The last time I returned a DVD I racked up quite a bit in later charges. Bad Tim.

So last night when I was wandering through Blockbuster, I noticed a last previously-viewed copy of a movie I'd liked (and wouldn't mind watching more than once more again with a friend) was on sale for just $10. This was less than I'd paid in late fines, and only about twice what a DVD rental costs there.

So I bought it.

Of course, there's something very sick & twisted about this situation: A typical DVD contains two discs with about 1.5-3 hours of movie and about 1.5-3 hours of bonus material. Cost: $10-$17. Manufacturing cost, probably about $2 including box.

Now compare this with a typical music CD these days: 35-50 minutes of music, about 3-9 minutes of which doesn't suck, Cost: $14-$20. Manufacturing cost, probably $.50.

And no, I dread the day music comes out on DVDs. Time to repurchase all our electronics. And say goodbye to ripping and playing your own CDs on your computer or MP3 player.

Conversely: I live in what is easily one of the nicest places on the whole planet, I never need to starve, and I'm whining about the cost of something I don't really need...

But the RIAA is still a trust-violating consortium who should be prosecuted, and the DMCA is a fundamental violation of the rights enumerated within the constitution. But I disgress. Somewhat.