Hurlshort

Exactly. However they are punished way more than shoplifter, which they are. Which is partly why piracy has grown from something that poor students do into a subculture of its own. I guess because it is a more complicated situation than shoplifting. There is also a bit of a throw the book at them mentality because so few are getting caught. I suppose the idea is to make an example out of them in the hopes that others will stop. It seems to be fairly ineffective at this point. But I don't buy the whole subculture idea. People like free stuff, that is why they pirate. Acting like it is some sort of noble fight against the man is ridiculous. These are video games, pretending that EA or Ubisoft is some sort of evil tyrant is humorous. They are just doing business.

I'm not sure how Avatar can be made into a sequel. A sequel should go like this - Orbital bombardment clears the way for mining operations of Unobtainium.

He said purchase a pirated copy. He is referring to the black market.

What's wrong with nuclear? I'm no nuclear scientist, but isn't there quite a bit of risk involved with nuclear plants? http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power5.htm Here's a link about pros and cons.

It's not really a desire, it is simply odd that you wouldn't state your age, and the only obvious explanation is that it would ruin your argument.

Given your youth, it's pretty hard for you to be certain about that, isn't it. But don't let things like actual experience get in the way of your certainty.

I already explained why age is important earlier. I'm going to assume by your reluctance to share your age that I hit the nail on the head, although I'm now thinking you are closer to 23.

Is there a reason you don't want to share your age?

Poor Calax, that's why they call it the Freshman 15.

Hm, nope, not regretting it these days. Was a good way to save cash and have fun back at Uni labs, heh. Besides, you'd think Ubisoft would have suffered from it. That's because you are still young. My guess is between 24-26.

Maybe I should try a different tact, since the 'don't pirate because it is wrong' argument isn't getting through. Don't pirate because you will regret it some day. On this board are a lot of older gamers, and most of us probably partook in the ways of piracy when we were younger. But eventually you will get older, and your conscience will get the better of you. You will realize that it wasn't worth compromising your morals for a bunch of video games. I realize we are talking hypothetically here and no one pirates on this forum, but that is the message I would like to see spread about piracy.

The Expendables - Pretty much what was expected, a lot of good action scenes. It just seemed like it could have been a lot more. They really only go into Jason Statham's character in any detail. Ah well, still a solid shoot em up.

Take it easy on the poor girl guys, with a face like that, her father was clearly a shovel.

Some of these arguments are dripping in weak sauce here. Why is this important? Are you trying to argue that it is a victimless crime? That isn't going to get you very far, you have a person creating content, and they are a victim when their work is pirated, regardless of profit/loss statements.

Uh, what? I don't think this is a hard concept. A person spends a bunch of their time creating something, they ask for payment for it. When you take it without paying, even if it is digital, how is that not completely wrong? What does this have to do with the Middle East again?

This is why it is hard to understand your viewpoint. Not a big deal to whom? We've had two developers come in here and tell you otherwise. We've had a writer tell you it is a big deal to copy their work. These are people with invested interests telling you it is a big deal. So who are you talking about? It's not a big deal to the pirates? Of course it isn't, they have no invested interest. Copyright infringement is also a crime. In many countries the penalties are identical to theft. I'm not sure why you are so hung up on that.

GD, I think you'd be surprised at how many people really do read your posts and appreciate your different viewpoint. Also, Krezack is clearly a patriotic guy, so you two have that in common. I just don't see how big government would have prevented the BP spill. The only part I can really agree to is the cutting down in fossil fuels, but I wouldn't say going nuclear is the best alternative either.

Isn't BP in gigantic trouble right now because of this whole thing? Like, major financial losses kind of trouble? I thought I remember Exxon also nearly going belly up after the Valdez incident as well and had to change a bunch of their environmental stuff in order to recover. What I'm saying is I think it is in their best interests, but unfortunately it takes a big disaster to remind them of that.

Happy Birthday! Ah, 22, I remember it fondly. That was the age I met my wife. Enjoy it!

I golfed with my Dad for his birthday. It has been quite a few years since I have done so. I hit the range a couple times earlier this week to try and prepare, but it was still a pretty sorry performance. I was pretty happy I got par on one of the par 3's, but double and triple bogies were the norm.

I don't think he's a hypocrite because of his religion or beliefs, it's the because of the way he conducts himself. edit: Maybe there is a better term than hypocrite? I think there is, but I'm tired and I can't think of one.

I'm pretty sure he's gone, guys. That's another part of his MO, when more than a few people start to tell him about his hypocrisy, he disappears for awhile. Which I suppose is a bonus for us.

I might have come across as too severe with the whole 'can't afford, don't play' argument. What I really should be saying is 'can't afford brand new games, find another alternative for games'. That's the thing, there are a ton of alternatives out there for people on a budget. There is oodles of shareware and freeware on the internet, and most games hit the bargain bin after awhile. So to stick with my analogy, instead of going skydiving, you go to one of those simulated wind tunnel places. Or you just jump off a tall building To go with your ice cream analogy, I never buy Ben and Jerry's ice cream at the store unless it is on sale. It is too expensive for me to buy at full price all the time. If I was really budget conscious about ice cream, I'd buy the cheap kind on those plastic tubs.

Isn't that pretty much all of this forum ? Not at all, there are quite a few folks here that are humble, care about others, and can carry on genuine conversations. Sure, we all have our quirks and hot button issues, but it's a pretty solid community.