Decentralization sounds great, but it can be a pain in the ass, sometimes. And if you've somehow managed to set it up to feel like it's centralized then 1) it probably is and 2) you've made it easier for someone to create a one-stop-shop which is centralized, built on top of your decentralization.
I do have to question the notion that free entertainment is what empowers people, but I suppose it isn't the stupidest attempt at justifying piracy I've ever read.
It hasn't, but it's far diminished than what it used to be.
I do have to question the notion that free entertainment is what empowers people, but I suppose it isn't the stupidest attempt at justifying piracy I've ever read.
Not only entertainment, but information in general. Various books and journals, some of which you probably wouldn't even be able to buy a physical copy of, obscure software, etc. "Knowledge is power." Piracy isn't just movies and music...
You're right, of course, but this is one of those situations where 99% of cases ruined it for the rest.
And I would argue heavily that p2p is diminished in any way. I don't have anything to do with the piracy subculture and it took me under 5 minutes to find torrents of current movies, tv shows, and albums.
I really do hope we see another "rise of P2P", but there seems to be strong commercial interests against it. (Bitcoin itself is rather commercial in nature, as it deals specifically with currency.)