Free Culture:

In this Mp3 / ipod / napster culture where massive quantities of recorded music can be automatically downloaded, copied, bit-torrented, ripped, and shared, and software like ableton, max, digital performer, etc.  can make someone with little or no rhythm or pitch ability a performer,  the efforts of those that perform music with their hands are cast in an entirely different context.  Musicians are expected to perform ‘for the love,’ or strictly as a hobby. This relegates the career to that of a hobbyist, ultimately degrading the quality. The bottom line: fans lose. Gillian Welch's brilliant and bittersweet anthem "Everything is Free" addresses Free Culture head-on.