As you learn and think about Intellectual Property, I'd like for you
to watch Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk: "Laws that choke creativity."
Even
though this presentation was done in March 2007, it is still highly
relevant to issues involving copyright and digital and online media.
After
you watch the presentation, return here and add a comment about whether
you agree with Lessig or not, and why or why not. Also, because we are
near the end of the semester, the deadline for your comment is 11:59
p.m. Monday, May 3, which is last class day for the spring. Late comments will not be accepted for credit.
Remember, also, to include your first name, last name initial and class (MC 4301 or Honors).
97 comments:
I absolutely agree with so many things that Lessig said in his TedTalk. It's interesting to watch a video from 2007 and hear someone championing for the younger generation "remixing" videos and music to develop it's own sense of culture and to better understand the world around them. It is still very relevant today and will always be relevant I'm guessing. Now we see Tiktok as a way of remixing, with millions of videos being produced per day with clips from conversations and songs. I'm assuming that copyright laws have loosened up or that Creative Commons is a lot more commonly used now because you don't see mass takedowns of copyrighted content from Youtube or Tiktok.
My favorite thing that Lessig said was right at the very end when he talked about younger generations knowing on a daily basis that that were living life against the law, and how corrosive that is. I think that's so important to remember. We need to constantly be changing an adapting our minds and laws to make way for younger generations to just exist and explore their creativity.
Autumn M-4301
Grace Jones MC4301
When Lessig showed the videos and then stated that these aren't copies this is taking something and recreating it I agreed this that statement. The law does not follow this idea but presumes that this is illegal. I agree that this is just using an idea and making something new out of it but there is some grey area to it. However, I also believe in upholding copyright because when you work so hard on something and then someone else just uses it and doesn't give you credit its a very upsetting feeling. I see a lot of this on Tik Tok where people will use the same trend as someone or even a song. However, I see people credit who they got the idea from in their video also. From a media maker stand point it would be nice to have more content that is legal to use like stock music, photos, and videos. I think this is where our generation is heading for more free content available online. An easy way to contribute to this is on Shutter Stock you can actually sell your photos and add to their free available photos stock.
I agree with what Lessig said. Though this TED Talk took place in 2007 it is really relevant in terms of modern day copyright issues. Lessig talked about copyright laws and how we can't stop the instinct technology produces, we can only criminalize it. That we can't stop people from using it, we would just drive it underground. Lastly, we can't make kids "passive," we can only make them pirates. This really resonated with me because that has happened with a lot of things. It's very hard to follow the law at every point in your life without making a single mistake. Most of the time, all that does is make someone a criminal, it doesn't deter people from conducting the act. Additionally, I do agree with Lessig about the two extremes and how leaning to one side completely is not a solution. There should be a way where people can use past material (and give full credit to the owner) to create something of their own. That is what allows for creativity. I really liked the two types of changes Lessig mentioned. One, that artists and creators choose to make their work available more freely, and the second is that businesses should embrace the opportunity and enable it. With the amount of work in the world, people always draw from others for ideas and inspirations. I think it would be great for people to be able to make those works their own and allow for more creativity. This would still consist of giving credit where it's due, but also having the right to use outside sources more freely. So, yes, I agree with Lessig.
Tyler Baker MC 4301
Technology in my opinion has definitely changed the creative material that gets produced. For example, the movie "The Irishman," starred older actors that needed to be younger for the role. They used high tech cameras, to portray them to look much younger throughout certain parts of the film. An excessive amount of laws can hinder the ability for creative freedom. I do think there needs to be some laws in place so people don't get taken advantage of.
Marisleyzie Martinez MC 4301 Online
I agree with what Lessig had to say. I agree because many things truly have changed especially technology. He talked about how children have developed more confidence with technology which is true from the time he made the video and now today. However, he also mentioned about copyright and how we aren't able to change but just to see what it is for. Copyright is needed however to an extent. I think it's important that copyright is used because it allows the creator to receive credit for their work however, today with the pandemic Tik Tok was created, even before Tik Tok trends were being followed and copyright laws were being broken. Copyright laws have limited protections and things that can be done but the more developed the Internet gets the more stricter it is going to become.
I absolutely agree with Lessig's argument. Though I never had thought about this issue before and, in reality, wasn't sold on its relevance until the last couple of minutes, it is now clear to me the potential danger that the criminalization of user generated media creates. The line about these copright laws not actually preventing the issue but rather turning them into "pirates" really resonated with me.
If I could talk to him in person, I'd tell him that I acknowledge and respect his passion for protecting the spirit of creativity. I'd add, though, that copyright laws also attempt to protect that same creative spirit. The interest are not conflicting, but their manifestations are.
