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The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

aeon.co

21–30 of 91 posts

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#21
post #8
post #7

The people who could not find their way to some thoughtfulness and restraint and stop an insanely inappropriate and disproportionate legal travesty should lose their jobs and be driven out of their professions.

We should resume who did what: * Massachusetts US Attorney Carmen Ortiz pushed for the prosecution * MIT (can we be more specific?) did nothing to stop the prosecution (to say the least) Please, continue...

Michael Pickett of the secret service who aided MIT's IT staff and security in strong arming Aaron and escalating the case and the relevant charges. His presence and influence was the main factor in pumping up the charges and gathering evidence to support them when this could and should have been a matter between the school and its student.

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#22
post #16

"But also, I must admit that I am a little disappointed in Aaron. I understand that depression is a serious disease that can fell any person, however strong. But he chose the path of the activist long ago. And the path of the activist is to fight, for as long and as hard as it takes, to effect change. Aaron had powerful friends, a powerful support network, and a keen sense of moral cause that put him in the right. Th…

That is how depression sometimes goes.

But stupid? Disappointing? These labels are not fit for fate of a severely depressed mind; logic sense ends and the risk of suicide is a roll of the dice, NOT a matter of commitment to who or what we love.

All I see is the selfpity of those left behind transformed into cynicism. It is unbecoming. In my humble opinion.

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#23
post #14

People should really be upset at the first girlfriend who tipped the Feds about the manifesto for immunity. You really have to keep most people on a need-to-know basis.

I think the movie conveys pretty clearly that she shows a lot of remorse and anger about how she was treated and the information she gave up under duress.

> anger about how she was treated

There's the problem.

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#24
post #16

"But also, I must admit that I am a little disappointed in Aaron. I understand that depression is a serious disease that can fell any person, however strong. But he chose the path of the activist long ago. And the path of the activist is to fight, for as long and as hard as it takes, to effect change. Aaron had powerful friends, a powerful support network, and a keen sense of moral cause that put him in the right. Th…

Yeah, sure, and Atwood has done what exactly to further our causes and rights?

Seriously, that article is a bunch of self-indulgent bullshit and Atwood cashing in on the suffering and suicide of an otherwise decent person.

EDIT:

Thanks for the downvotes.

Again, from the Atwood article:

"Play other, better moves – and consider your long game."

With the charges he was facing, there wasn't a long-term game. According to wikipedia, was looking at a total of 35 years in prison and $1M in fines. There is no long game there other than trying to invest in cigarettes and bars of soap and pocket radios. There are no better moves.

"I say this not as a person who wishes to judge Aaron Swartz."

Every time I read something like this, there's always an unstated "...but I totally am and will!".

The whole thing is kinda victim-blamey.

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#26
post #16

"But also, I must admit that I am a little disappointed in Aaron. I understand that depression is a serious disease that can fell any person, however strong. But he chose the path of the activist long ago. And the path of the activist is to fight, for as long and as hard as it takes, to effect change. Aaron had powerful friends, a powerful support network, and a keen sense of moral cause that put him in the right. Th…

He wouldn't have been engaging in much political activism sitting in a jail cell for 38 years.

I can't feel disappointed in Aaron at all. I would probably do the same thing in his position.

I'm disappointed in a society and a 'justice' system that pushes for this to happen.

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#27
post #8
post #7

The people who could not find their way to some thoughtfulness and restraint and stop an insanely inappropriate and disproportionate legal travesty should lose their jobs and be driven out of their professions.

We should resume who did what: * Massachusetts US Attorney Carmen Ortiz pushed for the prosecution * MIT (can we be more specific?) did nothing to stop the prosecution (to say the least) Please, continue...

Those curious about MIT's role should 1) Read Prof Hal Abelson's report http://swartz-report.mit.edu/ 2) Remember that a prosecutor does not serve the person who reported a crime or prompted an investigation. A prosecutor serves The State http://lawcomic.net/guide/?p=1423

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#28
post #16

"But also, I must admit that I am a little disappointed in Aaron. I understand that depression is a serious disease that can fell any person, however strong. But he chose the path of the activist long ago. And the path of the activist is to fight, for as long and as hard as it takes, to effect change. Aaron had powerful friends, a powerful support network, and a keen sense of moral cause that put him in the right. Th…

That is how depression sometimes goes. But stupid? Disappointing? These labels are not fit for fate of a severely depressed mind; logic sense ends and the risk of suicide is a roll of the dice, NOT a matter of commitment to who or what we love. All I see is the selfpity of those left behind transformed into cynicism. It is unbecoming. In my humble opinion.

[deleted]

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#29
post #26
post #16

"But also, I must admit that I am a little disappointed in Aaron. I understand that depression is a serious disease that can fell any person, however strong. But he chose the path of the activist long ago. And the path of the activist is to fight, for as long and as hard as it takes, to effect change. Aaron had powerful friends, a powerful support network, and a keen sense of moral cause that put him in the right. Th…

He wouldn't have been engaging in much political activism sitting in a jail cell for 38 years. I can't feel disappointed in Aaron at all. I would probably do the same thing in his position. I'm disappointed in a society and a 'justice' system that pushes for this to happen.

There's actually quite a precedent of engaging in political activism from jail.

Re: The internet’s own boy: the story of Aaron Swartz [video]

#30
post #16

"But also, I must admit that I am a little disappointed in Aaron. I understand that depression is a serious disease that can fell any person, however strong. But he chose the path of the activist long ago. And the path of the activist is to fight, for as long and as hard as it takes, to effect change. Aaron had powerful friends, a powerful support network, and a keen sense of moral cause that put him in the right. Th…

Easy to say for someone sitting at the sidelines.
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