The explanation: Each word I type is intentional (particularly my use of the word “own” in the original Tweet, and should clue you in on a more deliberate meaning). When you pirate a plugin, you are benefiting from its use without paying for it—but even “normal” people will justify theft when they view software as nothing more than 1s and 0s. These physically-intangible creations are seemingly worthless to them—remarkable tools, created by those passionate enough about their work to execute a finished-product worth installing. Freeloaders don’t value the art (or time) of developers, and my suggestion is that people who don’t value the work of others must not value their own work, either. No need to convince me otherwise—it’s just a suggestion. The other half of my Tweet refers to “plugin collectors” (I said EVERY plugin) who spend more time downloading software than they do creating music. It could be argued that piracy has intrinsic benefits, and that many people wouldn’t even be “doing music” had it not been for piracy (thank you Peter Quistgard!). Well, if that’s true, then expression through music must not be deep in their blood and bones like it is in mine (true for a good portion of hobbyists these days)—in which case, I can’t relate. I do believe that plugin piracy creates future customers (if I had my own plugin brand, I’d deliver the unlocked versions to piracy groups myself)—but that determination is for the artist (the developer) to decide (maybe the “pay what you want” model isn’t widespread for a reason). This will be harder to appreciate for those who have never invested anything more than a few mouse-clicks to reach their goals—but the idea that piracy is good for business is an assessment that the uninvested and biased have no business making (not even addressing the money being made by the uploaders; from hosting sites that pay-per-click). You have excused the act of taking what you want (in part by vilifying the companies that you rely on every day)—no need to waste anymore time justifying what, according to your own moral compass, needs no justification. The year is 2023, and accessibility is no longer an excuse. A plethora of amazing free-plugins exist, and if you can’t succeed using free and stock tools, then you aren’t really trying. I don’t say that as an insult—I just mean that the assumption of free tools being inferior is a convenient one, and active-pirates have no need to challenge that theory. Do exceptions exist? Yes they do. Pay for them. The people in the video are gross—but we are all capable of gross behavior, which is why thought-exercise is so important to our growth as human beings. Growth is almost always the point of my so-called “bait”—it always has been. This Tweets has been composed for thinkers; not for numbskulls. Now, imagine if I took the time to explain every one of my Tweets to you people 🫠