Conversely, although a publisher (Or author, but they are not usually so profit minded) may not be seeing the quick buck when it comes to Libraries, and the loss of revenue associated with them, they are much more likely to make more money in the long run due to them. Book publishing has taken quite a hit in the last hundred or so years. Although literacy figures are incredible compared to what they were, and the modern economy permits many small luxuries to the common man; media other than print bombard the average person every day. Technology, be it the advent of radio, television, internet, or the motion picture, has afforded all people to a choice in entertainment; and we have travelled far from the days of people camping out in New York Harbor awaiting the arrival of the next chapter or a serial-printed Dickens novel. Now, publishers are delighted to see people going into libraries, as those people are readying themselves to be consumers of the printed medium. Chances are, they will buy books as well.
You could argue that the same effect would take place in all other media, and that file sharing will only grow the awareness of other media. The only difference is-- those media are in fashion. If movies went out of style in light of the advent of a new competing medium, they will be giving away plenty of free samples as well-- anything to get you back on the junk. It is the same reason that you can go on the internet and download free mp3s of all the garage bands you care to ever hear; but, if you want the new Justin Timberlake single, you better pony up some cash.
Besides, I would just like to say, and I don't think this idea is terribly controversial-- Literacy is good.
S-Town
P.S. GK, I am sorry for all of this jacking of your thread. I promise that any further discussion on this matter, or anything not pertaining to SeeMoreBuds will be put on another forum.
P.P.S. If you are reading this, have you commented on the YouTube SeeMoreBuds trailer yet?? Go NOW!