Comments on: after long silence

By: Justin Levine

Justin Levine — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:30:12 +0000

I have to back up Seth F.'s comments on Rosen. I can see why you might have thought it would be interesting to have her guest blog here, but there is no reason to invite her back.

By: jadams01@sprynet.com

jadams01@sprynet.com — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 18:21:33 +0000

On the other hand, if he was going to be too busy, perhaps he could have said, "No, thanks--maybe during your finals week?" Still, the fact remains that no one owes any of us a blog post, or a comment response.

By: poningru

poningru — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 13:53:11 +0000

I am sorry but I must defend Jimmy Wales here, he was swamped because Wikimania was coming up and there was lots of work still to be done. So cut the guy some slack and research before you criticize.

By: poptones

poptones — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 09:46:16 +0000

Ideas are not protected as property even now - specific implimentation of ideas are protected. If the patent system is screwed up beyond this you correct the problem by fixing the patent system, not by nonsensical restrictions to our technology. If copyright law is broken you don't correct the problem by denying society technology that has significant uses for the common good.

Have none of you "free culture" people ever read the first cypherpunk novel? Have you absolutely zero grasp of the concept of "virtual reality?"

Better, can anyone offer a better (practical) vision? It's easy to complain, but I have yet to hear anyone offer a fair and balanced alternative - or any alternative at all, really, save for keeping things just as they have been since 1983 only with smoother icons and wizzier desktop widgets.

By: Peter Rock

Peter Rock — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 08:22:55 +0000

Rob Myers:

"Making ideas into alienable property will not help individuals against large vested interests. "

I agree.

But then again, maybe we're both deluded and freedom actually is slavery.

By: Rob Myers

Rob Myers — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 07:43:31 +0000

I think some still cannot grasp the notion that the intangible can take on the attributes of physical property

I think you mean "can legally or technologically be represented as having attributes generalised and extended from physical property".

and that it must if this next 'revolution' is to actually be a revolution rather than just another scalp hanging from the corporate belt.

Making ideas into alienable property will not help individuals against large vested interests.

By: poptones

poptones — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 01:14:57 +0000

From the referenced article:

When William summoned his wife, Princess Mary, by royal yacht from Holland after his victory, she made a point of bringing along John Locke, one of the revolution’s intellectual backers, who had been very busy during his exile in Holland composing what turned out to be major statements on natural rights, representative government, and the pursuit of life, liberty, and property.

I think some still cannot grasp the notion that the intangible can take on the attributes of physical property - and that it must if this next "revolution" is to actually be a revolution rather than just another scalp hanging from the corporate belt.

By: Ste

Ste — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 17:54:32 +0000

Cass Sunstein is scheduled to be on Fresh Air Wed. Sept. 7th

http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13

Prominent law professor Cass Sunstein has called Chief Justice William Rehnquist "one of the most important figures in the entire history of American law." Sunstein discusses Rehnquist's career, the appointment of John Roberts and the future of the Supreme Court.

By: Chauka

Chauka — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 17:49:03 +0000

What I want to know is if the world could very well end. If the Public Domain vanishes and if all we are left with is oligarchies ruling the world, then why would anyone want to have kids who will be forced to grow up as peasants with the tyranny of Kings and Queens who crush young kids and their bright ideas with patents, DRM, etc. ... is the world likely to go that dark?

By: Seth Finkelstein

Seth Finkelstein — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 17:41:44 +0000

Neither Rosen nor Wales lacks for publicity or voice (Rosen especially!) .

You don't get to Hilary Rosen's level of executive position without knowing how to be extremely careful about what image you present. She's a professional flack. Anything she writes in public will serve that interest, almost by definition.

And self-revelatory public diary-ism isn't for everyone. I don't think Jimbo Wales particulary inclines that way (no criticism intended, essay/discussion writing is a hobby or a job for some people, but I don't think it's one of his interests).

Guest columnists/discussion-leaders who are chosen for (local) celebrity may or may not work, since their position may not correlate with any skill - or even interest - in the gig.