Okay so I've just been looking at a documentary about file sharing and piracy. After watching it I was kind of two sided on the issue and a bit dumbstruck at the reasoning being used at times. Thus I thought I'd make a topic and see what other people were actually thinking about this.
You can view the film here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yIk8...eature=related
Some of the points addressed in this film are:
1. The internet is build for the sole reason to share files, it's also human nature, why shouldn't we do it?
2. Can big media producers really charge 30 bux for a DVD which cost 15 cents to make? And more importantly, should they be the only one to distribute it?
3. The media is meant as a way to create things, not to make profit.
4. Everyone should be able to take something someone else created and do with it whatever they please, including redistibute it or alter it.
While I have to admit I am a first class pirate, some of these points just make no sense to me at all and I hope I'm not alone in that. If someone can watch that film and genuinely say these people are right in what they claim I would like to hear an explanation as to why because I can not wrap my mind around why someone would be so extremely naive and arrogant in today's world.
First and formost, and I say this as an artist, I write for my own entertainment. I place my stories out on the internet where everyone can read them because I want to share my stuff with others so they can enjoy it. I do not ask money for the stories I write because I don't deem my stories worthy yet to ask money for. But the day I finish a 500 page novel I have worked three years on I would like to get at least some credit for my work. If only I'm paid for the effort by those who are interested and want to thank me for it. Of course writing a novel is something different from making a movie but the same principle applies.
If you made something for others to enjoy that cost money to produce it is well within your right to ask money in return to cover the expenses. However this is where my two sidedness comes in. Creating a Hollywood movie can cost millions to produce. Sets, crew, actors, equipment, it drains money just to give us something to watch. I don't blame anyone for trying to get that money back and maybe making a little profit, this too is human nature, but when a movie that cost 150 million to produce makes 200 million worldwide in theater tickets it's a little arrogant to start selling DVD's for 30 bux a piece on top of that to try and make even more money. In that aspect I can understand this film's point of view but is it just me or are some of them completely retarded?
Discuss away, this should blow away that annoying boringness hanging around the forums lately.