Music and the Internet

The Future of the RecordedMusic in the Digital Age

Part I The Social RamificationsPart II The Technical RamificationsPart III The Economic RamificationsPart IV The Political Ramifications

Submitted By:

Mike Haverhals, PrincipalHaves Engineering Consulting and Design56 S 2

nd

St.., Suite 306San Jose, CA 95113haves@pacbell.net

Submitted To:

Gary ClapperTechnology & Society2600 Camino RamonSan Ramon, CA 94583

Submittal Date:

July 7, 2003

Music and the Internet - 2003 Pg 2

Music and the InternetPart I - The Social Ramifications

Abstract

Music has always been an integral part of our culture. Unfortunately, those in control of itsdistribution have corrupted the means by which music has been available to the public over theyears. Now, with the developments of the information age, we have the ability to freelydistribute music across a public network without the restrictions of time or place. However, thisapproach is not without the risk of musical globalization that loses the cultural history associatedwith varying musical styles. And, there is also the possibility that providing a simplifieddistribution channel for any artist may result in the degradation of the overall quality of musicthat is accessible to the people. Still, with responsible use of this new system of musicdistribution, society will be able to enrich their lives both by being able to enjoy and learn from awider range of musical styles as well as exercising their choice of what music they ultimatelydesire to listen to.

Music and the Internet - 2003 Pg 3

Introduction

The modern American composer Aaron Copland once stated that “So long as the humanspirit thrives on the planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it and give itexpressive meaning.” We have seen this to be true throughout history. Whether it be theclassical music of past centuries, the rock and roll of this century, or the rapidly growingelectronic music that may define the next century, music has remained both a gauge by which tomeasure society as well as a driving force within it. The impact of music can be readily noticedin the aesthetic value that can be obtained from the simple beauty of a song, the cathartic releasethat music can provide on an emotional level, and even on a financial level as the recordingindustry has become a large business. Along with being a valuable part of one’s culture andhistory, music also has the ability to influence the future. The reproduction and distribution of sound has been a driving force behind everything from the first telephone, to the digital age of file sharing across public networks. While these applications of communication technology werenot solely developed so that a college student in Amsterdam can listen to a concert in SanFrancisco, the use of music will continue to not only effect our lives on an artistic level but willalso continue to shape the ever-increasing amount of technology that is beginning to define our generation.

Findings

Centuries ago there were two basic forms of music. One was the common song passedalong in the form of oral tradition amongst the common people. The second form was for theupper echelon of society where the rich would employ artists to create music for them. After allof these years, there has apparently been little shift from these origins. We still have the lower socioeconomic class of citizens that will perform on street corners or perhaps the local pub.