One interesting story is Peloton's decision to go to a subscription model for both the classes AND the bikes. With the ability to cancel at anytime. Therefore the hurdle to adoption is lowered significantly. Felice was interested in a Peloton treadmill, but the cost was prohibitive. (Never mind that you can't watch TV on the screen if you choose not go to to a class. Give people options, they don't want to be locked in.) But I haven't read that the treadmill has gone on subscription too. But this speaks to music subscriptions. They represent 83% of US revenues, up from 82.8% the year before. But all the news has been about the increase in CD and vinyl sales. But streaming subscriptions represent $9.5bn in revenue, whereas physical only represent $1.6bn. Revenues increased across the board, and the physical piece of the pie actually shrunk. But don't let a good headline get in the way of the facts, which you can read here: bit.ly/36eQF3j As for the oldsters complaining they like to own something, they are further and further behind in the rearview mirror. Today's generations don't want to own anything, they want it all on demand, with improvements in delivery along the way.
And then there's Margaret Sullivan's article about fake fact checks in the "Washington Post." Sullivan is the authority re the analysis of the news business, both the papers and the reporting. However, she is too invested in maintaining the established local newspapers. To speak like the street, their heads up their rear ends, if you're not willing to think with a blank slate, you're doomed. Which brings me to the article about Axios. Which is now going into the local news business. We need local news reporting, but the key is to come up with another way of delivering it.
Anyway, Sullivan's article is not behind a paywall and you should read it, at least part of it:
"Russia's new control tactic is the one Hannah Arendt warned us about 50 years ago - Fake fact-checks, designed to sow confusion, are Putin's latest trick for undermining faith in media — and the truth": wapo.st/3J7fVa2
Let me quote the beginning, which is the essence:
"You don't need belief. All you need is confusion.
That's how authoritarian leaders manage to control the populace, the great German political philosopher Hannah Arendt once explained.
'If everybody always lies to you, the consequence is not that you believe the lies, but rather that nobody believes anything any longer,' she said in an interview nearly five decades ago.
When that happens, people lose the capacity not only to act but even to think and judge. 'And with such a people,' she concluded grimly, 'you can then do what you please.'"
This is a huge problem not only in Russia, but around the world, especially the United States. This is what the concept of alternative facts has delivered.
But it's the next article that inspired me to write:
"Businesses Assail Texas Move to Classify Care for Trans Teens as 'Child Abuse' - A new ad signed by dozens of big companies warns, 'Discrimination is bad for business.'": nyti.ms/3MHZwuS
Now this is where the music business, the artists themselves, can have an effect.
Like I said last night, unfortunately it's the corporations that are leading when it comes to societal issues. But this is a natural for artists. Who can't hide under the umbrella of their labels. Artists are individuals, independent contractors, they don't get benefits like health insurance, therefore they are singular, which is part of their appeal.
And music appeals to outcasts. That's its true power. The ability to speak to the disenfranchised, those misunderstood and derided, oftentimes without friends. Those who don't live in the metropolis, and feel alone. When an artist speaks their truth it gives them power, to be themselves and soldier on. Nothing has the power of music in this sphere, NOTHING!
Not to mention that so many musicians fall under the heading of LGBTQ. Some out, some not. But there is strength in numbers, and if all the musicians came out against the new anti-LGBTQ laws in Texas and Florida...
Remember when gay marriage was inconceivable? Even the legalization of marijuana? Right has traditionally triumphed in America, it's just a matter of time. But now in so many ways our country is going backward. Catholic countries like Colombia are liberalizing abortion laws and in the U.S. we're shrinking them. At some point you have to make a stand for rights or you're in jeopardy of losing them.
I cannot see why a statement can't be made by artists re these heinous new laws. And in truth, you start with headliners and then everybody else wants to come on board for fear of being left out. Elton John, Brandi Carlile. They commit, and you'll be stunned who lines up behind them. And it's got to be from every walk of music. Women and LGBTQ members have been stifled, made to be in the closet, in country music forever. Once you shine light on a subject, change can happen.
Even better, get the major labels and the big streaming outlets like Spotify to pay for ads featuring signees. Both in print and on TV, online too. Facebook, Instagram, etc. Hell, have Facebook donate the ad space. All these outlets have philanthropic programs, why can't the people they make their money from utilize them and benefit the population at large.
Do you know any trans people? I do. One person who was tortured, was on the verge of suicide living as a man. Look past the canards like bathroom utilization, these are just diversions put up to take the focus off the aggrieved.
Everybody's got a gay relative. If you don't think so, that's because they're in the closet.
This is a no-brainer.
Furthermore, additional action can be taken. Acts can refuse to tour in Texas and Florida. Hell, the superstars don't need to go there, they've got more demand than they can fulfill.
We've got to push back.
This is where artists can lead.
And they should. Right away. Time is of the essence.
And one thing is for sure, musicians can spread the word better than politicians. They make a statement and it's EVERYWHERE! That's one of music's powers, it's time to employ it.
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