This seems like a classic "Apple did that so why don't we?" approach, which doesn't have to be bad but people shouldn't copy Apple for the sake of it; they should copy them because what they did makes sense and actually works.
There's something about the whole pirate thing that doesn't sit well with me, isn't it almost synonymous with rogue? People don't like rogues. People want someone who's principled and stands for something, which is not the case for pirates.
Pirates are the kind of people who will do anything to get where they want to be, which if you romanticize it sounds like a really positive thing, but it can lead to situations where you don't always judge in favor of customers but rather in favor of your own self-interest; which if you thought things through should be in favor of customers since that will ultimately make your business more successful.
I like the term "free radical" more, it doesn't have the negative connotation to it that pirate does.
Am I right to assume that you can technically handle the idea on your own? If that is the case I would launch and try to get some people to use it(I know that it sounds easier than it is). If these people really like it, there's a chance that it could take off on its own without any significant additional promotion.
I know it is cliché but you should start doing something you really love. That is at least what works for me. Trying to figure out your priorities also helps, ask yourself what it is that you want most badly at the moment. Is it a romantic partner? Is it friends? Is it a better job? Just play your own psychologist for a while.
I think it's more important not to discourage it. It looks awfully artificial if you go out of your way to promote it and will raise suspicion that one is not there because of the technology but because one is of a certain sex. I can't think of any instance in which I saw it be discouraged.
Regarding companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Yahoo; the answer is not using their services at all since you don't pay them yourself but you do by viewing ads.
The saddest part about this whole PRISM scandal to me is that the tech companies involved did not seem at all opposed to the idea - and even if they were, why not give your customers a heads up? It's so sad. Nerds need to get on the moral high ground pronto. Your technology is making the world so much better so don't ruin it. Don't be evil and don't be a dick.
There's something about the whole pirate thing that doesn't sit well with me, isn't it almost synonymous with rogue? People don't like rogues. People want someone who's principled and stands for something, which is not the case for pirates.
Pirates are the kind of people who will do anything to get where they want to be, which if you romanticize it sounds like a really positive thing, but it can lead to situations where you don't always judge in favor of customers but rather in favor of your own self-interest; which if you thought things through should be in favor of customers since that will ultimately make your business more successful.
I like the term "free radical" more, it doesn't have the negative connotation to it that pirate does.