>Since most of what they consume is on the open web, it’s difficult for authors to withhold consent without also depriving legitimate agents (AKA humans or “meat bags”) of information.

It shouldn't be difficult at all. When you record original music, or write something down on paper, it's instantly copyrighted. Why shouldn't that same legal precedent apply to content on the internet?

This is half a failure of elected representatives to do their jobs, and half amoral tech companies exploiting legal loopholes. Normal people almost universally agree something needs to be done about it, and the conversation is not a new one either.