I'm not trying to make anything colourful. I'm trying to have a debate on the ethics of using something that would otherwise expire. There is no loss to the company, or even to the ISP if excess bandwidth is 'stolen' on the last day of the month, so if there is no loss is it still stealing? I've not made my mind up one way or the other, but I know if it was someone reporting to me, I'd not be worried about the last day of the month bandwidth (because there is no loss to the company), but I would be worried about how the users were able to access it.
The roses, pebbles, coffee and sugar are physical and don't expire, so they're not really comparable. The used tea-bags might be a better comparison to use. They have no intrinsic value, but I hear that they make good compost for rose growers, and I've never heard of a company who would fire someone for taking used tea bags out the bin. The unused bandwidth is going to waste, and most companies I have worked for allow staff to help themselves to waste - but do put some controls in place to ensure that there is no abuse.
