THE FIRST LESSON OF CAPITALISM - SELL TO A CAPTIVE MARKET

While the rest of the world has long abandoned the cassette tape there is at least one entrepreneur making a killing off the classic old format. Bob Paris, owner of a company called Pack Central, sells music on cassette to a huge market of prisoners locked up in America’s jails, where CDs are not allowed because their hard plastic cases can be turned into makeshift shivs. “I have dodged every conventional bullet that has hit most music retailers," Paris says. "I don't have to worry about downloading, legal or illegally. The beauty of it is that prisoners don't have Internet access and never will." So what are prisoners listening to? Paris’ perennial best-sellers include include Al Green's "Greatest Hits," Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" and a best-of collection by the Stylistics. (NY Times)