Re: You make an excellent point here.

would have spent their money elsewhere...

Exactly.

How many music albums and programs I have bought since 2000?

I have two albums of Cleopatra, the first and the second. About seven years ago I became interested in a certain rock band and bought two of their albums (the band doesn't interest me any more, too noisy). I have bought one CD of a certain famous classical guitarist.

I have bought Windows XP and then Windows 7. Ten years ago I purchased both Word and Word Perfect, and later Pinnacle Studio and East-Tec Eraser.

That's all. How much did all this cost altogether? Not much.

I buy only what is strictly necessary for me.

I avoid crack and pirated software because it can contain malware - this is the main reason.

And how many books would I buy if there were no libraries? Only a few, only the books that I really like and need. Well, maybe the authors would get a couple of dollars.

"They say
that once upon a time
it seems strange, but you see
in the clearing in the forest
lived a goat with three kids.
Not far from their house
with nerve, and the same body
without any soul in it,
housed the old wolf."