The significance of Napster

["Ben Seattle" <Left-Transparency@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Lou Paulsen:
> While we Marxists are sitting here, the masses
> (well, those with computers) are out there
> expropriating the record companies, looting them
> of their intellectual property.  It seems to me that
> this is an important development.  Isn't this an
> example of technological change provoking
> ideological change?  The cost of production of
> the data on a CD is now very near zero dollars.
> The masses have ceased to recognize it as a
> commodity. We are now in the age of SOCIALIZED
> MUSIC.  "From each according to her
> musical ability - to each according to her bandwidth."

> In all seriousness, I find it somehow very interesting
> and encouraging that the vast majority now
> completely rejects the validity of the concept of
> bourgeois property rights in intellectual property.

> Am I on to something, or is it just too late at night?

Yes, you are on to something :-)

Twenty million people, mostly students, have found that their
material interests are in opposition to the material interests of
the big music corporations--and are acting entirely
appropriately.  Despite arrogant lectures and scolding about
"stealing" young people have instinctively grasped that the music
should be theirs to do with what they will.

Whatever happens in the Napster trial it is clear that the
corporations will be forced to change their distribution model.
Currently if you like a single song you have to pay $15 for a CD
that is mostly full of filler.  The big music corporations will
probably move to an "all you can eat" subscription model (ie: for
$10 a month you can download whatever you want).  This (even if
it works and takes much of the steam out of the free-download
phenomena) would represent a huge retreat by these corporations.

And it is only the beginning.

Information wants to be free to serve the working class.  It is
true in realm of music and it will also prove to be true in the
realm of news.  Eventually the progressive movement will create
its own electronic news services and will appropriate snippets
from the bourgeois news streams to which will be added
appropriate commentary (similar in some ways to the description
José gave of how the Cuban government made use of US media
coverage of Elián González).

As the revolution in digital communications unfolds, decade after
decade, it will result in the working class becoming conscious
and will ultimately lead to the overthrow of bourgeois rule.

Information wants to be free
to serve the working class

Ben Seattle
----//-// 29.Jul.2000
www.Leninism.org
www.egroups.com/group/theorist/