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0 pointsTaylorAlexander3y ago0 comments

> Digital libraries destroy this balance. The content of books is available to everyone, instantly, at maximum convenience.

What you are describing is a wonderful result that happens to fail due to our economic system which requires everyone to constantly seek profitable activities to survive. If seeking profitable activity was optional, authors could write books as their passion drives them, and then share them with everyone for free on a global library. Most creators create because they want to do so, and the profit is incidental as they require some profit to survive.

But if we have an economic system that can’t handle maximum convenience of a free worldwide digital library, it’s worth considering systems that would allow for that.

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6 comments · 2 top-level

nindalf3y ago· 2 in thread

Ok, go ahead and consider alternate economic systems.

But until we have that new system, would it be alright to continue to respect the wishes of authors who have created creative works under the current economic system? Consent is important. We can’t opt them into our hypothetical passion-driven economic system where is everything is free against their will.

Individual authors might opt in, and it’s fair game to pirate their work. But let’s not decide on behalf of other people.

mcculley3y ago

The decision is not entirely on the author. Jurisdictions have to decide how much they are willing to spend and how far they are willing to go to enforce copyright, potentially forever.

Technological advances are going to make it very hard to enforce copyright.

autoexec3y ago

> Technological advances are going to make it very hard to enforce copyright.

Alternately, technological advances are going to make it much easier to control everything a person has access to, constantly monitor everything they access, and identify/punish those who access unauthorized material.

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marcusverus3y ago· 2 in thread

> But if we have an economic system that can’t handle maximum convenience of a free worldwide digital library, it’s worth considering systems that would allow for that.

I honestly cannot think of a more trivial reason to tinker with the system of incentives that undergirds the global economy.

Anyway, the free worldwide digital library already exists at library dot lol.

SequoiaHope3y ago

That we could make an authorized free library for everyone in the world is just one benefit. If we also eliminate patents and all intellectual property restrictions we’d see a much higher rate of innovation. Contrary to the fairy tales we’re told by those who benefit from holding patents, I’m convinced that intellectual property restrictions dramatically slow down the rate of innovation.

But there is a big difference between an illegal pirate library and an authorized global library. The latter would be much better for everyone.

And you might be surprised to realize that providing a basic standard of living for every person does not require dismantling the larger capitalist system. Corporations buying raw materials could still pay in currency. I’m just describing a world where food and shelter and clothing and individual transportation and medical care are provided to everyone. This doesn’t even require dismantling the broader capitalist system.

marcusverus3y ago

> If we also eliminate patents and all intellectual property restrictions we’d see a much higher rate of innovation. Contrary to the fairy tales we’re told by those who benefit from holding patents, I’m convinced that intellectual property restrictions dramatically slow down the rate of innovation.

This claim is contrary to common sense. If there are no IP protections, why would I write a novel? The moment I share it, every publisher on the planet can print it for free, without paying me a penny. If I invent a widget, Walmart can use their established supply chains to build my widget for cheaper and distribute it wider than I ever could. Why would I put in all the work required to invent my widget only for some soulless corporation to profit from my labor?

> The latter would be much better for everyone.

So we remake the global economic system... to remove the odium that accompanies pirating IP?

> And you might be surprised to realize that providing a basic standard of living for every person does not require dismantling the larger capitalist system.

Obviously--every single nation with a high standard of living has achieved it via free markets.

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