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> The thing that really changed my mind was realizing that the phrase "information wants to be free" just means "intellectual labor will be free." In other word
by ecshafer 3y ago
> The thing that really changed my mind was realizing that the phrase "information wants to be free" just means "intellectual labor will be free." In other words a world where there is no copyright and piracy is standard would be one in which no form of intellectual labor can be compensated.
This phrase has its roots in anarcho-communism that was pretty widely spread in hacker communities back in the day I think. Which means that its not really surprising that intellectual labor will be free, all labor should be free under such an ideology. Not debating the merits or demerits of anarchism or its flavors, but I think your view is a bit more on the side of reality.
- mistrial9 3y ago> all labor should be free under such an ideology no, parties are free to negotiate between each other, for their own purposes.. as they see fit
- throwaway828 3y ago> Has anyone asked information if it wants to be free? Asked rhetorically. Of course information can't reply, right? There's substantial context that this quote is often dislocated from of disempowered groups. Parties are unable to negotiate when power, power of self sovereignty or awareness of choice, rests with only one.
- mrguyorama 3y agoYou absolutely can ask information if it wants to be free. It is a fundamental fact of our universe that classical information is perfectly copyable and un-scarce. Information doesn't just "want" to be free, information MUST be free, and changing that reality takes EXTRA effort and work and artificial constraints.