I don’t think your nightmare is anything new, truth be told. I think with each innovation making acquiring and enjoying works easier, there have been concerns about the negative impact. In that past, though, I think those ran more towards diminishing of our capacities. E.g. Souza and the loss of our singing voices due to the gramophone, Plato and the reduction of our memory and oratory capacities at the introduction of writing.

History largely has not born out those fears, though. I think that will be true in this case, too. Or, if your fears are a valid prediction, then the medium will flame out and be replaced by something that better supports a fuller range of human expression, not just mental and cultural candy.

Thanks for the response. Both you and Patrick McLean have pointed out a couple of problems with my thinking about the costs of production of goods, and you are both correct. That was a bit of sloppy thinking on my part.

You points about the opportunity for digital goods are well taken. I believe, as you do, that there are some powerful opportunities there. And I appreciate your optimism. My nightmare scenario is buried in the subtext of the essay…that everything becomes a candybar, an impulse buy, and that no actual value is placed on a digital work. I truly hope your vision more accurate than my fear.