One topic I came across in The Internet’s Own Boy that I’d like to learn more about is the topic of open access, especially for databases. In the document “Guerilla Open Access Manifesto,” Swartz wrote that “information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves…sharing isn’t immoral — it’s a moral imperative.” Tim Berners-Lee’s article also discusses the importance of open access to databases and information using the example of scientists behind Alzheimer’s disease. They made an open database for all scientists internationally to share their research and other information and this is crucial to making breakthrough discoveries in a cure or solution to Alzheimer’s. On top of making significant contributions to scientific research, having open access to databases can also increase the transparency of private corporations and universities. The Internet’s Own Boy talked about how Swartz downloaded all the articles from the database of Stanford University and uncovered how corporations pay law professors to write articles in favor of/beneficial to these corporations. In my personal experience doing academic research, I have encountered databases that I didn’t have access to even with a school email. I’ve always wondered why databases do not give the public open access to the information they have stored. To start off, I might research what actions databases like Jstor have taken after the case with Swartz and Jstor to respond to the topic of open access of information. Additionally, I might look deeper into Swartz’s advocacy for open access and the open access movement.
March 16, 2022 at 12:34 pm
I also want to explore public access to the public domain!!!! I want to ask about why you write “having open access to databases can also increase the transparency of private corporations and universities.” Corporations must remain relatively private in order to facilitate competition in the American business landscape: if a company discloses its critical ingredients or strategies, then other companies can advance on the same pace as the former, to my understanding LOOLOL i’m not no zicklin major mamas :* cheers, Sharon 😀
March 16, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Hi Sharon,
I really like the quote you pulled out from Swartz (“information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves…sharing isn’t immoral — it’s a moral imperative”). The internet really allows for endless opportunities – whether that is to just connect or learn in depth of. Open access is an amazing topic to look into, there are truly so many ways to go about it and its great that you have a general sense of what you may want to research and “where to begin”! I think it would be really interesting to look into the reasons different platforms/organizations limit access.
March 16, 2022 at 12:35 pm
I definitely relate to you as I also had instances where I wasn’t allowed access to particular scholarly articles or had to pay to read them. This shows how these big corporations are taking advantage of citizens by trying to profit as much as possible from these information-loaded articles. What is the point of new articles being posted online of new data and findings if they won’t be shared with everyone to share the latest knowledge?