I still have my files from 20 years ago.

I don't have my "media libraries" from 20 years ago.

As soon as a tool tries to move my files into an internal representatation I cannot control, I delete the tool.

I have my media library from 20 years ago: it is embedded in my music files using standardised tagging formats. Any in-software 'media-library' I have used in that time has simply been a cache of and search interface for this metadata. Similarly some video files support tags and there are some standards for external metadata storage that can live next to the files I believe.

I highly doubt the music file metadata shown in the video only exists in an opaque internal representation within VLC.

I've been using iTunes since 1.0, which was 19 years ago, so practically I actually do still have my media library from 20 years ago.

It's opaque because it isn't clear where the files are located on the fs; and you get confusion or strange behavior: if I delete the media library file, will the fs version also be deleted? What about the other way around? And how does that work for renaming or moving? Etc. etc.

I think a tool should embrace the filesystem as much as possible. If metadata doesn't fit in the fs view, then perhaps store them in hidden files next to the actual files. Needless to say, if these files are not there, the system should deal with that gracefully.

>If metadata doesn't fit in the fs view, then perhaps store them in hidden files next to the actual files

Sure, or in tags within the files like almost every music player, but that doesn't preclude there being a media library which is more like an interface to/cache of that metadata.

There's nothing wrong with a media library if your goal is to catalog a library of media.

If your goal is simply to play a video file, it's sheer overhead.

I don't want every text file I download to be categorized and moved into a semi-permanent collection. Nor do I want the same as a default for image files, music, video, or anything else. Some things are ephemeral.

Okay but there is no reason that adding this library would mean anything has to happen to VLC's ability to play a file without doing anything to it or organising it first. Many music players offer both a library and will play individual files thrown at them without any importing ceremony. eg, Winamp.

> I don't want every text file I download to be categorized and moved into a semi-permanent collection.

It already is and it is called desktop search.