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Jack White Views Internet as a 'Nuisance'

Jack White's love of analogue recording equipment and loathing of its digital counterparts is well known. So to is his passion for the aural warmth of the seven-inch single compared to the compressed dynamics of the ever-popular MP3. No surprise, then, that he's come out as something less than a fervent fan of the Internet.

As one of the 21st Century's busiest artists -- not only does he front the White Stripes but he plays with the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather -- you'd be forgiven for thinking that White would savour the benefits of new media. But no. White, it seems, sees it all as one big pain in the proverbial.

"In my head I'm still living and working as if there is no Internet, and treat it as a nuisance," White told NME.com. "The internet is a beautiful tool for many, many things, but it is in direct opposition to the art of music being treated with respect."

As for message boards, it should come as no surprise that the multi-talented musician finds the vehemence of some user comments disappointing.

He said, "After reading about three words of someone's comment at the bottom of an article I turn off."

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Just Go Away

He said, "After reading about three words of someone's comment at the bottom of an article I turn off."

That's ironic, Jack, because I listened to about three bars of one of your shi##y songs and I turned it off.

July 15 2010 at 6:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chuck Daly

The internet is the best thing to happen to music from a musicians point of view. It gives musicians direct access to large numbers of fans at any given time. Jack White needs to get his big fat head out of the sand. Regarding mp3, its time has passed. Mp3 was only necessary for 56K internet speeds, but with the proliferation of broadband, there's no benefit to download lossy audio. Downloading Flac files today is more convenient than downloading mp3s from Napster 8 years ago.

May 10 2010 at 9:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bondservant

it is always the market that drives changes. Otherwise we would still be driving horse and buggy. We'd still have 78's, which I'm sure some people still think are better as well. I love the idea of holding an album in my hand, but that was "then." This is now.

It doesn't often come down to what is "best" (subjective), but to what people want. People chose VHS over BETA, in spite of the better quality BETA provided. Most recently it was Blu-Ray that won out. If people want their music convinient and as an mp3 file, that is going to win.

The only way it won't is if government interfers - something it is unfortunately very good at doing.

April 10 2010 at 3:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stacy Wilde

I totally agree. He's obviously passionate about music but his passion unfortunately did not inspire him to put in the required hours of practice needed to be as great a musician as the artists he loves and tries to emulate. Not even close! He should open a pr company since that's where his true talent lies. Think of all the deserving artists he could help bring to the world instead of himself!

April 09 2010 at 12:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Taz Taylor

I agree with his sentiments. The internet does definitely devalue music.
That said, I wish I were reading these quotes from a better player.
It's like reading an interview with Zakk Wylde. You believe in and agree with everything he says. You hear and feel the passion and commitment in his words. So you go check out his material, you WANT to be impressed, but you end up just wishing he were a better player !

April 08 2010 at 6:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply