The Wire Season 1 - McNuggets

Sorry, I know this isn't reddit, but speaking of the economics of McNuggets this classic monologue from The Wire is too good not to revisit: ▶ this video

That person is probably still alive and living the good life on a tropical island Reminded me of the Mcnugget scene from the wire Wallace: Man, who ever invented these, yo these are off the hook...motherfucker got the bone all the way OUT the damn chicken. 'Till he came along, niggas been chewin on drumsticks and shit gettin they fingers all greasy, till he sad 'leave the bone' - figured out some way to make real money. Poot: You think the man got paid? Wallace: who? Poot: The man who invented these. (Holds up McNuggets) Wallace: Shiit, he richer than a motherfucker. D: Why...? Did he get a percentage? Wallace: uh...why not? D: Nigga, please. The man who invented them things - just some sad ass down at the basement of Mcdonald's, thinking up some shit to make some money for the real players. Poot: Naw, man that ain't right. D: Fuck "right," it ain't about "right," it's about money. Now you think Ronald Mcdonald gonna go down to that basement and say "hey Mister Nugget, you the bomb! We sellin chicken faster than you can tear the bone out, so i'ma write my clowney-ass name on this fat ass cheque for you!" ...Shit. And the nigga who invented them things, he still workin in the basement for regular wage thinkin up some shit to make the fries taste better or some shit like that. Believe... Wallace: Still had the idea though... ▶ this video

Similarly, should artists who sample works from public content have to pay royalties? Musicians and artists can claim IP when their works are shared, but what about mathematicians, architects? Do I owe Pythagoras' estate every time I compute A^2 + B^2 = C^2? I want to put French doors in my pantry, who do I make the check out to in order to legally use the design? This man lives comfortably, I'm sure he's not living paycheck to paycheck. He deserves credit for creating the work, but the implication is that he's somehow suffering based on the 'trading'. Life sucks, I'd be pissed too but it's the way things work. Grayson Chance was an internet sensation not too long ago for performing Lady Gaga's music. She didn't try to burn him for most likely stealing the sheet music, she applauded the kid and wished him luck. Relevant, NSFW audio: ▶ this video