2elijah said:

Exactly 2elijah! People want to be mad at fans who actually prepared themselves for a moment like this one. It's not my fault if others don't have that money. I was accused by Water in Your Bath for being condescending about this and I wasn't but I can't worry about the world getting in on this. I used to do that kind of thing and it drove me crazy. All I can do is be responsible for me and my finances and I'm doing that in this case. I would like more people here to join but if they don't then that's not my problem as I'm sure others would feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot and that's fine, we're still fans of Prince, at least I think the majority of people on here are. I have to wonder that sometimes but that's for another thread. Anyways, I'm going to join the Lotusflow3r site and that's all there is to it.

funkteer said:

if u can afford it goody 4 u, but i do find it funny that u say u wish u could afford a new wardrobe, printer and a hard drive but instead of getting what u need, u'll pay 4 a website that has no guarentees. other points of view that have been xpressed in this thread do equate things just like u have in one hand saying: shall i pay rent, food, car notes etc or give my money over 2 prince ...

but yet we're all haters that xpress that point of view ....


interesting

purplecam said:

The thing is, everyone is entitled to their opinion and no one can control what another thinks or feels about any situation. You will always find negative/positive remarks about artists from their fans, that is just part of the game. But you don't have to explain or answer to anyone as to why you are choosing to join the new site. That's your individual choice, not anyone else's, Screw the critics, because criticism whether negative/positive will always exist, there's not much you could do about that.

So if joining the new site is something you choose to do, and it's not going to hurt you economically, and your comfortable with your decision, then so be it. No one is being "forced" to join, it's all about individual choice.
[Edited 3/14/09 16:44pm]

L4OATheOriginal said:

But L4, even if you get "what you need" doesn't guarantee it will last for a good length of time, such as the items you mentioned in funkteer's post. Even if some of those items she needed had a warranty. It wouldn't need a warranty if there wasn't a chance that those items may not last.

Sheesh, life itself has no guarantees, I mean it's not as if you know what will happen tomorrow do you? You can plan for the next day, month, year, and do your usual everyday routines, but doesn't mean all that you plan will come through or last.

For the people that don't want to join because of the price I have a suggestion: Eat only bread and drink only water the next week. I guess that saves you at least 77 dollars. Then go back to your normal food routine and you will enjoy the whole next year inside Prince's interactive world.
And if bread and water is already your everyday meny, I suggest you shut down your computer and do something useful...
[Edited 3/14/09 15:20pm]

2elijah said:

i feel what ur saying and understand. it's just that if someone states their weariness about the website and price..they r being labled as non fans or haters.

with this economic state it's hard 2 plan 4 anything ..taking a wait and c approach is fair as long as just diving in2 something that may not pan out ..

GNS said:

Generally, being correct does allow me to get a good night's sleep. Have you read this thread yet?

http://prince.org/msg/7/300799

It's the full NEWSWEEK piece, with more detail, as promised. I think I'm in for a solid slumber tonight!

GNS said:

Your hypocrisy is amusing.

Justfortheloveofit said:

It is kind of comical. The Prince fan that doesn't join is acting like $77 is the entire salary for a week. The Prince fan that joins is acting like they won the lotto and are Oprah filthy rich. Then you have some that are like, I'm in it for the music!!! If it's $12 or $77 I have to see what they are offering up for the music before I join. But many fans are very extreme when explaining economical conditions.

To be honest, I don't know what I am going to do... If I hear good things about it on here, worth MY while, then maybe... I've never ever paid for a INTERNET site... NPGmusicclub was before my time... don't get me wrong, I will pay if the things he's doing on there is GREAT, but can U keep it? I mean, if I pay that money, I wanna have things!!! <--- they don't have to be free, but they'll have to be exclusive/b-sides rarities, tickets (you catch my drift!), but if thats not the case, then whats the point really???

So I'm keeping my eyes/ears open for this.


PS. still nothing on the distribution to EUROPE and other country's for his CD's ??

I hope he hasn't forgot about the other side of the big swimming pool!

Richard.

