Cephalopod Lothario
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That could easily cut both ways. I can see that statement as being an endorsement of harsher piracy laws.
Out of context yes, but with the rest of the blog post, it's unlikely.
HGW XX/7
,
In context:
For me, the case is particularly clear when there aren’t copyright issues, when information was already paid for by taxpayers, and when more openness can help new innovations and scientific discoveries.
I would never condone unlawful activity. But in my view, if our laws, frameworks and practices stand in the way of us getting all those benefits, then maybe they need to be changed.
Agree or disagree with his methods, Aaron could see the open direction we’re heading in, and its benefits. In the meantime, those scientists who are paying tribute by making their own work legally, openly available aren’t just showing their respects – they are also benefiting scientific progress.
Cephalopod Lothario
...Well, I'm lazy. And tired.
Yeah, that's a lot more unambiguously positive.
On that note: my uni has just talked about their new Open Assess Policy. This means that when I publish papers I can now have people assess them, for free, and potentially more delicious citations.
You're just out for the ego trip. 
NOT THE BEES
Researchers typically subsist on a diet of pizza, soda, and ego.
edited 29th Jan '13 1:35:41 PM by Pykrete
Well, that and citations are the lifeblood of researchers. 
You do not get work if no one knows what you've done.
I see the Awesomeness.
You forgot the crushed dreams of freshmen.
Fight smart, not fair.
scratching at .8, just hopin'
If you snort that for recreation it doesn't count as part of your diet.
Share it so that people can get into this conversation, 'cause we're not the only ones who think like this.
Hey, unlike my colleague who sits behind me I have yet to have a minion of my own.
Samurai Troper
Ira, what's your course of study again? I want to say you're a fellow history major.
Swordplay and writing blog. Purveyor of weeaboo fightin' magic.
I'm working on aluminium alloys.
edited 30th Jan '13 1:44:54 AM by IraTheSquire
HGW XX/7
Back OT: Aaron Swartz Died for Piers Morgan's Sins
. An interesting look at the scandal and the way the system works and who it works for, from Vice.
edited 31st Jan '13 3:43:53 AM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der Partei
^ That is extremely misleading.
While a lot of people unknowingly or accidentally violate computer laws, they don't "accidentally" download millions of research papers, hack into a network when they're discovered, and then sneak into a computer room to continue the downloads. There is a huge difference between violating a law you didn't know existed and making the choice to violate a law.
I agree that computer laws are in desperate need of reform, but trying to equate what Aaron Swartz did to the activities of the average computer user is disingenuous.
If JSTOR were operating when Isaac Newton published, only a well-heeled elite would have the secret of thermodynamics. If Newton worked for Microsoft, we’d be paying a royalty for the use of gravity.
Just yesterday, I used JSTOR to look up university research papers on assault weapons. Thank you, Aaron. Because of Aaron Swartz’ planned emancipation of JSTOR documents, and the public disgust at his persecution, the JSTOR monopolists agreed to voluntarily release some (though not all) of this crucial research without charge.
Is this a joke? Seriously, is this a joke?
"Monopolists"
Oh, such rhetoric.
NOT THE BEES
Well...it's kinda true. I mean, nobody should have any business charging you to access publicly-funded research.
Granted while JSTOR isn't open access, they've been pretty good about covering operating costs instead of extorting you for the hell of it.
Part of it is that the journal publishers themselves charge absurd amounts. A while back, Harvard had to stop subscribing to a ton of them because subscriptions cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.
edited 4th Feb '13 5:15:05 PM by Pykrete
Now this
is interesting: the vice-President of the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, has written on her blog (about the Swartz case) that "if our laws, frameworks and practices stand in the way of us getting all those benefits [of the internet age], then maybe they need to be changed." (the boldness is hers, by the way).
I really hope something comes of this. The EU is the world's largest market, and the world's largest economy. If an EU-wide directive (or, even better, a regulation) that actually did something intelligent with regards to IP law and the internet came into effect, we would hopefully see the setting of a new international standard.
edited 29th Jan '13 5:08:44 AM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der Partei