Takers Economy : An Inquiry Into Illegal File Sharing

File sharing has become a widespread phenomenon. As much as it can be a blessing in terms of communication and progress, it obviously opens the door to pursuits that enjoy a far less angelic reputation. Still, the overall picture hints that a significant number of users participate in such ill-famed activities. Given this situation, could illegal file sharing actually be a positive process for downloaders and the collectivity ? The question is usually approached from its economic angle, but there is clearly more to the issue than its pecuniary dimension. Takers Economy proposes an alternative look at illegal file sharing in light of the role of art in society, and in the context of the oneness of all things. The inquiry also explores the global picture from which the circumstances emerge, and tries to characterize the culture that gives rise to them. Finally, the essay introduces a philosophy of endosymbiotism that aims to accord with the ethics of the inherent unseparateness of being.