I remember standing in Wal-mart one day and hearing some people complain to the person in the photo department about not being able to make a scan and print of a photo that they had. The photo was clearly stamped, on the back, with some photographer’s name or studio. In a way, I can understand this person’s frustration because they might not understand that when they bought this photo that they only bought ‘this’ photo and it is not theirs to do with it whatever they please, as in making copies for friends, family, etc.
However, there are numerous commercials shown on television and before movies about piracy. Yet, when I speak to most people, they see nothing wrong with it or give justification as to why it is OK for them to download music, videos, complete movies, etc. Recently, someone, knowing that I am into photography, offered me a complete software suite worth about $2,500 for FREE. Yes. Free! Well, it was a cracked version of some software that I could find useful, but I turned it down. He couldn’t understand why. I told him because it is stealing just the same as it would be if I walked into a store and picked up something of the shelf and took it. He told me that I was old-fashioned and that ‘everybody does it’. I certainly hope not. After all, if people make it and hackers crack it and give it away for free, it gets pretty difficult to make a living!
I just received my cross-platform upgrade to Photoshop CS4 for Mac. It feels good installing legitimate software! I was offered this, as a cracked version, as well, but chose to decline.
I don’t let Tony use peer-to-peer software on our computers at home. He told that his friends do it. I told him that I’d rather give him a few bucks to buy legit music so that the entertainers can keep making music!
Anyway, not to judge anyone. I just wondered what has happened to integrity and when did it become acceptable to steal whenever you felt like it?
Related Posts :
A friend from across the street I've heard negative comments about Adobe's support before, ...
One of the things that I had not considered when I upgraded to Mac was my use of Photoshop. Mind ...
Yesterday, I asked if anyone knew of Flash-like software that could be used to create a slid ...
11 Responses to “What happened to integrity?”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Sadly, lack of integrity seem to be more common every day.
Integrity (being honest and truthful) requires having morals.
Morality is adhering to a code of conduct; knowing the difference between right and wrong and doing the right thing.
“Right and wrong” should be an easy concept to grasp because the basic framework for morality was laid down in stone several millennia ago; the Ten Commandments.
When it comes to the Ten Commandments, the U.S. Supreme Court takes its guidance from a letter instead of the law.* So it comes as no surprise to me, although it does dishearten me, that we as a people lack integrity and morals.
* They prefer to base it on a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists and claim that is “separation of church and state”.
Hallelujah! Every time I get in one of those conversations with someone who tells me that everyone does it, I get a little crazier. Thank goodness not everyone has bought into the notion that stealing is okay “because everyone does it.” I wish more parents were teaching their children the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for doing your part.
Finally a wonderful blog about this. Well done.
EVERYTHING begins with parenting!! So good for you.
Tom
Paul, This is a great post and very timely. It seems like here in MX people justify using cracked software because they say the real software costs too much. By the same logic, I guess it would be okay to steal a car because the car costs too much. I really get pissed about Photoshop being stolen. I want the Adobe guys to keep improving PS. Not going to happen if they can’t make any money.
@Billie: Yeah, I hear that excuse too. And, “Well I want to try it before I buy it. If I like it, then I might buy it!” My answer to that is: What about the 30 day trial. Their answer: “It’s not long enough”. Yeah! Right!
I strive to be honest in all my dealings. This article about Photography has made me stop and think. I remember one picture that I tried to copy. I can’t remember if it was copyrighted or not. Will check from now on before copying anything. Thanks for this info, and for nephews that are just great people and priceless.
I can’t count the number of arguments I’ve had with creative people who would scream bloody murder if a client didn’t pay for work delivered, but would think nothing about illegally downloading music off the internet. I haven’t heard any kind of explanation for it that makes sense.
Chris: Just imagine if they were a photographer, someone stole their work, then said: I didn’t want to pay $250 for that print. It only took him 1/1000 of a second to make. It’s not worth it. I’ll just download it! I don’t think that that would go over too well! BTW, I’ve not heard a good reason, yet. I’ve heard plenty of excuses though!
Yeah, lots of excuses. I often wonder whether it’s the anonymity of the theft that makes it so appealing. Or, put another way, it’s kind of the old saw that ‘what really matters is what you do when no one is looking.’
I don’t get it either. I find myself in constant battles and reminders to even members of my own family. It is sad it is simply now just a matter of “exceeding the speed limit.”