Readers React: The decline of CDs and rise of streaming music show how little we value artists

To the editor: Marc Weingarten’s op-ed article about mourning the end of CDs shows how our culture has degenerated.

Weingarten thinks CDs were fine, though overpriced at first. As an artist, I am appalled at how devalued artists are. I started out selling CDs at $15-$20 apiece, and now I can barely give them away. Online sellers like iTunes makes it possible to download just one selection on a CD, from which I receive pennies.

As for the CD technology itself, it merely sampled the sound rather than provided a real performance. I realize that not everyone can tell the difference, but it is not as satisfying.

And now, to move to a technology that is inferior to the sound quality on CDs reminds me of a statement that one of my teachers, Robert Goldsand, made to me about playing the piano: “There are ways, and there are less good ways.”

Andrea Anderson, Glassell Park

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To the editor: Try buying a CD player right now. The momentum of technology has nearly rendered the CD format obsolete.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), my CD collection is still there in front of me begging to be played. There will always be a need for players. My suggestion to anyone with a CD library: Seek a good player while you still can and buy two.

Allan V. Peña, San Pedro

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