If you’re interested in open source, public knowledge or observations on the power of the commons in a digital age, you’ll want to know about a new book, Viral Spiral: How commonors built a digital republic of their own, since the author, David Bollier, will be in Minneapolis next Wednesday May 13th discussing it.
From free and open-source software, Creative Commons licenses, Wikipedia, remix music and video mashups. peer production, open science, open education, and open business. the world of digital media has spawned a new “sharing economy” that increasingly competes with entrenched media giants.
Reporting from the heart of this “free culture” movement, journalist and activist David Bollier provides the first comprehensive history of the attempt by a global brigade of techies, lawyers, artists, musicians, scientists. businesspeople, innovators, and geeks of all stripes to create a digital republic committed to freedom and innovation. Viral Spiral—the term Bollier coins to describe the almost magical process by which Internet users can come together to build online commons and tools-brilliantly interweaves the disparate strands of this eclectic movement. The story describes major technological developments and pivotal legal struggles, as well as fascinating profiles of hacker Richard Stallman, copyright scholar Lawrence Lessig, and other colorful figures.
Here are the deets:
Book event & reception
Wednesday, May 13th at 7:30 pm
Magers & Quinn Book Store
3038 Hennepin Av S, Minneapolis
RSVP office@onthecommons.org