I think there's also a second slightly terrifying question. What happens when you can no longer afford $10 a month?
This may not be a boat we see ourselves being in, but the subscription services (once dominant) are free to raise prices. Maybe it hits $25 a month and suddenly what was convenient and cheap is just more than you can justify because you've lost your job and are living off savings.
Suddenly you no longer have access to your music. The playlists you love, the one that gets you through a shitty day etc.
If you don't own a collection of music, then you're just working to support the stream of music in your life. If you truly value specific music which can't be had in other free means, then it's worth your time and effort to own what gets you through your day.
Music has really taken a turn since the age of the television though (I get it). It's just too unimportant to so many people, though. I'm sure these same people bought their TV outright, and aren't renting that either.
This may not be a boat we see ourselves being in, but the subscription services (once dominant) are free to raise prices. Maybe it hits $25 a month and suddenly what was convenient and cheap is just more than you can justify because you've lost your job and are living off savings.
Suddenly you no longer have access to your music. The playlists you love, the one that gets you through a shitty day etc.