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| From | markeichelberger@comcast.net (Mark Eichelberger) |
| Subject | Re: The loss of music retailing |
| Date | Fri, 16 Dec 2005 17:49:50 +0000 |
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While I understand where Jim is coming from, I think I have to disagree.
I was first exposed to music via Top 40 radio, I had a vast array of record/CD strores from which I could browse and purchase music, and my parent's somewhat eclectic record collection, which included country, classical and pop, was a big influence on broadening my musical tastes. Since I am a member of this list, it should come as no surprise that I am passionate about music. However, both my sister and brother were exposed to the same factors I was, and they do not share my interest or passion in music. I've seen their CD collection. Trust me...it is quite lame.
So what is my point? Most people just do not share our enthusiasm for music. And most people will listen to a limited palate of music regardless of the amount of music delivery channels available to them..
To put it bluntly, we are freaks. We will go to any lengths to find and listen to music. And the kids who are passionate about music (the future freaks) will find the websites (Pitchfork, emusic, Itunes, etc.) and share the cool music with other like minded freaks.
Mark E.
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Jim Kosmicki" <jkosmicki@cccneb.edu>
> The retail world is changing. Just as the local diners are all replaced
> by chain restaurants and fast food outlets, the dedicated retailer is
> being replaced by the mega-retailer.
>
> For several semesters in my Freshman Comp class, I tried to have my
> students read the following Fufkin article
> http://www.fufkin.com/columns/bennett/bennett_05_03.htm as an example
> of cause-effect writing. It's a nicely written article, and a subject
> near and dear to my heart, obviously.
>
> But it never worked. The students had NO concept of a "record store."
> A place that only sells music? Huh? My older students could still
> remember record/CD stores and would wax nostalgic, but the 17-22 year
> olds had no concept. When those of us who remembered would talk about
> selection and clerks who knew the music they sold, they honestly didn't
> understand. They only know "clerks who might as well be selling shoes."
> They have been trained to want only one thing -- "low" price.
>
> Here in Central Nebraska, in a city of about 50,000, we haven't had a
> music only store for 4 years now. And we haven't had a good one in over
> 15 years. It's no wonder that my students only think of downloading the
> music (whether for free or through itunes); it's the only way they can
> get anything beyond whatever Hastings or Wal-mart decides to sell.
>
> With a few exceptions, music is not integrated into these kids' souls
> the way it was for my generation. Personal music players makes music an
> individual pursuit. We had to vote and decide what got listened to in
> the student lounge in high school, because everyone was listening to the
> same boombox. Today everyone listens to their own music player. And
> ironically enough, they are probably listening to a more uniform
> playlist -- in the student lounge in any given week, you'd hear Top 40,
> but you'd also hear country, some jazz from the band kids, some punk,
> some new-wave, etc. I still have a pretty eclectic set of listening
> preferences because I was exposed to so many different styles. Kids
> today, even though they have the potential to hear so much more,
> actually hear much less.
>
> I occasionally play some music as background in my classroom, and I take
> it upon myself to choose different materials to broaden their listening
> experience. To date, the band that has gotten the most positive response
> is Architecture in Helsinki. They aren't going to hear that on today's
> corporate radio -- but they liked it. A good record store playing that
> CD in the background would have a solid seller on their hands. How is
> that "word-of-ear" going to happen today?
>
> Anyway, end of rambling -- back to grading final papers.
>
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