> Then the alternative is that all creators keep their output to themselves
That is provably not the case: People still published written works, performed plays and music for thousands of years before copyright laws were introduced.
Even today, there are vast numbers of novels, movie clips, songs etc. being made available freely.
The alternative is that SOME creators keep their output to themselves. The vast majority of creators are not being paid to create their content.
Now, if you want to make a claim that the works created by the ones that would keep their output to themselves are more important to society, then that's a claim that is not as easily refutable, and it'd even be possible you're right, depending on how one measures importance of a work.
That is provably not the case: People still published written works, performed plays and music for thousands of years before copyright laws were introduced.
Even today, there are vast numbers of novels, movie clips, songs etc. being made available freely.
The alternative is that SOME creators keep their output to themselves. The vast majority of creators are not being paid to create their content.
Now, if you want to make a claim that the works created by the ones that would keep their output to themselves are more important to society, then that's a claim that is not as easily refutable, and it'd even be possible you're right, depending on how one measures importance of a work.