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0 pointssmcnally14y ago0 comments

> Whenever I hear someone disregard torrents offhand, I get the distinct impression that they've either never actually tried it or that they're simply being dishonest, because piracy has never been easier.

It wasn't offhand: it takes more time to find and download content than it does to turn on the tube and flip through its offerings. With hope, you're not arguing that point.

Your distinct impression is incorrect in my case: The last several torrents specifically for shows not then available via other means took me several minutes to find and many more to download. The shows in question weren't tiny unknowns; in my experience, finding less-popular shows is even more of a hassle. If any of these had been available on demand, for "purchase," or via Hulu (to which I subscribe), I would have preferred those methods.

Your own points are also not mutually-exclusive: piracy may be as easy as it's ever been and still be more involved than turning on and tuning in. I don't mind paying for content I feel is of value. I also value my time and the frictionlessness with which I can ~"mindlessly" enjoy some programming. Less hassle - even if it's still little hassle - is worth it to me. YMMV.

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w1ntermute14y ago

> It wasn't offhand: it takes more time to find and download content than it does to turn on the tube and flip through its offerings. With hope, you're not arguing that point.

> I also value my time and the frictionlessness with which I can ~"mindlessly" enjoy some programming. Less hassle - even if it's still little hassle - is worth it to me.

I think our use cases are different. I have no interest in flipping on the TV and "mindlessly" watching whatever programming happens to be on at the time. I have always hated "channel surfing", and I certainly don't like watching anything from the middle (of the episode or the season).

I carefully pick and choose what I watch. Once I've picked a show, I always watch it from the beginning to the end, in order, and keep careful track of which episodes of which shows I've seen (using Anigrate: http://anigrate.glacicle.org/). As you can imagine, I take my TV viewing quite seriously (though this is not necessarily true for all, or even most, torrenters).

> The last several torrents specifically for shows not then available via other means took me several minutes to find and many more to download. The shows in question weren't tiny unknowns; in my experience, finding less-popular shows is even more of a hassle. If any of these had been available on demand, for "purchase," or via Hulu (to which I subscribe), I would have preferred those methods.

Like I said, it takes a (small) upfront investment of time to educate oneself in the best means of finding such things. I don't know which particular shows you were looking for, but I can likely find a torrent (or direct download, if that's your preference) of any show you name in under 30 seconds.