4 ms·
At least within the us, theft associated with things like shoplifting is dwarfed by wage theft. Companies steal from their customers and employees more than the
by yummypaint 3y ago
At least within the us, theft associated with things like shoplifting is dwarfed by wage theft. Companies steal from their customers and employees more than the other way around. I would argue this is the purpose of the streaming model, to make sure people can't pass their media collection on to their descendants so it has to be repurchased. Theft.
Piracy is an activity within the scope of the free market, just like this institutionalized theft. Giving companies a blank check while holding individuals to the highest standard is a more impressive feat of mental gymnastics.
- lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y agoI agree that wage theft is a problem but in this particular discussion it’s a “whataboutism”. At best it’s a “two wrongs make a right” argument but I think digital content piracy has an easier justification than that. I don’t have to convince myself that piracy is okay: I do not see what is wrong with it. Others do. It’s on them to make the case against it and nobody makes a compelling case -- not one that I’ve read or heard. The talk of but it’s theft fails to see that piracy is markedly different from theft. It’s going to a different store where it’s on offer for free.
- yummypaint 3y agoI absolutely agree that digital piracy isn't the same as physical theft. It can even improve sales. My point is more that railing against small time media piracy while actual crimes are committed against human beings by big companies plays directly into the hands of those seeking to further the imbalance of power.