Getting rid of CD's?

[Grayson64]

Would like to post a somewhat philosophical question.  I have a relatively large CD collection (about 1200 CD's), but ALL are recorded in Apple lossless format with sufficient backup (to ensure I will not lose the files later). My question: should I now get rid of the source CD's?  This is an issue because I am downsizing into a smaller home now that my kids are all moved away, and room for the CD's is becoming a challenge.

 

On the keep side, I have spent several decades accumulating the collection. I am reluctant to let them go in case I might need them again.

 

On the get rid of side, for the vast majority of the collection, I seldom use the actual CD.  Just listen to the digital copy.  For all practical purposes, I live in a "playlist world" where I seldom listen to all the contents of a single CD. 

 

I am beginning to feel keeping them may just be an unreasonable fear of change.  

 

Any thoughts from the forum?  

 

Thanks,

Grayson

 

[Grayson64]

Of course, destroying is not the alternative.  Giving away, selling, donating, etc.. I do not believe ethics is involved.  I have owned these many years.  Unlikely I will "make" money on the purchase.  Considering the local library as an option. 

[Grayson64]

Well, when I started this thread, it was not meant to generate such a

lengthy discussion on copyright law and ethical handling of music content. It was really about the concept of collecting and letting go.  But since it has gone that direction, might as well put in my two cents.

 

My view is very simple. I paid for the CD's; every one of them. The artist has been paid.  What I do with them after that is up to me.  Nothing ethical about that. If I was intentionally buying, then returning immediately after recording it for my collection, maybe I would have some ethical problem.  But that is not the case here. I paid, made a copy for my JRiver installation and then put the CD on a shelf for the next multiple number of years. Now it is a matter of how large a physical collection I want and/or need.

 

I suppose Sony can come after me if they are so inclined.  I care little about them.  As to the artist, I will sleep like a babe in the proverbial woods.  They got their fair share out of me.

 

In any case, I have decided to keep most of the CD's, but get rid of the ones I don't like as much.  The digital copies will stay in my library, but the discs are headed to the local public library so anyone else can listen if they like.