As I'm reading this thread, I'm listening to a song by an US unsigned band, recommended to me by an online German friend, and downloaded (legally) from their Last.fm page. Last week, I got talking with the record shop clerk, who handed me a demo of his greek goth band, as well as a link to their MySpace page to leave feedback.
For all the damage the Net and downloads may or may not to to industry profits, it also allows for users to become familiar with music they wouldn't otherwise, and up and coming bands to promote their music.
The reason music has gotten crappier is the the record industry, and today's consumerist, apathetic, superficial society. The Web is part of this society, no doubt, but it's not the source of the problem.
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