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Comment by jmtulloss | Hacker News Reader

The article's not entirely without merit. It's true that new business models will pop up, but will they be as profitable as the current one? Considering the democratizing effect of the internet, I doubt it.

The same thing is happening with the music industry. Just because the record labels see a clear pattern towards electronic consumption doesn't mean that clinging to the old model as long as possible isn't the most profitable strategy.

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I actually liked the article overall, and did vote it up. It was just that end that left a bad taste in my mouth...

They may not be as profitable for each individual company, but the pie is growing overall. More people than ever before are able to practice music as a profession. Consumer choice has never been greater.

If that comes at the expense of the big four, you'll have to forgive my lack of tears.

I agree entirely, I just understand why the established players act the way they do.

I get it, I just feel that it's incredibly shortsighted. I'd like to think that if I were a label, I'd be trying to figure out how to survive in this new world rather than trying to just grab as much money as possible before dying in a firey crash.

Then again, I'm a quite different person than record label executives, so I shouldn't expect they'd think anything like me on the issue...

I'm willing to be good money that they know exactly what they're going to do in the future. They also know that it's less profitable, so they'll resist as long as possible.

Sure, it's not going to be as profitable. So what? As long as there is profit to be made someone will step up to the plate.

The existing players rarely try to innovate within their own field. As you say, someone will step up to the plate, which will allow existing players to buy the new guys or compete with them in the new field.

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