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Title: Freeloading

Subtitle: How Our Insatiable Hunger for Free Content Starves Creativity

Author: Chris Ruen

Narrator: Chris Ruen

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-29-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Technology

Publisher's Summary:

Internet piracy: Its an eternal battle pitting indies versus corporations, free spirits against the money-grubbing Scrooge McDucks of the world.

Right?

Sort of, sometimes - maybe not. Freeloading takes a critical, cool look at a near-pervasive phenomenon that involves almost everyone who taps a keyboard: Beyond that, it's a reminder of the truism that for every action there are consequences. What happens when we pirate a favorite work of art - a song, book, or movie? And as importantly: What, if anything, can or should be done about it?

Internet piracy has created unlikely allies. On the one hand, there are original creators of content, including artists and corporate copyright holders - on the other, legions of free-spirited consumers who see themselves in the hacker/OWS tradition.

Author Chris Ruen, himself a former dedicated freeloader, came to understand how illegal downloads can threaten an entire artistic community after spending time with successful Brooklyn bands who had yet to make a significant profit on their popular music. The product of innumerable late-night, caffeine-fueled conversations and interviews with contemporary musicians such as Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, Ira Wolf Tuton of Yeasayer, and Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio, Freeloading not only dissects this ongoing battle - casting a critical eye on the famous SOPA protests and the attendant rhetoric - but proposes concise, practical solutions that would provide protection to artists and consumers alike.

Editorial Reviews:

After finishing this audiobook, listeners will come away with a new understanding of how piracy hurts creativity. Performing his own book, writer Chris Ruen, a former freeloader himself, offers a critical look at the consequences of freeloading without condescending or scolding listeners. Instead, he presents his arguments in a reasonable and earnest tone, describing the compromises that artists must make in order to make up for the loss of revenue due to piracy. Ruen includes interviews with contemporary musicians such as the Hold Steady and Yeasayer to humanize the problems of stealing creative works. Listeners will also discover practical solutions that will both protect artists and allow consumers to enjoy their work.

Critic Reviews:

"A wonderful book that catches an encouraging shift in the zeitgeist. Ruens epiphany regarding the effects of his own piracy and freeloading of the bands he loves was eye opening." (David Byrne)

Members Reviews:

Not limited to music

Would you try another book from Chris Ruen and/or Chris Ruen?

Not at the moment. I was disappointed that such a broad topic would be limited to the music industry.