I’ve often complained to folks about their use of the term “pirate” to mean “share”. When folks complain about pirated movies, do they really mean to imply that sharing movies with someone is the moral equivalent of attacking a ship?

However, as the word gains more prevalence, I can’t help but wonder if the negative connotations will wear off — we’re even seeing it in the dictionaryas “To make use of or reproduce (another’s work) without authorization”. Hey Johnny, I’ve got a pirated copy of Shakespeare for you! Why just the other day my math teacher mentioned that she had “pirated” some of the examples she was writing on the board from the textbook.

posted February 04, 2002 07:25 PM (Technology) #

Nearby

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Weird: Radio Free Linux. They’re
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Plucky Headline Viewer for Mac
FBI: Illegal DVDs Fund Terrorism
Arrgh, pirates.
Moving to Movable Type
My First Usenet Post
Fancy Stats-Man
My First Drive
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card

Aaron Swartz (me@aaronsw.com)