just a quick thought before bed

record labels have an interesting way of pitching their DRM schemes: they act as though what they're doing is natural, that protection of music through copyright is a service to the universe. in reality, it is the record labels that are usurpers in this environment, because music was always shared, through all cultures. the boundary between musician and fan was less mediated by agents and PR and merch. these things--representation--cropped up with the same frequency as lawyers, accountants, and other pencil-pushers. shelved in neat Modern architecture, they pursued a regimen of ownership. but their dominance was always only partial; bootleg recorders, mixtape artists, and legions of fans proved them wrong. Endlessly strumming "Stairway to Heaven," they weren't "Stealing" the music, any more than the Grinch could actually steal Christmas. and for the same reason, the labels can't ruin it for us today; collaboration and innovation is stronger than their lawyering and book-learning. sharing is actually the future happening now. interesting thoughts on this subject here (click the link "Eight Ideas that will revolutionize the century.")