DOWNLOADS ARE NO GREENER

In response to Steve Islip’s letter on a green record collection (RC 340), I would like to point out that many record collectors collect old records, so how is trading in records made up to 50 years ago adding to the carbon footprint of today, unless you are pedantic enough to count transporting records from one market to another? Years ago, the whole product was made from oil and wood as part of the normal industrial process that was unaware of the global warming that was to take place through carbon emissions, deforestation, etc.

Today many young and emerging bands have used the vinyl method in short runs to put out their first recordings to gain interest and for use as a marketing tool. There is nowt wrong in this method of promotion as far as I can see. The 500-only limited runs of Mystery Jets, Editors and Little Man Tate debut singles have become instant collectables.

Downloads are fine for those that want them, but what about all the industrial processes that go into making computers and all the peripherals associated with these? Are they not leaving a carbon footprint behind just as the record manufacturing process is? I am not adverse to downloads if that is what one wants, but I shall remain a vinyl addict and have been since I bought my first LP in 1968.

by Ian Josland
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