Okay, so here is my mini-rant about illegal downloading:
Is it fair to get an artist's music for free and he (or she) gets nothing? Just because you can steal doesn't mean that you should.
Most singers and songwriters work, practice and struggle for years before they get a hit or an album produced. Paul McCartney used to stay locked in his bathroom, as a teenager, practicing the guitar, for hours. It made his family a little crazy. It would be several years before he met that Lennon boy and they started a band. A band that had a couple of good songs...
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (Lady Gaga) began learning piano at age four and started writing at 11, but it would be almost ten more years before her career would really take off. Is it fair to steal her music when she worked so hard to be able to create it?
But, you might say, its easier and more convenient to just download with Limewire, Bittorent, Frostwire or any of the many ways you can cheat. Or you may say, "They don't need the money because they're rich". And, you may also say, it's only wrong if you get caught.
I will say this:
1. Bad guys like to infect music and video files with viruses, just because they can.
2. Don't ignore the illegal part. The RIAA has tracked down, prosecuted and fined some folks thousands of dollars.
3. Didn't you ever watch "Behind the Music"? How many bands and singers got ripped off by accountants, agents and family? For all you know, they are not as rich as you might think and might actually need some money. MC Hammer, anyone?
4. Whether it is easy or hard, socially acceptable or not, wrong is wrong. Do the right thing and Be Good!
If you want to have music at your Internet fingertips and are low on funds, try Spotify. It's free and has ALOT of music.
Or, try Google Music. Right now it is free and it let's you upload YOUR OWN MUSIC to the cloud. If you have songs on your computer, you can upload them to Google (MP3's and Flac).
So, we have discussed morality, empathy and finances. You still don't agree with me, do you?
