Phantom Console Makes Phantom Appearance At... >>
<< Now We Need A Company To Tell Us When Our...
 tdicon 


Ramblings

by Mike Masnick

Fri, Jan 9th 2004 2:41am





NYTimes Teen Mag Spikes Story On Why Downloading Isn't Stealing

from the too-much? dept

I have no idea the full details behind the story, but The New York Times Upfront, which is apparently a NY Times produced magazine for teens, had asked Aaron Swartz to write a "counterpoint" story on downloading music. Aaron wrote up a short piece entitled "Downloading Isn't Stealing" and the NY Times decided not to run it. Aaron claims that the reason they gave him was "the Times had decided not to tell kids to break the law." Aaron has decided to go ahead and publish the piece himself. While I agree with the premise (as has been discussed to death on this site), I don't necessarily agree with the specifics of his argument. Downloading might be copyright infringement, but it's clearly not theft (even the Supreme Court has said so). What's more interesting to me is why the magazine spiked the piece. I'm not sure if folks at Upfront have a different explanation for why they spiked the piece - but if it is the reason Aaron gives, then that's pretty sad, and suggests that we're not teaching kids these days to understand the complexity of issues, but prefer to brainwash kids with simple (but untrue) maxims. I guess this isn't a huge surprise, but you can always hope.

6 Comments | Leave a Comment..


If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...
 

Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

  1.  

    No Subject Given

    identicon
    thecaptain, Jan 9th, 2004 @ 6:37am

    C'mon. Teaching kids hasn't been a priority for years. Education today focuses on brainwashing...ie: aping the course material. There is very little or NO option/training for critical thought.
    That makes it easier for companies to sell to you. It makes it easier for the powers that be to stay in control.

    Its a sad thing really.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    No Subject Given

    identicon
    BtG, Jan 9th, 2004 @ 7:44am

    Maybe it's just me, but I did not find the article to be that well written. Yes, it has all the facts that we all know and love to parade around, but that's all. There was little connection between all the facts, a simple list of that info would have been equally as effective (and quicker to digest).

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  

    Re: No Subject Given

    icon
    Mike (profile), Jan 9th, 2004 @ 9:23am

    Yeah, I agree, which is why I wonder if there were other reasons for spiking the article.

    I think a more interesting argument is to first separate out the difference between copyright infringement and theft - and then to look at the reasons for copyright and copyright infringement and see if they make sense.

    Also, my personal belief is still that companies should look at how they can embrace such "popular will" to their own advantage, without pissing off their customers.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  

    What a STUPID argument

    identicon
    Steve Sanderson, Jan 9th, 2004 @ 10:57am

    Man, I have to say that this kid's editorial on downloading contains some of the most half-baked, flat-out STUPID logic I have ever read. It sounds like the way a 12 year old's mind works! I hope the RIAA investigates this dumbass and confiscates his PC, the digital piracy movement would probably be appalled at the shoddy nature of the points he puts forth to justify copyright THEFT. And that's what it is, Mike, whether you choose to live in a dream world and deny it!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  

    Re: What a STUPID argument

    icon
    Mike (profile), Jan 9th, 2004 @ 11:20am

    So, you're saying the Supreme Court was wrong? It's a valid position to take, but tossing it up as a "dream world" is a pretty bold statement that doesn't make you look too thoughtful. While I agree that the courts make mistakes, I rarely think they're living in a dream world.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  

    Re: What a STUPID argument

    identicon
    Frank, Jan 9th, 2004 @ 12:40pm

    Yes, and the digital gouging movement the RIAA has practiced for so long and been busted for by the FTC is so much more moral and legal. Widen your own dream world a little.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


Add Your Comment

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here
Get Techdirt’s Daily Email
Save me a cookie
  • Note: A CRLF will be replaced by a break tag (<br>), all other allowable HTML will remain intact
  • Allowed HTML Tags: <b> <i> <a> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <hr> <tt>


Phantom Console Makes Phantom Appearance At... >>
<< Now We Need A Company To Tell Us When Our...
 tdicon 

A word from our Sponsors...
Follow Techdirt
Flattr rss rss

Powered by Postrank

From the Techdirt Archive...
A word from our Sponsors...

Close

Email This