If bandwidth were metered and people paid per byte, I think the amount of sharing would drop. People share their bandwidth because they are paying for downstre

If bandwidth were metered and people paid per byte, I think the amount of sharing would drop. People share their bandwidth because they are paying for downstream and they also happen to get a chunk of upstream bandwidth with that. Regarding storage, they need to store the item locally to consume it. There are probably very few individuals that store all the torrents they've ever downloaded in perpetuity and remain as seeders of those. But yes, I agree that regardless of the causing circumstances, the fact that people are all making copies of things and sharing them is remarkable. I think it is analogue to what a lot of people want to see with 3D printing. Replace "bandwidth and storage" with "the transportation of raw materials," and torrent software with 3D printing, and you've got yourself an interesting sea change in the manufacturing industry. I wonder if they will lobby with the same intensity that the RIAA and MPAA have.