtain bootleg rcordings, any more than red lights "don't matter" if there's no traffic around. I obey traffic laws, I don't steal. The labourer is worthy of his hire, whether it be some basic essential or an artistic enrichment of my life. Simple as that to me. Ease of law-breaking doesn't make it somehow more OK.

Caryl

I quite agree!