Music downloading fueling apathy, Music is taken for granted Options

[*mipadi*]

An interesting article from ArsTechnica outlines a new report that suggests the easy availability of music is causing a general apathy towards music. From the report:

"The accessibility of music has meant that it is taken for granted and does not require a deep emotional commitment once associated with music appreciation," said music psychologist Adrian North.
…
"The degree of accessibility and choice has arguably led to a rather passive attitude towards music heard in everyday life. In short, our relationship to music in everyday life may well be complex and sophisticated, but it is not necessarily characterized by deep emotional investment."

More is available here: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060110-5941.html

What do you think—are consumers more apathetic towards music than they used to be?

[hi-C]

I blame recorded music as a whole. Why pay to go to a concert and develop that emotional attachment when you can put on your headphones or turn on the radio? There’s something about live music that doesn’t translate through recorded media.