Illegal Music Downloads (or Why Mike Patton Made Me A Criminal) (2130 hits)
Category: Computers & InternetLabels: Misc
Rating: 0.65 on 52 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by kaos-king (antius777) (View user info) at 2006-07-15 11:17:10 EDT
I have an addiction, and it's called Limewire.
Last night I was driving back from a friend's house and they randomly played "Last Cup Of Sorrow" by Faith No More on the college radio station. It hit me that I haven't listen to Mike Patton and crew since I had that stuff on cassette tape in the early 90's. I promptly downloaded over 25 songs by Faith No More, deliriously happy as I recalled almost every track from all their albums.
This was, of course, all free - totally illegal.
I haven't bought a CD in probably about a full year. Sometimes I feel bad about it, such as when I pirate an album from a new artist. I kinda dug that song by Gnarls Barkley, so I got the whole whole thing on Limewire. It's okay, and I'm glad I didn't pay 17 bucks for the CD because I would have been disappointed. When I realized I was lacking any representation of Freddie Mercury, though, I had no hesitation in stealing 32 Queen songs. I think every human being should own a copy of "Under Pressure."
Most of the time, the stuff I look for is pretty obscure and the local record store employees just stare at me when I ask them about an artist. Or they try to sell me the new fucking Nickleback CD. I had heard about VNV Nation for years, but never actually HEARD them. I wanted to check them out, so I downloaded a few tracks. Well, now I have 46 tracks and I tell everybody about them. Not that it matters, because you can't find their CD's in the states. Same with Tegan & Sara, who I've manage to track down over 30 songs from.
And then there's porn... but that's a different post.
The thing is, I don't use Limewire fairly. It's suppose to be about 'file trading,' and I don't do that. With the music industry throwing hussy fits and suing thirteen year olds who download Black Eyed Peas tunes, I just can't see the risk. I don't allow any of my files to be uploadable. I cancel anyone who is trying to upload a file that I'm in the process of downloading. I clear my history, both saved and incomplete, after every use.
Is it stealing? Sure it is. But most of the time I'm looking for music that either 1) I can't readily find at my local record outlet, or 2) I would just bum the CD off a friend of mine, toss it in the computer and hit "Save." Besides, maybe if the record industry of America would stop promoting the same 3 shit bands and allow some other music on the radio and *gasp* MTV, I wouldn't be so willing to steal it. Artists like The Appleseed Cast, Emilie Autumn, and God Module are probably just fucking happy people know who the hell they are.
What about you? How do you feel about stealing music off the internet?
User Reviews
Submitted by phuzzygish (user info) at 2006-07-19 09:15:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.gomusic.ru
Ten cents a song?
A dollar an album?
I'll pay it.
Submitted by DeathJester (user info) at 2006-07-17 13:56:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I download the music I find momentarily enjoyable, and I buy the music I genuinely appreciate.
I don't share because I treat Limewire as a cue-able radio station.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2006-07-17 11:51:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
wait....you can download music off the easternet?
Submitted by MichelleNJ (user info) at 2006-07-17 11:45:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
The last 2 CDs I bought were Red Hot Chili Peppers' greatest hit CD for the hubby since that's his favorite band, and Rob Zombie Past Present and Future because it has a dvd of some videos.
Mostly I download music because I can't see paying $18+ for a CD that I may not like. Also because I walk to and from work with my mp3 player and have to rotate that music out since it's only 256mb. I don't let anyone upload from me, and most of the songs I download I already have on a CD, either paid for or burned.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-07-17 11:37:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
You can download shitloads of free old music videos from shows like The Old Grey Whistle Test, Top of the Pops, Hullabaloo, Shindig, Where The Action Is, etc. on YouTube and I have been.
Love the old black and white "videos".
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-07-17 11:29:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Illegal music downloads should be legalized.
Submitted by sexualchocolate1984 (user info) at 2006-07-17 11:19:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn right, Fuck paying for CD's.
The music industry is fucked, I would happily pay a band / group / artist I liked direct for their CD's, but am I fuck going to pay the record label, and all the middlemen that take their jewish cut. Fuck them steal all the music you want.
If you want to steal music by the album (usually with cover images and everything) rather than track by track you should check out the bit torrent type systems. A lot safer and faster than limewire and other p2p stuff. Check out www.torrentz.com for the files and get azureus or bitcomet as a download client.
Steal away people, steal away!
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-07-17 11:13:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Sacrilicious covered everything I needed to say here.
I won't neg you just because you admitted to the Faith No More.
Now quit being a dick about filesharing.
Submitted by livEvil (user info) at 2006-07-17 10:55:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
you're 10 yrs late. join the club
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 09:39:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have had a think and I reckon Captain Jam-Lover is correct. Even the most talented and innovative artist is a whore begging for attention and praise. That most artist see financial reward as a method of quantifying the praise, and quite right they are too, then so be it.
