Un-Subscribing to the Ownership Theory

The iPod myth (ahead of the curve) has always been only half right. When I recently upgraded my portable device a few months back, I seriously considered iPod products for the very first time – and once again decided it was not a good idea for me. The restrictive and in many ways stodgy business model pissed me off. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Well it may finally be showing stress fractures.

Like the right to bear arms, the beauty of the divine right of music ownership is in the eyes of the beholder. The ownership of music long ago lost its appeal for me. I’ve owned too many 45’s, too many vinyl LP’s, too many cassette tapes, and too many CD’s to be much enamored by the ownership of music. I somehow missed the 8-track era, and was tempted. but consciously resisted the ‘digital’ cassette flame-out.

I just want access to music – and ideally – access to specific music, when and where I want it without a whole lotta hoops to jump through, and with at least a chance (i know, i know….) not to be slammed with obsolescence every 5 years. And I want the simplest exposure to new music at the same time.

For years Apple has snubbed it’s nose at anything smacking of subscription and open access, but finally there may be winds of change. The hope, of course, is that Apple decides to do this without moving closer to monopolizing the entire music output of the world.