Harvey Weinstein is a big-time Hollywood producer whose films are almost always nominated for an Academy Award. This year he has two: "Django Unchained" and "Silver Linings Playbook." Two Oscar nominations, plus a net worth of $150 Million. What a lucky guy, huh?
He recently spoke his mind during a breakfast gala in Park City, Utah, about the issue of piracy.
He has always been a strong financial backer for the Democratic Party and was disappointed that President Barack Obama avoided the issue of online piracy of copyrighted works during an election year. Weinstein hoped that with the inauguration behind him, Obama will champion the issue of stopping piracy without fear of reprisal.
You could tell that he is a true believer in the president's preferred policy of making the wealthier pay more as he cracked a few wise lines about Republicans having a lot of money, despite his own aforementioned wealth.
That being the case, I think that Weinstein should put his money where his mouth is. He should spread the wealth around, too.
Some might say comparing one's desire to eliminate online piracy to one's need of government initiatives like health care is a tad extreme.
I beg to differ. You see, we millennials tend to suffer from an awful medical disease called "chronic boredom." It's crippling. My mother doesn't even recognize me anymore.
It leaves us in need of serious entertainment. We can't afford it, but we need it. I guess you could say we're entitled to it.
So I would humbly ask that Weinstein consider spreading the wealth around and allowing people to enjoy his productions at the reduced rates that the Internet provides. Somehow, I think he'll survive without that extra yacht. More importantly, his principles will survive. He will practice what he preaches, and people will gain more confidence in his political outlook.
If he greedily grasps for every last profit from us little people, then he will basically be admitting that he doesn't believe in the very politics he has been selling. At that point, he shouldn't be snarking about those Republicans, since he'll seem to be imitating their caricature. Us little people just might lose faith in his political philosophy.
Up until now, I was certain that it made perfect sense to receive mandates on how the real world should work from people like Weinstein who make their fortunes off playing make believe in Hollywood. Now, I need just a little more convincing.
In these Orwellian times of ours, sometimes a good old-fashioned name change can do a lot of good. Don't think of it as "piracy." Think of it as "socialized entertainment."
Reach the columnist at crgavin@asu.edu or follow him at @coltongavin
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