SamuraiBeandog

What a wild time to be alive, man.

Cue Sudno.

The standard payment to an artist on Spotify is "$0.003 to $0.005 per stream": https://simplebeen.com/artists-make-on-spotify/

That is basically nothing for any artist that isn't in the top tier of mainstream success.

prior to Spotify coming along the industry was in decline as downloading MP3’s on torrents and file sharing programs was the norm

You're essentially pirating music by using Spotify, you are not paying the artists that you listen to in any meaningful way.

I’m still getting a ridiculous amount of value from Spotify

If only the same could be said for the artists you're listening to...

That seems extremely high, can you explain your listening habits? Are you listening to all of those albums start to finish? Are you selecting each of those albums or just letting the algorithm run wild?

I'm reeling.

but the system was still rigged from the start

And this, intentionally or not, is the real message. There's no such thing as a real meritocracy, the system is always rigged in favor of the people who created it.

but the common thread seems to be that absolute power corrupts absolutely

This is not at all the intended message of Atlas Shrugs.

Solium Infernum: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1893810/Solium_Infernum/

Brilliantly original strategy game where you play demon lords fighting for rule of hell. Amazing, complex strategy where you need to use insults, threats, challenges and diplomacy just as much as military and magical power to win. Incredible art and writing and incredibly fun and deep gameplay. Warning: you may ruin friendships over this game, you can really do devastating stuff to each other once player abilities ramp up in the later game.

Ah I remember this, I assume its based off this art by Adrian Smith: https://40k.gallery/horus-vs-the-emperor/

Or perhaps vice versa I guess.

WUN PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN...

That's the best info I've found on this, thanks heaps for your help.