HUMANITY: A REMIX

The 'high-speed' generation is a relatively young one which thrives on a internationally collected stream of consciousness. Because of this networking of thought, there has been a revival of a RW, or read-write, culture verses the recently passé RO, or read-only standard. The read-write culture is essentially what it sounds like; there is an established format and then there is one that aims to comment on and/or reinforce it. In a read-only culture this conversation between two formats does not exist, appropriately due to the fact that there is only one platform, (ex. the event, facts, etc. without the allowance for feedback). In today's digital age, however, fists shake at mediocrity and have chosen to add to the flow of ideas with some of their own.

When referring to a remixed humanity, one should acknowledge that every single bit of culture has a 'copy', or a bit in reference to another. Most notably seen in memes and DJ remixes to popular songs, these 'copies' are either critical or idealistic of their original source material. Some are manipulated several degrees and transform into politically, socially infused or entertaining content. In Larry Lessig's lecture, "Open for Business", for the critically acclaimed TED conference, there is a praise for the return of the RW culture but it also identifies a difference between the user-created 'copies' and the piracy-ridden. Those who seek to find a higher plateau of knowledge without the vain 'necessity' of marking one's territory, (i.e. Trump), are categorized as a user-created society. These users use other users' ideas as a launching pad for more ideas which they hope will in turn contribute to more conversations and ultimately to a solution for all. On the other side, those filed as pirates mean to steal ideas and use them to their own advantage, often for profit and do not care to contribute anything to anyone else. They are the corrupt businessmen of the Internet.

Because of piracy and the need for human need for validation in all works, Lessig notes that there is extremism on both sides of the copyright/trademark/government regulated fence. The older, more conservative voice is a proponent for copyrighting laws; they feel that these laws are imperative when weeding out the 'trespassers', (i.e. both users and pirates could use some form of their idea, albeit divergent reasons). The younger are 'lawless' and refuse the governance of copyrighting for the world is their oyster and the Internet, their pearl. In response to the tension, Lessig pleas for a happy medium. The issue is too complex for one school of thought because one should not limit the intellectual, artistic, social, etc. benefits of living in a read-write society nor should others fell so entitled to steal and get away with it. As the world changes, with increasing pace each decade, the format of society and what matters to it will follow suit and it should not be a concept of which to fear but rather one to embrace. A quote that best illustrates this change is one from Canadian blogger/journalist/author, Corey Doctorow:

"What may be the business model in 1909 may be the business model in 2009 but what may be the business model in 1939 may not be the business model in 2007."

In Rip! A Remix Manifesto, the filmmaker goes into great detail about copyright issues, etc. To find out more information: http://films.nfb.ca/rip-a-remix-manifesto/