Suggestions for speech topic?

[wdinc01]

I'm taking a speech class and have a speech coming up. It's an informative speech, and I plan on doing it on the different kinds of music formats there have been until now.

However, at the end of the semester I need to write a persuasive speech relating to the informative one. So really, I'm setting up/giving background information for my persuasive speech. I also want to get an idea on how to write this speech.

I was thinking about arguing how record companies need to shift how they do business because of how popular MP3s and digital music has become, but I'm not really sure where to go with that.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

[MakiSupaStar]

Increased distribution with decreased manufacturing.

[jive1]

I did an imformative/expository speech in college on how Scooby Doo and Shaggy smoked weed. I got an A-.

[Phalex]

Piracy!

[wdinc01]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Increased distribution with decreased manufacturing.

That would be a good point, or maybe subpoint, but I didn't even consider that.

I don't even necessarily want to say that it should go to all digital. I'm just trying to figure out how to suggest that major labels change their practices, and from what to what. I have a general idea, but no thesis

[Deluge Of Sound]

You have to ask yourself why record labels exist, and what purposes they served then that they're not serving now.

[MakiSupaStar]

Look at how the digital music file as medium has helped jambands like Phish, and to some extent the model that was laid in place by the Grateful Dead and open taping policies. It was a genius word of mouth free marketting mechanism that has exploded with the advent of digital files.

Some bands are now going as far as releasing the actual tracks for people to remix in their own way. Like Lego sets. Beck.

Other bands have released albums for free as a download. Radiohead.

Major labels often shy away from these practices, and have adopted a cease and desist control of distribution involving lawsuits and threats of lawsuits. Perhaps explore how these are successful for larger DIY operations (Phish), as opposed to the traditional distribution methods of major labels.

[hbarcat]

Good stuff from Maki.


Also music companies might consider "value added" content to be released with albums - content that can't be digitally copied that makes it more likely that fans will shell out money for the real thing rather than pirate download.

[bmc]

Congress recently voted down a bill (yesterday) to stop giving tax breaks to US companies shipping jobs offshore. Explain the impact on musical instrument manufacturers in the States and how those jobs will never return. The USA has lost its dominance of this market with incentives to shut down plants and move them abroad.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2821013620100928

[wdinc01]

BMC, I'm looking at music formats (CDs, MP3s, vinyl records, etc). I appreciate the link though.

I have a pretty good idea where I'll be heading with this. However, I'm having a bit of a hard time finding sources. I can only use one internet source, so I need to find books (that I can actually access easily and not have to buy off Amazon), newspaper articles, journals, etc. that explains how vinyls, MP3s, and CDs work and when they first came about.

So if anyone has a reputable website or journal that explains this (not Wikipedia, sadly), that would be much appreciated.

[Chebass88]

Originally Posted by wdinc01

BMC, I'm looking at music formats (CDs, MP3s, vinyl records, etc). I appreciate the link though.

I have a pretty good idea where I'll be heading with this. However, I'm having a bit of a hard time finding sources. I can only use one internet source, so I need to find books (that I can actually access easily and not have to buy off Amazon), newspaper articles, journals, etc. that explains how vinyls, MP3s, and CDs work and when they first came about.

So if anyone has a reputable website or journal that explains this (not Wikipedia, sadly), that would be much appreciated.

As a college student, you have access to your school's library, and likely to their electronic journal submissions. A half hour on Web of Science should give you 2GB worth of articles on this and related topics.

[wdinc01]

I know. The problem with using the online databases is really knowing which database to use. Its very daunting. I was just hoping for some suggestions on places to start at.

[Chebass88]

Web of Science - it will pull up most journals. It works for me.

Actually, the way I typically start my searches is to search in google / wikipedia and then use the references I find there to begin & expand from there. It usually works. Plus, google is much more user friendly.

[wdinc01]

Agreed. That's where I usually start. Wikipedia has been a little less helpful for this assignment, but I'll give it a second look.