L4OATheOriginal said:

But those who can afford it are being criticized just as much, for wanting to join, as well as those deciding to take a "wait and see" approach. I know everyone's economic situation is different, so if you could afford something and I can't, should I be upset or angry because someone else could purchase something I can't afford, so I choose to be being highly critical of them, because they're not taking the same approach as me? All I know about the site, is what I've read about the site from news article posted here, and the info from fans who actually witnessed it firsthand. When I joined the NPGMC club back in 2004, I didn't know what I would get either, but I enjoyed the site while it lasted, and was able to purchase music on there, purchased tickets for shows, met other Prince fans, and still have the music I purchased.

There's no guarantee either approach will satisfy every, single member because we are all individuals, who like various forms of Prince's music. You may love a track that I despise. You may not like the art/design of the site and I may love it. Thing is, will those who choose to take a wait and see approach, feel the same way about the site as those who choose to join the day of the launch? That would be impossible to answer.

There may be certain sections of it you like, while others may not. So either way you choose to do it, everyone will still have their own individual opinions about the site. I don't know any artist that has been able to please all their fans. Point is, when it comes down to it, it's all about individual choice, no one is forcing anyone to join, and quite frankly, no one should have to answer to anyone here about how they choose to spend their money.
[Edited 3/14/09 16:02pm]

Prince can't please everybody... nobody can.

Don't go crazy on this!!!

You know...Part of me is hesitant to give a great deal of my money to Prince (or any other multimillionaire at this time) because people are starving.

Other people are not doing as good as some of us so I don't see giving more mad money to Prince, the Eagles..etc. But just because I can max out the 401k still and rake in a thous a week daytrading (going short/long the financials) and have a good job thats safe, and have a good savings etc..its just more difficult to give to any of the stronger hands ya know?? When so many others are weak.

I think the $77 would be better spent on the local soup kitchen, feeding people that lost jobs from the meltdown. The problem and why I believe the situation in the world is so bad is. People have become very ME, ME, ME, ME. I've personally saved up a ton of cash in order to be able to possible helped out any loved one that gets slaughtered by the crisis. I fear it! It's that bad people, cash is your cushion just in case.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the next year??

realm said:

There have always been people that are starving. Have you never spent anything for yourself?

dothejump said:

Exactly. Social ills will not stop because someone chooses to give a donation to a charity, or help a family member in crisis. The donations will help make those individuals affected by any crisis, get through some of the hard times, but unfortunately, starvation, hunger, war, unemployment and other social/worldly ills will continue. Although there is good in giving and helping others in need, life must go on. People shouldn't allow others to make them feel guilty for spending money on what they enjoy or can afford. I give to charities annually, have helped family members in crisis all my life, but I find time to spend money on me and enjoy some of the spoils of life as well.
[Edited 3/14/09 16:53pm]

If we are obtaining some sort of downloads we can keep without expiring, i'd be glad to pay.

however, if it's just an interactive site to watch videos.. that's not the kind of fan i am.

2elijah said:

Yup. And also because the world is bigger than your own country. The rich western countries may be in a financial crisis now but in for example Africa the problems are much worse and are always there. Realm's post was way too much focussed on the rich countries.

Sdldawn said:

I expect some stuff for 77 USD. I don't think they will charge 77 USD for just a website where you can look around. And because of that expectation I think 77 dollars is not much.

dothejump said:

well, my only concern is that they are basing the price off of a video oriented site... i'm about mp3/music.. i could care less about one live video feed.

dothejump said:

Exactly and with Africa's corrupt government officials it makes the internal problems for their citizens worse, even if western countries try to help.
As far as realm's focus on rich countries, even if it is about choosing not to give his money to a millionaire, and to give it to a charity instead or help a family member, then that is his individual choice, but it's also others individuals' choice to spend their money the way they choose as well.
[Edited 3/14/09 18:23pm]

squirrelgrease said:

That's a good one...decisions..decisions...
[Edited 3/14/09 17:14pm]

LondonStyle said:

I thought his 21 nights thing was over with the 3121 theme?
Maybe it'll be 77 nights?



Don't get excited, I'm just saying.

blacksweat said:

what/who/happened? it was such a long time ago now. the first and last nights have stayed in my brain more.

