Life in the Network

As an avid filesharer myself I understand both sides to this story. Obviously, I have already made the decision that intelectual property should be shared freely. Out of all the articles pertaining to this subject I think Barlow hit the nail on the head. Physical property is something that can be maintained through ownership. I wouldn't steal my neighbor's car or his tools because those objects, once gone, are no longer in his possession and he can no longer enjoy them. But, if my neighbor had music that he was willing to share with me and still maintain its quality. Why not? Walter Benjamin discussed the idea of "aura", the touch of the divine creator. This works for pieces of art because the original is the only one that was touched by the brush of the creator. Media however, is meant to be recreated and distributed. Music doesn't lose its value or "aura" by being shared. In fact, as Barlow discusses, it increases the aura by allowing others to be a part of it.

Imagine the social advancements we could make if we removed the red tape and allowed artistic and intelectual ideas to flow smoothly from person to person. This is already happening and will happen inevitably, it's just a matter of how long we are going to prolong the process. Apple making a deal to distribute music without controlling the amount it can be distributed is a step in that direction. Another interesting advancement comes with a commercial I saw the other day. Apple is coming out with a station that will allow you to play movies and other media from your television. This is another example of how intelectual property can be shared and put into our everday lives.