But was it really ever different? Throughout history, writers, painters, artists, have always had a hard time coming by. Even the ones that are very popular no

But was it really ever different? Throughout history, writers, painters, artists, have always had a hard time coming by. Even the ones that are very popular now, retrospectively. It was never a "reliable business model" to rely on creative persuits. If money is your sole incentive, it's better to chose something else. Surely, there are some that get really popular (either because they are talented or get noticed some other way) and can live from the proceeds. Some even get crazily rich (write an Harry Potter). But those are a small miniority. Technological disruption, or different capitalization models haven't really changed this basic fact.