Step 1.5: Shifting Consumer Attitudes
Now that the need for a more adaptive and
constructive attitude and new business models in the industry have been
addressed, it is time to examine what changes consumers need to make.
According
to a Adelphi University study which surveyed multiple universities, 81% of
students felt it was acceptable to copy commercial software and download music
on the internet. At the same time, the students highly
disapproved of plagiarism, intrusion of privacy, yet the majority knew that it
is illegal to download and copy commercial software/music. This study shows
that although many people, especially young people, know they are pirating,
ignore the illegality of it because it isn't immoral. Surveyed university students claimed that piracy did not harm anyone or the industry and use the
"I wasn't going to buy it anyway" excuse as justification.
The problem is that people who follow this philosophy contribute to a self-entitled culture where digital products are free. Consumers cannot just simply take and not give back. Luckily, the majority of consumers, including the youth, still purchase digital products. A different study showed that consumers have a budget for entertainment and digital goods, and when they exceed that budget they compensate by pirating. There was also a correlation found that those who pirate the most, actually spend the most money on digital goods according to Julian Sanchez from arstechnica.
The problem is that people who follow this philosophy contribute to a self-entitled culture where digital products are free. Consumers cannot just simply take and not give back. Luckily, the majority of consumers, including the youth, still purchase digital products. A different study showed that consumers have a budget for entertainment and digital goods, and when they exceed that budget they compensate by pirating. There was also a correlation found that those who pirate the most, actually spend the most money on digital goods according to Julian Sanchez from arstechnica.
The
solution for consumers is simple; actually buy their SH!#T and encourage others to do
so. Consumers need to be ingrained with fundamental values that respect
creators and ingenuity, even if they pirate. Awareness campaigns about indie
artists, bands, studios, games, etc. should be initiated to educate consumers
that they are the most dependent on royalties and encourage them to purchase
indie products. Regardless of method, consumers should strive to be honest and support the creators, artists, software, films, etc. they value most by legitimately buying the products. Even if a consumer has a budget limit before pirating, that is still much better than a complete freeloader. It is important for our consumer culture to pass on these values and practices to the future generations through our actions.
Don't be this guy....
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