Soon most information will be generated collaboratively by the cyber-tribal hunter-gatherers of cyberspace. Our arrogant dismissal of the rights of “primitives” will soon return to haunt us.
Predictor: Barlow, John Perry
Prediction, in context:In 1994, John Perry Barlow wrote an article for Wired that he described as, “a framework for rethinking patents and copyrights in the Digital Age.” In this section,”Information is a Life Form,” Barlow looks at how information changes and how difficult it is to copyright this evolving form: ”Our system of copyright makes no accommodation whatever for expressions which don’t become fixed at some point, nor for cultural expressions which lack a specific author or inventor. Jazz improvisations, stand-up comedy routines, mime performances, developing monologues, and unrecorded broadcast transmissions all lack the Constitutional requirement of fixation as a ‘writing.’ Without being fixed by a point of publication, the liquid works of the future will all look more like these continuously adapting and changing forms, and will therefore exist beyond the reach of copyright … Soon most information will be generated collaboratively by the cyber-tribal hunter-gatherers of cyberspace. Our arrogant dismissal of the rights of ‘primitives’ will soon return to haunt us.”
Biography:John Perry Barlow helped found the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 1990 with WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) members Mitch Kapor and John Gilmore in direct response to a threat to free speech. Barlow’s was one of the loudest voices in the battle to keep the Internet unfettered while still encouraging that it become a tool available to everyone. (Advocate/Voice of the People.)
Date of prediction: March 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Copyright/Intellectual Property/Plagiarism
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: The Economy of Ideas
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/6805/articles/int-prop/barlow-economy-of-ideas.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Bizzell, Natalie