[bilbobaggins]

Originally Posted by PeeWeeGee

Indeed - and I like the way you presented this. It begins to account for ALL of the market dynamics. If we could just drill down to the specifics, I think this would turn from a "problem-oriented" discussion to a "solution-oriented" think tank. IMO, that is something the RIAA hasn't even STARTED until now.

True true true.....If I had more time I'd do it. I still think the correlation between gigs and recorded sales is probably the fairest....but taking all those factors I mention into account doesn't seem too unrealistic to benchmark against either.

Originally Posted by PeeWeeGee

Again, you've pointed out an interest dynamic. Clearly, there is an increased market penetration. Folks are finding "their" bands more accessible. But it doesn't necessarily mean that revenue would be equally proportionate.

True again, but it's probably about as accurate a benchmark as can possibly be placed on it.
Look up "piracy" on wikipedia......there's many sources bandied about there. Some say that piracy has negligible effect on revenues (tho this is about as bullshit of a paper I've ever seen- it correlates what's popular on the pirate bay to whats popular on the charts, and concludes that YES piracy has no effect on sales because what's popular on the pirate bay is popular in the charts also??????????????????????????????????????)

Another bullshit source states that the industry is losing $13 billion to piracy???????????????????????????????????????????????????

So your guess is as good as mine.......somewhere between the two of them I reckon!

Originally Posted by PeeWeeGee

See above note. But, again, I am choosing my words carefully. PERCEPTIONS can be altered. You can't promote lunacy like Cribs, "Bling", and a parade of haute coutoure then cry broke.

True again......although the pirate bay and their ilk will latch onto anything put forward by any sane pro-copyrighter in order to flame their own fire.
People need to be aware of this group-think/us vs them/cognitive dissonance/confirmation bias that exists within the pro-piracy groups.

[confirmation bias is the choosing of one of two conflicting emotions...in the case of piracy, it's way easier to choose elation "I got this album for free" over guilt "i Just stole this, I feel bad"]

Originally Posted by PeeWeeGee

The old formula still persists: Garbage In = Garbage Out.

I just wonder why there's so much garbage going in? the labels are scared and they're reacting the only way they know how "we need a hit dammit"

I'm very interested in this notion that piracy will favor the pop-puppet over the most creative of artists. I hope I'll be proven wrong, but I've yet to see any evidence that I will.......you're right that indie artists need little in the way of development, but they still need money to allow them to focus on their art so as they can focus less on their careers in telesales!

Originally Posted by PeeWeeGee

But, I don't feel the same about the majority of other gimmicky artists that saturate the market.

Perhaps you could entertain the notion I put forth above......x-factor, pop-puppets, perfume endorsements are all by-products of an age in which art is undervalued?

Originally Posted by PeeWeeGee

I totally track what you're saying. But this is like reading back Mein Kampf and using it as an overlay to the general public. These are a zealous group of folks who, due to their beliefs, propagate illegal activities. Right now, there is a WEAK counterpoint coming from the RIAA and SAG - and even fewer "solutions" to address the problem.

I dunno about weak, I'd say more cautious.....I think they're trying to rid themselves of the very "shoot from the hip" emotional response that you oppose. (which you rightfully pointed out has backfired in the past)