is Archive.org moral?

[Thought Art]

Recently I've been downloading PDF versions of taoist text to read on my reMarkable tablet. But, I am wondering if this is moral? It's basically an online library. wondering What your thoughts are. 

In the past I would avoid these but there are just so many books I wanna look through and I don't wanna buy them right now.

This is the website... Archive

People talking about it on Reddit

Edited February 13, 2022 by Thought Art

[Danioover9000]

   Could you elaborate more about the moral issue?

[Yarco]

Lots of books are no longer protected by copyright if they're more than 75 years old.

Also a lot of esoteric books that I see recommended, they aren't for sale on Amazon or anywhere else. Only way to buy them is used, often hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands.

If there is no way to support the original creator then I don't consider it immoral.

If you're downloading a Tim Ferriss book or something you could easily buy new, I consider that immoral. But if it's an out-of-print text by Alan Watts or similar that's been dead for 50 years nah.

Edited February 13, 2022 by Yarco

[r0ckyreed]

Contemplate Leo’s self-bias episode. This is what you are doing right now. Writing a book takes time. How would you feel if the situation were reversed and you depended on sales for a living?

[Girzo]

17 minutes ago, r0ckyreed said:

How would you feel if the situation were reversed and you depended on sales for a living?

I would look for another income source. This is the reality of being a writer, especially one writing scientific books. To publish most science books their authors have to PAY to get them published. That means not only do they not earn, they are actually losing money.

 

[Girzo]

2 hours ago, Yarco said:

If you're downloading a Tim Ferriss book or something you could easily buy new, I consider that immoral.

It all depends on one's worldview. Does Tim Ferriss really need your $5 bucks? He is wealthy as fuck. If you subscribe to socialist ideology then it's not immoral for you, because "from each according to his capabilities, to each according to his needs". You will probably make better use of that $5,

I guess the only correct answer to the OP question can be given by the OP himself. What do you believe to be true about the world, @Thought Art ?

[Thought Art]

Well, I can take a book for free at my library 

I generally only buy books. But, I like to take some from archive.org… mostly older books. But, I also wanna support the authors. I’ll probably end up buying the books I’m the long run if I like them. 

Edited February 14, 2022 by Thought Art

[Kksd74628]

@Thought Art

Only "morals" there are, are yours. If eating meat makes you feel bad then do not do that. If dancing on the streets brings you in tears of joy then go for it. Just do what you think is right thing to do - It's as simple as that! Who is the main director of movie that you watch? Hope that this guy knows what you like <3 

[Tangerinedream]

Is it safe to use or should we be wary of being in trouble for ‘illegal downloading’ ? 

[Thought Art]

@Tangerinedream seems to be legit with actual sponsors?

seems more legit than xlib and it’s it pirate bay. Doesn’t seems to have books that are new but I haven’t looked for them. I’m just wanting old spiritual Taoist and Buddhist texts 

Edited February 14, 2022 by Thought Art