The “Radiohead Generation”! And according to a Nth-gen photocopy of the “lol downloading” trend piece in U.K.’s Telegraph, we now have a name and a belief system. Namely “that music is free”:
James, an 18-year-old studying in Sheffield, spends £30 a month on music but also uses Limewire, file-sharing software that gives users access to unlimited free — and illegal — downloads. He decided to pay 9p for his copy of In Rainbows.
“There is a generation growing up that believes music is free. All my friends are web-literate and regularly download music. They are unwilling to fork out what is generally considered to be an unreasonably high price for albums. However, they will buy an album if the band means a lot to them. Radiohead, on the other hand, simply do not need the money so I only gave them 9p. I haven’t lost any sleep over it yet.”
Charlotte, an 18-year-old A-level student from London, became a file-sharing addict when she discovered Limewire and downloaded more than 300 songs. She has now discovered Bitlord, which lets her download TV series and movies.
“You can set it up in the morning, come home from school and it’s done,” says Charlotte. “Everybody does it. I don’t think many people know it’s illegal. It’s not like you’re going into a shop and stealing something.”
Admittedly we’ve heard these same sentiments so many times over the last seven years, but until now they had been disconnected downloading loners across the world with nothing to bind them together aside from a certain lack of scruples. Now we, as a generation, have a symbol, something that we can unite behind. And that something is “Thom Yorke’s wonky eye”.
Well, Radiohead *is* responsible for generational anthems such as “Treefingers,” “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors,” and “Myxomatosis.” Virtually everyone from age 16-40 can recite lyrics and/or hum the memorable melodies from those chestnuts.
“BEHOLD THE ONLY THING GREATER THAN YOURSELF!”
(Except without the resonance and relevance and actual meaning of anything.)
This is why I hated college.
A bunch of self rightous teens who don’t value hardwork and think that just because it’s a a faceless crime it’s somehow morally ok. I know I’m old fashioned, but just because someone has more money then you doesn’t mean you disrespect the work and effort they put into applying their craft.
Bet you were real fun at college though
Stealing music is pretty much the equivalent of giving the finger to the bands you profess to love.
Lots of time and effort go into the recording of quality music. If you are against the big labels, fine, steal the song, but send the band a gift card for groceries or something. Doesn’t that seem fair?