Would we say the same thing about creators of other kinds of content, Flip? That they are at their best when they do stuff for free and even pay others to take it? While it is true that some bands you may not like get paid for performing, it is also likely true that many bands you adore get paid for performing. Why is it that we assume that an artwork or cultural enterprise is worthless if those making it want to recoup their costs?
Why is it that artists are supposed to provide art for free? entertainers to entertain for free? venue owners to pay out of pocket for everyone to come, for free, to have fun?
I think the original intent of SL's setup was visioned to serve a different type of entertainment: theme sims or games that professional developers were to set up. I say this because of the design of the land pass system and how it is not really geared toward the entertainment we have at present. We have four realistic options ahead of us, as we are at a critical juncture.
1. Advertisers step in and take over where DI left off to provide sponsorship to events venues. (As I have mentioned in the past, this is fairly difficult for venues to do, in my experience, unless one avoids all controversy (difficult in SL? Yes.))
2. Pay as You Play (events goers use box offices or donation boxes or whatnot to pay for the entertainment that they attend)
3. LL provides the entertainment for us
4. LL contracts out of world agencies to provide the entertainment for us (gaming companies, MTV, etc.)
I suppose what kind of world we see will be up to us. I've heard a lot of sentiment that was anti event producer (another poster called them Leeching event producers just for wanting to recoup their own costs).
I think loving what one does is essential, or one does not do it well. I think, also, that it is fair for one to be compensated for one's efforts, no matter what field one works in. The arguments many have made that event producers should be doing it out of pockets and for love alone seems to single them out and make them oddly immune from the standards we would impose elsewhere.
For example, I'm sure that the makers of whatever threads your avie is wearing right at the moment made those threads with care, with love. But you most likely paid for them too, and had no qualms about doing that.
Cheers, Everyone, and have a great weekend. Elex, and The Elbow Room, you will be missed. (OR, if it is true that it is back, better than ever, Welcome Back!)