2elijah said:

i feel ya

The saddest thing about this thread is the attitude of the '..I refuse to be made guilty for having the $77 for Lotusflw3r.com" brigade.

No-one is attempting to make you feel guilty. Some are simply pointing out that others, including myself, cannot justify or afford this amount of money.

There has also been a more disturbing and revealing attitude of "...I'm just looking out for myself, It's not my problem that others can't afford it". (Apologies for the paraphrasing, but I think you get the drift.)

Well, that's just lovely isn't it. Some people simply don't have the ability to empathise. I shudder to think of the effect this simple idea might have if extrapolated to a broader context of how some people might conduct their lives. "...Charity, why is it my responsibility? It's not my fault that some people don't have any food."

Here's the thing. If you can afford it great. Fantastic, more power to you. All the people who can't afford it are asking, is a little acknowledgement that it is actually quite expensive, and that some people are being priced out of the market. Again, that strange word: 'Empathy'. Don't worry, we're not asking you to shell out for our subscription.

And maybe if you get that far, perhaps you could reflect on the fact that Prince's business model might actually be quite divisive.

Fans of most artists are traditionally faced with 2 costs. Buying albums & concert tickets. Albums are within the reach of most, but not all, 'western' people. Concert tickets equally so, as they happen so infrequently. (Particularly in Australia ....2 in 20 years ....but that's a whole other issue!!). So for an artist to ask for another $77 per year, is, to use a tired metaphor, squeezing the lemon once too often. Particularly when there is a veiled suggestion, both from some fans and Prince's camp, that '..only the real fans join'.

DevotedPuppy said:

I think the way i said that came over wrong i didnt mean it like that and i dont like all that classism crap. i remember the days when npg first came out and i couldnt afford the npg fee coz i was so broke at the time until later. haters and not having the money is two totally different, of course. i hope the ppl that can afford it share it(whatever the site has to offer) with there friends that cant right now or who just dont wanna join for whatever there reasons maybe. xx

SaRa24 said:

77$ for what?, a site that most other artists provide free to their fans as a matter of promotion? And thats 77$ a year, not another supposed NPGMC lifetime...which by the way should still be valid at lotusflow$r. It is all about the $$$$$.

I will pay for something worth paying for, not some bad photoshop and a year long membership in a purple void. Show us the money P?

How many times can an artist steal from his fans and get away with it?

THIS IS NOT A CHARITY. WE ARE PAYING FOR HIS CRISTAL. Paying for music is fair and I have no issue with that. But to watch some old shit that expires in 12 months, might as well get 77$ and put it in the fire.
[Edited 3/14/09 17:59pm]

TyphoonTip said:

Very well said.

L4OATheOriginal said:

I never called anyone a hater or the non-word fam because I am not 12 years old and I don't call people names. I am blessed with a job and a good head for managing my finances. I can go out and buy all the stuff I mentioned above but I don't because I save and I pay cash for the things I want and though I WANT those things, I don't NEED them right now.

Instant gratification is the cause of the economic problems we are having today. I am angry that I have to bail out people who are irresponsible with their finances. I have been saving since I was 5 years old. My credit score is very high because I don't spend money foolishly and I ALWAYS have money when I need it. I work for Social Services and I am very sensitive to those that don't have money because I have been helping people for the last 20 years. If you have to choose between rent and food, or Prince then you would be a fool to choose Prince. The classy thing to do is to shut the hell up about it. If everyone would just put a little bit of change away for a rainy day we wouldn't even be having this conversation. I won't entertain comments about me being insensitive because like I said I put my money where my mouth is and I help people every day! Pay your rent and feed your kids. Do Prince with what is left over. If nothing is left over, then I feel your pain but I am still going to do my thing.

TyphoonTip said:

It is not just about empathy, it is also about being realistic. It is a shame if people cannot afford it but that is also a part of life. You cannot afford everything you want.

Prince is not the only major artist who asks money to access certain parts of a website. Let's just wait and see what's the offer for 77 USD. And if there are also cheaper packages. So far nothing is official.

But bringing up starvation etc. in a thread about a still-to-be-opened website is too much imo.