As what seem like the only person in the thread who has an opposing view, I thought I'd post again.

I can't argue with the fact that many big businesses are greedy profiteers that care little about content or quality, just bottom line dollars. But lets not forget we the people helped make it that way. Let's also not forget that someone is buying some of the so called crap, at least enough to keep the profits rolling in. I'm sure many of you feel you have above average intelligence, and that may be true, but it does not entitle you to having the world bend to your desire for better, cheaper music.

I care more about how this corporate vampirism has led to me losing my job three times in 6 years. How we outsource far too many jobs to foreign countries. Our dependency on products we know to be harmful like tobacco and alcohol simply because the are high margin easily exportable goods. Sure the companies are sucking the life blood out of America when you can't say "$h!t" at work because a co-worker might overhear and call HR. You have no job security because if the company needs an extra nickel on their per share revenue they may need to lay off 500 employees. Nevermind they cut your well deserved bonus because the old CEO got a $10 million dollar golder parachute. I can't afford gas to get to work because it's $3.00 a gallon and I bought my SUV when it was $1.35. I can't take mass transit because there is none.

By God, the biggest problem facing us today is that poor starving artists aren't getting their due. The record industry is corrupt and I'm not going to take it anymore. The fact that U2, The Rolling Stones, Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, and Joey Fatone all live in houses that make mine look like the servants quarters is unforgivable! They need bigger houses and another Bentley! I mean, they provide the most essential of all human needs - entertainment. Forget teachers, policemen, nurses, and garbagemen.

I know iTunes has song samples and I know many artists offer streaming music on the site so you can check it out. I agree that it's a different world in music today. But don't blind yourself with your music superiority. If no one bought or listened to it, then it would change. My 13 year old and all her friends love crap I think sucks. But my parents hated Motley Crue, Metallica, The Cure, The Smiths, Van Halen, and just about everything else I listened to. They listen and they buy. Just because we have become dated doesn't mean the RIAA is stupid. They sell what gets bought. Every generation gets their own new bucket of crap.

I just re-purchased some Led Zeppelin CDs that had gotten damaged and I'm rockin' out to them as much as I can.

So rock on dudes!

(I got tired of writing and went a little wonky there at the end!)