DRM-free at last.

A step in media as important as the first compact disk and arguably as much as the opening of iTunes itself; DRM (Digital Rights Managed)-free music has been released from EMI on iTunes.

I have a hard time getting my friends excited about this, and it's confusing as to why. It might seem to someone who doesn't yet purchase music online like some technical nerd-blabber that doesn't hold any water in their life. The argument, however, is the same as my pleas to out-of-state friends to get an email address of their own back in 1995. It may not effect you, yet, but it will.

What are the immediate benefits? Tons, many, too many to list in the short time I have to list them.

That it finally and truly puts all artists, from basement borrowed-bass bands to the most commercial, corporate jingle out there on the same level? That's a good one.

How about the ability to freely put any music you want on any music player/computer you want, kicking the digital age into full blossom. That's good too.

That they're finally realizing they CAN'T STOP pirating, so it's now and finally embraced as part of the marketing plan, and songs will gain favor the same way viral news does? Awesome.

That a HUGE company like Apple is adapting to what indie startups like snocap and payplay do with the indies, validating the business model once-and-for all? Slick.

That Rolling Stone will finally, fin-the fuck-finally stop putting Aerosmith, the Stones, R.H.C.P. and The Beatles on covers. I still won't subscribe to that auto-erotic blowjob of a publication, but it's a start.

Right now it's just EMI, but once the their marketing department emerges from the new glossy iTumes PLUS pool and says "hey, it's not that cold.", stand back from the edge a bit unless you want to get wet. Atlantic and Columbia are pretty fat these days.

Here's a good place to start. If you get some, email it to a friend. It's ok now.

26 Reasons What You Think is Right is Wrong

If you've got the time, which you probably do right now, go down the list and think of an instance where each has come out in you. If you skip one, that would be part of one, so go ahead and use that tendency.

26 Reasons What You Think is Right is Wrong