[Jack Daniels]

Here is an excellent essay for those who want to be well grounded in the defense of file sharing and real freedom with one's own property (i.e. your computer).

http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/how-intellectual-property-impedes-competition/

Please print it out and give it to your friends. You might also consider sending the link in emails to those interested.

[Nuitari]

I am sure they are all fine essays. The problem is that we need to find good emotional arguments to convince people of our points. Going with well reasoned arguments just doesn't work that well in politics.

[Jack Daniels]

Nuitari,

I think I am unqualified to argue that point, so I won't. I am a lot like Data, from Star Trek (an effect of Asperger's Syndrome). I can't relate to the people you want to reach. I only understand logic. Not to say I never get emotional or passionate, but my passion tends to rise out of reason. Needless to say, I tend to be at odds with everyone (please don't ask me to run as a candidate - half joking).

A while ago I would have argued against your point, but now I see that I am so unlike those you speak of that I must disqualify myself from debate, or from trying to reach such individuals myself. I speak a different language, and I have to accept that as a lifetime limitation. Aside from that, I hope that at least a few of those essays will help some of you. I find it hard to believe no member will/has come across an intellectually inclined supporter of current or more stringent copyright law. I think a lot of our battle is due to a lack of sound argument. I only found these essays in the past week or two, and before that, I really didn't know what ground I had to stand on. My only argument was that there is no difference between downloading a movie and borrowing the store-bought DVD from a friend just to watch and return. In either case, my purchase is made unnecessary, which, according to the argument I oppose, constitutes stealing. I think any defender of copyright law is into the art of illusion, like David Blaine. They make up what they wish existed, and try to impose it on us.

These essays give me confidence I need.

Cheers.

[Mikkel Paulson]

I agree. I haven't had the time to read them, but I will certainly do so. Just because we may not be appealing to potential voters on a purely intellectual level doesn't mean we shouldn't seek to understand our movement better ourselves. That's not to say that the essays are necessarily in accordance with my/our ideals, but reading something you disagree with also helps you to refine your perspectives by forcing you to rationalize your disagreement.