If Buying Isn’t Owning, What Exactly Is Piracy?

This conundrum got my grey matter turning. Then GTA VI got hacked, and the argument about what we buy, own and steal became a lot less theoretical.

coding | seaphylla | omnivorous

13 min read

·

Oct 11, 2026

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Socrates and a young man named Theon were crossing the marketplace on their way home when Theon, a small box under his arm, began to sigh.
“You are troubled by something very serious, Theon.”
“I am.”
“War?”
“No.”
“Death?”
“No.”

They walked another two steps before Theon came clean.
“I won’t be able to work on November 19.”
“Will you be ill?” Socrates asked, his face perfectly calm.
Theon looked at him.
“Something like that.”
“Something like illness?”
“Grand Theft Auto VI comes out.”
Socrates considered this. “And this prevents labour?”
“I have waited thirteen years for this.”
“Ah. A medical emergency after all.”