The Problem with Piracy...

[tofulove]

And that is my logic. Call it flawed, call it whatever you want, call me flawed, but as a young person, that is how it seems to me. And I know that's how it seems to a lot of other young people too, but with music or films. I don't want to seem like a kind of Jesus, but when I speak I speak for a lot of young people just like me.

Then may I ask what exactly is the point of your thread?
Are you looking for acceptance? You should see by now most people here don't accept your justification.
Are you looking to change our minds? Sorry, but no. If it makes you feel better, I have being there and done that... but not anymore.
Are you looking to discuss it? You don't seem open to other positions but yours.
Are you looking to confess it? You don't seem to regret it.

and to that a nice solid end to the thread in my opinion, best way to sum it up

 

[Calgetorix]

I really see no point discussing this. You've said it's not a need. Fine.
Then there's no logical reason for you to have the game.
Trying to justify piracy by not having enough money as a logical reason just doesn't make sense.
Only greed justifies pirating a game (or perhaps to test it before buying, but when are you just testing a game or actually playing it but just getting tired of it?).

let the big kids talk this out honey, the statement you just made shows you haven't been paying attention.

I've followed this thread from page 1. No reason to be condescending.

 

[Thingo]

You're too selfish to consider anyone but yourself. You have fun at the company's, designer's and gamers expense. You see, when you download that file, you're stealing. The only difference between taking it from the shelf is that the company will lose a few bucks more to pay for that physical CD you took. You were going to buy that game, but instead took it for free, so they did lose money.

And when you pay 25 pound for a game, you're not throwing the money. You're BUYING A GAME. You're buying hours of entertainment.

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

And that is my logic. Call it flawed, call it whatever you want, call me flawed, but as a young person, that is how it seems to me. And I know that's how it seems to a lot of other young people too, but with music or films. I don't want to seem like a kind of Jesus, but when I speak I speak for a lot of young people just like me.

Then may I ask what exactly is the point of your thread?
Are you looking for acceptance? You should see by now most people here don't accept your justification.
Are you looking to change our minds? Sorry, but no. If it makes you feel better, I have being there and done that... but not anymore.
Are you looking to discuss it? You don't seem open to other positions but yours.
Are you looking to confess it? You don't seem to regret it.

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

 

[Felated Show Pony]

I really see no point discussing this. You've said it's not a need. Fine.
Then there's no logical reason for you to have the game.
Trying to justify piracy by not having enough money as a logical reason just doesn't make sense.
Only greed justifies pirating a game (or perhaps to test it before buying, but when are you just testing a game or actually playing it but just getting tired of it?).

let the big kids talk this out honey, the statement you just made shows you haven't been paying attention.

I've followed this thread from page 1. No reason to be condescending.

actually, the argument against what you're saying has already been made, if you go back and read it. No point in bringing it back up.

 

[NotMemorable]

Wow, I didn't expect this many people to be against piracy. If you think downloading games/software is morally wrong (and thus you don't do so), then I assume you're not downloading music either (or a huge hypocrite). Aren't all those songs on youtube copyrighted too? Okay, most music doesn't get deleted by youtube but is that by choice of the artist? Or does he simply know that he can't prevent his music from appearing on youtube? By that reasoning I'd find listening to copyrighted music on youtube equally morally wrong. I just can't immagine there's this many people not downloading music or watching music videos on youtube.

Aside from that the risk factor plays a huge role in our criminal tendencies, hell if there's enough cash involved and the risk is low enough practically everyone would steal. I believe because there is no risk in piracy it doesn't matter if it's legal or not, what matters is if it's morally okay. It's probably selfish to download illegaly because:
One, you screw over the company/creator of the wares.
Two, you screw over everyone that does pay for their wares, if there was no illegal downloading prices would drop.

Still I download illegally, I guess I'm just selfish like that. Why should I care about some huge company losing money if it's never coming back at me? Nobody genuinly cares about what happens to someone they don't know if it will never affect them, most like to think they do because that makes them feel good inside. I don't give a rat's ass and I come out on top, where others might spend hundreds of dollars on software, I can get myself a nice PC.
It pays to be selfish.

