In The Days Before Apple Became The "Man"

Rebecca McKinnon is an activist fighting the battle for those of us who use the Internet, and wants us to take it back, before Governments and big Corporations get complete control. This TED speech is a powerful call to arms; especially in the way that it follows the history of Apple's beginnings as a small company seeking empowerment of the computer user to its attempts to control every bit and byte of information that a user views, writes, or sees on a computer or device. Today marks the launch of Apple's latest and greatest information delivery device, the "NEW" iPad, and it is as locked down and controlled as any before it. What kind of world do you want to live in? One controlled by information dictators or one in which information is freely accessible to all? Spend 15 minutes with Ms. McKinnon before you answer. She has a new book out, Consent of the Networked that postulates a revolutionary concept. Government and Corporations shouldn't control information without the informed consent of the people. Sounds like true democracy to me.

Comments

[Harry Knowles]

I stumbled upon your blog and saw this article which immediately caught my attention because this is what I keep saying to everyone around me. I just checked out the video and Ms. McKinnon has really hit the nail on the head and I hope more people check this video out because a lot of people aren't aware of how restrictive the Internet has been and is becoming even more so now. I especially liked her mention of the "Great Firewall" of China!

[Corella]

"This TED speech is a powerful call to arms" I beg to differ. There were plenty of signs and subtle call to arms long before this speech. I reference perhaps George Orwell's 1984 written way back when? But yes, government monitoring will be something every citizen needs to be aware of.

[rickgeorges]

Uh excuse me but I didn't say it was the first time it had been said. It IS a call to arms.