After Pandora, Last.fm joining axis of evil too?

Last.fm decided they don't want to stream their radio service for free anymore and next month to start charging money. How selfish! The exception to this are US, UK and Germany.  (http://blog.last.fm/2009/03/24/lastfm-radio-announcement).

I'm really trying to figure out if you're cynical or not.

When did music become worthless?

Bass said:

When did music become worthless?

When everyone started feeling it's their right to consume and distribute it for free.

Bass said:

When did music become worthless?

About the same time as the Pop Stars, Pop Idol, X-Factor, etc TV shows?

So I checked it out, and it seems we're talking about £1.50 per month here. That's less than 10 Israeli sheqels a month! That's less than a cup of coffee. And this will allow last.fm to keep going and allow me to listen to unlimited music, streamed via wifi to my Nokia E66 phone whereever I am? That's a goddamn BARGAIN.

What is this "outside of US"? 

Bas said:

Bass said:

*snip*

When everyone started feeling it's their right to consume and distribute it for free.

Looking at the comments on the blog, I don't think that charging is the problem. It's the fact that it's being given for free to 3 pretty rich countries. (hell, even the people living in the 'no charge' countries think it's unfair.)

Still, I think that may be down to the record companies.

Ray7 said:

Bas said:

*snip*

Looking at the comments on the blog, I don't think that charging is the problem. It's the fact that it's being given for free to 3 pretty rich countries. (hell, even the people living in the 'no charge' countries think it's unfair.)

Still, I think that may be down to the record companies.

Oh, I wasn't talking about Last.fm, I was responding to the "when did music (in general) become worthless" thing. I don't know, I think that when people start considering it their god-given right to consume stuff without giving anything in return, they've made it worthless.

Bas said:

Ray7 said:

*snip*

Oh, I wasn't talking about Last.fm, I was responding to the "when did music (in general) become worthless" thing. I don't know, I think that when people start considering it their god-given right to consume stuff without giving anything in return, they've made it worthless.

Are you music oppressor? Music wants to be free...

Bas said:

Ray7 said:

*snip*

Oh, I wasn't talking about Last.fm, I was responding to the "when did music (in general) become worthless" thing. I don't know, I think that when people start considering it their god-given right to consume stuff without giving anything in return, they've made it worthless.

I think people do what they've always done. Pay for what they like and casually consume the rest via radio. Last.fm just seized to be a radio, in any traditional sense of the word (digital or not), meaning it will no longer be a path of exploration for those not willing to pay to explore. There are enough other radios out there, real and digital. Last.fm is free to do as it pleases, consumers are free to uncheck their last.fm accounts (check). I'm looking forward to seeing how this gamble plays out. This is a major opportunity for anyone who wishes to take advantage of the badwill last.fm just sold themselves.

RoyalSchrubber said:

Bas said:

*snip*

Are you music oppressor? Music wants to be free...

@Yggdrasil: of course I was cynical - if every song I listened was 1 mb file then I've downloaded more than 13 gb of data off their servers - certainly this amount is worth something. I see why they did it, I don't blame them, but I understand it more like youtube - it wouldn't be what it is if it wasn't free - I don't want to fiddle with paypal, I just want to listen. It's not money, it's nuisance.  If I paid for any subscription then it would probably be zune pass - it costs more, but from what I hear it's better and they let you keep few songs - problem is it's not available outside US..

Are you music oppressor? Music wants to be free...

Yeah, no. Music doesn't "want" anything.

PaoloM said:

RoyalSchrubber said:

*snip*

Yeah, no. Music doesn't "want" anything.

music has feelings too, you insensitive clod...



@blowdart: to be honest i'm playing corona.. sarcasm detector broken today?

Bas said:

Ray7 said:

*snip*

Oh, I wasn't talking about Last.fm, I was responding to the "when did music (in general) become worthless" thing. I don't know, I think that when people start considering it their god-given right to consume stuff without giving anything in return, they've made it worthless.

Ah, fair enough.

PaoloM said:

RoyalSchrubber said:

*snip*

Yeah, no. Music doesn't "want" anything.

Quite true in any literal sense. The owners of the music may want it though (Creative Commons) - in which case it appears one will still have to pay-to-play this used-to-be free music. I really hope I'm wrong on this one.