23 Comments

I'm working with a new game in town, that will pay its content creators for the majority of what they create, VEO, http://www.veoworld.org/. It won't stop misinformation disseminators like Rogan. But will give the actual content creators more money for their work, like musicians.

A good portion of the world encourages bad actors like Rogan right now so not sure what we can do except not listen to that shit. I don't subscribe to Spotify.

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I will spread the word, dear Kris. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I've already forwarded the link to other creatives.

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Thanks so much. Its still in beta but looking for more content creators to test it out. I just opened my account and posted some stuff.

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I've always despised Spotify for its egregiously exploitative business model. I've never paid them a dime and never will. Then again, I get my music from Apple Music, which isn't appreciably better, but at least isn't so nakedly exploitative. It's hard to feel good about listening to music these days and knowing that the artists behind it are getting hosed.

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As a writer/musician, you must REALLY hate them.

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As a musician, I'm a dabbler, not a pro, but I do have a friend who is an amazingly talented professional who scrapes by. Spotify is but one reason, but he works his tail off for table scraps while the suits in corner offices laugh all the way to the bank. It's frustrating to watch what he has to go through just to get by.

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Yes, I have a front row seat to that show, too. As you might imagine.

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There’s another fair streaming device that’s getting bigger in Europe, and spreading to the US: Resonate. Www.Resonate.is. It’s owned by members -both listeners and musicians. Glad there are companies doing the right thing!

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This is REALLY good to know! Thank you for sharing that, Ron. I'm going to investigate.

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Thank you for clarifying the JR issue and outing the rest of Spotify's greedy, lowlife practices. Being informed is good even though I don't use the service!

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Right? I don't use Spotify either, but these are things we all need to know.

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I go back and forth on Rogan. Sometimes he's entertaining and on, sometimes not so much. But two things: one, the media has to eventually figure out why someone like that is able to garner more trust; and two, he's nevertheless not my go-to when I want good information on Covid science. No pushback on your argument against Spotify. If not for my daughters I would cancel my account. But overall, your arguments are reasonable and the piece is well-written and well-argued.

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I have this same argument in my head. Why can't actors just stay in their lane? Or should they?

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In my opinion, Joe Rogan is indeed a Festering Boil waiting to be lanced. Back to you, Spotify: are you evil, or not?

Dump Rogaine if you want to retain your monopoly on the music business, or it's Out! Out, Damned Spotify!

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ONLY YOU! A Shakespeare reference and a clever play on words! You're my shero, Caroline.

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The Scottish play is my favorite tragedy: Witches and a Bad, Bad Lady..... <3

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Damnit.

I'm a Spotify premium user, and have been pretty happy with the service (on a purely personal level.) This Rogan bullshit has me very upset, and now it is compounded with the corporate practices above (several of which are in addition to what I already knew.) For the time being, this will have to be filed under "why aren't you a vegetarian?"

-- Why aren't you a vegetarian?

-- Because I'm a bad person and fuck you.

I've just gone through the trauma of transferring my entire library from my 12+ year old Kindle DX to my new Oasis. (By a rough, but reasonable estimate, I had more books on that DX than in the 55 1.5 cu ft boxes stored in the pole barn.) I'm not ready for another such shock to the system. But at least you mentioned other services.

However, it does invite* the question: where/how are *THESE* services getting their music?

*Note I did not say "begs" the question. This is one of those constantly misused phrases that really annoy me. To beg the/a question is to engage in circular reasoning.

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I've decided that none of this applies to you, Gares, because you do enough good in this world just by existing. Keep your Spotify, my friend. You deserve all the music!

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"do enough good in this world just by existing" -- On this I choose to remain dubious.

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I am confused. It’s ok for you to state your opinions and talk to or about anyone or anything but not anyone else?

Wow! A slight aside, but so impressed with your stated credentials. But that’s OK. You are entitled to write and talk, regardless of your expertise, bias or validity of your position. And I am entitled to read or not read, listen or not listen to you. That is what freedom of speech is about. But am getting that you are looking for protection from your big daddy/mama in socialist garb using fascist tactics. Wow!

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Perhaps you'd like to elaborate? I'm not sure I follow your train of thought here.

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