Stealing

[Catnip]

From the way I see it, stealing is wrong in the sense that you're taking something that doesn't belong to you. However, I download music and I think Robin Hood is the greatest folk hero of all time.

Nobody deserves anything more than anybody else and while stealing is legally and "morally" wrong. After deep thought, I figure that there really is nothing wrong with taking from the rich and wealthy. Being grossly wealthy is a lot more morally corrupt than stealing something from Hollister.

What are your opinions?

 

[JesusVsThePolice]

I don't really care if you steal or not. Just as long as you don't steal from me. You may not come to steal bullets, but I'm more than generous to give them to you. But if you can get away with it, more power to you. I always find it amusing when someone steals art from a museum or something and doesn't get caught.

 

[Catnip]

I don't really care if you steal or not. Just as long as you don't steal from me. You may not come to steal bullets, but I'm more than generous to give them to you. But if you can get away with it, more power to you. I always find it amusing when someone steals art from a museum or something and doesn't get caught.

If someone steals something from an individual, then that's different, since you'd be stealing from an actual person. Stealing from stores etc., I really don't mind this.

 

[West]

I think that stealing is morally reprehensible. Taking things that don't belong to you and whatnot.

But I think having a sort of anonymity makes stealing much easier. I'd never steal something from a store because that requires me to personally enter a place and physically take something. But I also download music. Maybe I'm just more comfortable knowing that my face isn't attached so easily to the action--maybe I feel security in numbers; finding a torrent with so many seeds/leechers perhaps makes me feel like I'm just blending in with a crowd. Perhaps it's a combination of the two.

That could be why people who rob stores or banks do so with groups of masked people--kind of the same philosophy of security in numbers and the degree of anonymity.

It's probably the case that people feel safe stealing via the Internet because there isn't a well-established availability heuristic yet. People don't worry so much about downloading music because we rarely hear stories of people getting busted for having illegal music on their computer, so it probably won't happen to us. Perhaps they don't consider online stealing as serious of a crime as stealing from a store in the mall.

Maybe I'm a hypocrite because stealing is stealing, but my conscience would never allow me to steal from a store of any sort, and when I hear about people I know doing just that, it makes me feel really uncomfortable. Like I said, it's probably just the personal factor.

 

[DeadFantasy]

While i've never stole anything before because I had a friend (well was) steal something from me. While it was anything major, I still find it a horrible thing to do. Catnip, when you say you have no problem when it comes to stal those that are richer what do you mean? They worked for their money, no? (not all do) So, I think that's just as wrong. Doesn't matter weather your rich or not. Not trying to dawg you but, i'm just giving my honest opinion.

The store issue and how you said you think that's okay, I personally don't agree. I'm a good girl for one xD and for two, I heard that if you steal, the prices go up or something on the lines of that so, it effects others around when it comes to shopping.

 

[Oblivion_XIII]

Well, I steal. I steal because I don't have something, and I need it (like pencils and paper for school). The thing is, I don't have a lot of money, and I don't feel like spending it on that stuff. People around me have way more than they need, so I take it. People carry around 10 pencils, I'll steal 1. Stealing from stores, something I still don't do a lot (I steal candy and gum sometimes), only because of cameras, and I know the people at the stores, and I know how pissed they get when something gets stolen. Plus, it's easier to steal from others. But I only steal from a person if they have more than what they need of something.

 

[Catnip]

While i've never stole anything before because I had a friend (well was) steal something from me. While it was anything major, I still find it a horrible thing to do. Catnip, when you say you have no problem when it comes to stal those that are richer what do you mean? They worked for their money, no? (not all do) So, I think that's just as wrong. Doesn't matter weather your rich or not. Not trying to dawg you but, i'm just giving my honest opinion.

The store issue and how you said you think that's okay, I personally don't agree. I'm a good girl for one xD and for two, I heard that if you steal, the prices go up or something on the lines of that so, it effects others around when it comes to shopping.

I never meant stealing from someone else personally; someone who has worked for whatever the desired thing is, that's just completely unfair. By "the rich" I meant something like a wealthy store... or something. For example. Sorry, I was pretty baked when I wrote the original post.

