DEATH OF HARD COPY 2
I'm not into music very
much, outside of noticing it in movies. Oh, there is some I simply
adore. The Doors, The Who, Pink Floyd. Sex Pistols. That gal from
Eurythmics, Stevie Nicks. Strangely, the B-52's. Some I used to
like until I bought the CD and realized they really where One Hit
Wonders ( some of the 80's girl bands ). But I never really used
music to pass the time with, such as when exercising. And one day
when I read the theory that music actually changes brain function,
true or not I really laid off the stuff.
*
It wasn't something I
HAD to have, nor was willing to drop much cash on. As a result, I
only have paid slight attention to the industry. I know by the end
of the '80's if you didn't like Hair Metal or Rap you were out of
luck. And that recently pop music is a mirror of Hollywood, all the
same crap 99% of the time. So I cannot really comment on music as
entertainment except to wonder at its free price. There is software
to take a YouTube video and turn it into an MP3. Of course,
pirating. I just don't know how anyone stays in business that way (
is this why 70 year old guys are playing concerts? ).
*
You can pirate music
and movies. I watched “Platoon” when I was over in Korea, where
we could pay for a cable company to show 24/7 movies which I'm sure
were not legit ( the service fee was too low ). You can read pirated
books ( if everyone scans library or used books and exchanges files
). I just generally try to stay away from all that, not needing any
issues with Johnnie Law. Morally, I don't have issues.
*
I do think if you want
Good, you must pay. If you don't tip the waitress, sure, you'll get
service. But it is a crappy thing to do. If you are that poor, why
are you eating out? And you can JUST read free books, but if nobody
supports good authors you are only screwing yourself, because in the
end you get more crap and less Good. There is another problem I have
with Kindle, but I can't exactly blame anyone on that. Authors don't
have to put anything up on Unlimited if they don't want to. It IS
free advertising or course, but still a rigged system.
*
So, obviously, pirated
materials are all free. Just a bad idea. But if you are involved in
the legal marketplace, it seems that the only operating model is
undercutting the competition, wiping out mom and pops or
independents, then jacking up prices ( such as when e-books and paper
books are identical prices, or renting movies approaches the old DVD
new release price ). This pisses me off to no end. Without
competition the customer always loses, far offsetting whatever
initial price saving there was.
*
It is Wal-Mart versus
down town businesses all over again, but in the entertainment
industry. Sure, anyone can now print their own book, burn their own
CD or publish e-books at absolutely no cost. Good luck letting
people know what you have. Granted, that has always been an issue.
For a time, you could get great word of mouth ( until they started
censoring us off all of social media, for Wrong Think ). But as
always, the corporations closed the loopholes. And no, this is not
sour grapes from a writer.
*
I could get free
advertising from American Survival Guide, and Rawles, and it still
wouldn't make a difference. Because my stuff is self censored. Few
preppers want to hear what I have to say. They won't give up their
cars, their trophy wives, FLIR scopes or Red Dawn action figure PEZ
dispensers ( that one is for you, John
Wilder, you sexy bastard ). Not that you can't make a living
being an independent entertainer. You can. You just have to adjust
expectations down, then down a little more. Yes, Alex, I'll take
Independence over Wealth. I think it is a heck of a deal, myself.
*
This is the New Normal,
slash and burn agriculture applied to business. Kill off an industry
as you squeeze the last profit off of it. So, now is the right time,
perhaps the only time, to stock up on hard copy. Once the industry
is gutted, wounded, flopping around grasping for air, there won't be
anymore product available. I've just been bitching about new release
movies, but old movies are in worse danger. To keep their customers,
streaming services are showing all those free movies. Very soon,
good luck finding any old movie DVD's. They are everywhere now,
used, because no one wants to pay for them if they are free online.
