Downloading music from the web is outrageous! It is unethical, horrible, degrading, and I would never, never, NEVER do it.

Just kidding.

Just like most people from these days, streaming has become a great tool to discover new artists. With just one click, I eliminate all opportunity cost. Streaming has practically no opportunity cost. Which is why I do it all the time: because I love music, but I never find myself in the mood to go around spending small bucks on iTunes or Amazon.

All these time I’ve been feeling guilty (not that much, I admit) about this. I always thought of the artists working really hard to make a living, and there I was, crushing their dreams. Good for me, my agony came to an end when Tom Dobrzanski, Sauder graduate and musician, came to speak at our fascinating and amazing Comm 101 class. To my surprise, when he was asked what he though of people downloading music from the internet for free, he said it was good!

Dobrzanski explained that easy streaming gave starting bands the opportunity to grow. Music junkies like me are a huge market for starting bands. We’re always looking for the next, next hit.

So, is piracy good business? Well, it is at least for starting bands. But the main thing here is that what has to happen is for labels and bands to change their business model and move away from a album-selling-oriented revenue to something more creative. I’m talking concerts, advertising, shirts, events, etc etc etc.

Going through my classmates’ blogs I found one that stood out. It’s written by Emily C, and it can be found here. Emily criticizes the modern trend of advertising to completely disregard ethics and values to sell a product. She says that the ad “screams sex” and that it also subordinates women.

I think differently. In a capitalist society with a free market although regulated to some extent by the government, companies should have the freedom to advertise as they wish. Why? Because they know better how to increase revenue. And by increasing revenue, they will expand and a) hire more people and b) pay more taxes.

Now, let’s not get too extreme. Of course there must be some rules. For example, full nudity might bee a little too out there. But to criticize sexism in advertising is to bring down one of the most important means of advertising! Who cares if the ads gets a little naughty?! It works, doesn’t it? We’re even writing blogs about it!

Listening to entrepreneur and Sauder graduate, Tom Dobrzanski, talk about how the music industry, gave me shivers all through my body. As soon as I got home I listened to all of his band’s (The Zolas) music, and I fell instantly in love with indie rock. Well, at least this one.

A couple of years back, I was very, very socially driven. Now, I’m more of a– pessimistic. I will leave all the world-saving to my fellow classmates who seem to be very enthusiastic about social entrepreneurship. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t care about poverty and hunger. I’m from Costa Rica. I know what poverty looks like. And I care. I just don’t think I can solve it. After working in the Legislative Assembly of my country, I lost all hope whatsoever. Nevertheless, I truly wish the best for those who try.

Now. Music. I love music. Although I play very little piano, music has an unparalleled power over me. And I would love to work in the music industry. However, I have always felt a little guilty about music: as if I ended up working for a big label, I would just become a commercial puppet and not do any good in the world. Is it just that my generation is obsessed with fixing the world, and we all desperately want jobs that “make the world a better place” blah blah..?