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Hello GAF, I want to steal from a library
- Thread starter neoemonk
- Start date
Permanently A
Junior Member
I can convince the OP to not steal from their library with a post on this forum.
I can't stop the massive theft you described, even if I dedicated my entire life to it.
Its not a matter of being ignorant of the larger crimes, its a matter of the ability to actually cause a change.
And that is exactly the problem.
Someone must've laced me or something.
Edit: Also OP, don't steal. I said it before, but lots of families and people in need could really benefit from it. And usually, at least at my library, replacement fees don't cover the full cost of what was purchased.
Memorabilia
Member
No, thats not what I said and certainly not what I meant. If a bunch of people interpreted it that way then perhaps I didnt do a good enough job of being clear. You are free to condemn this guy all you want...after all, I said stealing the game is wrong in an absolute sense more than once. Anywho, I dont see the big issue here...I wrote something that I was hoping would have a positive impact on the discussion by bringing in some big picture perspective...but perhaps bc of how I wrote it a few people took my intent the wrong way. Miscommunications happen. I'll try to be more clear from now on guys. Now will everyone chill the hell out and have a drink, please? Lol
Alcoremortis
Member
Given my quick reading of the last few pages, it seems that what neoemonk needs to do is straighten out the gazillion loopholes in the US tax code that allow for corporate welfare and wasting taxpayer dollars. Only then will he have built up enough good karma to steal a game from a library.
Well the fee for a single game is capped at $10 at my library and they don't even send to collections until you owe at least $40.
noo, Hermano. noo. the library's sacred.
outunderthestars
Banned
Captain_Cold
Member
Libraries around me don't carry video games and I'd be willing to bet that people like the OP are a large part of the reason.
targetpractice
Member
And that is exactly the problem.
Is the problem that my head was exploding from trying to follow your... erm... "logic"... or that high level government and banking officials don't casually post on a gaming forum?
It wasn't going to go to collections because I said I was going to pay the fee.
I also said a while ago I wasn't going to keep the game but I imagine it's "read thread title, read first post, get mad" for most people.
So what even makes you think that the replacement fee will bring you in the clear?
Wha?
Even though you know the fact that you're potentially taking that the game away, knowing that the library won't be able to replace it for that much as it costs, you still are commenting on how the library won't bring you into collections.
So like, are you trying to evade the replacement fee even if you potentially take this game?
If your response to me pulling a direct quote is "that's not what I said" then I can only assume you're trolling.
Edit: you're right, let's have a drink. Cheers!
Secret Fawful
Member
Well, according to Memorabilia, you'd make a great politician.
Memorabilia
Member
I think this discussion got off-track bc I was trying to make a big-picture point that didnt come off as clearly or as well as Id hoped. The ultra levels of snark really arent necessary. I was simply hoping to steer the discussion in a more productive direction by thinking of big picture stuff. I obviously missed the target in this thread. It happens.
Libraries have enough funding problems. They don't need you stealing their stuff. If you steal it they will stop offering games because people steal them and they are very expensive to replace. If you want more time with the game just check it out again.... not like it cost you anything to renew your library loan.
MomoPufflet
Member
Not trying to be a dick, but Amazon Marketplace prices should never be used to illustrate any point regarding value, ever. The sellers regularly list the most absurd prices imaginable for OOP or unavailable stuff because they know people will either fall for it or be too lazy to research the real going rate on eBay (for example) or attempt to find it another way. What they list is not in any way indicative of actual market value in any way shape or form.
Memorabilia
Member
Lol Definitely not trolling, I was being sincere but obviously missed the messaging mark on this one. Oh well, it happens. Cheers to you too.
ArchersOfAgincourt
Neo Member
Libraries are awesome! Don't do this to them.
I remember as a kid there was a book series I liked about some teenage kid that was a superspy or something. It was a pretty obscure series despite the premise. The day that the newest book in the series came out, I checked my library for it and they didn't have it. But the lady at the desk looked it up and found the nearest copies in Florida, and for reference I lived in New England at the time.
GUESS WHAT? THEY SHIPPED THAT SHIT TO MY LIBRARY FROM FLORIDA.
