Lessons from Lessig

In his article Lessig doesn’t agree that a complete legalization of media is the best option, but at the same time believes that having a zero tolerance would also be a mistake. Lessig provides a number of different points both for and against each option and there is a particular example that relates to the later that I wish to discuss. Lessig suggests,

“The technology of digital “capturing and sharing” promises a world of extraordinary diverse creativity that can be easily and broadly shared.”

Lessig goes on to say that those participating in this creativity are able to express, criticize, contribute to the culture all around. These sorts of opportunities have in the past only been available to small groups and as technology develops this has exploded into wider groups of people.

I think that whoever is in charge of enforcing a zero tolerance system (if it ever comes tho that) runs the risk of destroying new types of art and creative cultures, a creative culture that could have positive impacts on industries and popular culture on a whole. “In the next ten years we will see an explosion of new technologies.” (Lessig P.184) It’s kind of like the world around us is developing all these cool new things but then saying, “…but hey, don’t use them to their full potential.”