To Govern, or not to Govern?

Not to sound like a broken record, but I want to once again concentrate on Terry Flew’s Virtual Cultures reading from this week. (I can’t get enough of this chapter, it discusses so many aspects of the virtual “community”, and in such depth). I am particularly interested in the legal and political issues involved with computer mediated communication (CMC) so that’s what I aim to narrow in on.

An important aspect of CMC to effectively enable democratic participation in virtual aspects of life. In fact, these days the internet is a tool often used in political activism, and these communities are flourishing due to the DIY ethos involved (Flew 2007, 62). What I mean is, if used correctly, the internet can be a powerful political motivator and anyone can use it to campaign – regardless of things like funding (Flew 2007, 65). As an avid popular culture fanatic, I am going to illustrate my point, by discussing the Electronic Frontiers Foundation (EFF) and Grateful Dead’s high profile ex-bassist, John Perry Barlow. If you have any interest in privacy laws and free speech then this is the post for you!

When I started the blog, I was asked to visit the EFF and as a law student, I found it quite interesting. For those of you that don’t know, it was established in regard to a growing need for online civil liberties. So if you feel you’re being unfairly prosecuted for something technological, then they will provide legal funds and assist you in the court process. In my view, the EFF upholds online privacy, personal freedom and strives to promote fair use (EFF.org 2008). I was surprised to find that an ex-member of Grateful Dead and self confessed anarchist was on the board of the directors, so I did some research. I’ve since discovered that Barlow is a widely respected academic who strongly opposes internet governance. Who’d even heard of such a thing? This really opened my eyes. I had no prior knowledge of any of this!

From what I understand, it is important that we have governance online –I suppose in the form of gatekeepers or moderators– though it should be independent of Government. What Barlow argues is that with Government comes bureaucracy, and inevitably, commercialism (Jayaka, 2008). It’s a complex topic to go into, however he makes a valid point. The internet is too precious to become a political instrument and we the puppets. Rather, we need our freedom online and it is worth fighting for.

I found Barlow’s words of wisdom fascinating and he has inspired me to continue exploring this issue. He is, however, without controversy. Look what he has to say about Intellectual Property Rights:

“I don't believe in intellectual property. The whole term is a recent invention. Copyright was never meant to be a form of property; it was a temporary licence on a monopoly to express. You didn't hear the term intellectual property more than 25 years ago. This is the invention of large organisations that are trying to own creativity as though it were real estate or steel or some other kind of physical stuff.” -John Perry Barlow (Jayakar, 2008)

Above all, he claims it’s about creating a new cyberspace economy; sharing rather than ownership, which will limit restriction.

...But who knows if this will happen and what the repercussions will be?

Referencing:
Davis, A. 2005. Planet:Jackson Hole Online. Interview: John Perry Barlow, Wyoming's Estimated Prophet http://www.planetjh.com/news/A_100072.aspx (accessed May 9, 2008).

Electronic Frontier Foundation. 2008. http://www.eff.org/ (accessed May 9, 2008).

Flew, Terry. 2005. Virtual Cultures in Flew, Terry, New Media : an introduction, Melbourne: OUP, pp.61-82.

Jayakar, R. 2008. Business Today: "What stops free flow of information is dangerous". http://www.india-today.com/btoday/20001206/interview.html(accessed May 9, 2008).

Wikipedia. 2008. John Perry Barlow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Perry_Barlow (accessed May 1, 2008).