And the prices going up, that's all irrelevant. I'm asking about stealing in general, not the consequences.

 

[Valvalis]

While I do feel it is wrong for people like CEOs to have billions of extra dollars that they don't need when other working people have trouble paying the bills, I don't agree with the people who say that stealing is the way to get back at them. Like Kaylee said, it affects the prices of products in those stores because the CEOs do not want to eat the loss, which only hurts the regular consumers like you and me; and it also hurts the lower-ranking employees of the company, like cashiers, stockboys, etc. who are also hurting for money (otherwise they wouldn't be working in that type of job right? ). If too much is stolen from a company, the CEO is not going to take the hit personally; he/she is going to make the lower-level employees suffer, whether by being stingy on their raises or taking away their benefits, and to be frank I think that's really shitty. So if you steal something from a store, you are most likely stealing from working-class citizens, not billionaires sitting around on their yachts drinking martinis. If you wanted to steal anything from them, you'd have to find out where they lived first.

As far as downloading music, which some have mentioned, I do get really irritated when the artists don't get paid for what they do. Making any kind of art is just as legitimate a business as any other and I don't think it should just be given away for free However, I have heard the argument that while the artists may lose $1 per each album illegally downloaded, the exposure that they get from more people listening to the music is good for getting more people to spend money going to their concerts, or encouraging people to maybe buy the album when they save up enough money, or buy the next one that comes out. While I don't know if I really buy this or not (no pun intended), I guess it is a possibility that this is sometimes the case, and I suppose that wouldn't be as bad as them getting nothing out of it at all I'm still a little about it though.

 

[West]

However, I have heard the argument that while the artists may lose $1 per each album illegally downloaded, the exposure that they get from more people listening to the music is good for getting more people to spend money going to their concerts, or encouraging people to maybe buy the album when they save up enough money, or buy the next one that comes out.

I could see this being true, but I do see where you're coming from that it's kind of a skeptical claim. But there is one particular group whose albums I have never bought, but I've gone to three or four of their concerts and bought a t-shirt and/or a jacket at each show I went to except for one, because they didn't have any merchandise at that one, otherwise I certainly would have.

 

[Channizard]

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a klepto. =/ It's an issue I've had ever since I was a child... I always wanted things that weren't mine, and maybe it's because that my parents never could get me such things. Well, not even that. But the things that I stole weren't extravagent things or anything... I would actually steal key chains.. I had a huge key chain affinity... so during lunch hour, me and a friend would go through halls and steal food (for her) and key chains (for me.)

Admittedly, there's been theft going around work for a while apparently (that I know of, may be recent, not sure) and one day I just found a twenty lying under neath a coffee can that someone had stashed and forgottern to take after their shift (no idea who, but someone had delibereately stashed this money because it was behind the till and just forgot about it)... I wasn't sure what to do, but having recently lost my job and just starting this one, I took it. =/ So it was more of a... second hand steal or some sort.

I think if I saw it again, I'd report it, because then I'll be the person who's finding this shit out, but it may have been a one time fluke.

 

[Oblivion_XIII]

Oh, don't get me started on how many things I stole from people back in elementary school. I will admit, that I used to steal kids' lunches if they pissed me off. I sometimes took them home and shared them with my neighbor. Oh, there were some good things in those lunches.

We used to have fake money shops in elementary school (we used our earned fake money to buy toys) I would just flat out steal stuff, or I would steal the money to buy the stuff. I stole a lot of candy from the store as well.

 

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

I once stole a PSP from my "mate" as he hurt my feelings and did not feel guilty whatsoever it is wrong to steal tho as I havent done it since

 

[Kandy-Sugar]

But I only steal from a person if they have more than what they need of something.

Who are you to say they have more than what they need?

Maybe the reason they buy so many of a certain thing is because they keep getting their belongings stolen and want to make sure they have spare.

That's not fair for you to then come along and then steal it from them.

It's quite disgusting.

I honestly can not stand anyone who steals for any reason.

