Monday, September 11, 2006
"A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace"
The article entitled, "A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace" declares that cyberspace is seeking to maintain its independence from government authority.
Governments from the physical world require people to conform their behaviors according to the government's laws. Laws are created in this world to place our society under the government's control. The people have no choice but to follow them to avoid any confrontations with government officials. For instance, the freedom of speech is granted to Americans but it is limited in many ways. State officials can punish people who violate their freedom of speech if they "involve danger to the public peace and to the security of the state" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech). Because of these restrictions, people are forced to monitor their actions because of the risks that are involved.
Political activists can exercise their right of free speech in reserved public places which are known as free speech zones.
In cyberspace, however, there is no authority. This world is manipulated by the minds of the people who make up society. John Perry Barlow writes about this world as though he were its representative. He states,
However, it is known that the United States government has attempted to regulate certain acts and speech on the Internet by establishing the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The EFF is a legal organization that is
Resources:
Wikipedia. Freedom of speech. Retrieved September 10, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech
Wikipedia. Electronic Frontier Foundation. Retrieved September 10, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Frontier_Foundation
Governments from the physical world require people to conform their behaviors according to the government's laws. Laws are created in this world to place our society under the government's control. The people have no choice but to follow them to avoid any confrontations with government officials. For instance, the freedom of speech is granted to Americans but it is limited in many ways. State officials can punish people who violate their freedom of speech if they "involve danger to the public peace and to the security of the state" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech). Because of these restrictions, people are forced to monitor their actions because of the risks that are involved.
Political activists can exercise their right of free speech in reserved public places which are known as free speech zones.
"Free speech zones are set up by ... Secret Service [officials] who scout locations near which the president is to pass or speak. Officials may target those displaying signs and escort them to the free speech zones prior to and during the event. Reporters may be barred from displaying protesters on camera or speaking to them within the zone" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech).It is a crime to enter a restricted area around the President of the United States which is why "protesters who refuse to go to free speech zones could be arrested and charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech).
In cyberspace, however, there is no authority. This world is manipulated by the minds of the people who make up society. John Perry Barlow writes about this world as though he were its representative. He states,
"We have no elected government, nor are we likely to have one, so I address you with no greater authority than that with which liberty itself always speaks. I declare the global social space we are building to be naturally independent of the tyrannies you seek to impose on us. You have no moral right to rule us nor do you possess any methods of enforcement we have the reason to fear."This excerpt suggests that cyberspace wants to remain independent from any government control. This world does not welcome authority and never will because of its endless freedoms that are granted to its members. Fear, discrimination, conformity, and coercion do not exist in this world. People are free to write whatever thoughts are on their minds without the fear of getting caught by government officials.
However, it is known that the United States government has attempted to regulate certain acts and speech on the Internet by establishing the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The EFF is a legal organization that is
"dedicated to preserving free speech rights such as those protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution in the context of today's digital age. [Its purpose] is to educate the press, policymakers and the general public about civil liberties issues related to technology; and to act as a defender of those liberties" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech).Even though it may seem impossible for the government to control cyberspace, it is obvious that they are seeking ways to exercise its power. This government control may threaten the freedoms that are currently existing in cyberspace. No matter how 'free' this world may be from government authority, its efforts to remain 'free' will diminish in time.
Resources:
Wikipedia. Freedom of speech. Retrieved September 10, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/free_speech
Wikipedia. Electronic Frontier Foundation. Retrieved September 10, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Frontier_Foundation
Comments:
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A good, substantial post. Good use of links. Needs a little editing.
A key issue. The utopian ideal of cyberspace envisions a world of complete freedom of expression. This is an ideal that seems increasingly unrealistic.
Nation states and corporations are working to clamp down on digital freedoms and regulate the flow of information across the web. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a key watch dog group that has been trying to make the public aware of the ways in which our government has been working to limit and control the web. Few Americans feel that this is a crucial issue.
Is the dream of complete freedom in cyberspace a fantasy? Or is it a principle that needs to be defended against state authority?
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A key issue. The utopian ideal of cyberspace envisions a world of complete freedom of expression. This is an ideal that seems increasingly unrealistic.
Nation states and corporations are working to clamp down on digital freedoms and regulate the flow of information across the web. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a key watch dog group that has been trying to make the public aware of the ways in which our government has been working to limit and control the web. Few Americans feel that this is a crucial issue.
Is the dream of complete freedom in cyberspace a fantasy? Or is it a principle that needs to be defended against state authority?
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