4. Media Consumption And Distribution
Im sure somewhere in your house you have a number of bookshelves containing an assortment of novels, magazines and films. Dont get too used to the sight, as it will become all but extinct over the space of the next decade. Internet speeds have been progressively improving over the last few years, making the streaming of high resolution media or the download of large files very viable. As a result, literature, games, films and television have outgrown the need for a costly physical medium such as a book or disc, and are accessible in an instant on the likes of e-book readers, Netflix and catch-up services. Its just not professional publishers, production companies and the like that are able to utilise the internet to get their product to customers, however, as the ease of the technologys use and its wide user base makes it a viable medium for amateurs to ply their trade. Countless musicians, comedians, filmmakers, writers and other personalities have made a name for themselves by releasing their material on platforms such as YouTube, SoundCloud or Ustream, which can be used to distribute either pre-recorded or live material. As a result, people have both more choice than ever and more opportunities to pursue their dreams. The only real negative is the threat of plagiarism, as there are plenty of individuals out there who are perfectly willing to copy your work, pass it off as their own and get away with it.