"I recommend that you refuse to buy as much as a guitar pick from any company currently owned by a private equity firm, or any financial entity that does not come from the music industry itself."
The problem is that any boycott initiative needs both a datasource and a UX that integrates into our buy habits. Something like a "PQ" - a parasitic quotient.
But that's about all he says, and it's coupled with this:
There are dozens of industries that have been locked up by a few players in this way
I can perhaps see boycotting working for musical instruments, at least in the short term. They're crafted items that are infrequently bought, heavily researched, can be sent direct from manufacturers, and have a talkative and reputation-based community. But that doesn't really address any of the countless sundry-supplying industries that have been dominated in the same way.
Now, maybe I'm just one of the "people [who] believe that ... there is no other game in town", but I don't see that "voting with your wallet" works well in general. Perhaps with some automation it could, but similar automation would also help people compare prices, which is the thing your average person will be interested in. And at any rate, he really needs to expand on how he thinks boycotting can be made to work this time.
but I don't see that "voting with your wallet" works well in general.
I agree. Would need to span all products - not just music - and mindlessly enhance my existing buying behavior. The problem is that boycott-able products are a small fraction of my total purchases. Could work, once I start buying everything with a smart phone. Then a plug-in, similar to those found on iPhone's Passbook, could pop up with a vendor rating. I would subscribe to such a service.
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"I recommend that you refuse to buy as much as a guitar pick from any company currently owned by a private equity firm, or any financial entity that does not come from the music industry itself."
The problem is that any boycott initiative needs both a datasource and a UX that integrates into our buy habits. Something like a "PQ" - a parasitic quotient.
But that's about all he says, and it's coupled with this:
I can perhaps see boycotting working for musical instruments, at least in the short term. They're crafted items that are infrequently bought, heavily researched, can be sent direct from manufacturers, and have a talkative and reputation-based community. But that doesn't really address any of the countless sundry-supplying industries that have been dominated in the same way.
Now, maybe I'm just one of the "people [who] believe that ... there is no other game in town", but I don't see that "voting with your wallet" works well in general. Perhaps with some automation it could, but similar automation would also help people compare prices, which is the thing your average person will be interested in. And at any rate, he really needs to expand on how he thinks boycotting can be made to work this time.
I agree. Would need to span all products - not just music - and mindlessly enhance my existing buying behavior. The problem is that boycott-able products are a small fraction of my total purchases. Could work, once I start buying everything with a smart phone. Then a plug-in, similar to those found on iPhone's Passbook, could pop up with a vendor rating. I would subscribe to such a service.
Until then, I’ll just boycott Guitar Center.