Broadly Defined Freedom and
Radical Nondiscrimination in Libre Software

Benjamin Mako Hill

http://mako.cc

Debian Project

Ubuntu Project

Canonical Limited

Reductionists say...

Libre software is inherently anti-capitalist!

Reductionists say...

Libre software is inherently capitalist!

Reductionists say...

Libre software is inherently a system about placing limits capitalism!

Broadly Defined Freedom

The freedom to run the program, for any purpose

The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs

The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor

The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits

Broadly Defined Freedom

Anti-Discrimination

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Translateability

Political Divisions in Development Communities

Political Divisions in User Communities

Indymedia

I.B.M.

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Commons Movement

Problems

Strange Bedfellows

Cooptation

Effectiveness vs. Clarity

Lessons Learned

Avoid Reductive Analysis

Balance Breadth With Rigid Limits

Discriminate Against Discrimination

Consider “Internal” and “External Relationships

2004-06-03T08:52:33