I will voice a reflection aloud that will cringe some sensitivity but my motive is to invite more functional brainstorming in the future. We should not forget all sides of our actions and the goals in perspective
Behind the complaint of "repeated scammers" used as an excuse by the 2 parties, which like the money system are cornerstones of our reality, there is another threat that ended up to cause some trouble, which is repeated piracy originating from this site, done in a carefree way, I'm sorry to say unsmart
Free sharing of the most known eBook (just like too much open debate in general) can now be judged on hindsight as a very short term view over a long term concern, that is bound to defeated. Piracy is targeted in our society and has the tendency to not last forever without potential consequence. The problem here is that there was an age criteria at stake that could lock up a golden opportunity for good, or complicate lives with burden to another level, eventually unreachable.
Let me emphasize the extent of the defeat the situation has become today.
1) Past the live verification of the new online edition, they also took the decision to reserve the sale of the print version of the Essentials to their site wih the same checking procedure and remove it from Amazon. Before, you could pass their restriction by shopping at Amazon and at most, you'd wait a few months up to a year to get the latest revised edition. Now, it's no longer possible and a big loss. In fact, it was a solution to not underestimate, an especially easy workaround without stealing the people's work, which proved they were not after reaching a larger audience than the elderlies for ethical or selfish reasons. It was there at disposal, readily available, and at a normal price range while there are countless other books on all subjects that sell for $50, $100 or more when rare and valued.
2) I'm browsing their forums since around 2010 (the debut of their existence) and rather frequently there were underage youngsters present in the crowd who managed to participate and contribute with the older folks, in disguise, but they did. I was one of them and I've witnessed other unruly boys/girls gettng busted at the exact time they were becoming a bit lax and put down their guard no longer wisely, then they were spotted and removed but not in a condescending tone by neither the old lads or the staff doing negative comments, just straight cleaning
In other words, back then until now, a restriction was in place right, but still light enough to be bypassed with some rather minimal efforts for motivated people showing dedication. All it took was to find a valid ID picture of any kind or source. I subscribed 3 times over the years and Exit never questioned my made up story (each time different) about the poor health I was making as different than my real situation. It was not a military grade filter to cross, far from it. I mean, even the admins of SS broke the entrance which used not to be rocket science as proof of the doability.
In my opinion, people should have been taught to fish instead of giving them fish while taking the credit of a mass diffusion playing the white knights, which I believe was showing a track of defiance on a mission along the way. Particularly, this should have been done with more silence sneakily on a low profile, whether in private or in an unbranded generic way, by gathering and publising the info reshapep, with or without credits, on your own but not scrapping it bluntly. Instead, I fear there was a lack of humility with pride on revendication, fast forward immature "activisim" based on the opposition that Exit/PN would be a so called ennemy. This has now backlashed severely for our sad fate. Because the result of today, is not to attribute with simplification towards a one sided reality around business matters strictly but global reasons, like the need to accomodate the law to survive when defending a conflicted topic, the violation of respect, the maintenance of a project, etc. It's a lot more nuanced than many of you make it be with a stripped down rageous version of facts.
If my tone is fed up, it's because I think of suffering friends who I care deeply for, for whom now is not the time but will be in a small amount of years. For them, times will be tougther while this site has been running since ...4 years, quite low compared to mankind and the right to die movements who took the most piss to start it all, but enough to accelerate things in reverse in the wrong direction too
That day if things turn sour, truth is it won't be the fault of Exit acting as the sole Big Bad Wolf, the stance adopted here will be to accuse greatly as well. In this case of recent developpement, they expressed it was due to lasting piracy at SS. You face it or not, they sent warning signs more than once. Time to pay the bill, not only in value. Ironically, before, there was the luxury to access the knowledge for a reasonable fee, but this was still better than to be deprived with forceful measures with no way out.
Please consider this joint responsability if pretending to care for the cause without a tunnel vision or not minding past the instant. Next time, maybe it's time to play out things in a more thoughtful cooperative way and do not confuse ventures who are more allies than the opposite historically speaking and to be honest, have proved a lot ffor the advance of where we are (quite more with than anyone here from the comfort of their bedroom, showing their face, never running away). In fact, the day Exit is gone if they cease for whatever reason but of a legal nature due to too much drama exposure, some of which is belongs to here in ungrateful manners, well, you'll be the first to cry tears of pain, become again nobody for the fact your existence is hanged a lot to their survival.
I'm sure the initial intent was not misguided but surely mistaken since the way was not thought out carefully with intelligence. Pardon to say, by inadvertance, to me, the result has been more disservice achieved than a collusion of pro-lifers united which did not have weighted impact as of now. That's pityful. Any plan to compensate or revise the manner during the next move ?! I'll be one who regret a new mandatory dependency on SS as a master of control (while it lasts! unproven for how long). I can't find a worthy excuse at the moment to make up for it, having in mind fellow friends that will pass after. Peace
