Research Journal Assignment #2

#2A: Has the development of digital music formats helped or hurt the music industry; specifically the recording artists.

#2B: I am interested in researching a topic that seems to have many contrasting points of view among the music community: whether or not digital music formats have hurt or helped the industry. As a former music major, focusing on the recording arts, and having worked in the music industry as a director of radio promotion at Warner Brothers Records and as a manager for a music software company this topic has come up in conversation many times. I would enjoy researching this topic properly so the next time it comes up I will have a more informed reply!

As I mentioned earlier, I already have a background in the music industry. I also have several family members that currently work in the industry as well, including one who works for the iTunes store. I am quite familiar with the general pros and cons surrounding digital music formats. For instance, MP3s have made aquiring music extremely easy; both legally and illegally. While illegal downloads hurt the industry they may also help unknown artists get their name out and build a fan base.

I am hoping that this research project will help me understand the intricacies of this issue so that I can argue my point more effectively. Although I know that easily downloadable mp3s can help "underground" artists break through make themselves known I am curious to find out the statistics showing how this activity affects record sales and/or ticket sales. Some artists, such as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, have actually posted free, downloadable albums on their own websites. It would be interesting to find out how that benefits them. Perhaps it doesn't?

There are so many facets to this issue and I suppose what I am hoping to gain from this project is a better understanding of what they are and how they affect the artists as well as the industry as a whole.

#2C: http://delicious.com/chrisgoodwin

Research Journal Assignment #1: Areas of Academic Interest

*industrial design: which frame building material is the best: steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber.

*has the development of compressed, digital music helped or hurt recording artists