Evan Samon MC 4301 Online -
He has a valid arguments and I agree with parts. However, I don't believe the law limits creativity. I think that humans ability to think around the laws creates a different kind of creativity. I believe in copyright laws because people's work should be there's and there's only. That is why CC has come in to allow people who want their work to be shared, to be shared. I really don't think that a creative thinker wouldn't find a way to work around the laws and work to create something within the laws that is just as creative and probably more unique. I really respect that he wants to work to preserve creativity, but he should respect working around some laws also.
Julianne F. MC 4301
I agree that technology has changed the kinds of creative material that gets produced, and that it has had an influence on the younger generation. When Lessig explained how children nowadays are different and are using technology differently, I agreed as well. I believe that copyright laws that allow creators to credit their work is necessary, but I do also believe that too many copyright laws preventing collaboration in creativity could be bad for the future and for others. Overall, I just believe in regards to laws and creativity that there should be laws established for protections, but too many laws can create a barrier for additional creativity.
Priscilla Gonzalez- Honors online
I 100% agree with every point made by Lessig. Not only is this form of TED talk reassuring to younger generations that older generations see their approach to technology and hold on... appreciate it?! Technology will only evolve with the years, by forcing this culture of limitation and like Lesswig said "age of prohibitions", individuals will only have less of a respect for laws and the underlying implication of their purpose.
One of my favorite quotes was, "Every single use of culture produces a copy." Because not only is it hard-hitting, but an incredible explanation of the spread and interpretation of culture in the digital age we live in. Trends coming in and out of style, awareness of cultural appropriation, and the difference between that and appreciation, in the end digital media will only increase this spread of culture.
I agree with the points Lessig made in his TED Talk presentation. When Lessig showed the videos and explained how someone can take something that is meant to be for this purpose and make it for a whole other purpose, it made so much sense. On social media, it is not uncommon for people to take a video and make it their own. He also discussed copyright laws and how we can't fight the information and backbone that technology produces, we can only criminalize it. It is hard to get people to stop using, there should just be a principle for people to credit the original as I feel that makes room for creativity. I liked how Lessig discussed how creators and artists choose to make their content more accessible and how businesses should embrace and enable the opportunity. All the time, people find their creative ideas from other people, the big thing I agree with is giving credit where credit is due
Taylor DeWitt Online class
I agree with the points that Lessig made in this video. When he pointed out the fact that children are different how that they are associated with technology I highly agreed with that. Seeing that this video was aired in 2007, I we can all say 14 years later that is completely valid. Children now a days are a lot more confident and knowledgeable about issues that they would have never understood without the use of technology.
JohnFrank Alvarado MC 4301 Media Law
After listening to the TED Talk with Lawrence Lessig, I personally feel that he made some very good points in his talk. When applying what he said to today's times is such a notable aspect of the video because it is very much applicable to now. This video took place in 2007, but a lot of the issues that he was highlighting are still very important to look at. The copyright law and issues have become more relaxed with the media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, but in the video, he mentioned how there was some form of reproducing media that is acceptable to today's times. The form of reproducing and creating authentic media with other forms of published media is an interesting art form. The way how individuals are being able to create what they want and be able to express themselves is nice, but there are still a lot of rules and regulations still present.
Payton M.
MC 4301
I do agree with the arguments that Lessing made. He perfectly outlined how technology grows and how we mold and change with it to stay apparent. One riveting part of his TED Talk was when he mentioned children in regard to ever-growing technology. He said that they're not, "trespassing," or copying content, they are, "reimagining," it. This generation takes art and reimagines it in a way for them to understand the culture. Lessing gave some examples, but I'm going to go further. We see teachers go viral all of the time for taking a popular song and reimagining the lyrics to mirror the lesson. Reimagining art especially in song or rhyme is a supreme way to learn and retain information.
Riley G MC4301
When I first started listening to this TedTalk, I was really worried that it was going to be a discussion/argument against technology and how it was making people more complacent, creating a culture that wasn't nearly as creative as it should be. But as I continued to listen and think about what he said, I completely agree. I think that copyright laws should be loosened to allow for more creativity and more free-range for amateurs to use the material for making content. I hold this same belief when talking about sampling and using other artists' sounds for your own songs. I don't think that there should be as big of a restriction that artists place on their music, stopping amateurs from sampling or even using beats or riffs from certain songs, as long as a completely different song is created (Think like how Vanilla Ice used the bassline from Queens "Under Pressure" for his song "Ice Ice Baby). These are two completely different songs, with different musical ideas, in two different genres, despite the fact that they share a bassline. This idea could easily be applied in a broader sense to most of the copyright law sphere of influence
Even though this video is almost 14 years old, the things the speaker was talking about is still relevant today. Everyday technology keeps growing and like technology we need to adapt to how it effects us in our everyday lives. The fact that 14 years later and everything he said is even more prevalent today is shocking but not really that surprising. While older generations are living in a world in which all the technology airing them keeps expanding and younger generations now just grow up with technology and don't seem to appreciate sometimes how lucky we are to live in a time like this. It is hard to try and make laws that are too strict or hard to enforce as there will always be other ways to achieve what you want as technology always has an answer.