Does this mean that all music, all art, is inherantly insincere and worthless? Maybe. I think I believe it. I'll leave the debate as to whether that statement true or not to the philosophers.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 09:11:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The same is true for musicians. The money just reveals them to be the frauds they are, just as I am a big fraud. I mean as soon as I can recruit my full requirement of 18 murder ho's then I'm out of here. A real musician and a real charachter would be motivated soley by the enjoyment of their activity.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 09:09:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nah but in all seriousness I guess the closest I could come to putting myself in your position is if I published a book of Berty's witticisms but people just downloaded the thing and sent it too one another. Sure I wouldn't make any money out of it but I'd win the admiration of hundreds of people. All for just doing something I love and an insecure lust for attention.
So, basically, I'm winning. But if I had lots of money then that would be no good. All I'd do is stop working and that'd mean I'd become lazy and then I would be too lazy to take care of myself or do things and I would just sit in one place and go stale. Nobody would love me and I'd just linger as a bloated, festering nothing untill I finally became a bloated, festering corpse.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 09:04:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Of course. All the best artists are mentally ill and have no real understanding of money or any real ability to think about things that aren't right in front of them. Try to picture Electro in a brothel trying to complete Minesweeper in 93 seconds.
He's focused and if you interuppted him and told him he was surrounded with pussy all he would do is cry and bang his head on the table until you let him get back to his game. That's the kind of commitment I want from my artists because quite frankly anyone less than that is just rubbish.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2006-07-17 08:58:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 08:48:03 (#)
Ranking: 2
Actually that is exactly what I am saying. If an artist is motivated by his art then he throws himself into his art. The art he produces will be special and of effort to be meaningful, at least to him.
If an artist is motivated by money then he is nothing more than a salesman selling trinkets. The most such a salesman can hope to create is a fad, thus providing a cash cow he can milk for years to come.
I'm no connosiur of music or nothing but all that marketeered stuff sounds rubbish.
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I agree that the motivation of meaning SHOULD be dominant in an artist's heart...yes, even moreso than money. And it would be nice to believe that if the heart is in the right place, that the money would follow suit...but let's face it, that's a pipe dream.
One simply cannot get by in this world today, at least in first world countries, without some degree of self-marketing. We all do this to an extent. Hence the reason for resumes, college essays, etc.
What do you think? Is it plausible for ANY artist to completely be self-reliant without marketing himself to some degree in today's world and not worry at all about the monetary aspect?
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 08:48:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Actually that is exactly what I am saying. If an artist is motivated by his art then he throws himself into his art. The art he produces will be special and of effort to be meaningful, at least to him.
If an artist is motivated by money then he is nothing more than a salesman selling trinkets. The most such a salesman can hope to create is a fad, thus providing a cash cow he can milk for years to come.
I'm no connosiur of music or nothing but all that marketeered stuff sounds rubbish.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2006-07-17 08:39:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 04:33:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
The integrity of a musician who concerns himself with fortune over people listening to his/her music is inherantly sketchy.
-------------------------
So, you're saying that musicians do not deserve to get paid for their livelihood? That they do not deserve to make a living for what they contribute to society?
That is an awfully shortsighted and stereotypical view of musicians.
If it was YOUR paycheck that was being stolen from, you'd scream bloody murder, wouldn't you?
We get paid for what we contribute to society, or at least, to our employers, who SHOULD in turn contribute to society. Why should musicians deserve to only reap 50% of what they sow compared to construction workers, info systems analysts, doctors, or any other profession?
It is precisely THIS kind of attitude that is indirectly responsible for the rising cost of music albums. Need to make more off of the 50% of albums that actually ARE sold to offset the 50% that is being downloaded and distributed illegally.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-17 04:33:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The integrity of a musician who concerns himself with fortune over people listening to his/her music is inherantly sketchy.
Submitted by Happily_Agnostic (user info) at 2006-07-17 04:19:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Download this Song
It's 2006, the consumer's still pissed
Won't take it anymore so I'm writing a list
Don't try to resist this paradigm shift
The music revolution cannot be dismissed
$18.98 Iggy pop CD
What if I can get it from my sister for free?
It's all about marketing Clive Davis see
If fans buy the shirt then they get the mp3
Music was a product now it is a service
Major record labels why are you trying to hurt us
Epic's up in my face like don't steal our songs Lars
While Sony sells the burners that are burning CD-R's
So Warner EMI hear me clearly
Universal music, update your circuitry
They sue little kids downloading hit songs
They think that makes sense
When they know that it's wrong
Hey Mr. Record man the joke's on you
Running your label like it was 1992
Hey Mr. record man your system can't compete
It's the new artist model file transfer complete
Download this song
Download this song
Download this song
Submitted by PerkMan (user info) at 2006-07-16 21:33:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I steal music. I used to care.
