The Enigmatic Amish

Hi, my name is John and this post (the Beginning 3.0) finally marks the true beginning point in the life of this blog.  From here on I intend to follow the theme of this blog, namely, the music ecosystem.  This ecosystem (and my concerns) will be mainly about music and its related technology (including gadgets, websites, services, and start up companies) and related legal matters (including court cases, legislature, and general developments and opinions among the field).   I must admit, however, that there will be the occasional post that may be a bit unrelated but I may be simply too worked up to ignore writing about!  On the whole, this will be a hub for music and the fields of interest close to my heart which surround it.  However, the intent of this blog is far from the typical music blog which simply chronicles new music and the lives of musicians.  Not that there is anything wrong with those blogs, I simply purport to be something different.  Instead, this blog seeks to examine the development of music in our modern culture.  This can take the form of a new band or a new release or an especially good concert.  But more often than not this will also be in the form of a new start up website that affects the flow and distribution of music or a new piece of legislation or new court rulings that affect the ecosystem that is our current and ever evolving music scene.

My personal purpose in writing such a blog is two fold.

First, it creates an avenue for me to write and to continue my skills in an area which I have little other outlet for at this point in my life.

Second, and more importantly, it allows me an outlet for all of the information and news which I build up in my head from roaming blogs, new sites, product pages, band websites, and the general internet, reading about music, tech, and law.  I hope for it to also create a base for discussion and to generate conversations with those out there who share interests similar to my own.  Welcome all!

I do not purport to be an expert in any of these fields.  Although I plan on going to law school and to focus my field in intellectual property, particularly relating to technology and music, I am not there yet.  I am but a fan and a user.  I am addicted to music, particularly new music, and to new technology and new web start ups especially and, lastly, to following the laws relating to technology and music and to new nuances and twists, turns, and changes that affect the above and our daily lives.  It is to these aims that this blog will strive.

To start things off here are some links, which I intend to explore in greater length soon, which may provide a smattering of thinsg to come.  Enjoy!

First up, although fairly widely known already, is Apple’s unveiling of the new, improved, really sweet-looking iPod Nano.  I think I’m getting the green one…

Next, is Pandora, my favorite, if rather embattled, online streaming radio. I will be posting more on this fantastic company and its unique idea for recommending music but it is enough to say now that if you have not tried this awesome station you should now. Right now.

Lastly, an article from Ars Technica about a new development in the ongoing saga of the RIAA and Ray Beckerman.  I will certainly be writing more about the RIAA and Beckerman but this is the most recent news in this aspect of the music industry and the eternal war over copyrights and the entire industries direction.

That’s enough for this first post.  Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more and please bear with me as I launch out on this brand new endeavor.

-John