Apple Makes NIN Hurt
Future-thinking, technology-embracing Nine Inch Nails leader Trent Reznor--who left Interscope Records in 2007 and now independently releases music using technologies like BitTorrent--recently further delved into the digital age by creating a new, GPS-enabled iPhone app that allows fans to interact with each other at concerts in real time. It's a pretty cool tool for NIN diehards, sort of like a NIN-specialized Twitter.
But the new update of the NIN app seems to have downward-spiraled, so to speak, as it has been rejected by Apple due to "obscene, pornographic, offensive, or defamatory content."
Trent just posted this bummer news on Twitter, saying: "Apple rejects the NIN iPhone update because it contains objectionable content. The objectionable content referenced is [the NIN album] The Downward Spiral."
Trent also discussed the controversy on the Nine Inch Nails website, likening the situation to one NIN dealt with previously:
"I'll voice the same issue I had with Wal-Mart years ago, which is a matter of consistency and hypocrisy. Wal-Mart went on a rampage years ago insisting all music they carry be censored of all profanity and 'clean' versions be made for them to carry. Bands (including Nirvana) tripped over themselves editing out words, changing album art, etc. to meet Wal-Mart's standards of decency--because Wal-Mart sells a lot of records. NIN refused, and you'll notice a pretty empty NIN section at any Wal-Mart. My reasoning was this: I can understand if you want the moral posturing of not having any 'indecent' material for sale--but you could literally turn around 180 degrees from where the NIN record would be and purchase the film 'Scarface' completely uncensored, or buy a copy of Grand Theft Auto where you can be rewarded for beating up prostitutes. How does that make sense?"
Seems like the iPhone has become a pretty hate machine for Trent.
Check out Digg's Trent interview on new technologies
Follow Yahoo! Music on Twitter
Oh, wait, that's all sarcasm.
See, the thing with free expression is that it can't be allowed to a select group and denied to others. I hate to break it to you, but us "free thinkers" have a little thing going for us called the Constitution. If you don't know what that is, you need to go back to eighth-grade civics or something. I would be perfectly fine with Wal-Mart banning this music if they took all other objectionable material off the shelves. However, as long as they hold a double standard, I will not respect their business decisions.
Just like in Florida you dont have to wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle but you must wear a seatbelt in a car.
Makes no sense.
WalMart's business practices truly cause me emotional distress. I may have to seek an attorney and rectify this matter.
-.-
LA
NIN FAN
I'll tell you who the real hypocrites are---it's those pointing fingers at Wal-Mart! They are entitled to do whatever they fricken want and the so called 'free thinkers' and "free expression' crowd stumble all over themselves throwing stones at anyone who disagrees with their own narrow point of view!!! Screw you if you don't like the fact that Wal-Mart expects a little decency! You're a HUGE hypocrite if you say one word against it."
Gee Golly your right. Let us just have corporate America tell us what is right and what is wrong. Let us not have separation of church and state actually exist. Let us not think on our own. Have ideas that can change how we view things. Let us not evolve. Have fun being a lemming then. Watch out for that drop at the end of the cliff. Its a dozy!
It is also funny how you just jumped over the entire point we had noted that you can turn around and purchase the same items in question just in a diffrent form of media.
Keep drinking that Kool-Aid Drake.
Us "free expression" "free thinkers" will just pave the way for new ideas and new roads to travel down. New iPod apps to enjoy.
Nine Inch Nails/Janes Addiction/Street Sweeper Social Club check them out on their tour. Open your mind and ears.