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Why Boing Boing can no longer just be trusted…

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Cory Doctorow has this thing about any kind of DRM, and okay - that's his thing and I'm cool with it. It's all about choice, right? But Cory also likes the bully pulpit and can, in my opinion, stretch the truth a bit to fit his theories. A good example is the 21-song iPod, an amazing piece of FUD. If Boing Boing allowed for commentary, it'll be hammered right now.

Cory Doctorow is pushing the idea (founded by the tragically hip types at Downhill Battle) that the average iPod is a gaping hole filled with 21 paid songs and god knows what else. Could it be non-drm'd content, illegally gained? Could it be...SATAN's iPod?

Duh - try CDs.

imageThis is why I don't trust Cory Doctorow anymore - he completely ignores the obvious, that people are buying CDs again because of iTunes and the iPod...I mean, not a WORD about CDs. There were stats bandied about years ago, showing an uptick in CD sales, and while I can't prove it (or find a decent link right now) I do know from personal experience that I bought more CDs in the 2 years I've had an iPod than I have in the past 10 years. All kinds of content - some private lables, some mainstream, some regional, and more of the stuff I just love.

This is what chafes my botox'd-buttocks - Doctorow should know better. He's no idiot - in fact, I'd say he's insanely bright, but its infuriating to read crap like this on his blog AND then have no recourse to comment there. Enter the bully pulpit - "blogs are great! CC everything! And by the way, only my opinions count here." He help promotes this fabrication - this distortion of reality - syndicates it and then waits for others to pick it up. And via propagation, it becomes factual.

Well it's not. It's not even his lie - but he pushes it just like the local dealer, pushing anti-corporation, anti-drm FUD to a confused public.

Ultimately, Downhill Battle - which promotes its indie agenda, let's be fair here - is to blame. The chart above belongs to it, but its appropo since Cory's ignored the obvious facts, pushed the lie and taken their side.

Dude, if you want indie music, buy indie music - don't buy Brit or Boyzone or whatever. But don't call all iPod users thieves or ignoramuses or whatever point you're alluding to. It's insulting to our intelligence.
Posted by Admin on 06/15 at 03:27 PM
Posted in: Personal   • Comments (2) • Permalink

  1. You’re SO right. The original text was totally idiotic.

    Other than buying CDs at least I have also been able to enjoy my previously bought CDs much much more than ever before with my iPod.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  06/30  at  02:48 PM

  2. Enjoy your CDs and really, drop a note to BB if you can. I remember just staring at the screen, thinking - wait a second. What am I missing here? Why is he making this inane argument?

    All I could come up with is that he’s been blind-sighted by his DRM views.

    I certainly can’t do much on this blog to annoy Boing Boing - I’m not on any radar; in fact, I wonder why I even keep this place running because it’s so damn quiet.

    Still, more needs to be done to keep those with power from abusing that power. I personally dislike DRM but I also know that some form of DRM is necessary.

    For me, the big issue is where ownership of DRM’d files come into play and how large companies can change the terms of service on items you already own. “WHAT kind of DRM” or “WHY DRM” questions only serve to cloud the issue.

    And I don’t want Doctorow speaking for me, thankyouverymuch!

    Posted by Admin  on  07/01  at  12:17 AM

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