This is what you call a HATER!!!!!!! Stop being mad at the guy because he came up with a creative way to attract an employer!!! You could obviously tell your downgrading his skills by your ending comment "BTW, I'm available for work. If anyone from AirBnb is reading this.... etc" Please dude get a hold of yourself and stop HATING!!!!!! If you follow best practices and your so HOTSHOT, then why are you not working for a company right now? Why are you available for work?
Relax, seriously. Try to give people the benefit of the doubt instead of just projecting whatever you want onto them. When you read what someone has written on the Internet, sometimes you will misunderstand them...and you need to understand and appreciate that.
BTW, the job thing was a joke about how we're all asking for jobs on HN now. I would think the lol-cat would be an obvious clue that it was intended in jest.
For the record, I am more or less always available for work beause I'm a freelancer.
Ok here's my take on your situation. First of all I don't see why getting a salaried job would be so bad for you. You're an MIT Grad, that alone will get you a high paying job anywhere in the field. Second you know your stuff and you seem like a pretty smart guy.
Sorry about your royalties being cut short and I really do understand the "I have to provide for my family" situation. But here's where I stand, I'm actually glad people pirate ebooks. Let me tell you why. Consider my situation, I'm a CS Student with a part time job and my source of income sure enough is not even half of what you make in royalties. I simply don't have the money to pay for most of the books that are required for my classes. So anytime I find a pirated book on the internet that otherwise would cost $60/$100 I jump up with joy. After all I'm saving my cash. This last statement sounds a little selfish to most, but I believe is not. You have a degree David (From MIT) I've might add and I don't. If resources are available online, that are going to make me a better programmer and give me a chance to better my future from learning these skills I'm sure as heck going to download the book. Plain and Simple. I believe information should be free for those that are striving to achieve something. Lastly If anything that I said offends or ticks you off, I would simply advise you to look at things like this. Maybe your royalties are decreasing but your book is helping this individual secure a better a life for himself. So I would like to Thank you none the less for a wonderfully written book.
