I tried to keep this as much on-topic as possible:
If what you are saying in the last paragraph about the wishes of artists is true, imagine a society with a basic income (which is up for discussion in many countries in Europe - can't speak for other parts of the world).
As many aren't paying (enough) for music and (as you say) most artists aren't doing it for the money, it seems like a perfect match? Without dragging in other sectors and other aspects, specifically for music (and maybe other forms of art/entertainment): would that be a better situation? Or are the assumptions simply wrong?
I think it's inevitable that the world economies will eventually realize that everyone needs a basic income.
I imagine that will open the possibility for far more artists / musicians to spend their lives making art / music instead of struggling to make ends meet doing menial labor or other things that humans will eventually no longer be responsible for. Will it happen within our lifetimes? My guess is no, but given the trajectory of technology in the modern world I can't see a future without it.
Most musicians make their money performing, not from recordings. Recordings are seen as a kind of marketing expense, with customer purchases as a demand signal.
Basic income also has the side-con of being a generally obviously and trivially terrible idea.
If what you are saying in the last paragraph about the wishes of artists is true, imagine a society with a basic income (which is up for discussion in many countries in Europe - can't speak for other parts of the world).
As many aren't paying (enough) for music and (as you say) most artists aren't doing it for the money, it seems like a perfect match? Without dragging in other sectors and other aspects, specifically for music (and maybe other forms of art/entertainment): would that be a better situation? Or are the assumptions simply wrong?