This section of the discussion has entirely been about hindsight, specifically that RS has always been right. On one hand, it's possible that mp3 could have be

This section of the discussion has entirely been about hindsight, specifically that RS has always been right. On one hand, it's possible that mp3 could have become the defacto standard by being widely available, and then had the patent holders clamp down and raise prices. This didn't happen, and I don't think it was likely to happen. RS' writings always have two parts. First, he predicts what could happen if things keep going in the current direction. He's quite good at this, because he's a smart guy, and all of his predictions I'm familiar with reflect a future that I think is technically possible. Second, however, is the tone and gravity he assigns to the consequences and likelihood of those possible futures. I find those parts of his writing to be unreasonably pessimistic and actively harmful in avoiding real problems.