Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I think you make a good point, but there is some irony in pointing out the distinction between colloquial and legal use of the term “stealing” while also misusing the term “piracy” to describe legal matters.

It would be more clear if you stick to either legal or colloquial variants, instead of switching back and forth. (Tbf, the judge in this case also used the term “piracy” colloquially).



I'm not sure that's irony. Just an plain error on my part, which you're right to point out. Piracy is also a pejorative label for copyright infringement.


Crashing your car is an error. Crashing your car while lecturing someone else about safe driving is irony.

In this case it seemed like you were making a point about the strict legal sense of a word, but misusing a different legal term to do so.


You're describing hypocrisy.


Irony is the opposite of what you’d expect, or incongruity between what is expected and what occurs. I expect someone lecturing on safe driving to…well, know how to drive safely.

Hypocrisy requires deception, not ignorance.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: