"Every time we give a musician the advice to give away the music and sell the T-shirt, we're saying, 'Don't make your living in this more elevated way. Instead, reverse this social progress, and choose a more physical way to make a living.' We're sending them to peasanthood, very much like the Maoists have"

This quote by Jaron Lanier is a criticism of the guidance given to musicians to distribute their music for free and rather generate income by offering product such as t-shirts. Lanier argues that this guidance is essentially sending out musicians back to a more primitive method of earning a living, similar to the Maoists who sent out individuals back to the countryside to work as peasants. He believes that this advice is an action in reverse in regards to social progress, as it is not enabling musicians to earn a living in a more raised method. He is recommending that artists need to have the ability to make a living through their music, instead of needing to turn to offering merchandise. This quote highlights the value of allowing musicians to earn a living through their art, and not having to depend on other means.