[Anthem]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

And by now, we pretty much all know this is what we mean when we say "pirate." (And definitions change constantly; e.g. "nice" had a completely different meaning 200 or so years ago.) Quibbling over semantics doesn't really help.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Humans do not necessarily have an innate desire to "share cool stuff."

An interesting point (just remove the "cool stuff" bit and you know my thought). The motivations for secrecy are interesting as well. We could amend the statement to say that humans generally (but not always) share while also generally (but not always) desire secrecy and isolation. While possibly not innate (it very well may be learned behavior, mightn't it? Despite anecdotes) sharing does occur rampantly and sometimes recklessly.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

History is replete with secrets, exclusivity and restrictions on information, training and knowledge.

Agreed! It is also filled to bursting with the destruction of the barriers that previously veiled things.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

E.g. the Bible wasn't translated into vernacular languages until the 1500s, and even then over the objections of the RCC; and only the elite read Latin (if at all).

Yes, the history of the Bible and it's transmission is an interesting lesson.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I suggest you be extremely careful and circumspect when making blanket assertions about "human nature."

Noted. No one has a stranglehold on deciding just exactly what is and what is not part of "human nature". I'll admit, what you are viewing as a blanket assertion is mere laziness on my part as I just do not have the space or time to qualify it justly (consequently it may have been wise to leave it aside). And your continued assistance at tempering will be appreciated! (This is not sarcasm. I am thankful.)

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Yes, they don't want to lose control. Neither do you, yes?

I have control over almost nothing. Even my own life is barely my own. Though I wish I could say otherwise. Powerlessness is something I feel distinctly.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

But it's mostly economics, not power plays.

The history of copyright law is filled with what most people would think of as "power plays" (blurry economics!).

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

But yes, when a new technology is introduced, you're going to need to either make new laws or reshape old ones to keep up. "The laws don't keep up" is a common complaint.

Absolutely, and it is what so many people are pining for incessantly. Personally, I am mostly indifferent or uncaring, I just go along with whatever has been established (which may be sad, but I can't pretend to being an affected rebel, revolutionary, or reformer).