And it was all free! And nowadays that pretty little library card can get you games and Blu-Rays too! Libraries are woefully underfunded, and its innovations like stocking games and movies that are keeping them running. So don't blow it
I remember as a kid there was a book series I liked about some teenage kid that was a superspy or something. It was a pretty obscure series despite the premise. The day that the newest book in the series came out, I checked my library for it and they didn't have it. But the lady at the desk looked it up and found the nearest copies in Florida, and for reference I lived in New England at the time.
GUESS WHAT? THEY SHIPPED THAT SHIT TO MY LIBRARY FROM FLORIDA.
And it was all free! And nowadays that pretty little library card can get you games and Blu-Rays too! Libraries are woefully underfunded, and its innovations like stocking games and movies that are keeping them running. So don't blow it
Necromanti
Member
Perhaps not, because you were implicitly condoning the OP stealing the game through not just the thread you decided to use as your soapbox (which, the truth aside, might be a bit of a tangent), but also by the things you said. You didn't have to explicitly say that the OP should steal the game, but by saying that it would be inconsequential to taxpayers if he were to,given everything else going on, it's not too hard to follow the logic through. Stealing it in the OP's case isn't just about the net damage, either; it's the principle of the thing.
Scrooge McDuck
Member
I hope you realize that people are bewildered not because your post isn't "dumbed down" enough, but rather because it's barely related to the topic at hand. What we're having is a clear-cut case that has no use of relative speak. People are having none of your attempt to steer the discussion towards the big picture because that would obfuscate the picture we already have.
People can both be disgusted by small unlawful act as well as the big ones. Try making a topic about how you're planning to avoid paying million dollars of tax and see how well people would react to that.
Puppet Shadow
Member
I pay banking fees. Hmm...
And ya, doing this would make you a bad person OP.
This is Gaming Side, brah
InsaneTiger
Member
This is exactly why we have games, to act out our deepest desires while not actually acting them out in reality.
Off-Kilter
Banned
There is no miscommunication here. I understand perfectly what you're trying to say, but my question to you is why should all the instances of the government and banks and corporations committing theft matter in this discussion. We have no reason to frame this discussion about OP and his library against the "big picture".
Beren the Empty-Handed
Member
That doesn't change the fact that you're still stealing. The library still has to eat the cost (since you know damn well that metroid prime trilogy isn't $10 or whatever the fee is), do the paperwork, file the report, and if they want to get another copy (lord knows why they would with people like you) they'd have to buy it again.
People are mad because it's a shitty thing to do, and takes advantage of the trust system.
It doesn't matter if you aren't going to "keep" the game (and take advantage of the fact that the punishment is minimal, which is also a terrible thing btw), you still gained it by illegal means. And from a fucking library.
BronsonLee
Member
What in the flying fuck is going on here
Memorabilia what have you done?!
Memorabilia what have you done?!
It's condescending but he's not wrong.
Stealing that game wouldn't hurt the taxpayer. It's still wrong though - like he said in no uncertain terms.
In which case you might want to edit your first post and make your decision clear to everyone reading the thread. I went though all 8 pages and didn't notice you saying such a thing.
To those unaware yes, video games can be found at a lot of public libraries, including recent games.
Here is the latest additions to my local library http://info.infosoup.org/cgi-bin/iiinew.pl?lib=zz&type=3&sort=0
to the OP: don't be an asshat, if you think you are the only one or that not many people steal from public libraries, take a look at all the BILLED games from PS3 alone
http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?...exact&FF=dplaystation++++3+video+games&1,132,
Here is the latest additions to my local library http://info.infosoup.org/cgi-bin/iiinew.pl?lib=zz&type=3&sort=0
to the OP: don't be an asshat, if you think you are the only one or that not many people steal from public libraries, take a look at all the BILLED games from PS3 alone
http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?...exact&FF=dplaystation++++3+video+games&1,132,
So you wanted to steal a $45 game from the library and give them $10 for it?
I keep seeing this ebay thread referenced and I'd love to read it. Link?