If you need something, then get a job. Otherwise you can't have it. Simple as that. There is no excuses for stealing. What gives anyone else the right to get freebies whilst others have to pay for it?

Especially those who steal things that they DO NOT need, such as perfumes and make up.

You have to spend within your means and if it means you can't get a pencil or whatever (which I'm sure most people would be able to afford. <_<) then you can't have it. Simple as that.

Whether you're stealing from a rich person, a shop or just an ordinary individual, the fact is no matter who or what you're stealing from, it is still stealing and it is wrong. <_<

I've never stolen anything in my life. It's a filthy habit.

 

[SaShman]

I think I've stolen three things in my life on three separate occasions. I've stolen basketball cards, fake money and chewing gum. I stole all of them while I was a kid and I haven't stolen anything since.

Sure, I've been tempted from time to time but I am generally against most forms of stealing with the exception of software/other forms of media (music and movies).

My justification for this is that A) I'm not stealing something physical B) A lot of the music and movies that I download are/will be played on the radio/TV anyway, so I'm primarily stealing the convenience of being able to listen to/watch what I want when I want. C) I can't afford to buy half the stuff I listen to and I think the artists should be happy enough that I am at least listening to their stuff. Before music became a commodity it was an art form.
And this...

However, I have heard the argument that while the artists may lose $1 per each album illegally downloaded, the exposure that they get from more people listening to the music is good for getting more people to spend money going to their concerts, or encouraging people to maybe buy the album when they save up enough money, or buy the next one that comes out.

Stealing in it's traditional form doesn't quite sit right with me. But I'll admit that stealing is acceptable in some cases, for example the traditional model in which someone must steal to feed themselves or their family.

But I only steal from a person if they have more than what they need of something.

If they have more than what they need of something, why don't you just ask if they can share with you?

 

[Robbiedbee]

I'm not sure I can condone stealing at all. The worst thing I have ever stolen is a little more than my fair share of paper from the resource centre at school. If someon has wronged me, that doesn't entitle me to steal from them, that just makes me as bad, if not worse than them.

I don't necessarily agree with stealing from the rich either. Some people have worked very hard for what they have, and in my opinion, it is no one's right to redistribute wealth as they see fit.

I place a very high value on my own possessions. I look after my things very well, I keep my DVDs in order, my guitars are regularly polished/maintained etc etc. The thought that someone else is somehow entitled to these things of mine is quite frankly sickening.

As for software/media, I'm not sure where I stand on this. I downloaded about 4 albums from Rapidshare one afternoon, purely because I wanted one song from each of them. I didn't do it again though, because of all the horror stories you hear about people lumbered with £100,000 fines and so on. With that in mind, I can hardly judge others for software/media piracy, but some people take it to extremes. A friend of mine has thousands of pirated DVDs, which is taking things to extremes in my opinion. His logic for justifying it is that he would never actually buy a legit DVD in the first place, so these film companies have lost nothing by him pirating. It's like the only two options are pirate DVD or no DVD at all, and either way, he doesn't give his money to them. I think media piracy is a completely different debate though, and is probably best left for another thread.

 

[GalaxyFlare]

An oldey but a goodie!

The point of stealing from a Corporation is a good place to start.....We live in a Society where we are forced to earn things ie:working for $$$, not in its self a bad thing but as with most human devices it can make people do stupid thing and stealing is one of them.

its not th worst thing with the best of intentions in mind, like stealing a thing you desperately need, but at its worst it can certainly make us reckless and dangerous, stealing for greed, murdering for money,embezzlement just to name a few.

Stealing when your kid is just a part of growing up,and by kid l mean 3-7 as you approach your teenage years you should really know better, unless it you a clepto and cant help yourself.

Still no excuse.

Oblivion you a funny Fucker with your stories of theft in School, Its funny and in the past, its not like you knocked down old ladies and stole there purses right?.....right?


During my volunteer work some dead guys family was dropping of his furniture and some of it was really nice, but inside the Draws and Cupboards were some of his belongings, yknow watches,ties,pens BMW keys.....the guy was dead and his family did not want the items or they would have taken them out yeah?

