Free Music turned Musicians into Gig Economy Workers

The music industry's shift towards free music had a devastating impact on musicians who no longer had a reliable source of income. Touring became a way to make up for lost revenue, but this model doesn't work for journalists and authors. Even famous musicians were left struggling in old age without support. The late John Perry Barlow, a songwriter for the Grateful Dead, was a victim of this unfair system. Music should not be free because it leaves musicians struggling for every meal and unable to build a secure future.