It is amazing how you keep trying to research this issue to ensure people that the loss potential is only "$10", and it isn't a big deal for such a small amount.
First was property taxes, and now you discovered the threshold point for the library to send a collection notice...were you trying to get your money worth first before the library forced your hands?
No one cares if you are willing to pay the fee or not.
People were responding to you because everyone literally thought you had a broken moral compass to even suggesting such an action against a PUBLIC institution of your community.
You can pay $100 in collection fee, but everyone will judge you for attempting to create a situation like that in the first place.
CaptainGyro
Banned
Surprised that so many people didn't know libraries have videogames. I usually don't check out games from there because my backlog is ridiculous already, but after checking out the online list I gotta say the collection is pretty awesome
Some of the newer releases:
Watchdogs) ps3, ps4, xbone, and 360 versions)
Mario Kart 8
Metal Gear V Ground Zeroes ( all console versions)
Dark Souls 2 ( all console versions)
Donkey Kong Country TF
Infamous for ps4
MLB14 the Show ( both versions)
South Park
Super Mario 3d world
Some of the newer releases:
Watchdogs) ps3, ps4, xbone, and 360 versions)
Mario Kart 8
Metal Gear V Ground Zeroes ( all console versions)
Dark Souls 2 ( all console versions)
Donkey Kong Country TF
Infamous for ps4
MLB14 the Show ( both versions)
South Park
Super Mario 3d world
Auron_Kale
Member
OP is a scumbag for even considering stealing from a library for just a game.
You can get the game from either Best Buy or even Gamestop's pre-owned inventory without much hassle.
You can get the game from either Best Buy or even Gamestop's pre-owned inventory without much hassle.
Nothing says "productive conversation" like coopting a discussion on the morality of stealing from a library to launch a sweeping, irrelevant soapbox rant on systematic government corruption contorted into a cynical and contradictory justification for petty theft from a public institution.
Piston Hyundai
Member
yeah, wake up, sheeple
joecanada
Member
Exactly right and to add to that, oh its only 50 bucks compared to corporate crime, so now we are all okay to steal 50 bucks worth of stuff from libraries? Yeah that won't affect them at all 50 X a few million people thieving from them.
D
Diggeh
Unconfirmed Member
My library has new release movies and Wii/Wii U games. And I can reserve any book/movie/game from the entire district on line, they'll call me when it's in, and they have a drive through window for pick up. Since discovering all of this in December I have literally read thousands of dollars in books/graphic novels, beat thousands of dollars in games, and haven't paid a cent to Red Box.
I LOVE my library.
Not surprisingly, my bank account has gotten substantially larger.
I LOVE my library.
Not surprisingly, my bank account has gotten substantially larger.
Yeah, it's theft.
Just because there's a small replacement fee to discourage people from being careless doesn't make it ok. If the only thing stopping you exploiting a valuable public resource is that the consequence is of a lower value to you than the act, that's pretty selfish. What if someone else wants to play it?
Your justification is also incredibly weak- just because everybody's taxes make a small contribution to something that they may or may not use doesn't mean you can justify theft in any way, in the same way that you can't just pop down to the park, dig up a tree and put it in your garden instead if you didn't sit in the park all year. The replacement fee for an item is deliberately low not because they are clueless, but so it isn't punitive to young people and the elderly who might not have much money, it's to encourage people to just let the library know rather than worry about a large fine, as accidents happen. The library pays for most of the cost of a replacement, you aren't being a 'savvy shopper' if you steal a valuable game or book, just exploiting something that relies on honesty to keep offering something of value to everyone.
Looking at it as 'if the fine is less than the value of the game, I'm stealing it' is just a disgusting self-centred line of thought with no concept of exactly how such places (and much of public services) run on the honesty of the vast majority of their users. If more people stole from libraries, the fines would get higher, and you'd probably have to pay a deposit. Either that or they'd close at an even faster rate than they are right now. If everyone stole or destroyed the flowers in parks, they wouldn't employ gardeners any more and would put cameras up instead. If everyone chose the line of action you are considering, we'd have much worse places to live, where nobody gives a shit as long as they 'get theirs'.