> You can already do all of that. I can already do all that, you can too but everyone should be able to publish without depending on anyone or any corporation.

> You can already do all of that. I can already do all that, you can too but everyone should be able to publish without depending on anyone or any corporation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernode_(networking) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernode_(networking) >Writing free stuff works for a few people. Most people can't afford it. This means we'd end up with significantly fewer written works You cant monitor and control what people read nor should you want to. The desired goal imho is to make available to the reader as much material as possible. Readers have finite funds (if any) You could similarly argue that if some 4% ends up with the writers most can't afford to write. > James Patterson-type formulaic crap... I don't dare have an opinion. If people are buying this its their money. > Middlemen exist because they provide valuable services We buy lots of services. They should ideally never control us. If measuring talent is worth something the author can pay for it. Your suspicion is right tho. Indeed I would prefer to see the entire industry die and switch to a basic income. I get that people think if the music industry dies some will drop their instruments and stop singing. History was the other way around. When people got radios everyone stopped making music themselves. I think we don't even have to bother comparing it to the polished fast food. I liked how Prince put it: Finally people can make music for the sake of making music.