It's as real as any other social convention. Property only exists at all because we agree not to take each other's shit. That's not something fundamental about the Universe that makes physical property different than IP.

What you are saying is, "I didn't agree to this convention, I don't avail myself to it, and I may choose not to abide by it." Which you could also say about cars or any other kind of property. I likewise reject the convention that individuals can be property.

But our convictions and preferences do not change the world. Intellectual property IS real, in the same sense that physical property and slaves are real. All happen to exist due to the same threat of violence.

I agree that there are problems with IP. 40 years ago I was huge into "public domain" software, and I have stayed within that culture as it evolved. The fact that it exists at all undermines your thesis. If there is no such thing as intellectual property, why do you use public or copyleft licenses?

I mean that's great and all, but intellectual property still isn't real.

That’s just true for any social construct. I remember feeling smart when I realised this about money at like 12 years old lol.

And as far as caring about it, as long as artists/creatives/journalists need to monetise their output to survive, I’d rather see them protected in some way.