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MIT President on Aaron Swartz

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Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#161

Post by unreal37 »

nitrogen wrote: post #140
unreal37 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So from what I've read, he had the option to plead guilty to some charges and I'm sure spend very little time in jail, but he didn't want to plead guilty at all. He had options.

Being labeled as a felon, with the implications thereof regarding voting, employment, serving on a jury, etc. is hardly an option worth considering.

So the two options were: 1) Plead not guilty, case drags on for years, costs $millions to defend, get convicted, serve 2-3 years in jail, unable to fight for something you believe in during that time

2) Plead guilty, case is over quickly, not expensive to defend, get convicted, serve 2-3 months in jail, get on with fighting for something you believe in

I would say option #2 is "worth considering".

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#162

Post by danielweber »

jacquesm wrote: post #158
tptacek wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Swartz's trial was scheduled, approaching rapidly, and he had already apparently spent an enormous amount of money on at least two different firms. The trial was not something hovering nebulously in the future; Swartz's need for assistance was immediate. I don't believe EFF's involvement or lack thereof speaks in any way to Swartz's guilt. I would say that this is the kind of thing you'd hope EFF would be right in th…

Not openly afaik, which probably translates into not at all. Maybe someone should go and ask them if they were and if not why not. I offered to contribute to Aarons defense a while ago but he declined. That may have been because he knew that any help he needed was outside of my ability to render. Be careful, you're associating yourself with a 'known troll'.

"Legal defense fund" is a fairly standard thing to have. And lawyers usually are happy to extend credit to people like Aaron and wait to be repaid later.

This doesn't eliminate the fact that trials are extremely expensive, guilty or innocent, but it slightly ameliorates it.

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#163

Post by asswartz2 »

rhizome wrote: post #153
asswartz wrote: post #139

Sorry but as far as i can tell from reading about this guy his main area of expertise seemed to be throwing away the opportunities that kept chasing him and i find it hard to see why he's held up as such a hero/martyr. First, he didn't create the RSS single-handledly for us. He was part of a committee of about a dozen people that took over RSS from Netscape when they didn't support it anymore. Admittedly that's impre…

Thank you for your input, Ms. Ortiz.

What a thoughtful and reasonable rebuttal. I am now completely convinced that I was wrong!

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#164

Post by jacquesm »

asswartz wrote: post #157
jacquesm wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really can't believe what I'm reading here. You are either clueless or downright mean and I can't decide which. Please stop.

If I'm clueless, feel free to clue me in.

Silly me, and I didn't even notice your nickname. So it's 'mean' after all, and by the looks of it not just a little bit jealous.

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#165

Post by jacquesm »

asswartz wrote: post #156
todayiamme wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To quote you; >>> It was only because this guy had academic and tech industry protectors who backed their precious manbaby that JSTOR and MIT were reluctant to pursue the issue themselves. I would argue that you are not a critic as the above statement is not a reasoned stance or observation; it is vitriol. Giving respect to someone's life irrespective of the differences you may have had is not about right or wrong. N…

Do you actually have anything that actually addresses my points?

You don't have any points, just bile.

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#166

Post by asswartz2 »

doktrin wrote: post #159
asswartz wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did. He's obviously biased. He claims that Aaron "did nothing to cover his tracks or hide his activity." He tried to disguise himself when he went to retrieve the laptop. I think not clearing .bash_history or his browser history was just due to stupidity on Aaron's part, as he (again stupidly) didn't foresee that he would get caught retrieving the laptop.

>> He's obviously biased Judging by your throwaway account and incendiary comments, it seems you would know a thing or two about bias. The expert witness cited established his credentials while presenting his viewpoint. I'm sure his assertions could be disputed, but he was upfront about his background and professional opinion. You, on the other hand, are currently an anonymous Internet troll.

If you condemn my assertions because I'm anonymous, then you must condemn Aaron's actions for the same reason, for he did them anonymously also.

Incidentally, the "expert witness" said a bald-faced lie, that Aaron did not try to hide his tracks. It is not a "disputed assertion."

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#167

Post by josdewolk »

asswartz wrote: post #139

Sorry but as far as i can tell from reading about this guy his main area of expertise seemed to be throwing away the opportunities that kept chasing him and i find it hard to see why he's held up as such a hero/martyr. First, he didn't create the RSS single-handledly for us. He was part of a committee of about a dozen people that took over RSS from Netscape when they didn't support it anymore. Admittedly that's impre…

It must have been difficult to write the counter-point to all the eulogies popping up. I appreciate that someone did it here, just as I was grateful to see a few counter-points pop up after Steve Jobs.

From what I've read in the positive eulogies, I'm sure Aaron Schwarz would have appreciated a balanced conversation about his life.

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#168

Post by todayiamme »

asswartz wrote: post #156
todayiamme wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To quote you; >>> It was only because this guy had academic and tech industry protectors who backed their precious manbaby that JSTOR and MIT were reluctant to pursue the issue themselves. I would argue that you are not a critic as the above statement is not a reasoned stance or observation; it is vitriol. Giving respect to someone's life irrespective of the differences you may have had is not about right or wrong. N…

Do you actually have anything that actually addresses my points?

Honestly? I'm a bit speechless that someone would behave in such a manner. I do not wish to engage in a conversation with you as what you are doing simply isn't humane. Neither can I or will I speak for Mr. Swartz, as I did not have the fortune of knowing him.

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#169

Post by jacquesm »

danielweber wrote: post #162
jacquesm wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not openly afaik, which probably translates into not at all. Maybe someone should go and ask them if they were and if not why not. I offered to contribute to Aarons defense a while ago but he declined. That may have been because he knew that any help he needed was outside of my ability to render. Be careful, you're associating yourself with a 'known troll'.

"Legal defense fund" is a fairly standard thing to have. And lawyers usually are happy to extend credit to people like Aaron and wait to be repaid later. This doesn't eliminate the fact that trials are extremely expensive, guilty or innocent, but it slightly ameliorates it.

I think Lawrence Lessig knows a bit more about this, one line in his piece stuck out for me, it reads:

"yet unable to appeal openly to us for the financial help he needed to fund his defense".

I'm not sure what the background on that line is but it definitely makes you curious.

Re: MIT President on Aaron Swartz

#170

Post by jacquesm »

josdewolk wrote: post #167
asswartz wrote: post #139

Sorry but as far as i can tell from reading about this guy his main area of expertise seemed to be throwing away the opportunities that kept chasing him and i find it hard to see why he's held up as such a hero/martyr. First, he didn't create the RSS single-handledly for us. He was part of a committee of about a dozen people that took over RSS from Netscape when they didn't support it anymore. Admittedly that's impre…

It must have been difficult to write the counter-point to all the eulogies popping up. I appreciate that someone did it here, just as I was grateful to see a few counter-points pop up after Steve Jobs. From what I've read in the positive eulogies, I'm sure Aaron Schwarz would have appreciated a balanced conversation about his life.

> I'm sure Aaron Schwarz would have appreciated a balanced conversation about his life.

I'm sure he would have, but this isn't it. Unless you've forgotten to include your sarcasm tags.

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