According to the Department of Labor, there are 45% fewer working musicians now than there were ten years ago. I think I need to sit down.
The Trichordist starts off their article with an extremely solid lead, saying "The numbers are simple and staggering.
The internet has not empowered musicians, it has exploited them." There's a pretty huge misconception that the Internet empowers, but beyond these numbers I don't think it does. This study only looks at 2002 and 2012, not the years inbetween. So maybe there was a rise between then and now, with the fall being in more recent years. That's something I can get behind. Think about it- the Internet comes along and there's this friggin' huge spike. It sticks around for a while an then everyone gets discouraged and calls it a day. Makes sense, right? Or at least that's how I'm interpreting this study.
I mean really, with the massive dilution of music since the ability to share files and ideas like we can now, it only makes sense that thousands cried "fuck it" is some point or another. What's your take on the situation though? Why are people throwing in the towel?
[Thanks Jay Ruston]
