by Annette
12. March 2007
Last week I wrote about the Democracy of Genius, how technology has created a world where anybody can share and sell their creative wares. This new democracy is especially felt in the music industry which has been a traditional stronghold of bureaucracy and hierarchy. To record and sell your music, you had to convince an agent you were talented. Then the agent had to convince the label you were talented. Next it was the label's job to convince the public.
Now it’s direct to the public we go. This story of collapsing the hierarchy is from University Week at the University of Washington.
A University of Washington staff member, George Michael, has been a musician all his life 'playing in every kind of band imaginable'. Now 55, broad exposure had always eluded him. Enter Second Life. On-line here, Michael fills clubs to hear his singing and guitar playing. His avatar is LyndonHeart and his popularity has earned him cold hard cash. Check out the full profile.
Now the power of talent doesn't need to be sifted, spinned or sliced and diced. It can head straight to the market - even if it's a virtual one.
