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Writing 05: Information Wants to be Free

Reflection

After a series of related readings and videos from the lectures, you will be given the opportunity to reflect on the readings and discussions for each week by writing a few short responses to given prompts. In this course, the reading responses are typically due by 5pm on Tuesdays of the following week they are assigned, after we have discussed the issues and explored the topics in class. This reflection is due on 4/9 at 5pm.

Note that the course staff are looking for your own thoughts on these topics. Writing in the first person, taking divergent viewpoints, and bringing in ideas from outside of class are encouraged. Write as if you are targeting a public audience. Particularly insightful or convincingly contrarian statements might be shared with the entire class in lecture or in the course slack.

For this week, you are to consider the following questions related to the lectures Warez and Free Software, as well as the film The Internet's Own Boy:

  1. Think about the free software that you have used in a personal or professional context. What is good about it? What could be better? (Yes, every single student in our class is using some piece of free software on a regular basis. If you are struggling to come up with examples, consider your daily Internet use --- a few things should become apparent right away.) 

  2. Reflect on Aaron Swartz's career as an open access proponent. Has his legacy changed anything with respect to how corporations, governments, and individuals control access to information?

  3. (Extra Credit) Elaborate on the linkage between the moral argument advanced by Free Software advocates and Aaron Swartz's techno-political practices. This prompt is worth 25 bonus points!

Grading

Each reflection should be between 500 - 1000 words. It will be graded in terms of:
 

  • Does the reflection adequately address the prompt?

  • Does the reflection reference the readings and class discussions to support the writing?

  • Does the reflection exhibit thoughtfulness and creative expression?

  • Does the reflection utilize proper grammar and style?

  • Is the reflection an appropriate length?

Submission Instructions

  1. (For this first submission) Share a Google drive folder for this class with our TA Ellen (ejoyce3@nd.edu) and give her editor privileges. 

  2. Prepare a doc in that folder named using this convention: lastname_firstname_duedate. Example: Joyce_Ellen_040924

  3. The TA will collect each assignment directly from your drive after it is due