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It might be crazy to expect a high government official to speak the truth. It might be crazy to believe that government policy will be something more than the handmaiden of the most powerful interests. It might be crazy to argue that we should preserve a tradition that has been part of our tradition for most of our history - free culture. If this is crazy, then let there be more crazies. Soon.

Lawrence Lessig#43

LawPolicyPoliticsPowerActivismTradition

About this quote

What does it mean?
Preserving free culture traditions may seem crazy to officials but is necessary against powerful interests.
In plain terms
It seems crazy to fight for free culture, but it's vital.
What can you take from it?
Fight for cultural freedom despite opposition.

Where it applies

  • policy advocacy
  • tech debates
  • activism

Putting it to work

  • Advocate for open culture
  • Challenge restrictive laws

Questions to consider

  • Is free culture essential?
  • How much regulation is enough?

Another view

Governments may have legitimate reasons to regulate content.

More from Lawrence Lessig

  1. When it has become silly to suppose that the role of our government should be to 'seek balance,' then count me with the silly, for that means that this has bec…

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  2. The danger in media concentration comes not from the concentration, but instead from the feudalism that this concentration, tied to the change in copyright, pr…

    Permalink to quote #44
  3. A simple idea blinds us, and under the cover of darkness, much happens that most of us would reject if any of us looked. So uncritically do we accept the idea …

    Permalink to quote #41

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