Be HIP – What Does That Mean To You?

My new colleague once asked me if I know where the best sites to download music are. My immediate response was Apple.com (iTunes Store that is). It is rhetoric. I knew that was not what she has in mind and neither can we buy music from iTunes Store in Singapore.

Allow me to indulge myself in the politically incorrectness of generalization. There are two groups of people I observe in general when it comes to listening to music. One group cares less about music. They seldom purchase any album nor possess any music in any form. Music from the radio or TV is good enough for them. Another group in contrary loves music. And within this group of music lovers, it subdivides into three categories. One that buy music. One that downloads music feeling indifferent to whether or not it is the right thing to do. And one that downloads music believing that it is the right thing to do, believing that they play a part in revolutionize the music industry.

Revolutionize the music industry?! I had much debate with one of my friends who download a couple of albums a day. No doubt he has difficulties in listening to all the albums in his vast collection. Till today, we have not come to a conclusion.

You see, I am a keen supporter of “honor IP (intellectual property)” – HIP. I pay for the music I appreciate, the PC games I enjoy, and the DVD I watch repeatedly. For those who are indifferent to the consequence of downloading music (arguably illegally), I think there is no right or wrong answer. Neither is there a question of moral stand. Hence, I am indifference to the indifference.

However, it is people like my friend who intrigue me. I hear what my friend says. Music industry is a rogue business. The musicians hardly get anything in the end. The record companies are the big winners. All the proceeds from the record sales have to cover the marketing expenses and to fund the new artists that come on board. What the musicians get in the end is peanut – unless you make it big. That much I can understand. But to portray the heroic act of playing a part to hurt the industry so that the wrong can be right and the big evil (aka record companies) can be punished? I have my doubt.

Are you willing to work for free? After all, it is your boss who take home bulk of the profit, it is your organization that has the double digit growth – not your pocket. If you expect the musicians to work for free, it is only fair that you too work for free. True or false? Think of the retail business. Isn’t it true that the landlords are the big winners, always?

There is no right or wrong answer. Governments deem illegal music download the same as stealing. Some home users deem downloading music is the right thing to do because it will revolutionize the music industry. That one day the musicians will benefit the most from the proceeds of the record sales. Or perhaps as my friend has pointed out, the way to earn a living by the musicians is not selling records but performing live concerts.

Self deception or not, you decide.

PS. This post is created as the prelude of an upcoming music review. You will see the connection I promise.