Hvorfor du skal ikke stjæle

I feel it is my duty as an mp3 blogger to inform interested Portlanders of this upcoming opportunity. It is a lecture on, to use the politically correct term, file sharing. This is the notice I got in the mail:

On Thursday [March 13] a presentation will be given to help students understand and deal with issues surrounding File Sharing of music, movies and software. This informative and interactive session will cover the truth about file sharing and its potential consequences. In addition, [PSU’s] Student Legal Services will describe the services and options available to you, if you are accused. The talk will be given by Saori Clark, Interim Assistant Dean of Students; Lissa Kaufman, Student Legal and Mediation Services; and Craig Schiller, Chief Information Security Officer.

When: 3/13
Time: 1:00-2:00
Where: Smith Memorial Student Union room 236, Portland State University

This event is sponsored by Portland State University, hence the references to students. I would assume, however, that non-students are welcome, too. Room 236 is not incredibly huge, so try to arrive on time, or at least early.

I would like to take this opportunity, also, to remind readers (especially readers who may be working as spies for the RIAA) that all mp3s offered through this blog are completely legal and supported by either the artist or the issuing label.

I will not tell you not to download things. I will never tell you things like that. You make your own choices. However. Please remember that while it is true that the illegal sharing of files hurts the industry far more than it hurts the musicians involved, it is still not something to be condoned, and you should strive to support those whose music you enjoy, whether by purchasing merchandise and/or physical albums or by attending their shows. If you are particularly well-off, you should do both.

There are many, many ways to legally listen to music without paying for it -- in addition to the free downloads on many band and label sites, there are more and more streaming services online every day. Plus this really old thing called radio. And if you really like something, I should think you’d be willing to pay a few bucks for it. I mean, you buy your cigarettes or whatever, don’t you?

Finally, remember, the mp3 is a low-quality, lossy format. I don’t actually know what the term lossy means, but whatever. Vinyl sounds better.