Can't escape the change at hand

by Gabriel Couture, available for FREE! use it, remix it!



After having taken this citizen journalism class where we discussed many of the new internet cultural and economic trends, i found it hard to read Jaron Lanier's article in the New York Times without laughing at it. Even now, as i write this post and think of all the references he makes about his involvement in modern internet companies and projects, i wonder how he can write such an unconvincing, perhaps even absurd article...

First of all, if Mr. Lanier would like to charge for the content that he puts on the web there are simple and many methods available to him. As he himself mentions, there are already many sites that function quite successfuly by charging their participants or audience.

The fact is that i've always avoided sites which charge me for content. We live in a world where things to consume are amply available everywhere, almost all the time. Take a walk, go to a mall!? There are independant boutiques specializing in alternative culture in many places, and often when they can't be accessed personally they can be accessed through the web where you can easily use your credit card to buy their products.

The truth is that the past century as been the different one when concerning the arts. We've gotten used to artists having the potential(although, more often than not, this is simply a dream society promotes as a way of satisfying its citizens.) to make lots of money. This has certainly not always been the case; artists were always on the go and in search of benefactors to help them produce. And art has always been a mix of reappropriation; remixing past ideas with new and so on...

The economic reality of the artist is going to change surely, however, it's not impossible for them to make money; through shows, talks, classes and so on. And if he, the artist or creator, so chooses, he may charge for the content he puts on the web.

In the end, the truth is that i waste my time of the internet looking up content becomes it's free! I used to spend time in libraries, go to cheap shows where i didn't know the bands, went to art exhibits and museums and I still do. But now, with a bit of time, i can make better informed choices about what i go see by using the web. I can also access free content by wikis and blogs whenever it pleases me.

Some businesses and artists are suffering but as time changes our society does as well. Get over it, adapt, and embrace the mass of information available.