solidarity forces an unnatural continuation of something that doesn't work as well as it once did.

Lone wolves leaving the pack to try something different will tend to get results commensurate with the work and thought they put into it.

Those who don't prepare well won't have better luck even if they try something different.

Those who do stand a better chance of finding a niche that works for them.

Nobody is entitled to a job playing music, so they can't be cheated out of something that isn't their right.

The reason why guys like Notes and 90dB still get gigs is because they have made their niche and are enjoying the benefits of having done so

If that approach still worked like it did 30 years ago, there wouldn't be a problem with people working odd scenarios trying to find something new that works.

As I see it, its MOSTLY about how different people adapt to change. The people working for free aren't causing the problem, they are trying to adapt to it. The real problem is caused by a variety of other factors, and those factors won't change just because people stop playing for free.

If anything, they may be keeping some venues open... I envision a time when nobody offers live music anymore because everybody is home streaming netflix

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0