*
If you want a copy of a
movie, you MUST resist the urge to save that dollar, and buy it now
while you can. Libraries have them, pawn shops, thrift stores. You
can go online here. You
can buy on E-Bay for even less if you buy bulk. This is a great
sell-off, and it will not be repeated. The DVD industry took a huge
hit after Netflix and it hasn't recovered. Will they even stay in
business? Will used bookstores?
*
I don't think they have
a bright future, not because the demand isn't there but because rents
are simply too high, with the banker controlled real estate market.
Get those cheap used books while you can. When there are clearances
of nickel or quarter paperbacks, buy in your genre. ALL books you
might one day read, if you have to, because that is all that is left,
even if you don't like it now. I'm serious. Books aren't given away
as they used to be but rather sold used on Amazon at high prices.
Even thrift stores keep them off the floor to make better profit.
*
Music CD's should be
about the same, a dying industry. The above link for movies also has
music. I'm not saying CD's, DVD's or paper books will disappear.
I'm saying soon they won't be cheap due to supply and demand. You
MUST hoard now! Amazon is NOT a very profitable company, outside its
cloud services ( subsidized by the Intelligence Services, as is
Microsoft and Facebook and such, I'm sure ). It is a stock inflation
pump and dump operation. How sad is it they can't make money, even
without store rent? That savings is all spent on break even prices
and subsidized shipping.
*
Amazon will not
survive. Netflix? The exact same thing. Stockholders are betting
on making up the loses on volume, which only worked for Ponzi and his
adherents. Both companies will probably fail, at least as currently
structured ( Amazon might survive as an online portal and guarantee
of contract for third party vendors, Netflix if they go to pay per
view ), in the upcoming stock market implosion. Most of the “profit”
is only inflated stock options for its top tier operators.
*
Once the big providers
of digital entertainment go bankrupt or stop providing subsidized
entertainment, and having already killed the video store, DVD sales,
quality books and profitable music careers, what are you going to be
looking at? Much higher cost alternatives. So have your really
cheap, as of now unwanted, hard copies. Get going. Now.
( .Y. )
( today's related Amazon link click here )
*
note: most zombie fiction gargles warm monkey semen. This one is awesome. Good enough to follow up on the authors other work. Today's KU pick HERE.
*
note: most zombie fiction gargles warm monkey semen. This one is awesome. Good enough to follow up on the authors other work. Today's KU pick HERE.
*
Please
support Bison by buying through the Amazon links here ( or from
http://bisonprepper.com/2.html
or www.bisonbulk.blogspot.com
). Or PayPal www.paypal.me/jimd303
***
Unless you are in extreme poverty, spend a buck a month here, by the
above donation methods ( I get 4% of the Amazon sale, so you need to
buy $25 worth for me to get my $1 ) or mail me some cash/check/money
order or buy a book ( web site for free books, Amazon to pay just as
a donation vehicle ).
*** My e-mail is:
jimd303@reagan.com My
address is: James M Dakin, 181 W Bullion Rd #12, Elko NV 89801-4184
***E-Mail me if you want your name added to the weekly e-newsletter
subscriber list.
***
Pay your author-no one works for free. I’m nice enough to publish
for barely above Mere Book Money, so do your part.*** junk
land under a grand
* Lord
Bison*
my
bio & biblio* my web site is www.bisonprepper.com
*** Wal-Mart
wheat***Amazon
Author Page
* By the by, all my writing is copyrighted. For the obtuse out there
* By the by, all my writing is copyrighted. For the obtuse out there
Think also of the movie theater business...my parents owned three of them since the early sixties. Fortunately they sold the last one, a Drive Inn in 2004.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to own one now.
You know I hate cars, but I do miss drive-ins. You felt safer, in a cocoon.
DeleteYou dodge bullets at the drive in now.
Delete2:48
Wouldn't that be the same area you dodge bullets in traffic or in your living room, though?
DeleteI have a friend who lived there. He told me that he lined the walls next to the floor of the bedroom of his second story apartment with ¼ inch steel plates. So if there was a gunfight in the 'hood he could roll out of bed on to the floor and be protected from ricochet projectiles.
