Self-Production

The idea that the growth of the Internet and related technologies has provided a new platform for the public to "self-produce", raises some questions for me. First of all, i find it makes sense that with the accessibility and versatility of the Internet, it holds as many self-productions as it does. In this society we seem to have some sort of bond with the "family home video" and the Internet and vehicles such as You-Tube take that relationship further than the family living room. Secondly we also seem to have an idea that due to the huge turn over of stars and celebrities we will all get our 15 minuets of fame at some stage of our life. I guess the Internet and self-production allows for this too. So, with our passion for the home video, combined with our desire to make the most of our 'promised' 15minuets of fame, alongside our human nature to mimic and copy people we look up to (celebrities), the complexity of self-produce media texts is to be expected. The net just provides the media savvy-public with a new realm for self-expression.

But what i wonder about the down loading and sharing, and re-mixing of music through the net is how much of an impact this really has on music labels? To what extent can the free trade of music on the net have a negative impact on these record labels? I think that quality V's Quantity is one issue. The quality of allot of the self-produced media on the net is 'rubbish'/ leaves alto to be desired, but then on the other hand there is some truly interesting, creative perspectives and comments circuiting through the net commenting on a wide range of social issues, and things gems of pure entertainment......these i find hold a far more valuable 'quality' stamp than what established media producing companies are distributing. (But I'm meant to be talking about the impact of down loading music is having on the music industry) with the current ever increasing use of the Internet for down loading music, does it really have the potential to send these corporations into losing money? I have no idea of the true extent of the power of the Internet, but if the direction of music down loading is leading music corporations to a down fall, how long will this take, and what is the future of popular music and the stars and celebrities that strive for fame and money? Will there soon be no more Britneys, Justins, Jacksons, Eminems?????? Does the public really have the power to bring down these music corporations, or are we just a little money leek that will continue to drip as we can't be bothered to go down to the CD store and pay $30 pinga for "their new album"????? Sorry for so many questions and very little answers :(