I'm for publishers and other representatives of the old system pulling away from the digital world close to entirely. Their whole business model requires scarcity that used to exist when creators were on the other side of the world and fans were lucky to have them come within 200 miles for a chance to enjoy them, and in the meantime, want to buy a record to experience them at home.

Now, creators can be in our hands, on our desks, and easily in our living rooms. The middlemen that brought those scarce physical objects to us (records, tapes, vhs and audio, books, etc) aren't needed anymore, because the distribution of the art or idea is instant and on demand and already paid for by the communications package we all subscribe to.

Fans can connect directly with creators, who no longer need millions of fans to give them a huge slice of overall music (or other creative work) revenue. Just a few hundred devoted fans is enough to live comfortably, instead of being a superstar.

I'm dreaming, though...

ETA: the publishers could rethink their role and evolve to help creatives reach their audience, but, currently, they impede that. Creatives do better (per fan) when they know their fans and can connect directly with them.