I wouldn't say everything is available for streaming, legally that is. This applies to the "artsier" side of film duly. Mind you, I don't pirate/torrent. Streaming can still be lossy, and you always need a stable internet connection. Streaming sites can also still be lacking in their selection, which is why I'll only have a Netflix account for a month then cancel it until another year goes by when they upload a season of a show I care about.
My friend, whose knowledge of cinema is that of a savant's, will recommend me films and I trust his judgment which leads to blind buys on Criterion and the like. If I truly love a film, I'll keep it around; i.e. if I see myself wanting to return to it for many years to come. However, I have no trouble selling them off if I don't like something I've bought. I've also come to appreciate all the special features and the booklets included. I view my purchasing of these discs as a more solid form of support to the companies who license these properties for NA distribution.
It makes less sense to purchase CDs and books by your rationale because they're virtually all available in the form of streams or eBooks, no? I think mileage varies though, from person to person, as you point out. I perhaps don't have a good reason, other than my like of tangibility and the sheer convenience of just pulling out a disc and putting it in a player. Tangibility is the same reason why I still buy CDs and physical books.
EDIT: I'm not sure if you're strictly talking about the availability of media online, or the convenience of paying a monthly fee for a streaming site.
My friend, whose knowledge of cinema is that of a savant's, will recommend me films and I trust his judgment which leads to blind buys on Criterion and the like. If I truly love a film, I'll keep it around; i.e. if I see myself wanting to return to it for many years to come. However, I have no trouble selling them off if I don't like something I've bought. I've also come to appreciate all the special features and the booklets included. I view my purchasing of these discs as a more solid form of support to the companies who license these properties for NA distribution.
It makes less sense to purchase CDs and books by your rationale because they're virtually all available in the form of streams or eBooks, no? I think mileage varies though, from person to person, as you point out. I perhaps don't have a good reason, other than my like of tangibility and the sheer convenience of just pulling out a disc and putting it in a player. Tangibility is the same reason why I still buy CDs and physical books.
EDIT: I'm not sure if you're strictly talking about the availability of media online, or the convenience of paying a monthly fee for a streaming site.
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