Lies and Statistics

Following up on SOPA/PIPA the Freakonomics folks give Hollywood’s estimates of loss to piracy a second look and it is not flattering.

Estimating that loss requires counterfactual assumptions about what the world would have been like if the piracy had never happened — and, no surprise, those most affected tend to assume the worst.

Could it be that money spent lobbying these bills would be better spent improving your product and streamlining its delivery to your customers? I think so. What the actions of the entertainment industry in pushing these laws tells me is pretty frightening. It is easier to buy politicians than please your customers.