The RIAA Took My Music Away
So the protest was incredible!! We handed out TONS of flyers and I got to really talk to a few people. I was really fortunate to have a knowledge in all sorts of random kinds of music, because it allowed me to seriously connect with people I talked to so they knew how it would affect them. For example, this is how a conversation with this one sweet african american woman who appeared to be in her mid to late fourties went:
Sweet woman: What does "The RIAA took my music away" mean?
Me: Well maam, there's this thing called Digital Rights Management that the RIAA and major record companies that could prevent you from being able to play the CDs you buy.
Sweet woman: REALLY?
Me: Yes maam. Let me ask you something. Who is your most favorite band/musical artist right now?
Sweet woman: Well I dunno, I like a lot of gospel music.
*this is the part where I'm glad I interned for Brentwood Benson Music Publishing for a full year*
Me: Oh so you like, say, Fred Hammond, by any chance?
Sweet woman: I LOVE FRED HAMMOND! YOU LIKE HIM TOO!?!
Me: Yeah he's pretty good. Now maam, do you own an ipod?
Sweet Woman: Yeah, I love it!
Me: Ok, so picture not being able to put the new Fred Hammond CD you just bought at Virgin Megastore on your ipod.
Sweet Woman: NO WAY!
Me: Yes....way.
Sweet Woman: Oh my!!!!!
But yeah, her and I talked a little bit more. I explained to her how important it is for consumers to be aware of what's going on with this kinda stuff. We talked about how crazy it is for the RIAA to be suing people.
The conversation ended with me asking, "Don't you think it's reasonable to be able to listen to music wherever and whenever you want?" and she said "Well yes. Yes of course." I just looked at her, smiled, and said, "Yeah, so do we."
After the protest I went out to Pizzaria Uno with some of the NYU Free Culture kids. REALLY cool kids. The president is going to the Fischerspooner show so I'll know at least one person there (score one for me!). They wanna get together with us BelYorkers before we peace out and see what everyone else is all about as well. That would be awesome, I think.
Also, here's proof I was involved.
Hung out with Harrington at Brazil Grill after that. That guy is so cool. I'm glad they decided to have him up here again for Belmont East.
But yeah, that was my fantastical night.
True.
Sweet woman: What does "The RIAA took my music away" mean?
Me: Well maam, there's this thing called Digital Rights Management that the RIAA and major record companies that could prevent you from being able to play the CDs you buy.
Sweet woman: REALLY?
Me: Yes maam. Let me ask you something. Who is your most favorite band/musical artist right now?
Sweet woman: Well I dunno, I like a lot of gospel music.
*this is the part where I'm glad I interned for Brentwood Benson Music Publishing for a full year*
Me: Oh so you like, say, Fred Hammond, by any chance?
Sweet woman: I LOVE FRED HAMMOND! YOU LIKE HIM TOO!?!
Me: Yeah he's pretty good. Now maam, do you own an ipod?
Sweet Woman: Yeah, I love it!
Me: Ok, so picture not being able to put the new Fred Hammond CD you just bought at Virgin Megastore on your ipod.
Sweet Woman: NO WAY!
Me: Yes....way.
Sweet Woman: Oh my!!!!!
But yeah, her and I talked a little bit more. I explained to her how important it is for consumers to be aware of what's going on with this kinda stuff. We talked about how crazy it is for the RIAA to be suing people.
The conversation ended with me asking, "Don't you think it's reasonable to be able to listen to music wherever and whenever you want?" and she said "Well yes. Yes of course." I just looked at her, smiled, and said, "Yeah, so do we."
After the protest I went out to Pizzaria Uno with some of the NYU Free Culture kids. REALLY cool kids. The president is going to the Fischerspooner show so I'll know at least one person there (score one for me!). They wanna get together with us BelYorkers before we peace out and see what everyone else is all about as well. That would be awesome, I think.
Also, here's proof I was involved.
Hung out with Harrington at Brazil Grill after that. That guy is so cool. I'm glad they decided to have him up here again for Belmont East.
But yeah, that was my fantastical night.
True.