[ted id=187]
In this TedTalk, Lawrence Lessig speaks on the effects internet copyright laws have on creativity. I agree with Lessig as far as opposing rules and regulations that restrict the innocent use of media by the general public. But I also see the internet, as it is today, as a machine that curbs the creativity and thought process of the youth today.
I’ve spent most of my adolescent years on the internet. From dial-up AOL chatrooms to message boards and forums, I’ve seen the internet change from a free flowing creative community that was fueled purely by the love of individuals turn into a gateway for corporations to control and monetize the public. Youtube is one of the best examples I can think of that show this change.
When Youtube was starting out the majority of their content was user generated. Their most popular content were original comedy shorts or vlogs created by individuals that were just using the internet as an outlet to express themselves. A small community formed around these videos and the individuals. When Google bought Youtube, they started the partnership program and monetized the videos, the sense of community died soon after and it became a business. The most popular channels and videos on Youtube now are scripted big productions following a formula made to try and catch the essence of amateur videos of yesteryear. This changed the way and reason why the average person makes a video or even a comment today.
I also think the internet today is so over saturated by media and things to do that it leaves no room for the youth today to be bored. Being bored plays an important role in our lives because I believe boredom breeds creativity, innovation, and most importantly introspection.
I’d like to share some videos that still hold some nostalgic value that are appropriate enough to post
This has mild vulgar language and slightly inappropriate content but I think he encapsulates the essence of what the internet was pre-youtube, pure unadulterated creativity.
Anthony: that TED Talk video by Lessig is pure gold! Thanks for sharing it. I think I’ll use it in class when we get to the topic of copyright and the cultural commons on the web. I’m intrigued by your idea that boredom breeds creativity. In his talk, Lessig notes that youth today have access to amazing tools that allow them to become authors and creators of culture in ways that previous generations haven’t. When you say that our world is too saturated today by media, are you arguing that the creativity you witnessed on YouTube is no longer possible? And by “media,” do you mean corporate, for-profit media or media created by all–individuals and corporations?
I disagree with Larry on the copyright laws. In order to provide almost any service people need to earn money. If we could steal from others people would become less motivated to be creative. I think that youtube especially is still primarily for the average person to express themselves. the biggest youtube channels maybe promoted but we still can choose what we watch and what we like. The industry is shaped by what people want and think and what people want and think is shaped by the industry. Large corporations have always and will always have more “power” than any individuals but that is how and why things function as well as they. that is the financial backing that provides us with the opportunities to be creative and express ourselves.
It’s true that we have access to many tools that enable us to create like no other generation before us. But, what I meant by over saturation was that we have so many things to keep us occupied that there is no time to let our minds wander and ask what if or what can be. I believe this is when true innovation and creativity comes about. And when I say media I mean all types of media, from news, articles, videos, social-sites, games, and web browsing in general.
We’re constantly being bombarded by what’s in and popular that we’re put in the mind state that what we see is what is right and that’s what we need or should do. We then imitate these behaviors consciously or otherwise because society is telling us that that’s whats acceptable. I used Youtube as an example because of their model of using views, likes, subscribers, and comments as a meter of success. This is why viral trends happen; the “Harlem Shake” being the latest one.
I wouldn’t say creativity is no longer possible but we have certainly curbed it through the use of popularity on the internet as a measure to seek validation. Other examples that come to mind are Reddit, Deviantart, niche interest forums, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook.
Don’t get me wrong though, I don’t believe it’s all bad. All this exposure to different things can open a world that otherwise you would never have known about and even inspire some. It’s just how I generally see things.
I don’t think anyone would argue that creators and innovators have a right to the distribution and monetizing of their creations. Lessig makes a clear distinction between piracy and fair use in his video.