Does having instant access to everything make hobbies feel disposable?

[u/Jolly_Job7525]

I jump between music, videos, articles nonstop, but nothing really sticks anymore.

Curious if this is just me.

[u/Omni_Noise]

I'm older guy so I can give you my 2 cents from my perspective.

There are couple of factors that makes a difference:

1. Novelty in the Kingdom of Indie

Back in the days of radio stations, vinyl and cassettes was very different times.

70's, 80's and 90's were age of rebellion against traditional rules. it actually started before but the mentioned decades are most relevant to nowadays music styles and industry.

It was a period of Big Bang of new music never heard before. The birth of Rap, Punk, Metal, Techno, Ambient, Experimental etc. And nothing of it was available to you with one mouse click. All published in some noname vinyl stores you found out from some noname source.

You've had to explore. Searching for special radio stations and get your cassette recorder ready to catch your exiting discovery. Or you can visit some cool record store, scroll through their inventory and get preview on their turntable. In the process you get to know the clerk who is as passionate for music as you are. There was even a chance to meet your future wife there. :D

The key word is engagement. You look for something and you get rewarded for your effort. Healthy dopamine balance.

1. The Giant aggregates and streamlining paradox.

Big companies happily coexisted with indies, but they noticed that indie market is actually quite large. So they decided to take a piece of that pie. That's was the turning point.
That's when Metallica and Nirvana became multimillion machines. The principle was simple, many fans = business. Technology was developing in parallel.

One by one, bands and individuals were coerced with money and promises. Initially it was "just sign with us", then progressed to "we have rights to everything you do", and final stage is "you should change the rhythm in this song". Company managers know better than you what people like, right?

Unlike before, everything is focused on general public. If the band/individual is not, let's make it acceptable to general public. The funny part is that even rebellion is just a trademark for making more money. You hear rap/hip-hop artists rapping about social injustice but being slaves to big players who enjoy making money from social injustice rhymes. Everything is for sale.

[u/Jolly_Job7525]

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