Have you ever downloaded music, video, or books without paying for them?

Scenario:

"Wow, this was an excellent film. Watching it on my phone means I don't have to pay for a streaming service or go to a movie theater! I'll ask Bob if he wants me to send him the torrent."

Let's talk about the frame: Information has Value. Did our friend do the right thing, downloading a video and then possibly sharing it with a friend? They may have felt they got away with something, got a good deal. It is pirating (stealing). Likely you know someone who works in the film industry or tourism. The film industry includes many peripheral jobs, such as delivering materials to a company that fabricates props for films. The film industry supports over 200,000 jobs just in the LA Area. According to the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, the film industry accounts for around $30 billion in revenue. It impacts tourism which accounts for more than $100 billion. People visit Hollywood to see where movies are created. If everyone pirated films, what would be the incentive to continue production? Why would a large number of tourists want to visit LA?

This example is a gross exaggeration meant to insert Information has Value into a real-life example.

When we use the work of others, it has Value. When you find a source that will support your research findings, it is valuable to your research. Value includes acknowledging the creator's time spent, original thought, and resources. When we add citations to our research papers, we are using information that is valuable to us. We joined in the conversation. (Scholarship as Conversation).