I Think I Just Joined a Cult
June 6th, 2006 | by Scott |
In mid-2003, when I stopped living in denial and owned up to the fact that illegally downloading music was a sin, I signed up with Rhapsody. For 10 bucks a month, I was able to listen to all the music that I wanted to while at work. If I wanted a CD copy, I could burn whatever I wanted for .79 a tune or 8 bucks an album. When I bought my most recent MP3 player, I jumped up to the $15 plan where I had unlimited downloads to the player. Now, I had all the music I wanted, all the time, for just a few bucks a month.
But, that player died after just 6 months.
So, I decided to pony up to the plate, follow the teeming masses, and give Steve Jobs an even firmer grip on world domination.
Now, I’m not one of those guys who prefers PC’s over Mac’s. I really don’t care. But I have resisted IPOD’s until now. After doing a ton of extra mystery shops to pay for it, I splurged and got a 30GB Video Ipod (the black one).
First off, it’s uber-cool. I love it. It’s sleek and holds every single song ever recorded. I can download copies of The Office and other TV shows. I have videos and photos of the girls on there. I can create a folder for my Barry Manilow and Air Supply fix.
With that said, can I rant a little? Forgive me, in advance. (Tracy, I know, I sound angry. But, with all of the Apple execs reading this blog, it might do some good.)
Someone told me (you know who you are) that you had unlimited listening through ITunes. Guess what? You don’t. You see, the afore-mentioned Mr. Jobs believes that people would rather own music than rent it. Therefore, no subscription service. If you want to listen to a whole song? .99 cents. No streaming, no listening unless you give him a buck.
Great plan, Mr. Jobs. No one wants to “rent.” That’s why Blockbuster is bankrupt. The greatest part of Rhapsody was that I got to download countless tunes for only 15 bucks a month. I didn’t feel slighted or gypped. I felt like I was getting the best of both worlds.
Besides, I get sick of songs quickly. That’s why I have violent thoughts when I hear “You’re Beautiful” and “Bad Day.”
Is it really about owning or renting? Or is it about money? Is it about an obsession with overtaking Microsoft? The subscription model would cut into the bottom line, wouldn’t it? You can’t overpower Bill Gates if you sacrifice a few billion, can you?
And not only that, IPOD’s won’t work with Rhapsody, Yahoo, Napster or any other service. We can’t be vassals if we serve another king, right?
And what has your iTunes program done to my computer? It took me 3 days to figure out how to get my optical drives back.
I love my iPod. It’s obviously the creme de la creme of MP3 players. But creating millions of mindless automatons who pony up to iTunes because they know of no other option and are bound to you regardless is not the best way to bolster the corporate image.
But, really, it’s great. I just believe it could be better.