We are all aware that we can manipulate statistics either for the positive or the negative of the particular subject in discussion.
We are also aware that the RIAA blames the decrease in sales of CD's to file sharing via the internet. So:
Dan Bricklin who made his fame as co-creator of VisiCalc, knows his way around statistics, and in his essay he generates a few of his own. After crunching RIAA sales figures and revenue generated for various music formats over the last several years, he concludes that, while unit sales numbers have indeed dropped, "revenue has not dropped as much because of an unprecedented 7% rise in prices." Using the RIAA's own reasoning'”that access to free music is killing sales'”Bricklin trots out another set of numbers suggesting that radio should be a much greater negative factor than online file trading. However, he points out that, in the end, finding and buying music is a complicated emotional process, and that the RIAA's statistics, reasoning, and actions may be making matters worse. |
They are trying to use legislation to hobble computing in general to get what they incorrectly think they need," says Bricklin. "This is wrong and shortsighted, and will result in many undesirable side effects. It is bad for them and it is bad for society."
I have an idea the RIAA would have none of this reasoning since they only proceed down one track and probably wonder "What's this guy smoking?
Who's right? Is there a right?
Source: Stereophile Magazine
