As an observer of the "Copyright Wars" and the "download generation", I find it amazing that the studios have not bent to the inevitable and looked at ways to profit from the many methods that people like to consume their content. Many consumers pirate the content because it is easier and faster than trying to get it through legal means.
Too many of the studios are invested in maintaining the complex web of agreements that tie content in specific geographic zones to specific distributors. This may have been valid in the days when content was distributed on physical media (Movies on film, DVDs, VCR, etc) but the Internet has now made this method of distribution irrelevant.
This applies to the whole range of content from books, movies, games, TV and music. iTunes (and its competitors) showed that it is possible for music and media to be distributed easily and at a profit from a web site. Distributors should be looking at ways of acting as a web interface for content makers. For many bands, getting their content out there is more important in getting themselves recognised than making a profit in their early days, so having a distributor handle the marketing and distribution side of things makes it easier for them to concentrate on the hard part of making their content desirable.
Unfortunately too many of our media companies are run by old men who think an ipod is one of those funny illegal music machines and that video streaming is what happens when you play a movie at the cinema. Once these dinosaurs get out of the way we may see some changes.
Update****
Since this article was published, Netflix, Stan and various other streaming services have taken off.
These are great for those of us who prefer to binge watch episodes rather than allocating a specific time each week for the next episode. It also makes it easier for those of us that prefer our home theatre when viewing movies.
Tuesday 27 January 2015
Tony the clown is taking the attention from his other failings.
Tony has finally managed to exceed the laughter limit.
Mr Abbott, with his recent unilateral decision to knight Prince Phillip, has managed to make it impossible for anyone to take him or his government seriously. Unfortunately we still have ~ 18 months of this lunacy before we can finally get rid of the doddery old fools in the Liberal Party.
However for all his faults as a leader, you cannot deny that Tony Abbott is very skilled at the political game and knows how to tweak the public image to look as though he is actually doing something. Pity that all his posturing is leading to many defeats for his policy changes. It is also a shame that Libs persist in thinking that financial prosperity comes from the top down. The reality is that it gets tied up at the top end of town and the average person sees little of it. Better to give a small amount to a wider range of people, resulting in more people being able to spread the wealth. A good place to start is by looking at charging tax rates on family trusts that match with personal income rates. Also to look at some of the superannuation benefits. The problem is that the Libs have this image of the "Dole Bludger", a guy who does not work, has a house full of kids and spends more time dealing drugs and committing burglaries than looking for work. Reality is that there is no such thing as a generic person on the unemployment benefit and the majority would prefer to be working if they could.
Mind you the reason Labor haven't been in the news is because they are keeping their heads low and madly currying favour with the independents. The moment that Tony announces the election, I foresee much jockeying within the Labor ranks to ensure that the appropriate people are sitting on the appropriate seats in the new government. Until the Labor party can convince everyone that they are not just a front for the Trade Unions, then they will continue their slide into irrelevance.
I'm thinking that the next election will be fought on the principles of local issues first and there will be a number of independents that make up the next government. Whilst this may sound like wishful thinking, with today's technology it is much easier to run a successful campaign without having to have the large budget.
Addendum: This post was written before Malcolm Turnbull's successful spill, and many of the issues have been overrun by recent events. I suspect that the Section 44 Dual citizenship issue may have a bearing, but more than that, will be the low wage growth and increasing pressure on those that form the engine room of the economy, the middle income wage-earner.
Mr Abbott, with his recent unilateral decision to knight Prince Phillip, has managed to make it impossible for anyone to take him or his government seriously. Unfortunately we still have ~ 18 months of this lunacy before we can finally get rid of the doddery old fools in the Liberal Party.
However for all his faults as a leader, you cannot deny that Tony Abbott is very skilled at the political game and knows how to tweak the public image to look as though he is actually doing something. Pity that all his posturing is leading to many defeats for his policy changes. It is also a shame that Libs persist in thinking that financial prosperity comes from the top down. The reality is that it gets tied up at the top end of town and the average person sees little of it. Better to give a small amount to a wider range of people, resulting in more people being able to spread the wealth. A good place to start is by looking at charging tax rates on family trusts that match with personal income rates. Also to look at some of the superannuation benefits. The problem is that the Libs have this image of the "Dole Bludger", a guy who does not work, has a house full of kids and spends more time dealing drugs and committing burglaries than looking for work. Reality is that there is no such thing as a generic person on the unemployment benefit and the majority would prefer to be working if they could.
Mind you the reason Labor haven't been in the news is because they are keeping their heads low and madly currying favour with the independents. The moment that Tony announces the election, I foresee much jockeying within the Labor ranks to ensure that the appropriate people are sitting on the appropriate seats in the new government. Until the Labor party can convince everyone that they are not just a front for the Trade Unions, then they will continue their slide into irrelevance.
I'm thinking that the next election will be fought on the principles of local issues first and there will be a number of independents that make up the next government. Whilst this may sound like wishful thinking, with today's technology it is much easier to run a successful campaign without having to have the large budget.
Addendum: This post was written before Malcolm Turnbull's successful spill, and many of the issues have been overrun by recent events. I suspect that the Section 44 Dual citizenship issue may have a bearing, but more than that, will be the low wage growth and increasing pressure on those that form the engine room of the economy, the middle income wage-earner.
Thursday 1 January 2015
The recent siege at lindt cafe
Let me first say that this was a terrible incident and that I am in full sympathy with the victims and their families. I hope that they receive the support and care that they require to get over this horrible incident, and can get back to their lives. I particularly feel for the young family of Katrina Dawson who was simply buying a coffee when she was caught up in this. The young manager of the store did what any young male brought up in our society would feel was his duty and tried to disarm the offender, dying in the process.
However, and here is the point where I probably will get slammed, the media in this case has been deplorable, particularly some of the tabloids, by implying that the actions of 1 crazed nutter is representative of all members of his religion. To draw an analogy, this is the same as implying all male Catholics are paedophiles simply because some Catholic priests could not control their urges.
Whilst I understand that in today's 24 hour news cycle that any news is fodder for the media, I feel that the unnecessary focus on religion causes conflict where there doesn't need to be. Most members of all the world's religions believe in getting on with their neighbours in the interests of a harmonious society. The extremists though, make for better news and therefore get much more coverage.
Because we, as a society, tend to be more interested if there is conflict, the news organisations are going to pursue that angle every time. Maybe we all need to start saying to the media,"We don't need to you to find a particular "slant" to this story as we will make our own conclusions. Treat us as adults and give us facts, not your opinions"
However, and here is the point where I probably will get slammed, the media in this case has been deplorable, particularly some of the tabloids, by implying that the actions of 1 crazed nutter is representative of all members of his religion. To draw an analogy, this is the same as implying all male Catholics are paedophiles simply because some Catholic priests could not control their urges.
Whilst I understand that in today's 24 hour news cycle that any news is fodder for the media, I feel that the unnecessary focus on religion causes conflict where there doesn't need to be. Most members of all the world's religions believe in getting on with their neighbours in the interests of a harmonious society. The extremists though, make for better news and therefore get much more coverage.
Because we, as a society, tend to be more interested if there is conflict, the news organisations are going to pursue that angle every time. Maybe we all need to start saying to the media,"We don't need to you to find a particular "slant" to this story as we will make our own conclusions. Treat us as adults and give us facts, not your opinions"
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