It is so sad that isn't true anymore. I know what usenet was, but today it is just a collection of paid companies. You can really tell because of all the honored take down requests.

Is there even a university or other public entity connected anymore?

Free streaming sites aren't building empires by ripping off useful idiots. They simply make less money.

So why do you think they set all of that up for you to freely stream torrents? What is in it for them?

This is part of your conditioning to be skeptical of whenever you see a better deal. Rather than admitting that you've been taken for a ride, you get angry at everyone else who has higher standards.

Keep wasting your money on things you could be getting for free while not thinking you're a tool. It's the consumerist way.