Where's the Music

Listen, I want a giant record collection. The receiver, record player, the nest of cables, and bone-shaking speakers, too. 

But I don't want that. At all.

I want music on a big old hard drive. I want to listen on any device. Without software serving and observing me.

I have that. But there's something missing.

Getting that giant record collection needed time. It required conversations. We spent time reading articles about the bands we liked and following threads to the other musicians that shaped them. We walked into record stores, paused to listen to the overhead speakers and asked "what's that song" to the folks behind the counter.

The late night banter with friends to share what you were into. Going to shows and being charged by the opening act, who you never heard of before.

I don't miss the physical clutter of music. Except the liner notes - I do want those back. Where are the discussions, the debate, and the fun of finding and sharing music?