摘要：The semantic richness of the word “pirate” – which has been applied indifferently to sea
criminals, copyright infringers, and hit-and-run drivers – is based on an assumption to which
it seems every person could agree: crimes committed by pirates are hateful because they are
against the current order of society. For this reason the famous definition of pirates, in Latin,
seems to fit perfectly: pirates are simply hostis humani generis (enemies of humankind), who
are outside society, and whom we can all fight without any further justification because they
act against “us.” But pirates have also been seen – and still they are, thanks to recent
Blockbusters – as bloodthirsty but also romantic heroes. The myth of piracy still exerts its
influence on people and researchers, leaving pirates in the ambiguous position to which they
are so accustomed: if, on the one hand, pirates are those who damage cargoes or coastal
zones, on the other hand they represent redemption for those among the poorest who cannot
have other opportunities but to become pirates.
