week 7 - can popular music be a genuine force for political change?

There are several examples over the years of how music and people involved in music have tried to use music to change world politics. Band aid and live aid are two of the most famous examples of music being involved in an attempt to change world politics. However, it still didnt change the world, and the way it ran, and people are still starving in the third world. However, it helped the third worlds cause, and helped bring attention to what is going on in poorer countries. This for me magnifys the fact that music cannot be a genuine force for political change. Live aid got one of the highest viewing figures for television in history, and billions watched it worldwide, yet it didnt fix the problem. I think this is evidence enough that yes, music can have a say in politics, but it cant actually change politics.

week 6 - Is DRM (data rights management) the best way to save the music industry?

In 1999 Shawn Fanning and two friends created download website Napster. This meant that people could access and own music for free without having to go out and buy a single. It was suggested it was going to be the death of the music industry as nobody would buy music from now on. DRM was introduced in an attempt to minimize illegal downloading and boost record sales. However, figures show that downlloads havent actually affected record sales, and in some cases have even helped them out because it has allowed audiences to preview the music, as in the case of radiohead in America. Despite DRM, dozens of download sites still exist, and almost any song is freely available to anyone. Therefor, I would confidently say that DRM reduces illegal downloading, but doesnt stop it completely. It cant save the industry, as there are loads of ways around it, but I dont think the industry is in need of saving anway.