> This just isn't about the world in which I want to live: it is about the world in which I actually live.
Based on your own arguments, I think you are theoreticizing. It's also your own decision in what world you live. I would not want to spend my time this way. But again, your own decision.
(It would be of course a nice gesture to drop the author a thank you, or whatever)
Do you seriously believe that you can ignore laws by simply deciding to live in a world where they somehow don't apply?
FWIW, if you want a reference for "even with seemingly no causality a related work was classified as a derivative work for copyright", here is the particular case:
No, as I said I think you are theoreticizing. Why are you not asking me whether I avoid leaving my house just because there could be some crazy guy shooting at me?
Here's why I still leave my house most days. My life would not be worth living. I have a moral right to leave my house. I have good faith in the state to protect this right, although I know some people have indeed been shot (even by policemen!). It's not worth my time theoreticizing about this possibility.
Note that the situation is different if you move to advanced engineering projects and parties involved with huge amounts of money. The possibility of a mean-spirited lawsuit there is a lot more realistic (while probably still as unrealistic as batshit crazy).
Based on your own arguments, I think you are theoreticizing. It's also your own decision in what world you live. I would not want to spend my time this way. But again, your own decision.
(It would be of course a nice gesture to drop the author a thank you, or whatever)