Should ideas be considered property?
When looking; “Everything is a Remix” PART 4:
http://everythingisaremix.info/watch-the-series/
The evolutionary ideas of copy, inform and combine seem to be a common theme throughout history, as well as, the survival of Human Beings. In today's word, with enough legislation over everything under the sun, its truly difficult to determine what is owned and by who since it can be argued from so many different angles. The fencing of ideas is almost an asinine concept.
Do I think Ideas should be owned? It's simply a matter of perspective. Since I don't have millions of dollars generated form one incredible idea, I think the free exchange of ideas is what makes us human, since the dominate ideas that have surfaced have made us who we are today. But, even if I was rich, would the greater good out weight my pocket book, since the copy of ideas usually results in more efficient practices? Probably not. I think I would like to make million of dollars at the expense of others. In business, being first is everything.
The biggest evils result from Opportunist "Trolling" Perspective that sees the law as a means to make money and ownership of even the most vague concepts as a tool to sue yourself into money.
If their is one last common theme throughout human history, its that we have always benefited more through exchange and cooperation than we have through competition. In labor studies done by Ford Motor Company, they have found that collaboration beats competition 3 to 1 every time and why should someone's Intellectual Property be different, if the benefit is bigger than one persons wallet or their ego, I do think that Idea's should be free, but again; thats from down here at the bottom.
I couldn't agree more with what you’re saying in this blog. I believe copying and evolving ideas is what has allowed us to make so many gains as a species. I understand that people should benefit from their original creations and no one should blatantly rip off their ideas as their own but you're right when you say that there are opportunistic individuals out in the world that would see themselves enriched by stifling creativity through legal means. Collaboration is a key tool that has benefited humans and the remixing and copying of ideas is essential for collaboration to work. Now if I can think of idea worth copying then maybe I could play my own devil's advocate.
ReplyDeleteKnibs, totally agree that we as people can benefit way more if we pool our thoughts together rather than pinning those thoughts against each other. Unfortunately, like Madonna said way back in the early 80's "We are living in a material World" and everyone out there is looking for a piece of the proverbial pie. Some people try their best to get what they think is own to them. Greed is one of the great banes in life that is not going to go anytime soon. Only time will tell if humanity learns that collaborating is superior to competition....Im not holding my breath :(
ReplyDeleteI applaud your honesty Jon. I’d like to think that ideas are free and that there should be no way a person should be able to not only profit from that idea but also control and manipulate others through that control. However, the world is not that ideal and if given the chance, I would certainly capitalize on any idea I could patent or copyright. Unfortunately I don’t have any million dollar ideas. So, until that day happens I will pilfer ideas, lesson plans and the like from my fellow teachers and leave my door open for them to do likewise.
ReplyDelete