Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Paramount are apps I don’t pay for. I only pay for Prime and Spotify on my own. But streaming services feel icky. You risk missing out on the shows everyone is talking about, like the new “Squid Game” or “Arcane.”
That brings up the idea of using alternative ways to watch movies and shows: using a VPN and safely torrenting movies. Torrenting is the method of downloading files over the internet. Though the act itself is not illegal, it can be when one downloads movies and shows, which goes against the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Though it’s breaking a law, I think that streaming services are a scam and torrenting is a better option. With streaming services, there’s a constant cycle of removing and adding movies and shows. For example, “The Vampire Diaries” used to be on Netflix, but now you need HBO Max to watch it. Why pay for a whole subscription just to watch one show?
That’s why I think learning to torrent safely is useful. Is it ethical? I think it depends on how you view art. Should someone have to pay to see the Mona Lisa? No, it’s art. Same thing with music. I shouldn’t have to pay to hear a song on YouTube. In my opinion, it’s the same with shows and movies. People can still pay to go to theaters, and studios earn money through ads and merchandise.
But for services like Netflix, Hulu or HBO, it’s just not worth paying $13+ per month for a handful of shows. Torrenting is the future.
