TV will soon...DIE!

In listening to episode 7 of the Functional Nerds podcast (just to make sure I didn't blow it, I'm not THAT narcissistic) I had some additional thoughts on the impact of online video portals like Hulu, Youtube, and Netflix. Thinking about how TV will change, I posted a reply to the podcast (copied below). But if you haven't listended yet, go over to episode 7 first and give a listen:

I'm finding listening to myself on the 'cast as a very weird experience. I sound more intelligent and ridiculous then I expected, all at the same time.

In further thought on the subject of Hulu and Youtube, it seems that in the very near future we will see TV die as we know it. As convenient as Tivo and Cable/Satellite On Demand services are on the TV to many, I think the ability to merely choose and click (whenver you want, from a larger library) will win out. Meaning that Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and others will become portals into video-media worlds just like a channel is on TV to a series of programming. As fast as things are moving, I wonder if we'll use Tivo anymore in ten years.

All those built-in network cards to modern TV's will probably become more and more worth while as we turn to the net for our video entertainment. I only hope the great pipelines on the back-end can hold up under the onslaught.

Up until now I think the podcast has been PG rated at its worst, apparently my first appearance was a bad influence and the 'F' word was uttered with blatant Bob Saget vehemence. I thought I behaved myself, but apparently my sheer presence was enough to subvert...very weird.

Your thoughts?

Free e-Books = More Sales

I just read a synopsis for an intriguing book by Cory Doctorow called "Little Brother" with an even more fascinating opinion piece dissecting why offering a book for free online will help with physical book sales. Read the piece here: http://craphound.com/littlebrother/about/#comment-10831 . Below is my posted reply.

"Fascinating rationale with many valid points. One thing I would note though is that I presume your intent is not to encourage people to copy and pass the work off as their own. It is not mentioned, but probably should be as some people out of ignorance do not understand that despite having the ability to copy and then sell something does not make it appropriate or legal. Some recent examples I have seen were centered on art being taken from a website and then uploaded to one of those sites that sell t-shirts, coffee mugs, posters, etc. created from your uploads. This was done for profit and was thankfully caught by an observant fan of the artist's. The individual subsequently pulled it down.

In my travels to hopefully becoming a published author and trying to increase my visual art presence I certainly don't want to have to deal with something so low and underhanded as this.

Granted that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I would still not be flattered if someone outright stole my work. If they were a fan and loved it so much they made their own work after being inspired by mine that is entirely different and absolutely acceptable.

I certainly found this article intriguing and will ponder it for my own journey."

What are your thoughts on the piece? Too risky or is this the future?