The author describes how as a child, they stole items like Pokémon cards due to jealousy. They later turned to piracy for access to books, games, and knowledge that they couldn't afford otherwise. The author discusses how piracy, while causing harm to others, provided him with a sense of empowerment and access to a world of ideas and culture that they couldn't access otherwise. He argues that in their circumstances, piracy was justified as equalizing a playing field that was against him. The article concludes with the author's acknowledgment that piracy isn't a solution and that they no longer support it. However, they credit piracy with giving them hope and access to a future they might not have had