Alpha: So what? The artist still gets nothing. Only your “publishers” and the factories that make those copy machines. … That’s not fair!
Beta: Hmm, this is interesting. … This planet by magic momentarily makes a work as famous as it is good, right?
Delta: Right. So?
Beta: If it is known, then people want it …
Delta: Hey, hey, I’m starting to get where you’re heading. The more people want it, the more those publishers get, right?
Beta: Right, and they start to compete.
Delta: Yeah! … To make people buy more copies!
Alpha: What baloney! How can they have a competition if the work is the same for everybody?
Beta: How? How do they always compete? Some put lots of ads on TV—that’s how they compete. Some sell their copies cheaper— that’s how they compete. Some make their books in hardcover— that’s how! Everybody understands that!
Alpha: OK, OK. Publishers get money. They compete and steal each other’s business. … All right, who cares? They don’t bug me. What about the artists?
Beta: What about them? Use your imagination, Alpha.
Alpha: Use yours.
Beta: I am. They all live there and know how it works …
Alpha: We know too. So?
Beta: So? Publishers know. The very moment a work leaves the house, it becomes available for everybody.
Alpha: Yes, and you don’t understand, Beta. That’s the catch—the artist loses it right away!
What Does an Artist Get?
Delta: Careful there! To become famous for your work does not mean to lose it! It is the best thing that can happen to an artist!
Alpha: I love it! Everybody gets money, and the artist gets famous and hungry! What luck! Thank you sooo much!
Gamma: Hold on. Let Beta finish his train of thought. He was on to something.
Beta: I still am. And we are close …
