[buboard]

- no social signaling value

- knowing that there is an easily obtainable alternative (piracy) makes buying feel like being cheated/ripped off. people don't like feeling like fools, they like to think they re on top of things

- copies are free to make, so nobody is being deprived or damaged by them obtaining a copy

- programmers are generally invisible, so no emotional guilt unless the programmer themselves makes a personal plea/fundraiser

- probably no emotional value before buying. after buying, perhaps there is a certain emotional commitment to the software/game and so they are willing to spend more .

- Apple is the exception. It has social signaling value and also emotional affect, so users are primed to and willing to pay no matter what