Quote:
Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel
i think it's important to keep in mind that sharing books and culture is a fundamental part of the human experience ; not only do i think it's not *practical* to think that should change completely, i also think we would *all* be significantly poorer (on a cultural level) if it did. there have been many books i wasn't sure i would like (or even was pretty sure i *wouldn't* like), and even on the recommendation of a friend i wouldn't have bought them (even for 2-3$).
there's also the case of people who simply can't spare even 2-3$ (especially since it's not just 2-3$, it's 2-3$ x n number of books ; nobody ever reads just *one* book) ; when i was a student there were plenty of things i couldn't afford to buy, including lots of books (i had to buy too many already for my classes) and thank god for the library and for friends, or i don't know what i would have done. however i discovered a lot of authors at that time that i still love today and now that i have the means to buy their books, i do.
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Just because you can't AFFORD to pay for something doesn't mean that you should get it for free. I don't disagree with you that reading one book by an author for free can lead to many further sales. Baen Books has shown just that fact through their Free Library. BUT... it is the AUTHOR'S right to give you that option, it is not YOUR right to take that option. One is wise marketing on the author's part, the other is theft. The "shared culture" theme is why copyright was originally for a relatively short period (12 or 14 years, plus one renewal of the same duration, in the U.S.). That period has been shamefully extended, at the behest of large corporations, to a ridiculously long period. But that means the laws should be changed, not that everyone should become thieves.
I don't know if you've ever created something that you've then sold copies of (book, program, etc), but when you DO make your living in that way, the talk of "sharing with friends" leaves a very different taste in your mouth.