Internet radio silence.

by Rabbit

It’s interesting, to finally be affected by something. I live in a mode and place that shelters me from a lot of what goes on in politics. I don’t own a gun, I don’t do crazy things with my money, I don’t own a business, I don’t interact with other countries. Oh yeah, I’m white and a native US citizen, too. I suppose that helps.

But today is different. Granted, it’s not really a political movement that’s affecting me, but it does the music industry, who undoubtedly lobby congress for certain changes. So in a way it’s still a political issue. Anywho…

Today, all internet radio stations participating are silent. (Or close to it… the only station I’ve tried, Groove Salad, is looping a stream briefly detailing what’s going on.) This affects me.

If you regularly listen to internet radio, it affects you. Granted, it may only affect you for one day, but it’s a demonstration of what could become.

Now, that’s not the really interesting part. What IS interesting is the following scenario:

Copyright Royalty Board institutes higher royalties for songs played. Internet radio stations shut down. People get upset and band together. Band of upset people realize, after being beaten and thrown in jail, they no longer have the right to get upset and band together.

If the scenario sounds unfinished or lacking, then you’re not paying attention to what’s going on in the US government.

Boiled frog, anyone?