This situation bothers me on two fronts. As I said elsewhere, I grew up in a working class community where people paid for what they used as a matter of pride. I have to earn money to buy what I want. I don't see why others should be able to buck out of that simple equation of social responsibility.

The other issue is that, while I'm doing OK at the moment, largely thanks to being published in a range of different markets and media, I do know others tied to a single market and medium. And some of those are <strong>really</strong> hurting right now. Not because their work is unpopular, but because it's being distributed in forms which gives them not a penny in return for their hard work.

This is already driving people I know, good writers, out of this business. It will also serve to bar people from entering writing because they simply won't be able to afford to devote the time this business requires.