Digital is the new analog

I know, I know, this sounds obvious, but I’m not so sure it is. I put this in the same category that I put recycling; everybody says they are into it, but when nobody is looking, they do what’s more convenient for them, throw all the trash in the same bin, or put their old Metallica CD in the stereo.

If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would be checking my Gmail and having a video phone conversation on my mobile phone while traveling 200 mph on a train, I would have told you that George Lucas called and wants his script back! Digital technology has opened an infinite amount of doors, but not everybody is taking advantage of this new life style.

I recently had a friend who purchased a 60G iPod, brought it home only to realize how much work it was going to be to load her CD library into iTunes, so she went back to the store and exchanged it for a handheld portable XM device. Universal Music Group, the biggest music label in the industry, parent to Geffen, Interscope, MCA, Def Jam and Motown to list a few, just entered litigation over its content being “illegally” posted on both MySpace and YouTube. Your music is being played on the hottest two pages on the net, with ZERO advertising costs, millions and millions of consumers are hearing your property, and you sue? Are you retarded? Any company in the world that has realized the digital movement would be jumping on this golden opportunity. I haven’t seen anything this dumb since the music industry brought down Napster.

I have only purchased one album in the past two years, but by downloading music for free, I still fully support the music industry. I have been to dozens of concerts, purchased promotional material such as t-shirts and DVD’s, recommended countless albums to the public, who then go out and buy the record, see the concert and start the cycle over and over again. The bigger and more important issue is that free downloads force artists to make a better product. When the market is flooded with any product, from cheese to sneakers, the result has to be a higher quality product.

The way to succeed in today’s digital world is to take advantage of all the tools, not fight them. Look at the amazing story of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, with no label to drag them down. Or the self-made album, self-booked tour, self-designed album and cover art of Freezepop. Or the multiple remixed and re-released Guero albums by Beck last year. These are all prime examples of looking at tomorrow, not fighting for the ways of last decade.

So…if you still use a paper calendar, listen to CD’s, pay your bills on paper in the mail, or have no idea what the past five paragraphs were about, seek help, because you, your business, your band, or really whatever it is that you do, will not go much further if you don’t adapt.

3 Responses to “Digital is The New Analog”

1. sue pellini Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 1:01 pm

   although i really don’t know all about this subject, really very little, i love reading anything you write, Ian, love you aunt sue and uncle henry

2. Kyle Oels Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 1:59 pm

   Ian,
   you are quickly becoming my source for all that is new and hip. your friend who returned her ipod may well have averted lifestyle disaster, because I now find myself frantically staying up nights organizing my itunes to the smallest incremental detail. its become kind of an addiction. you were accurate as always, great read!

3. Nick Sandoval Says:
   September 30th, 2006 at 2:29 pm

   Fabulous and relevant my friend.

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