Your point only hold up if the _only_ reason for compensation in the case of physical books would be the cost to the publisher to print them.
I'm trying to understand your point as far as intellectual property. Is it your belief that IP should not be compensated for and the only cost of the work should be whatever is necessary to the goods into consumers hands, be it physical or digital distribution?
I'm not trying to debate that particular position on intellectual property with this post, I'm just trying to establish if that is in fact the position you're taking.
I'm with you right up until the last 4 words. Analogies to real world processes and objects are crucial for most people to be able understand and reason about digital concepts. Analogies are almost always flawed in some way -- that doesn't mean they should be avoided altogether.
I'm trying to understand your point as far as intellectual property. Is it your belief that IP should not be compensated for and the only cost of the work should be whatever is necessary to the goods into consumers hands, be it physical or digital distribution?
I'm not trying to debate that particular position on intellectual property with this post, I'm just trying to establish if that is in fact the position you're taking.