It was the last time I pirated something. And more and more, it feels like the last time I wasn't the punchline to a bad joke.
This author shouldn't be supporting these parasitic industries if he feels so badly about doing so. Most of those artists never see a penny from those sales, so his "respect for the people who make it" is misplaced.
He should use his money to drive innovation, and reward those who really deserve it. When distributors are so unwilling to take customers' money, it shouldn't be unethical to 'pirate' the content.