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

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

#51

Post by gknoy »

ddingus wrote: post #43
zz1 wrote: post #2

Just the video, embedded from youtube. Here's the official site of the movie: http://www.takepart.com/internets-own-boy Definitively a movie anyone using the internet should watch. I cried.

As did I, and that was surprising. What moved me the most was Lessig. Aaron got right into Larry's soul, and once there, asked a simple, genuine question that could not be denied. There is a quiet power in that I find profound, as if we all operate under limits that really aren't there when we really do question. "Sweet, sweet boy." Yeah Larry, indeed.

This. I haven't been able to watch this, because even __reading__ about it makes me cry. I didn't know Aaron, never knew anything about him before this, and I still feel profound loss and tragedy whenever I think about him and his experiences. He sounded like an amazing human being.

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

#53

Post by te_chris »

s_dev wrote: 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 this tone-deaf quote is the top post on an article about such a delicate subject says a lot about HN's community.

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

#54

Post by ddingus »

gknoy wrote: post #51
ddingus wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As did I, and that was surprising. What moved me the most was Lessig. Aaron got right into Larry's soul, and once there, asked a simple, genuine question that could not be denied. There is a quiet power in that I find profound, as if we all operate under limits that really aren't there when we really do question. "Sweet, sweet boy." Yeah Larry, indeed.

This. I haven't been able to watch this, because even __reading__ about it makes me cry. I didn't know Aaron, never knew anything about him before this, and I still feel profound loss and tragedy whenever I think about him and his experiences. He sounded like an amazing human being.

Me too. I did know about him through his activities. The name popped up on my radar a long time ago.

What I didn't know is he was so young. I also didn't know how many great advocacy efforts he helped to setup or founded. It's amazing! And that, I could feel, like white hot, and to be honest, got me far more politically aware.

When the Jstor event happened, I found out a lot more, and when he killed himself, I just felt loss. Profound, basic loss. And it was a hard loss, because I just began to know, and was interested in following Aaron, feeling like good things were going to happen, and then just like that, he's gone... :(

This work is really good. It communicates that aspect of Aaron to people in a meaningful way. Yes, it will be hard to watch. I found it worth it though.

I question more now. And I think about limits and norms a lot...

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

#55

Post by voteforchange »

tveita wrote: post #32
voteforchange wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Aaron Swartz was not a MIT student. From the MIT report: "Aaron Swartz was neither a member of the MIT staff, nor an enrolled student nor alumnus, nor a member of the faculty. He was a regular visitor to the MIT campus and interacted with MIT people and groups both on campus and off."

I didn't realize that. He was accessing student services allocated to him under his enrollment with the university. I won't try to litigate the case here. I see why it might be complicated by that fact.

I want to know who called in the secret service/electronic crimes division here? MIT (who's only concern was trespass) or JSTOR who might be able to enforce contract terms on MIT or a EULA on Aaron at best?

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

#56

Post by sanoli »

ionised wrote: post #44
idlewords wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He would never have been sent to jail for 38 years.

So how many then? 5? 10? 20? How many less than the figure that was being thrown around as his possible sentence is he supposedly a disappointment to us all for avoiding? Oh, I forgot, he can be an activist from prison? Nothing to worry about then! How many on here would honestly do it for even 5 years? I wouldn't. I'd sooner kill myself out of spite.

I wouldnt kill myself because of 5 years out of the 40 or so that i probably have left.

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

#57

Post by tedunangst »

voteforchange wrote: post #55
tveita wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aaron Swartz was not a MIT student. From the MIT report: "Aaron Swartz was neither a member of the MIT staff, nor an enrolled student nor alumnus, nor a member of the faculty. He was a regular visitor to the MIT campus and interacted with MIT people and groups both on campus and off."

I didn't realize that. He was accessing student services allocated to him under his enrollment with the university. I won't try to litigate the case here. I see why it might be complicated by that fact. I want to know who called in the secret service/electronic crimes division here? MIT (who's only concern was trespass) or JSTOR who might be able to enforce contract terms on MIT or a EULA on Aaron at best?

Another (rhetorical) question: did they call the secret service before or after they identified who and what was happening?

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

#58

Post by tedunangst »

ddingus wrote: post #40
res0nat0r wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would have been around 6 months if he would have taken the plea deal. If he didn't it still would not have been anything close to 38 years.

It was the felony and the limits on his future in politics that drove a lot of it. Some jail time wouldn't have been enough. I think he would have done that. Maybe while in there, bad things might have happened. But, it was obvious to me Schwartz understood code, people, how to organize and advocacy. He wanted to build a body of people and power and do some things. To him, a felony conviction undermines all of that,…

A felony conviction does not appear to have set Robert Morris too far back in life, or prevented him from changing the world.

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

#59

Post by yarrel »

afarrell wrote: post #27
zz1 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

MIT's neutrality really comes through as a badge of shame there.
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