P.S. The "I only download what I wouldn't buy argument" is shit. First off you wouldn't know if you would buy it because the fact that it's available for free shifts your priorities, besides it's a way to easy excuse. I wonder how many people who go by that argument actually practise it. If you download illegally you're amoral and selfish in the eyes of the community, simple as that.

 

[The Lost Big Boss]

One argument is that you should support the developers by buying the game, but I don't buy that. Any game now days is going to be able to be bought used, thus every penny of that money will go right into the stores hands, not the developers. Now I am not saying that pirating is good, I think it is killing gaming (PC anyway), but we must also consider how much damage Gamestop has done also. So what I say is this, if you are getting a game try to find it new so it will support the developer. If you can only find a used copy then go and get it offline, if you can't get it that way then pirate. That is the only way pirating is legitimate, you get a game and Gamestop doesn't get a dime.

 

[tofulove]

And that is my logic. Call it flawed, call it whatever you want, call me flawed, but as a young person, that is how it seems to me. And I know that's how it seems to a lot of other young people too, but with music or films. I don't want to seem like a kind of Jesus, but when I speak I speak for a lot of young people just like me.

Then may I ask what exactly is the point of your thread?
Are you looking for acceptance? You should see by now most people here don't accept your justification.
Are you looking to change our minds? Sorry, but no. If it makes you feel better, I have being there and done that... but not anymore.
Are you looking to discuss it? You don't seem open to other positions but yours.
Are you looking to confess it? You don't seem to regret it.

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

we found out some thing about you to, like how you don't like being called out on your views but at the same time want to here them, silly isn't it. to your very childish and have no sence of right and wrong. 3 you think every one around you is here to help and entertain you, have no respect for others time and effort, and when people confront you on this you just say your misunderstanding my point, frankly that is your point your a selfish ass hole who thinks its ok to steel from people

 

[hermes]

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

Ok, good. Now you know what I think (for what is worth), besides 5 pages of other people thoughts... My job here is done.

Now is up to you wheter you decide to do with what you find out in these 5 pages, if anything at all.

 

[toapat]

ive been doing all tht illegal stuff but now i am seeing the light...

im starting to get music more from albums and itunes now

think of it this way, when u buy it ur giving money to the band, so they may continue to make great music, they have to make their money, just like us

actually no, not all bands get royalties on their music


the fact is that major retailers (excluding Amazon.com who buys everything in existance) stock games that the company doesnt give an initial investment in. its cheaper and better to distribute your game online

 

[Felated Show Pony]

And that is my logic. Call it flawed, call it whatever you want, call me flawed, but as a young person, that is how it seems to me. And I know that's how it seems to a lot of other young people too, but with music or films. I don't want to seem like a kind of Jesus, but when I speak I speak for a lot of young people just like me.

Then may I ask what exactly is the point of your thread?
Are you looking for acceptance? You should see by now most people here don't accept your justification.
Are you looking to change our minds? Sorry, but no. If it makes you feel better, I have being there and done that... but not anymore.
Are you looking to discuss it? You don't seem open to other positions but yours.
Are you looking to confess it? You don't seem to regret it.

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

we found out some thing about you to, like how you don't like being called out on your views but at the same time want to here them, silly isn't it. to your very childish and have no sence of right and wrong. 3 you think every one around you is here to help and entertain you, have no respect for others time and effort, and when people confront you on this you just say your misunderstanding my point, frankly that is your point your a selfish ass hole who thinks its ok to steel from people

this adds nothing to the discussion. it is not a stance, it is merely hate. I rescind my apology.

 

[Felated Show Pony]

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

Ok, good. Now you know what I think (for what is worth), besides 5 pages of other people thoughts... My job here is done.

Now is up to you wheter you decide to do with what you find out in these 5 pages, if anything at all.

this is the right stance to take. quit the flame war and think for crissakes, people. Objectivity does matter, sort of.

 

[tofulove]

And that is my logic. Call it flawed, call it whatever you want, call me flawed, but as a young person, that is how it seems to me. And I know that's how it seems to a lot of other young people too, but with music or films. I don't want to seem like a kind of Jesus, but when I speak I speak for a lot of young people just like me.

