Carrying the Lantern

Bill R.: Dan Gillmor has written a great article in Computerworld that hits the nail on the head; that outlines a common thread running through so much of today's digital debate.

As he says, "When I consider the big issues in the world of information technology and policy, I invariably return to a single word: control."

He explains the many ways that our data is no longer ours; we can not back it up or enjoy fair use or choose which application to process it with. He summarizes his position this way...

"But I consider my data mine, period, just as I consider it my right to back up what I buy and quote from others' work - with appropriate citation - in creating new works of my own."

And while I appreciate the value many applications add to my data, more and more I find myself agreeing with Dan's position. And I wonder.

How much more creative would we all be if digital applications and services helped us create, encouraged us to create, instead of locking us in to their way?

- Posted by William A. Riski - 9:14:32 PM - comment []