What Would Happen if You De-occupy the Cognitive Surplus?

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The “West” is known for its consumers. Much of the rest of the world is trying its best to head in that direction too. Reading Clay Shirky’s recent blog post, Gin, Television, and Social Surplus, got me thinking about the stance of the passive consumer. I’m wondering if the new consumer will be a producer… that is, one who consumes that which allows him or her to produce, which may imp ... continue reading

Motivating Anti-IP Activism in Canada

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In the scheme of things, few people have the interest (or is it patience?) to delve deeply into the concept of “intellectual property” (IP). I think that is why IP regulation is among the most under-considered issues in public political discourse today. It’s difficult, in the snap of a soundbite, to make an easily understood and appropriately deep point regarding IP. Recently, I sent a couple Cana ... continue reading

Diatribe on Digital Culture, Freedom, and Mistaken Fields of Invisible Stuff

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Incredulous–that is the only word for the situation unfolding itself. From practically any news source on any given day, a person can find a story about people being prosecuted for their dealings with artefacts of our own shared culture. They are prosecuted through laws which are perverted by or erected by business entities. In every instance the prosecuting groups make some headway toward bottleing-up our mu ... continue reading

Phy-d’eau – License of Intention for Liberty in Expression and Creativity

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A license designed to promote a continuing culture of free thinking and creative expression. It addresses human expression, largely through art practices, and applies specifically to the works produced by such practices. Note: After I saw the need and decided to write this in 2002, other licenses have emerged that enable a similar thing. I’m leaving this license online for the sake of anyone interested but I ... continue reading