But now I really don't give a fuck.
Jesus didn't know what a computer was.......
Damn that's fucked eh?
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2006-07-16 21:17:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-07-16 18:57:04 (#)
Ranking: 0
Use it to find stuff you like, then go out and support those bands in some way. Go see a show and purchase the CD. It's worth it to have the full sound spectrum. If it's one of those classic albums and you love the whole thing, get the CD so you can pop it onto a nice stereo and fully enjoy it as it was MEANT to be enjoyed.
If you don't support the artists you love, you're only doing yourself a disservice.
----------------------
I fully agree and support this statement right here. As a musician, I most certainly do NOT want to go to the effort of spending countless hours on an album only to not have anyone buy it because they're too cheap of a pantywaste to shell out the $8-15 for a legit CD and would rather pirate. It's hard because there's a delicate balance in self-marketing...the balance between making songs freely available for evaluation and making a profit on those songs.
I fully blame the damn marketing industry and RIAA for the ridiculous cost of albums. Go support your favorite indie bands that sell their own products direct...and buy direct from major groups if possible. Avoid the middle man.
Submitted by Yams (user info) at 2006-07-16 20:06:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
See? Told you. Here, I forgot about this, +2 PIRATE!
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2006-07-16 20:01:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
4 months actually
Submitted by Wiggles (user info) at 2006-07-16 19:53:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2006-07-16 19:34:55 (#)
Ranking: 0
my mp3 library is 250 gigs
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That's fucking insane. I'm guessing it would take you at least three months of listening to music 24/7 to actually get through all of that.
Submitted by Wiggles (user info) at 2006-07-16 19:46:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I usually download albums via torrents and if I like the album enough and I want to hear it on a real CD, then I usually steal it from Wal-Mart which is something I've done at least fifty times. The only CDs I pay for are ones that have songs that I can't find by downloading or aren't in Wal-Mart's music selection.
The best part about stealing from Wal-Mart is that there is no guilt from harming such a giant, faceless corporation, and after you steal the CD, Wal-Mart still has to re-stock it so the artist is probably still getting paid.
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2006-07-16 19:34:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
my mp3 library is 250 gigs
Submitted by Yams (user info) at 2006-07-16 19:28:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
20 gigs and counting :P And I'm certain there are Uberusers who can best even that. Its not all downloaded, but it IS all pirated, save a select few albums I actually bought. I am a horrible person.
Submitted by electrictoothsyndrome (user info) at 2006-07-16 18:57:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Use it to find stuff you like, then go out and support those bands in some way. Go see a show and purchase the CD. It's worth it to have the full sound spectrum. If it's one of those classic albums and you love the whole thing, get the CD so you can pop it onto a nice stereo and fully enjoy it as it was MEANT to be enjoyed.
If you don't support the artists you love, you're only doing yourself a disservice.
Submitted by theadmiral (user info) at 2006-07-16 18:49:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Move to Canada, legal to download up here.
Submitted by sparkle_pink (user info) at 2006-07-16 02:40:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
As for me; I mostly listen to classical music. While I buy c.d.'s to support my fellow musician and music industry, I download lots of music too. I don't like downloading because it's not very relaible. Especially with classical music. People mess up labelling tracks and composers and pieces and performers and dates of the performances all the time, and all that information is very vital. In fact, it's quite rare to find a recording that has all this info.
What I do, I use the music library at my school. Take out a million c.d.'s and rip the music on to my computer. This way, I know exactly what I'm getting. If I do find a recording that I really like, I will go out and buy it. Not only to support me fellow musicians, etc etc, but to more so to add to my collection. I do download music though, for the purpose of expanding my musical horizons. Not all classical music is mislabelled. So I can get to know pieces better and stuff.
I can't even remember what I wrote in this review, or if it's going to make any sense. I'm sorry, I'm all high or whatever on sleeping drugs.
At this point I should be going to bed. Thinking about it, I don't even know if this review actually pertains to the post/question in the post at all. Was there a question?
Woe is me.
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2006-07-15 20:20:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I used to use limewire all the time. Now, I've started to realize how much better it feels to have the original cd in my hand, especially a classic like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. There's just something missing with downloaded music, whether I got it legally or not. However, I have little faith in the music industry and always use limewire first to check out a new artist because there's so much crap out there.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2006-07-15 19:09:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Record companies WANT us to steal from them! Why else would they charge 15 bucks for a shoddy CD that they spent thrupence making?
Oh, right, theyre evil souless hate-filled shambolic mockerys of human beings, I forgot.
Submitted by goferforhire (user info) at 2006-07-15 18:29:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
On the back of the only CD I own anymore, it says "If you like our music, share it with your friends."