Then may I ask what exactly is the point of your thread?
Are you looking for acceptance? You should see by now most people here don't accept your justification.
Are you looking to change our minds? Sorry, but no. If it makes you feel better, I have being there and done that... but not anymore.
Are you looking to discuss it? You don't seem open to other positions but yours.
Are you looking to confess it? You don't seem to regret it.

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

we found out some thing about you to, like how you don't like being called out on your views but at the same time want to here them, silly isn't it. to your very childish and have no sence of right and wrong. 3 you think every one around you is here to help and entertain you, have no respect for others time and effort, and when people confront you on this you just say your misunderstanding my point, frankly that is your point your a selfish ass hole who thinks its ok to steel from people

this adds nothing to the discussion. it is not a stance, it is merely hate. I rescind my apology.

sure it does, a huge part of the discussion hes trying to make is about him self, so he him self is up for debate cause he made it so

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

we found out some thing about you to, like how you don't like being called out on your views but at the same time want to here them, silly isn't it. to your very childish and have no sence of right and wrong. 3 you think every one around you is here to help and entertain you, have no respect for others time and effort, and when people confront you on this you just say your misunderstanding my point, frankly that is your point your a selfish ass hole who thinks its ok to steel from people

Ok, ok, ok, looks like it's time for Gilbert to defend his honour here...

When did I never like being called out on my views? Multiple times I've said that it's wrong, but I can't bring myself to spend the money on it when there is something else I could buy. I just can't, and that is my major flaw.

What I found very interesting were points 2 and 3. I do indeed have a sense of right and wrong. It's wrong for companies to fix prices. Companies (yes, that includes game companies) fix prices (Google 'The Fix is In', This American Life, it's very good). It's wrong to pirate things. Millions of people pirate things. It works in swings and roundabouts. And I am a 'selfish ass hole'? Well, that's news to me. And the simple fact is, people are misunderstanding why I even posted this. It's not for affirmation, it's just me wondering what people think about it. And that's the response that I got, and while it didn't agree with me, I thank you.

 

[tofulove]

frankly over half of what he said has bin about him. i do this i think i do is ok, i think its bad that i do this or good that i do this, almost every post he has made has bin about him. so me making a post about him is is well, relevant.

 

[tofulove]

he is unable to argue the point subjectively, he has to put him self into the debate, those the debate is partly about him,

 

[Felated Show Pony]

sure it does, a huge part of the discussion hes trying to make is about him self, so he him self is up for debate cause he made it so[/quote]

there is no argument here, you are attacking him as a person, instead of directing your post at the argument. We understand that morality matters a lot to you, and it is fine that you do. but attacking those that do not follow morality is simply hatespeech. not to mention, immoral.

 

[tofulove]

sure it does, a huge part of the discussion hes trying to make is about him self, so he him self is up for debate cause he made it so

there is no argument here, you are attacking him as a person, instead of directing your post at the argument. We understand that morality matters a lot to you, and it is fine that you do. but attacking those that do not follow morality is simply hatespeech. not to mention, immoral.[/quote]

make a valid point, although i wouldn't call it hate speech just being unprofessional in a debate. point taken

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

Unless I'm mistaken, you've answered the question of 'what is the point of this thread'. To find out what other people think, and to see if people agree or disagree with me. I think it's safe to say that all of those things have been found out over the course of these 5 pages.

Ok, good. Now you know what I think (for what is worth), besides 5 pages of other people thoughts... My job here is done.

Now is up to you wheter you decide to do with what you find out in these 5 pages, if anything at all.

You know what? This whole thing has made me think a little more about when I download things. Chances are I won't stop, (lets hear it again: I can't justify it to myself...) but I'll probably think more. Then, when I'm older, I'll try to pay it back. To charuty, though, God knows they derserve it more that EA and Henry Hatsworth.

 

[NotMemorable]

And I am a 'selfish ass hole'?

You can point out alot of things that are wrong in this world but that doesn't morally allow you to go ahead and join in in the wrongdoing. Downloading illegally is selfish and amoral from society's point of view but practical from personal point of view. Which one is more important?
Pretend you're buying your stuff if you think it helps you out (in terms of relationship or law), download illegally what you want. Tadaa, best of both worlds.