I’ll admit - when i initially read about these potential laws i was completely against it. why would i be okay with censorship? why would i be okay with the government being able to shut down websites at their choosing? why would they want to take away our rights?

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but every side has multiple ends: after further viewing both sides (and having a long talk with my bro on the subject), i personally am moving more towards the support of these two bills. generally laws are put into effect when something is being abused. and something is being abused - hard. i am a musician who makes most of my music income via media placements (as in film/television). Luckily i’ve had wonderful friends/relatives that have donated old recording equipment so that i can create free of charge. if i were a musician that had to pay for studio time, musicians, touring, etc. i would be FUCKING PISSED to have all that i’ve created be in vein because one human decided to ‘share’ (aka blatantly steal) my work. from my understanding, SOPA and PIPA are aiming to shut down or blacklist sites that are carrying out illegal activities like movie or music downloading sites.

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the internet has gotten out of hand as far as copyright infringement goes. the anonymity of being alone at your computer somehow makes us all feel it’s okay to watch that movie that’s still in theaters or to listen to that new album that’s not out yet. it’s turned the music industry into dying field. and to make the matters worse, people now complain about the inauthenticity of music today. how it’s all mindless and fake. how record companies don’t put effort into creative projects anymore. but how can they? how can you throw time and money into a project that may or may not work with money you don’t have? music is auto-tuned and mass produced because it’s the only way to survive in today’s market. there’s no room for creativity when you’re marketing to thieves.

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like every law, there will always be a threat of abuse and extremism. and maybe i’m biased due to the current state of the music industry. but the bottom line is this: the internet is being abused and when something is being abused, it must be controlled. i agree with what these two bills are proposing. i agree that sites that steal from authors, musicians, filmmakers, artist and creatives in general should be penalized.

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this my opinion alone and i’m sure there’s more than what i’m mentioning. but my challenge is this: take a look at both sides. don’t be pushed into an opinion because google and wikipedia tell you to. don’t sign a petition because of some caption someone made on some biased infographic. and don’t change your mind because of what i’m posting. research it, educate yourself, and make an informed decision.