Why DRM is Bad for Society
Monday, June 21, 2004Toronto’s blogging golden boy Cory Doctorow, self-professed renaissance geek, gives a very entertaining speech about DRM (digital rights management) to a group of Microsoft researchers.
It’s a lengthy read, but it’s very worthwhile if you’re even remotely interested in the crazy ever-changing world of intellectual property, copyright, and the technology that has capitalism shaking in its money-making boots.
Mr. Doctorow skillfully explains things with great clarity and humour, and if this is indicative of his writing style, I may have to check out some of his fiction. (Any recommendations?)
Brian Evans says:
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom is an interesting read. Short but full of interesting ideas about community and idea acceptance. Also it’s fun if you have any affection for the Orlando theme parks geared toward the world’s most famous mouse.
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Sarah L. says:
Hmm…
Today’s “Daily Doodle” looks awfully familiar. Are you recycling?
Robot Johnny says:
Forgive me!
Ryan says:
That was a good read. I especially liked:
“Our strong economy and rapid innovation are byproducts of the ability of anyone to make anything that plugs into anything else: from the Flo-bee electric razor that snaps onto the end of your vacuum-hose to the octopus spilling out of your car’s dashboard lighter socket, standard interfaces that anyone can build for are what makes billionaires out of nerds.”
Zombie Claire says:
I can’t be scared of DRM right now Johnny, I have to be scared of: Global Warming, West Nile & Trans Fats!!!
Stacey Waspe says:
I’ve really enjoyed all of Cory’s fiction, though I’ve not read all of his short stories yet (still on the to-be-read list).
While Down and Out is indeed good, I think I liked Eastern Standard Tribe even more. Both are fun, summertime reads. (I tend to like to read lighter fare this time of year, especially when the hot weather hits...)
It’s also great that you can “try before you buy”, because e-books can be downloaded for free from his personal site. Oddly enough, I went and bought the dead tree versions anyway.
adina says:
You should as cory about “osmosing the meme”. A hilarious phrase he coined that I have actually used!
Gay marriage? It’s just a matter of society at large osmosing the meme.
the Creative Commons? Osmose that meme, baby.
Mike Rohde says:
I’d suggest ‘A Place So Foriegn and 8 More’ as a good starting place.
http://craphound.com/place/
The book is a compilation of Cory’s short stories, so you won’t be investing too much time to see what his writing style is like. It too is free to download for your Palm or whatever format you might prefer.
That said, I started with Down and Out and just progressed through his releases as they came out, and had a right fine time.