Just one point of view: I’m too poor to even buy food, but pirating books keeps me informed about current affairs and shit. It also enables me to stay alive because I still have access to my favourite authors, which makes me so happy and try to stay alive for one more release date.
Full disclosure: I’ve gone from a very good job to debilitating disability over 10 years in Europe. Also, before this, I bought hardback books of everything I liked. I’ll do this again as soon as I can afford it. I’ll always support authors as much as I can.