Do We Still Need Physical Media? https://aestheticsforbirds.com/2021/07/28/do-we-still-need-physical-media/ .
THIS IS SUPERB. That’s a philosophical blog that thinks about art. They’ve done amazing work. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this article debunking physical media in lieu of digital files being better mastered.. and that’s coming from an audio professional.
Upshot on “do we need physical media”… surprisingly, yes:
It’s a refuge, and respite… digital means nothing is clearly original nor forever, you don’t own it, it could disappear, and anyone can alter or change media (movies, shows, music) without explanation or detail… ie removing media like 30 Rock black face eps, or the Simpsons Michael Jackson ep after Finding Neverland, etc. The article did a lot to settle a philosophical conundrum I’ve been experiencing. And I remember Chip’s “You don’t own things, now you simply access everything”, but this article would sort of offer a blow to that in the sense that digital is quite nebulous about ownership and how long it exists, and how it exists. And they mention… passing down a digital library on a hard drive is nothing like giving a record collection to someone. I’ve actually been buying DVDs again as they’re cheap, and a lot of rare films don’t get the Criterion treatment, rights lapse, and a BUNCH of movies aren’t online, like Smokey and the Bandit, or Kids in the Hall Brain Candy. I also find it interesting that he thinks a CD resurgence will happen again, and I can kind of see it.
I’ll finish with this… Yes, I collect art. Art that I like, but I’ve an okay eye and the stuff is aesthetically pleasant but appreciates in equity. Like The Story of OJ, the appreciation is a nice treat. I usually buy little known artists, and surprise surprise, right? Well I started having that eye with comics, and rebought a bunch of old comics, sort of times it with the MCU and especially just before the Deadpool test footage leaked, and VOILA… these things appreciate CRAZILY. I am not speaking to my prowess, I am speaking to people’s desire for physical media. I think the most prudent example is my record collection…. where I am simply buying music I like. Even when I’ve overspent my person budget to secure something I love, I’ve seen 10 – 100x appreciation. I don’t get it…
But physical media is NOT DYING nor dead. People are desperate to connect, and it’s why someone will pay a flipper’s price, or buy a record when they don’t own a record player…. THIS IS 2016:
Over Half Of Vinyl Owners Don’t Listen To Their Records:
Sales of LPs have reached a twenty year high, but it’s not just about the music anymore. https://www.thefader.com/2016/04/15/over-half-of-vinyl-owners-dont-listen-to-their-records
I know some of you can’t comprehend, so here we go with further proof, it’s just some art or band fan related hobby:
To those who don’t own a record player, why do you collect vinyl? On RSD, I found myself standing in line with a couple of folks who didn’t own a turntable / had no immediate plans of getting one. Not that it’s a big deal, but it got me wondering: to those who don’t have a turntable, why do you buy vinyl? https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/23wf6z/to_those_who_dont_own_a_record_player_why_do_you/
Jokes:
https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/g63ca9/how_many_of_you_collect_records_but_dont_own_a/