I figured "I'm here giving my time,I'm taking these things its not like the guys gonna need'em right" So thats the worst I have ever done!

I did'nt get the BMW sadly..... ah well there always the next stiff......

 

[Catnip]

Who are you to say they have more than what they need?

Maybe the reason they buy so many of a certain thing is because they keep getting their belongings stolen and want to make sure they have spare.

That's not fair for you to then come along and then steal it from them.

It's quite disgusting.

I honestly can not stand anyone who steals for any reason.

If you need something, then get a job. Otherwise you can't have it. Simple as that. There is no excuses for stealing. What gives anyone else the right to get freebies whilst others have to pay for it?

Especially those who steal things that they DO NOT need, such as perfumes and make up.

You have to spend within your means and if it means you can't get a pencil or whatever (which I'm sure most people would be able to afford. <_<) then you can't have it. Simple as that.

Whether you're stealing from a rich person, a shop or just an ordinary individual, the fact is no matter who or what you're stealing from, it is still stealing and it is wrong. <_<

I've never stolen anything in my life. It's a filthy habit.

And why is stealing wrong? Because the big book says so?

 

[Dionysos]

I'm against stealing unless it is a case of survival. Stealing is harmful to friendships and reduces your own personal self-esteem as well.

I can't remember if I have ever stolen anything. I don't think I have. I've been present while friends have done it. I was with some friends on a school trip at the West Midlands Safari Park and they wanted to steal some £1 boxes that scream "help! Let me out of here!" on the push of a button. I was there when they did it, knew they were doing it, but wasn't going to alert anyone that they were doing it (as they were my friends). I felt so guilty afterwards when they handed me my box that I actually paid my friends £1.

That's the only time in my life that I can remember being close to stealing. Technically I did, but I wasn't doing the stealing myself, but I could have stopped it. I couldn't handle it though and I feel guilty about it to this day.

I've seen friends steal from each other a lot in my life, and sometimes they have stolen from me, and it is not pleasant to find out that someone you respect and trust has stolen from you.

As for stealing in general though, I've never HAD to steal. Luckily my family have been supportive enough to feed me, and to help me have a comfortable life. If I was starving and my family was starving then perhaps you could be forgiven for it, but that's barely the case anymore. Most people steal these days because they see something flashy that they want, and they have low respect for other people, and low respect for the value of the items in the eyes of the owner, and therefore steal because they are greedy or jealous.

There is always something more that a person could acquire for oneself, even among the very rich. It's not justified to steal just because somebody has something better than what you have, even if you might feel jealous and want it for yourself. It's better for yourself, and your personal sense of worth, to learn how to be happy with what you do have (so long as you are not starving or in danger), and not focus on what other people have. It's hard to do at times, and many of us dream of having what other people have, but those other people could also be doing the same thing.

 

[GalaxyFlare]

Thats right Argor!(the last paragraph)

I have never wanted to fullt loaded it is so much more rewarding to work towards something, a goal, dream car+house. Not to sound lame, but its a good feeling when you achieve your objective.

The hollowest people are gratified by stealing and the associated mental payoff is like drug, as for those who need the things they steel mostley they are not bad people they tired and pushed to there limit because only a moron thinks stealing is acceptable.

My previouse post mentioned my own exploits, I was embeleshing a little, I asked the my Supervisor if i could take the Suspect items for a small donation....and then l stole them!

Catnip you the OP fpr this thread?

 

[Catnip]

Thats right Argor!(the last paragraph)

I have never wanted to fullt loaded it is so much more rewarding to work towards something, a goal, dream car+house. Not to sound lame, but its a good feeling when you achieve your objective.

The hollowest people are gratified by stealing and the associated mental payoff is like drug, as for those who need the things they steel mostley they are not bad people they tired and pushed to there limit because only a moron thinks stealing is acceptable.

My previouse post mentioned my own exploits, I was embeleshing a little, I asked the my Supervisor if i could take the Suspect items for a small donation....and then l stole them!

Catnip you the OP fpr this thread?

I think so.