[merry-year]

Enjoyment >> freedom /s

Plus the artists who create the content get a miniscule part of your purchase money.

[themoonbus]

I have several friends and family who live off of that minuscule amount...

You can rent basically any movie on Amazon, or buy DRM free music from a variety of sources. If you choose not to and torrent, you're not performing some sort of noble protest in the name of the artists. I can assure that they don't see it that way.

Note: I'm not saying that people in creative capacities think that torrenting is evil, and yes, they know they are part of a broken system. I just think it's disingenuous when people justify torrenting using this argument. You're torrenting because you think the market price of whatever content you're downloading is too / you don't feel like paying. Simple as that.

[jmagoon]

So they should get none instead?

[merry-year]

There are alternatives - e.g. instead of band albums buy overpriced T-Shirts on their official web site.