Portrait by Jonathan Worth: HTTP://JONATHANWORTH.COM
ORIGINALLY RECORDED MAY 1, 2019
ORIGINALLY BROADCAST MAY 12, 2019
For a transcript of this episode, click here.
The internet has become central to our way of life, but how much do we know about it? Is it really the free-for-all we claim it is, or is it actually dominated by a few voices? Is the Web just a vehicle for commerce or is it the most innovate platform for art every created? In this wide-ranging discussion Why? Radio host Jack Russell Weinstein and his guest Cory Doctorow investigate the economics, politics, technology, and future of the internet. From Marxian analyses to a discussion of the predictability of science fiction, this conversation will change the way you think about the internet. It will inspire you to ask whether the internet is really different from what has come before it or if it’s just another vehicle for the same human problems we’ve had all along.
Cory Doctorow is a novelist, activist and journalist. Co-editor of BoingBoing, one of the internet’s biggest blogs, Cory has written numerous books including Information Doesn’t Want to be Free: Laws for the Internet Age, and, most recently, Radicalized. His personal blog can be found here and an index of his posts on BoingBoing can be found here.
You can find a scanned version of the magazine mentioned in the monologue here, at PQED, host Jack Russell Weinstein’s blog.
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[…] post was inspired by latest episode of Why? Radio, “What Does it Mean to Keep the Internet Free?” with guest Cory Doctorow. You can listen to the full episode […]
Cory Doctorow’s perspective on internet freedom and preserving open access resonates strongly when looking at how classic web culture survives today. As major platforms consolidate and lock down content, independent preservation projects show the practical value of keeping interactive digital media accessible directly through the browser without proprietary walled gardens. Open web standards and archives remain essential to sustaining a free internet for everyone.
Doctorow makes compelling points regarding why an open web architecture is essential for creators and communities. Independent, community-supported platforms rely heavily on open web standards rather than closed app store monopolies to share open-source tools and creative projects.
This episode with Cory Doctorow raises crucial questions about open standards and digital autonomy. The distinction between open platforms and walled gardens is more relevant today than ever, especially as digital spaces become increasingly centralized. Really enjoyed the discussion!
Cory Doctorow’s case for keeping the internet free also applies to everyday public practices. Taichi Walking offers gentle, structured walking that anyone can use to improve balance and mobility without a paywalled program.
Doctorow’s case for keeping the internet free still feels current. Independent study tools like G1 Practice help learners keep practicing on their own terms.