piracy does not

Piracy is actually a huge driver in both legally purchasing content and secondary purchases (art, toys, statues/models, etc).

The overwhelming majority of pirates also point to the extreme increases in streaming costs as well as the constantly changing landscape of streaming services needed, sometimes to even watch a single show you'd need 3-4 services.

I'd also point out that many out there just want their stuff to be seen. Freddie Wong and Matt Arnold recently made We're All Gonna Die, which was made available in theaters and then a ton of streaming options.

They then pointed to the availability of a 720p torrent (I'm not going to say that they released it) so everyone could see it. Why? Well maybe people will want to check out their other content, buy merch, or subscribe to their patreon where they make other content.

But to say piracy is not a driver is incorrect.

Buying used movies at a garage sale fuels the retail market? If that were the case then why can't you buy used movies at any retail store? Another falsehood.

I've spent thousands on hardware and software for my media server, so it seems that piracy does fuel the retail market in ways that buying second hand doesn't. Perhaps you're right and they're not the same. I think piracy generates more revenue than buying second hand, elevating it well above buying used copies, which is now the most harmful way to consume media.