Actually the shoe analogy is one I've used myself.
A shoemaker comes to a town. He opens a shop and handcrafts a pair of shoes. Someone buys them, takes them home, puts them in a machine that reproduces them and then gives them away to the townspeople. Meanwhile the shoemaker sits in his shop waiting for customers.As the shoes have all been given away for free nobody comes to his shop. Soon he closes down. When the shoes wear out there is no one with the skills to replace them.
I've heard all the arguements rehearsed in the name of freedom that are posted above and they sound as hollow as ever. All I ask is that the people who post them apply the same laissez faire, if you can steal it steal it, attitude to their own work. I don't mind people geting my work for free if they come and work for me for free when I need them! If we're going back to an age of barter then maybe every free download should carry a point that totals up to enough so I can get a plumber for an hour for free when I need him!