How much is enough?

A question being raised by folks interested in the debate on sharing is how creators (musicians, authors, inventors, artists) get back to where they were before the internet changed everything for them? The simple answer is they can't. I think this observation may be at the heart of many people's frustration. J.K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, is perhaps one of the richest people in the world from her book sales. We used to watch rock and roll stars buying islands and private jets when their efforts struck a chord with their audiences (no pun intended). I don't think the new model that's emerging for creatives is likely to support wealth like this again. That kind of superstar model will pop up somewhere else in time, but it's essentially over for artists. But I also don't think most artists and creatives went into their fields with superstardom in mind - I think most of them only want to ply their craft and skills. If we go forward into the future with the idea of figuring out a way where artists and creatives of all kinds earn enough to support their work and their lifestyles then I think we call that success. There is zero question in my mind that the internet that caused this shift in society - and tore down the music, publishing and high-end audio industries - is also the key to the new model that is emerging out of the ashes of what was. We can't go back where we came from but we can move forward into the new society that lays open and waiting for us. I am excited and not the least bit bummed I can't buy my own island or jet. Just never suited me. :)