[DFHippie]

I'm not saying there aren't legitimate reasons for writing scrapers. I've written plenty myself. It was just odd to see this disregarded entirely.

As for the commonality of principles, game theory explains most of them, so it isn't more surprising than that we all work with the same prime numbers, say. A simple principle of reciprocity will produce something along the lines of "respect other people's wishes".

[icebraining]

It was just odd to see this disregarded entirely.

I can't say I agree. I mean, a serious, interesting essay can certainly be written on the ethics of scraping. But these short preludes on technical posts just end up sounding either like a disingenuous legal disclaimer or a preachy paternalistic tirade.