Lessig, L. (2008). Comparing Cultures. Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy (pp. 84-116). New York: Penguin Press HC, The.
This week’s reading explained the debate between “read only” (RO) culture and “red-write” (RW) culture. Without copyright, there is this allowance for others to “create” who otherwise could not. Lessig makes the point that, “…in protection RO culture, we shouldn’t kill off the potential for RW” (p 90). Copyright supports RO culture and opposes practices of the RW culture. Copyright may be valuable in some senses to preserve original creativity, but it also hinders the creativity of evolving generations. Copyright laws are becoming so restricted that it may reject the use of any sort of copyrighted content. I think copyrights are important to protect artists from others taking their creations in whole, but there needs to be some sort of balance (as explained in the reading, TED talk, and other materials).
In the TED talk, he explains how laws being changed reflect the same type of ideas as a copyright. New technology creates an unsure feeling for people because they are unfamiliar with it. Digital technology is important for celebrating amateur culture (people produce for the love of what their doing and not the money). He explains how today remixing gives access to this culture because you are able to create something enjoyable in your own way. He clarifies that it is not piracy (where you distribute without copyright format or taking it in whole). This new use of culture and the copyright laws make this seem as though we are “trespassers” for using these forms in creativity of remixes. He explains a balance (a private solution) to legalize through competition. Artists can decide that their work can be used toward “amateur” type of work but not freely for commercial type of use.
Lessig states that these forms (remixes) should not be looked at in a negative light, but appreciated because, “You pay respect to tradition by incorporating it”(p 96). I agree that you can still respect a previous work while also being inspired by it and surprising the audience by giving them something they will enjoy. I think with each generation things change. Creations from the past do not need to be forgotten, but they can inspire a new generation to take those ideas and creations and build on them.
I like how you voiced your opinion in this post. It is clear that our culture today is very technology-focused. This can lead to great things as well as problems. The greatness can be new views and creations of a musical piece; it allows new artists to express themselves using someone else’s previous work, giving it their own spin. Problems can erupt because there is a fine line between stealing and remixing. A remixer must be very careful how he or she uses and integrates copy written material. Do you think copy write laws cause more problems than do more good?
This was a very thorough blog! It was a great summary of the article. I agree with you when you say, “I think copyrights are important to protect artists from others taking their creations in whole, but there needs to be some sort of balance (as explained in the reading, TED talk, and other materials)”. I think that copyrights are very crucial and important. I think that remixes are a form of stealing another’s work, which I do not like. You also said that “He explains how today remixing gives access to this culture because you are able to create something enjoyable in your own way”. The fact that you can bounce off of someone else’s original ideas and become famous is not an idea that I like. I think that it is good that copy rights exist so that others can not steal someone’s work. I do not like the fact that some people steal other’s work because I do not think that stealing is a good thing. It is a form of cheating in my eyes. I must say that I disagree when you say, “I agree that you can still respect a previous work while also being inspired by it and surprising the audience by giving them something they will enjoy”. It is nice to bounce ideas off each others, but when making something public I think it should be illegal. Someone should not be famous because of someone else’s work.