The
Rational Argumentator
Piracy is Not Theft
Note: Left-click on the image to get a full view of this digital poster.
This diagram by artist Wendy D. Stolyarov is an excellent illustration
of why the downloading of music and other media from the Internet is not
an act of the same status as the theft of tangible property. Tangible
property, when it is taken, is no longer in possession of its owner, who
can no longer use it. When a work of digital media is copied, however,
it does not diminish anyone else’s possession of the copies already in
existence. Those individual copies still belong to their owners, who can
do with them what they please. Intellectual property laws create
artificial scarcity by restricting individuals’ ability to copy works
that are freely reproducible due to their technical properties. Feel
free to copy and distribute this visual aid as you see fit.
See the index of Wendy Stolyarov's art
works.
Wendy D. Stolyarov is an accomplished writer, thinker, artist, and graphic designer, who brings her immense talent and capacity for innovation to The Rational Argumentator and the wider movement for the advancement of Reason, Rights, and Progress. Mrs. Stolyarov uses computer technology masterfully to produce precise, realistic, life-affirming art. She has also contributed multiple essays to TRA and designed many of the magazine’s newer logos, including its banner and the New Renaissance top hat. Mrs. Stolyarov is married to G. Stolyarov II, the Editor-in-Chief of The Rational Argumentator and The Progress of Liberty.
Click here to return to TRA's Issue CLXXXIX Index.
Learn about Mr. Stolyarov's novel, Eden against the Colossus, here.Read Mr. Stolyarov's comprehensive treatise, A Rational Cosmology, explicating such terms as the universe, matter, space, time, sound, light, life, consciousness, and volition, here.