She shared. She was sued. She blogged.

MIT student Cassi Hunt was sued by RIAA and wrote it about in Run Over by the RIAA and then Don't Tap the Glass in the MIT student newspaper, The Tech.

Her plight is attracting interest because Hunt writes that the RIAA rep said "In fact, the RIAA has been known to suggest that students drop out of college or go to community college in order to be able to afford settlements."

Our plucky heroine continues:

Are. You. Shitting. Me.

There you have it, fellow Techsters: proof of the fantastic levels of absurdity to which the RIAA attack has sunk. The Recording Industry of America would rather see America's youth deprived of higher education, forever marring their ability to contribute personally and financially to society - including the arts - so that they may crucify us as examples to our peers. To say nothing of wrecking our lives in the process. I finally understand what the RIAA meant when they told me "stealing music is not a victimless crime" - the victims hang for all to see.

Please, RIAA - if any competent representative happens to enjoy flipping through The Tech - please tell me bowie is a moronic tool who can't help what the Superior Gray Coverage Golden Blonde hair dye does to her mental facilities. Please tell me you actually care about the futures of the age demographic that buys most of your music (http://www.riaa.com/news/marketingdata/pdf/2004consumerprofile.pdf). Your evil pirates are people too, people who enjoy music and almost always still purchase it legitimately. Each has an individual life and circumstances that deserve consideration, if not for the sake of empathy for your fellow man, then for the sake of business sense.

Sure, if you commit a crime against someone, you should be held accountable. But I find it horrifying that anyone would single-mindedly and without compassion process people like a meat grinder set to purée. So while the RIAA continues to play the part of shark, I'll continue to stand behind the glass, tapping away, wondering which of us is on display.