DeleteCorrect. It's like zoo's,always in the best sections of town😊
DeleteThis sounds like a real estate investment opportunity for House Flippers.
DeleteI don't get why SA or Goodwill think books take up too much floor space. Most of the book shelf units are less than 12" deep and hold maybe 200 books per shelf unit (4 foot high 5 shelf units). I know for a fact that many people go to them specifically for inexpensive books, vs. paying 10 times as much as B&N and other retail book shops. My MO is shop the book shelf, then look at the clothing, lastly any sundries.
ReplyDeleteThey can charge $4 for a used book on Amazon. 1 cent plus $3.99 shipping ( and it is getting much harder to find the one penny books, so usually higher ). $2.50 actual postage. 25 cent plastic envelope, $1.25 profit. Minimum. On the shelf, what? Fifty cents?
DeleteOh shucks! Now that Lord Bison put the word out on hard copy, I have to put some elbows into little old lady's rib cages to muscle in on the pickings of books, dvds, cds, at used and resale outlets. Them old dames and boomer boys with pants pulled up too high best not get between me and some last century "classics", otherwise we're going to fist city in the parking lot over them treasures. This is serious warfare, and I shant be a civil and a docile shopper when it comes to stored and recorded quality art forms. This is akin to biblical warfare in my operational manual. Damn it! I gotta E-BAY sell some flir scopes to finance a library larder aquisition spree to load up on them -tainments for wintering over in the hermitage. Thanks any way Jim, you at least are spot on with the "Thruth".
ReplyDeleteStay frosty.
Screw them old geriatrics! They had a good life. Now they are just taking welfare away from illegal immigrants.
DeleteJust some noodles for thinking about for fellow Minionites. I had aquired a quite a few cds of classical music, (Euopean orchestras-they have higher standards) as well as old school country and folk music. They are quaint and antiquated by the "kids" listening interests, but are those easy listening types of music that is great for background business or group gathering events. (Not offensive, and easy listening) also most pre- digital 80s?, doctored music in most forms are actually artitiscly talent based creations, versus blaring, blasting and thumping "noises". Human ears of most know the difference, and will appreciate quality, over 'noise'. If you are putting it on for an event and have great music, it is like being a drummer in a rock band, a guaranteed getting laid inroad. Or a big thank you and acknowledgement from the clan, tribe, or community will go long for that Minion. Toss those in the basket as well when shoppering.
ReplyDeleteStay frosty.
Sorry, you lost me at "event" ( blech-crowds ) :D
DeleteFive dorky folks and two lesters that can pay their way in trade or bring food to a pot luck is an event post die off. If you have a 'solar babies' charged battery operated musical playback device and ingratiate yourself, well then, your 'in like flynn'. Don't discount the simplistic versus the uber Merica rock star version soon to expire versions. Again flush out that helmet of what you used to know of. It will be different, is that not what we refer to here. Keep it simple. And everyone is really only warned: once.
DeleteWheat gruel for potluck?
DeleteYes, add reconstituted freeze dried fruit or yak testicles and your entre' will win over Mable, the runt sister nobody claimed yet. She can at least clean fish, gut game, and is warm on the other side of yer bed. Think long game here Minions. Just saying.
DeleteStay frosty.
And Mable will be eternally grateful as long as you don't let her know she is a 3. Treat her like a, say, 6 or 7. Everyone wants to be needed. I'm grateful you all pretend to love my drivel.
DeleteMusic on vinyl has had a big resurgence in the last 5 to 10 years thanks to the young hipsters. The joke is that they think vinyl has a better "sound", oblivious to the fact that it was just better music. But vinyl is probably the best way to store music long term.
ReplyDeleteRecord stores are popping up all over and selling refurbished high-end turntables. I like the trend but haven't pulled the trigger yet on getting back into vinyl. Like a physical book, vinyl music will outlive anything digital.
