In response to David Bowers' post [180707 MMDigest] and many other
posts regarding the decline of mechanical music.  Like many of us,
I have read and own some of David Bowers' books and I greatly
appreciate the contributions that the more senior members of the
MBSI have contributed for decades.  I turn 50 shortly so to some,
I am still "a kid".

The current state of mechanical music actually has more exposure
than ever before but that exposure is very different from before and
I suspect many of the collectors and enthusiasts do not really care
for the manner in which this exposure is currently enjoyed.  In-person
events like shows, conventions, swap meets, etc. will continue to
decline but the increase in virtual exposure is exponentially greater
in number terms than physical exposure ever was.

My YouTube channel is nowhere near viral but I have received close to
three million views and my videos are all related to mechanical music,
watches and clocks; there are many other YouTube channels with similar
statistics.  Can anyone recall a convention where over one million
people attended?  Did any of the published books hit several million
sold copies?

The absolute number one factor to keep this passion alive is for
current torch bearers to move into the modern age, either themselves
or via proxy, to a younger person that is comfortable with the current
technology.  We need to increase what I refer to as "touches" as these
can be either physical or virtual.

In addition to maintaining the historical touches, we need a fantastic
MBSI website with robust content that is easily searchable, we need to
share our collective technical and historical knowledge in formats that
the younger generations use, we need to embrace Facebook, Twitter and
the other social media platforms.

If we can light a fire under ten percent (just 10%) of the existing
mechanical music enthusiasts to embrace the above, our passion for this
craft will not only stop the decades old decline, it will be greater
than it has ever been.  I receive messages every day from all over the
world (from what I call kids) that love this stuff and many of these
kids also purchase mechanical music pieces so there is an interest once
the word gets out.

On a quick tangential note, we visited Split Rock lighthouse this week
which is run by the Minnesota Historical Society.  In the captain's
quarters there was an old Edison phonograph "playing" and I noticed
they had a tape deck hidden inside the cabinet.  I asked "what's up
with that" and they told me the Edison broke years ago and they could
not find anyone to fix it.  I removed the protective cover over the
governor, gave it a flick and is started playing.  Everyone in the room
smiled and was excited.  I then explained to them what needed to be
done as this Edison was very simple to service.

In summary, we have a wonderful opportunity to slingshot mechanical
music exposure right now and we need to do this right now before the
torch bearers are no longer able to do so.

Kind regards,
Troy Duncan

 [ I exchanged e-mail with Troy after this article arrived.  He wrote back
 [ with this additional information:

I created both when I retired very young eight years ago – basically this
is my “early retirement activity” which I enjoy a lot.  

Here is a link to my YouTube channel: 
https://www.youtube.com/user/troyduncan1969/videos?sort=p&flow=grid&view=0

And here is my website: 
http://www.singingbirdbox.com