95 Theses of Geek Activism

Submitted by fen on July 25, 2006 - 12:33am.
I came across this today and really enjoyed it: 95 Theses of Geek Activism. Perhaps it helps that I identify as a hacker in the manner described in the first thesis. Geek Activism is really all about being smart, thinking for yourself and not simply accepting what others say just because they happen to be on TV or run the corporations or government (the differences between these are fading). Read them. Follow the links. You'll learn a little bit more about me - and maybe a little bit more about yourself, too. I'll end with a quote that comes to mind, perhaps because activists are geeks, too (though they may not know it).
People single me out for being an activist, but I always say that the impulse is inborn - it just needs to be nurtured. It starts when you're little, and you see some kids being unkind to another kid on the bus. Maybe you do something. Maybe you don't. But there was that little hint in your brain that something was wrong, that you weren't comfortable with the situation. Throughout your life, you have the opportunity to learn from that experience, to react to that little voice inside of you that says something has crossed your moral bottom line, to ignore what others are telling you to do and honor your impulse. The very core of being an activist is being true to yourself. -- Susan Sarandon
[Fen's Stream of Consciousness]
Thanks for posting this Fen.
Submitted by GregoryHeller on July 25, 2006 - 10:31am.

Thanks for posting this Fen. I am definitely going to read the whole thing. But just from my quick read, it seems relevant to mention the work that we are doing with DefectiveByDesign.org. The reactions that we have gotten from people all over the world have been very interesting. Some folks, posting on /. or Digg have be negative, saying things like "Stop wasting your time and do something important." while other folks have "gotten it", that if we let our digital right begin to be eroded, we are on our way down a slippery slope. We have targeted technologists -- hackers -- because we are on the vanguard in the technology revolution, society looks to us and therefore we do have a responsibility to be activists in our field.

relevant to DRM
Submitted by fen on July 25, 2006 - 12:02pm.

Some of the theses relevant to DefectiveByDesign's fight against Digital Restrictions Management:

  • 13. Why do I have to jump through hoops just to get video off my own home movie DVDs?
  • 14. Know the DMCA so you know what you are up against.
  • 18. No one has ever told me where I could play my 45 RPMs. Why are my MP3s any different?
  • 24. Fair use is a good thing.
  • 27. Do not follow the Electronic Frontier Foundation, participate in it.
  • 49. Frame the argument in terms of the average person, not the edge-case geek. These problems affect geeks first, but will affect everyone in the future.
  • 51. Users do not want the permission to use digital media; they want to own digital media. This means using them as they choose, where they choose, in the device of their choice without fear of litigation or sudden inactivity. These users are customers- treat them with respect.
  • 55. Corporations and producers of digital media must trust their own consumers. Sales will reward trust.
  • 59. DRM does not work because the customer/user has the key, cipher and ciphertext in the player. (thanks Cory Doctorow)
  • 70. Mixed tapes are legal. Time-shifting TV is legal. Regardless of the media.
  • 72. Music purchases should not be governed by determining which seller has the most clout among the player manufacturers.
  • 74. Make sure that if a vendor locks you in, you lock them out.
  • 87. There are DRM free alternatives for music you can play anywhere.
  • 88. Vote
kapow!
Submitted by lev on July 25, 2006 - 2:45pm.

I like the Sarandon quote. It gets at a belief of mine that justice is an attribute that we all inherently show forth. That the truest, most genuine part of ourself knows when it sees injustice and balks at it.

In addition, I appreciated your "activists are geeks, too (though they may not kow it)." We all have something we're passionate about -- something for which we geek out. For me it's the Baha'i Faith, which contributes directly to both my environmentalism and that sweet spot where technology overlaps with sustainable development. My desire to use technology to assist my geekery is impacted pretty strongly by the DMCA, and a culture that is rapidly greenlighting the notion that we shouldn't own our property, we should just get to borrow it from large corporations. I think it's worth standing up and stating what we believe in, and then inviting others to stand up with us.

Obscurity is a greater threat than piracy!
Submitted by spincycle on July 27, 2006 - 7:44pm.

Jim Sowers checking in for the first time. I am the Chief Rhythm Officer of Calabash Music, where we sell legal, licensed MP3s from around the world. We just launched music for National Geographic. The company is based in Boston, but I'm on the left-coast in Oakland (Barbara Lee represents me!)

Just wanted to put us on your radar. We have begun working with FSF, EFF, and others as well. (Glad you had the link in your blog to the EFF site -- I noticed Calabash wasn't listed, and pinged a friend at EFF about getting us listed.) www.CalabashMusic.com

Hope the plug is not contra the spirit of your blog :-)