Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Most people are pretty dumb so what most people think isn't relevant.

Example: Donald Trump's popularity.




This point is idiotic. If the people who don't think that media sharing is a crime actually organized it would cease to be a crime.

Law is written by a privileged few but is enacted by the everyday people who choose whether to obey and enforce it based on their conscience and incentives.


Copyright is a great idea. The majority can think whatever they want and be wrong.

Laws aren't enforced by everyday people. They're enforced by, wait for it, law enforcement agencies.

We, the United States, live in a republic. If the majority of people think something it doesn't actually matter. The great thing about a republic is everyday Joe doesn't write the law. Nor should he. Because Joe isn't very smart.


I don't think you understand how human nature works, or how it affects dumb laws over the course of time.


So copyright is a bad idea because... human nature? I hope you aren't also a fan of GPL.

The root of this isn't that copyright is a good idea that's been spoiled by human nature. The root implies that copyright itself is fundamentally baD. An opinion that I respectfully disagree as strongly as can be.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2025 batch! Applications are open till May 13

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: