After viewing Internet’s Own Boy, I have a entire new perspective way on the government. Aaron downloading the numerous amount of JSTOR articles, without any explanation in the beginning was odd. Instead of the authorities confiscating the device, they planted a camera, revealing Swartz. This arose the question, stealing articles from a website a crime? Personalities in the documentary expressed Aaron’s actions not harming anyone, therefore he shouldn’t have bene prosecuted for the crime. Yet the government ignored Swartz defenses towards the charges. This had me curious, it’s starting to feel as if the government has control over our lives. In the documentary, personnel’s explained the government prosecuting Aaron was to make an example out of him. You can almost describe the government as a petty child, that only wants thing done it’s way. The charges Aaron was facing, was upwards of 30+ years, which is ridiculous. The government’s purpose is to sustain order, broadly, but it seems they can bend the law a bit. This relates to he beginning of Citizen Four, when a speech Barack Obama did explaining how presidents shouldn’t act above the law. The entire constitution of the government just seems hypocritical after watching both documentaries.
March 16, 2022 at 12:38 pm
I fully agree with you, I’m also interested in the legislative advantages the government seems to have in Internet related cases such as the Swartz incident and I think it is a very interesting topic to go further into. You can look up articles about specific acts/laws that were bent to an extent just for the sake of making an example out of a person who threatens the government’s power and control over the Internet and the citizens who use it.
March 16, 2022 at 12:41 pm
You definitely pose a great point. You definitely could use both of these scenarios and while researching find other examples to relate to these particular scenarios. Also, I agree with you and the fact that government shouldn’t have extensive control over our lives.
March 16, 2022 at 12:41 pm
George,
I really liked how you responded to the documents and I agree that making an example out of someone is a petty reason to want to sentence someone to 35 years in prison!! I also noticed some hypocrisy that existed in the structure of our government and how they responded to these cases that went against the rights outlined in our constitution.
March 16, 2022 at 12:42 pm
Hi George,
I think “the government wanting things done their way” is an accurate statement. Even before watching the documentaries many of us knew that the government (along with many corporations) are watching us, constantly, but the question is “why do we care?” I think you do a great job “evaluating the governments actions” which would help you look into the possibilities the research project can bring about. Looking at the rules, laws, and regulations (along with live examples) would defiantly help bring your points across.