Blogcritics Comments on The Physicality Of Recordings

Comment by Jim S

Fri, 4 Apr 2003 09:13:03 EST

Both mediums have their value. I've been known to scour the racks at a music store AND I do quite a bit of online browsing (mostly stuff like Mp3.com and sites where you find unsigned/self-distributed bands), and buying on amazon, etc. I don't think you'll ever see record stored disappear. The mediums might change (although, they'll probably still be called "record" stores for some reason... CD shop or Music place doesn't have the ring, does it?), but they'll still sell the physical music for a couple of reasons. like you already said, there's the comfort of browsing/trolling a record store. There's also a market of people who won't buy online and/or don't have access (think technophiles, people who have security issues, cash-only obsessives, etc.). Lastly, there's the instant gratification and/or compulsion shoppers. There's always going to be a market for the stores. The real key to the digital revolution (so to speak) is to create a business plan that has the stores and the online distribution working hand-in-hand. THAT is what the record companies and the RIAA have failed to do.... eventually, it'll probably happen, but they ARE being dragged into it, kicking and screaming.

Comment by Mark Saleski

Thu, 3 Apr 2003 10:13:11 EST

yes, the same argument applies to books as well. while i can see some advantages of e-books (mostly in the academic realm), there's nothing interesting there for me. i just don't enjoy reading anything that's longer than a page on a computer screen. at work i print out documentation and read it from paper.

Comment by Tom Johnson

Wed, 2 Apr 2003 17:23:04 EST

I can't imagine music never having a physical media that you buy. People want to "own" things, even if by "owning" a CD you simply own a physical license to listen to the music (a fact few people really seem to grasp - music is only licensed to you and delivered via whatever form of media you choose to purchase it on - you don't own the music ON the media.) I think we will see brave attempts to dispense with the media, but ultimately people will want something to hold and look at - if they're paying for it. I'm with you - my week's not complete unless I get a chance to slowly scour the racks at my local music store. Searching online is unfulfilling, again, like you say. I don't hear much about bookstores being worried about e-readers replacing real books. I think they're much more realistic about the impact electronic media may impose on the world. I just don't want to read on a computer monitor or a PDA-equivalent. People want to own books. I think people want to own music, too.