The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom
By Yochai Benkler
Careful not to sound too prophetic, Yochai Benkler explains the critical point we are at right now with technology and communication. America has moved directly into privatization as an industrial economy based on marketable goods. Privatization is driven by high profit margins benefiting the top — often at the expense of the masses. As a University of California student, the dangers of this continuous cycle are especially pertinent as tuition is skyrocketing and the system is moving away from public affordable eduction.
Benkler explains the business model of several technology based companies and recounts the complicated history of increasing copyright laws. Broadband service is a great example of a private company that owns internet airways. This is such a pertinent issue that NPR gave a report of the on-going saga just the other day. Having the power, they can control what information you access online as well as its speed. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113297709
But there is an alternative to big business. In fact, there is a whole network of creative able-bodied people with the potential to share join networks for the common good. Benkler uses several examples of on-line peer groups that network together in projects like Wikipedia, Project Gutenburg, and the fasted computer that is really linked to run of hundreds of idol computers. Social networks that initially predicted to isolated people have now proven to be a valuable tool for families, friends and co-workers to stay in touch over long distances. The growing network of internet users and what they do seem to be proving the potential in a large open non-market based network (not based on profits).
Currently the internet provides individuals with increased autonomy as personal computers and free software that makes possibilities accessible and endless. The internet appears to be leveling the playing field for competition and promoting the level of creativity. Moving away from the ‘couch potato era’ that revolved around t.v. and non-active passive participation, the internet era allows anyone with any sort of motivation a voice. The computer user gains the global reach far beyond the realms of his/her living room. This leads to the increase in creativity and diversity that stimulates culture. This stimulation gives us the potential to re-define pop culture with an increased space for critical evaluation for an alternative. If any of you are like me, lets call for the death of perezhilton.com and trash magazines that idolize the mundane life of the rich. By producing a new culture we can make a more sophisticated mass with an interest in the advancement of the public. After all, we do claim to live in a democracy and if all the voters were educated perhaps we could get real legislation passed and reap the benefits. The network information economy offers a reorganization of the public sphere as we know it. A more diverse network would allow a more diverse political system with more voices that would start up critical commentary and the ability to mobilize.
If this all sounds great, then the future will be bright, right? Well, Benkler is careful to report that although there is great potential in moving towards a network information economy, one should not be too optimistic. We are amidst a battle between big businesses and the Hollywood model that wants to stay on top. Thanks to Bono and his push to increase copyrights after death by 20 years, additionally legislation can act retroactively and even when it seems we are on the right path, market driven companies could take over the battle. After all, they have the most to lose where as a network information economy would drastically spread out wealth and power. And if you’ve seen Michael Moore’s latest documentary, “Capitalism a Love Story” you know what that might lead to….
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