Controversial opinion: When a paid service such as a streaming subscription has a worse selection of media and more ads than a free service that is technically piracy, you are not only justified, but morally obligated to use the free version.

That forces the subscription services to either change their business model and customer service practices or lose customers permanently. Because let me tell you, once you go free, you never go back. Why would you pay nine dollars a month for a service with in-player ads if you can have a bigger selection of content and only banner ads, without paying a subscription at all?

But what about the artists? You may ask. That is a good question. Streaming services already pay the equivalent of jack and shit to the creators. So what are you going to do with that nine dollars of disposable income now that you no longer pay the salary of the Netflix board members? Commission an artist. Or just donate to an artist. You will feel better about it, and it will actually help in creating art. Now isn’t that a novel idea.

Or, alternatively, keep the nine bucks a month in your pocket. Buy rice with it. A lot of rice. And dried beans. Get ready for the food shortages that are sure to come in the following years.