Grow a pair, indeed, Gabriel. That very phrase was actually in my original pre-edit post, but a very smart editor wisely removed some of my decidedly non-Canadian meanderings. You got it immediately because you are passionate about both music and technology, but you’d like be surprised that that isn’t always the reaction from inside the music business. Disruptive technology and big business don’t always make great bedfellows…

As you both know, I’m trying to start a public discussion about the future of the Canadian music business. It’s not always a bad thing that we Canadians do so many things by consensus – I think it actually means we make better decisions as a culture.

I was hoping someone would jump in and call me a complete idiot and really start the ball rolling, but that hasn’t happened yet…

Canada is loaded with some incredibly bright people and there is no doubt in my mind that, even with a population that dwarfs the US, we could be creative and innovative powerhouse. It’s a major cultural shift that entails how our upcoming generations are taught and exposed to innovative thinking and risk taking.

It is time to stop looking for the short-term, sure bet ideas and investments because we shouldn’t confuse that thinking with smart risk taking. The impolite way is saying it’s about time we “grew some balls” and stopped being afraid of change. It’s time to embrace the new, be courageous, be proud. With a long-term focus, tenacity and dedication, there is going to be opportunities for the brave risk-taker to make a lot of money.

I should mention that I have had a chance to see a demo of Mediazoic and the different uses this platform could possibly have is only limited by one’s imagination. Radio stations, bands, record labels, music fans, amongst many important users, could with little technical know-how adopt this technology in ways that combines music distribution with a strong social element. I’m calling it a “real-time social DJ”. Music has always brought people together and today’s technology only makes connecting artists and music fans easier and faster.

It’s a brave, new, disruptive world… let’s embrace it! Stagnation is otherwise not an acceptable option.