Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenophon
Note, once again, that I said nothing about downloading vs. not downloading. It's pretty clear that downloading unauthorized, non-PD content is against the law in the US, but that's not what I was after either. Rather, I was attempting to address that part of the question where there's a straight-forward, pragmatic, in-your-own-best-interest kind of argument, to wit: - Pay for what you read. If it's worth your time to read, it's worth your money to pay for.
- Remember that money speaks loudly indeed. Paying for something sends a market signal that you want more of the thing you are paying for. Markets respond to money.
- Paying for the books you like raises the likelihood that the author can go full-time. Full time authors produce lots more content, so you get more of what you like in the future.
- Paying for what you like tells the publishing houses that they should buy more of that stuff from that author. See previous point for effect on the author and his output. But note that this option also exercises significant influence on the decision makers inside the big mean corporations. Not as much, perhaps, as one might wish. But far, FAR more than "screw them because they're screwing me" does.
There it is. No moral suasion. No judgement of actions as good, bad, or indifferent. I do have opinions in this area, but my observation suggests that making moral arguments in a discussion site is likely to have less-than-no-effect. At best. This is just the pragmatic part of why it's a good idea to pay for the things you like.
As for the great big download of a zillion books, 99.9% of which the downloader will never read... Shrug. They'd do better to seek out legal source (IMHO). High borrowing rates from the library lead to more copies bought by the library (see previous points). Legitimate free downloads from a publisher's web-site (it does happen, although not nearly so often as it should!) give market research data from which the publisher can learn about what's popular. (I have my doubts about the Big-6's ability to learn from anything, but that's neither here nor there.) All these legal avenues have side-benefits that go far beyond "free to me." Probably in your own best interest (from that selfish, pragmatic viewpoint I've been using above) to go that route when possible.
For the rest? Money sent to the author or his agent along with a "I downloaded a 'pirate' version of this book (aaaarrrr, mateys!); I'd have bought it if it were available. Here's your royalty." note makes it pretty clear that there's money to be made from an electronic edition. And money talks...
I guess the big theme here is "Money talks. Use it to encourage production of more of what you like."
Xenophon |
How would you know if you liked something if you never read it?