Čeština
Deutsch
Español
Français
Magyar
Italiano
Português
Русский
Svenska
The Library of Alexandria 2.0
Copyright Monopoly
Copyright Monopoly
In ancient times, there was a library in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. Over the centuries, it had built a collection of all of humanity’s knowledge and culture at the time. While only accessible to the people willing and capable to travel to Alexandria, it was the greatest treasure ever lost to mankind.
But today, we have rebuilt that treasure. We have built the Library of Alexandria 2.0. While admittedly not available to everyone, it’s still two billion people who are able to access all of humanity’s collective knowledge and culture, as well as contribute to it as equals.
In writing this repository of human knowledge and culture, a 9-year-old schoolgirl in Uruguay who has just got her first laptop is an equal to an established middle-aged man in rich Switzerland. This new library is therefore also the greatest equalizer that mankind has ever invented.
Like the debate preceding public libraries, this equalization is a strong and desirable result. But unlike the debate preceding public libraries, it won’t cost taxpayers a cent. All the necessary technology has already been invented, all the infrastructure is already in place, and the two billion people already have tools they need to access and contribute to this rebuilt Library of Alexandria.
Again, like the debate on public libraries, the ones blocking this progress are a few special interests with monopolies. The copyright monopoly.
The Library of Alexandria 2.0 is already here. All we have to do is just to remove the ban on using it. Isn’t it time we removed the ban on private copying altogether and worldwide?
It’s enough to start in one country for the rest to follow, you know.
About The Author: Rick Falkvinge
Rick is the founder of the first Pirate Party and is a political evangelist, traveling around Europe and the world to talk and write about ideas of a sensible information policy. He has a tech entrepreneur background and loves whisky.
![Pirate Party Pumpkin and Tripod. [Image CC-BY K`Tetch]](http://falkvinge.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSCF0300-237x133.jpg "Pirate Party Pumpkin and Tripod. [Image CC-BY K`Tetch]")
RT @glynmoody: The Library of Alexandria 2.0 0 – http://bit.ly/fnosKC It’s here: "All we have to do is just to remove the ban on using it." #copyright
The Library of Alexandria 2.0 http://falkvinge.net/2011/03/12/the-library-of-alexandria-2-0/
RT @falkvinge The Library of Alexandria 2.0 http://is.gd/GN5xWO #alexandria #copyright #infopolicy #libraries
RT @glynmoody: The Library of Alexandria 2.0 0 – http://bit.ly/fnosKC It’s here: "All we have to do is just to remove the ban on using it." #copyright
Falkvinge on Infopolicy: The Library of Alexandria 2.0:
In ancient times, there was a library in the Egyp… http://tinyurl.com/48et8qj
RT @piratbloggar: Falkvinge on Infopolicy: The Library of Alexandria 2.0:
In ancient times, there was a library in the Egyp… http://tinyurl.com/48et8qj
RT @glynmoody The Library of Alexandria 2.0 0 – http://bit.ly/fnosKC It’s here: "All we have to do is just to remove the ban on using it …
“It’s enough to start in one country for the rest to follow, you know. ”
Very true – which country will be first to dare to confront the arrogance of the U.S. copyright mafia and their government backers? I think many :-) A hostility wave is building up against copyright and other immaterial “rights..”
Not even the ordinary U.S. citizens have any real interest in copyright. The rest of the industrialized countries even less. And least of all developing countries like India and Brazil.
The effect in the country who starts first will be tremendous. Every citizen will have access to everything at once and in any form. It could be the most impressive rise in living standards ever! Even poor countries can do it, and there the effect will be even better than in already rich countries :-)
RT @linazoey: Again, like the debate on public libraries the ones blocking this progress are a few special interests with monopolies http://bit.ly/hpKJ6x