"The music industry is really focused on the ‘industry’ part and not so much on the ‘music’ part. This is the greatest moment in the history of music if your dream is to distribute as much music as possible to as many people as possible, or if your goal is to make it as easy as possible to become heard as a musician. There’s never been a time like this before. So if your focus is on music, it’s great. If your focus is on the industry part and the limos, the advances, the lawyers, polycarbonate and vinyl, it’s horrible." - Seth Godin
I like the way he thinks. People around the industry are crying out that the sky is falling...and he's gently reminding them of why they're in the business in the first place.
They'd forgotten their first love.
We didn't get into working for the church to build new buildings or to count more people. We didn't go into ministry to organize more events. We didn't join this mission to raise more money, give more speeches or create impressive stuff.
Sometimes along the way we lose sight of our original intentions. We get lost among the details. We forget our first love.
It's not too late. Today is a new day and straining towards the future goal doesn't seem like a bad way to spend it.
It's interesting how this is true in many creative arenas right now. In the publishing world, people are freaking out because sales are down and publishers aren't taking any risks on new authors. But it is easier than ever to be read. It's just more difficult to become rich.
ReplyDeleteIt is intriguing how much of the value chain has fallne apart. It would appear there is a lot of unpaid work going on all along it. Perhaps creativity lends itself to altruistic (or gambling on returns) behaviour.
ReplyDeleteSee my lengthier discussion of Godin's views here:
http://internationalbs.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/disruptive-technology-amplified/