Upon seeing this, I figure if any band (cough Metallica) is too prickheaded and greedy to let people spread their music around so that people can actually hear it, they don't care enough about the music to earn my money.
I'm all for piracy.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-07-15 18:27:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Axolotl... what the fuck!!!
How bored are YOU today???
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2006-07-15 17:43:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
stealing owns
my money is more important to me than the artists' money
Submitted by IntangibleHands (user info) at 2006-07-15 17:21:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 For piracy.
You may be interested in these links:
http://g2p.org/
http://lollimewire.ytmnd.com/
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2006-07-15 16:30:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
On one hand it makes ticket sale prices go up but other the other hand it saves you from buying an entire CD for one song. I guess in the end it equals out so, I'm all for it.
Have at it.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-07-15 16:20:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.Kaos.King.youaremyfriend.com
http://www.Kaos.King.youaremighty.com
http://www.Kaos.King.doyouhaveepilepsy.com
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-07-15 16:16:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.Kaos.King.justgotowned.com
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2006-07-15 15:58:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
you're a fucking shithead leech.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-07-15 15:46:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I don't trust Limewire enough to download porn from it.
Submitted by Electro (user info) at 2006-07-15 15:17:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Oh I got Limewire and Kazaa Lite to download music and games with. File sharing has been going on for years and the RIAA can't do a damn thing to stop it.
There is but one true way to stop file sharing: Shut down the internet.
There is no way in hell that will ever happen.
Submitted by DirtyDoubleEntendre (user info) at 2006-07-15 13:59:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I burn other people's CD's onto my computer...
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-07-15 13:59:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-07-15 13:41:07 (#)
Ranking: -2
Sacrilicious, you fucking rule all over my face...
=====
HOT HOT
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-07-15 13:41:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Sacrilicious, you fucking rule all over my face...
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-07-15 13:22:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
I strongly support file sharing.
And this will might be the only negative rating I ever give you, but as a proud pirate, I must treat you as I would anyone else who leeches off me and the people responsible for the programs that take the risks they do to facilitate.
My opinion is: if you are not willing to take the same risks others take to share, then you are not entitled to reap the benefits of peer-to-peer or bittorrent or the like.
I don't consider it immoral to fileshare. It's a glorious opportunity for all to expose themselves to bands they never would have known otherwise. I will forever continue to financially support the bands I enjoy through buying CDs and concert tickets, which I'd never have reason to purchase otherwise. In turn, I'll never be forced to pay for anything I don't have the chance to hear first.
When used fairly, these filesharing applications, whether p2p or bittorrent, are invaluable resources for lovers of music and visual art. The people who exploit them by taking without being willing to give back are a plague to us all.
A good source of information on the ongoing legal issues regarding digital freeedoms:
http://www.eff.org/
I <3 Kaos
I <3 pirates
I hate leeches, and they should -2 die
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-07-15 12:39:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Fucking Christ, this post sucks... I dunno why I posted it.
I was just excited to get Faith No More songs I guess.
boredboredboredbored
I wonder if the hot little hippy chick is home next door?
I'm kinda hungry but I don't feel like making anything.
Wow, I went through a carton of cigarettes in six days!
Today's Saturday, Right? Hmmm...
Caul's MySpace thingy on the uberboard is still making me laugh.
I should make an alter.
Yeah, this post sucks...
Submitted by mockidol (user info) at 2006-07-15 11:51:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
"If we don't catch you stealing, karma will." I'm not afraid of some stupid karma...
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2006-07-15 11:41:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I feel that limewire has more viruses on it than.........erm, i canthinfagod rison. sHitttykeyndst tht/ sry. damn whoit s adf.
My Keyboard is breaking <tok me along time to w3ier
Use somin sles. iusemule.
Submitted by Fungah (user info) at 2006-07-15 11:37:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
If you buy music you're a fucking idiot.
That's all there is to it.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2006-07-15 11:31:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I've seen Tegan and Sara CDs in the middle of Buttfuck, Indiana so they can't be that difficult to get hold of.
A lot of artists & record companies give away free (legal) tracks these days. You just have to know where to look. Try 3hive and epitonic if you can't be bothered to track down each individual site.
-2 for coming to the party six years late.
Submitted by ICO (user info) at 2006-07-15 11:27:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Quite an old subject, along with the obligatory old "The feds should be at your house within 13 minutes, best put on some pants"-joke.
*clears throat, turns on higher volume, and looks around for eaves-droppers*: I do not download music, it is against the law!
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2006-07-15 11:26:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't feel guilty at all. Either I download obscure songs or I already have the
CD but just want the song in my computer. I sneak in and out like a ninja
and don't allow anyone to copy from me.
200 CD's in my collection I might like one song on each. Which
means $15 for one or two songs? I think they got their money from me!