I had a pretty decent vinyl collection, but like all the good stuff my dumbass gave away at the military ETD ( a complete set of survival books on microfiche with portable reader ), too expensive to replace. I like the "...it was just better music". Never thought of it that way.
DeleteO.k. so a master tape version that you, me, and Ross Perot knew of back in the day is different. Once a geezer "artist" sits again semi sober and dubbs up a copy for digital cd or online dissemination it is "different" than what your crisp 16 - 18 year old ears have experienced back when it was produced. There is loss of quality during reproduction. It is a fact that is wink and nod ignored. Cause = more money. First editions, not edited. Huh? Just saying.
Delete[ or was that "ETS"? ] Oh, yeah, all about the Benjamins. Asswhores.
DeleteDoes anyone know which form will last longer in terms of deterioration so that it is not usable: DVD vs Videocassette? I have 2 old VCRs and some videocassette tapes.
ReplyDeleteGood question I'd like to know also. Minions? Bueller?
DeleteThis has been my own personal experience, so YMMV. But I had VHS tapes that I recorded as far back as the 80’s, that work (or at least worked) up until very recently. The only real problem that I ever had with VHS was the occasional machine eating the tape. Now compare that to some DVDs that I recorded years later, that failed a few months later. On the other hand, I also had some of those 3.5” floppies (A guy that I used to work with had one of those, much to his fat, ugly, wife’s dismay :D ) fail on me as well. So maybe it isn’t necessarily that the magnetic medium is more hardy, but perhaps the quality of everything having gone down so much over the last few decades, and everything being produced in China with loose quality control?
DeleteBut do keep those VHS tapes in a cool place away from sunlight, and also away from anything that generates electromagnetic radiation (i.e. any electronic component) as well as anything magnetic. I just threw a whole bunch of those suckers away recently. I was going to ask you (Jim) if you wanted them, but figured that you wouldn’t.
As per the comment above regarding vinyl music. I once listened to an old cassette tape, years after CD’s replaced them. I couldn’t believe the noise and background hiss those suckers generate, that I didn’t notice back when that was all that you had.
Hard to believe that in the 80’s, my only entertainment was books, FM radio, and some tasty buds :D No computers, or the ability to look anything up online (Yes, I know that there was on some level, but I couldn’t afford to drop $2k on a 486 PC, and there was no internet, at least not in the form that we know it as now).
Tapes were good for me for 25 30 years and still played well. (They are celluiod and dry out and tear up) But. The compactness and ability to play dvds in computers/laptops as well, won out my storage decision. There has to be a compatability or practability qoutient to ones storage decisions. If you are already heavily invested or possessed them, hold it out, but for forward possessions I think one must choose a course with an eye on the future. Hard to say otherwise coming from a devout Luddite. I had 8mm 16mm reel to reel tapes, but W.T.F. We really can't hold the line forever against such an onerous onslaught of the tech army. Stay strong Minions.
DeleteYeah, I stay way behind the curve, changing tech. Pulled screaming reluctantly into Skynets future.
Delete3:45-yeah, pretty maxed out on room for the VHS collection to the point I had to be really picky with even the trash picked ones. Thanks though.
DeleteVHS tapes tapes can be supceptible to mildew. I don't know about DVDs.
DeleteProbably not if they are made in China-you don't see their baby formula ever going bad, do you?
DeleteA Fun Story:
ReplyDeleteI just completed ALEA JACTA EST by Marcus Richardson.
My highest recommendation. And it is free.
I couldn't get into it. But appreciated.
Deleteot:
ReplyDeletehttps://cleantechnica.com/2019/06/28/fracking-creates-a-glut-of-fossil-fuels-a-mountain-of-debt/
Meh! They are essentially saying that fracking loses money for investors ( great for the bankers, economy wide, and for you Happy Motorists ), but a much better way to lose their money is through solar and wind. Smells like a fed subsidy hack piece. But thanks for the link, anyway. I don't want to discourage sharing ( 'cause, caring ). :)
Delete