Of all the varieties of infringement-related comments, the “stay off the Internet” refrains are the most toxic. In one go they both acknowledge that infringement is bad for artists while also showing no concern for the Internet, which would be poorer for their absence. “Don’t post it” is the ultimate nihilistic diss.
But US does the same for so many things, health care, collecting fines for municipal violations, keeping people locked up, providing education, politics.
It is only to be expected that many people would feed of on relationship between people and information there. No other country is so zealous about interfering with it for profit.
As for "damage to the creative environment," the person trying to making a living off their work is not the one doing damage. The people who believe they are entitled to the work of others are the ones who should bear the sole blame for that.
Tell that to all scared teenagers posting "No copyright infringement intended" because they made something cool while Sony makes its living. Being exposed to copyright law causes permanent brain damage. Your creativity might never recover. Some people don't want to make a living out of their creations, they just wan't to create stuff without anyone telling them which components they may and may not use.
That's exactly how any average creative young person that is aware of copyright feels when she comes to internet.
She can use the culture but only if she won't ever get caught.
Being exposed to unfair inhumane laws influences people brains.