In Search of Pirates (article)

[Freeshadow]

Tommy is it something about the difference between people who just want their personal profits regardless how, as opposed to people who just want to be destructive because they CAN (e. g. cracker)

Harry: isn't "honest" just an euphemism for "never got caught" ?

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't follow you, Tommy. It is a dishonest act to illegally download, therefore, by definition, it is only dishonest people who do it. Honest people are not (by definition) dishonest.

Yes, but dishonesty is just a pre-condition and not a cause for the action. Dishonesty is not the reason for the action which was what I thought you claimed with your "because".

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

Tommy is it something about the difference between people who just want their personal profits regardless how, as opposed to people who just want to be destructive because they CAN (e. g. cracker)

Harry: isn't "honest" just an euphemism for "never got caught" ?

Yes, something like that.

[plib]

Originally Posted by HarryT

People take it because they are dishonest. They're the sort of people who are probably dishonest in other areas of their life, too.

Well, it's all black and white as usual, but given that there are recorded bittorrent users from the offices of the MPAA, RIAA and the US Congress I have to agree with you Harry.

[MikeOxlittle]

Originally Posted by Santos

Most people pirate movies/musics/etc because they can't afford to buy the stuff, so they basically steal it.

Rich people don't get rich by spending money ... they save it.

[Santos]

Originally Posted by HarryT

People take it because they are dishonest. They're the sort of people who are probably dishonest in other areas of their life, too. "Not being able to afford it" is a complete red herring; nobody "needs" to watch the latest film, or have the latest bestselling book.

True indeed. Stealing is a No No

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by HarryT

...It is a dishonest act to illegally download, therefore, by definition, it is only dishonest people who do it. Honest people are not (by definition) dishonest.

Such a black and white statement Harry, similar to the propaganda, exaggerations and downright lies spruiked by the music and entertainment industry.

In reality, there are plenty of shades of grey in between those extremes.

[plib]

Originally Posted by sabredog

In reality, there are plenty of shades of grey in between those extremes.

Fifty?

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by plib

Fifty?

No idea

I would need to ask my wife that one as she is reading the ebook right now

[MikeOxlittle]

Originally Posted by HarryT

People take it because they are dishonest. They're the sort of people who are probably dishonest in other areas of their life, too. "Not being able to afford it" is a complete red herring; nobody "needs" to watch the latest film, or have the latest bestselling book.

No one is honest in all areas of their lives.

Honesty is a dying concept in this day and age.

I wonder if the people who are so against illegal downloading of materials are 'honest' when it comes to potentially embarrassing material like pornography.

Do you people legally purchase every nudie picture/video you view on the internet?

I'm guessing you good moral people don't view icky material like that anyways so it doesn't matter .....

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I think people take the stuff because it's available.

a large number of people shoplift purely for thrills, i don't think piracy is that much different. i know i get a bit of a rush when i see a book that i had wanted pop up on a pirate site. i am also a compulsive shopper and 'hoarder' of information. i've gotten much better with the piracy end but i'm still a compulsive shopper. i could completely see how someone could get addicted to the rush of getting a book, movie or video game before anyone else has it or feel like they hit the lottery.

"Non-professional shoplifting is rarely about greed or poverty. It's about individuals struggling with personal conflicts and needs. These individuals know right from wrong, they know there are consequences and they often have the money to pay, but they continue to steal anyway. These people often steal items they don't need and sometimes don't use. They usually have the money to pay for the item, rarely plan their theft in advance and never try to sell the item for profit."

"While many non-professional shoplifters steal from stores on a regular basis, they usually have no prior criminal record (except perhaps for shoplifting) and are typically the kind of people who don't commit other types of crimes. Their behavior is less related to criminal intent and more the result of situational, emotional or psychological problems in need of attention."

"In summary, shoplifting for millions of our citizens, is simply another maladaptive way of coping with stressful life circumstances...similar to overeating, drinking, drugs or gambling. It is not an issue of good vs. bad people, rich vs. poor, young vs. old or education vs. illiteracy. At any time, or even many times in a person's life, the temptation to "get something for nothing" and the desire to reward oneself can easily be present. By raising public awareness about the problem and delivering needed programs and services to people who shoplift, communities who engage in prevention efforts will reduce the number of people who become involved and improve the quality of life for all."

http://www.shopliftingprevention.org...offers/nrc.htm

[maxiart]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I think people take the stuff because it's available.

Well, yes. You can't take it if its unavailable

Also, while I do not doubt some people would indeed, get some things just for the sake of getting them, I'd think that is, in general, not the reason most things are pirated. Specially because there is not one golden reason to pirate, but rather many, and for a lot of people, rather valid.

[Lirael]

I do think the 'available' argument has something going for it - how many of us have downloaded a bunch of (legal) freebie ebooks, even if we weren't very interested them and our to-be-read piles are already impossibly huge, just because they're free and we can and we might get around to them someday?

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

a large number of people shoplift purely for thrills, i don't think piracy is that much different. i know i get a bit of a rush when i see a book that i had wanted pop up on a pirate site. i am also a compulsive shopper and 'hoarder' of information. i've gotten much better with the piracy end but i'm still a compulsive shopper. i could completely see how someone could get addicted to the rush of getting a book, movie or video game before anyone else has it or feel like they hit the lottery.

I don't think the two compare at all. I assume that the "thrill" aspect of shoplifting has to do with the risk of being caught. Is there a real risk of being caught downloading a free book or stripping DRM?

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Lirael

I do think the 'available' argument has something going for it - how many of us have downloaded a bunch of (legal) freebie ebooks, even if we weren't very interested them and our to-be-read piles are already impossibly huge, just because they're free and we can and we might get around to them someday?

This is what I mean. I used to download every freebie just because it was free. I cannot tell you how many free Amish romances I've collected; I can tell you how many I've read: none. But they were free, they take up no space, maybe someday I'll read them. If they cost anything--even a nickel!--I wouldn't bother. But at no cost, they're irresistible.