Cordney A MC 4301 (online)
I agree with what Lessig had to say, and I agree because technology has truly changed over the years Lessig talked about how children have developed more confidence when using technology, because is the type of era we live in now which is very much true. However he also mentioned about copyright and explaining how we aren't going able to change the over use of technology but just accepting it for what it is. I think it's important that copyright is used because it allows artist to receive credit for their creative minds, but today with the pandemic other social media apps was created. The copyright laws have limited protections and things that can be done but the more developed the Internet gets the more stricter it is going to advance over the years.
After watching the Ted Talk I definitely agree with Lessig. It really is mind blowing the concerns people, like Lessig, already had of technology even in 2007 and with how much it has evolved over the years, it is now a main component of our society. But when it comes to copywrite, laws, and limitations, technology isn't the only thing we are limiting when we put these restrictions into place, creativity is also limited and that's where I agree that common sense should be used as well as laws. One part that really stuck out to me was his reference to amateur culture, the culture where people produce for the love of what they are doing, not the money.
After watching the Ted Talk I definitely agree with Lessig. It really is mind blowing the concerns people, like Lessig, already had of technology even in 2007 and with how much it has evolved over the years, it is now a main component of our society. But when it comes to copywrite, laws, and limitations, technology isn't the only thing we are limiting when we put these restrictions into place, creativity is also limited and that's where I agree that common sense should be used as well as laws. One part that really stuck out to me was his reference to amateur culture, the culture where people produce for the love of what they are doing, not the money.
Emily Manning MC 4301
I agree with Lessig on how technology is changing but copyright isn't growing with it. It's limiting amateur artists and kids who use technology for edits/remixes. Like Lessig, I do think there is a balance to it all and I feel that's when creative commons comes into play with having somethings free to use and others paid for commercialization. I also think it's amazing that this video is from 2007 and the amount of technology that we have gained and advanced in is unreal and his idea of copyright still makes sense today. We can see the use of music and movie clips edited in TikTok's and other viral videos that would've been "pirated" back in the day. So even though I think it's okay for artists to use other's intellectual property, I do still feel that there should be some rules and regulations that give credit to the original artists.
Kimmi Z (Honors)
It was fascinating watching this Talk, knowing that the current generation does exactly what Lessig discusses. TikTok is the dominating social media platform currently, and the design of this app revolves around content creators to use a "trending" audio and add their own spin on it. I agree with Lessig in that allowing creators more access to content will help rebuild this read-write culture.
Henna Punjabi - Online
I really enjoyed watching this TED Talk and I agreed with many of the things that Lessig made. I appreciated that he didn't entirely bash technology and acknowledged that it, as with most things in life, takes a balance. When it comes to copyright, there needs to be a balance between protecting ownership and protecting creative expression.
I liked this TED talk because of how relevant it was to today still. Humans adapt and grow and the technology grows with us, we discover new things everyday and our technology changes because of this. I really enjoyed listening to him because he was definitely trying to funny and I thought that made the TED talk so much more interesting. I liked how Lessig understood that technology is not perfect, but it is so important in our world. Copyright is also so important because we need to protect original content. Lessig pointed out how people took the original video or picture from somewhere, and made it their own. He described it how we speak and how we think, and the relationship between technology and expressing ourselves. Overall, I loved listening to what he had to say and I agree to everything he had to say.
Ansa A. (Online MC4301)
I absolutely agree with what Lessig had to say in his Ted Talk. It honestly doesn’t sound like it was a video aired in 2007, with all the valid points that were made and are still relevant today.
I really enjoyed watching it and appreciating how it was acknowledged that technology takes time and wouldn’t be something that is so perfect but will always be an important asset in our world today. My favorite part was when he explained the connection between humans and technology, I thought it was very interesting. Definitely a Ted Talk I would recommend.
Carin Carlin MC4301
I agree with what Lessig said in his Ted Talk. It's crazy to see how something that aired more than a decade ago is still extremely relevant today. I have always believed that technology is a gift and such a wonderful thing he used correctly and it was nice to see that Lessig believes similar things. I really liked how he acknowledged it wasn't perfect but it's a part of our everyday lives. I mean, think about it, where would we be without it?
Regina Macias
Honors
I generally do agree with Lessing in that copyright laws to a certain extent limit creativity. I see his Ted Talk as being extremely relevant today seeing how through the use of social media people often take other people’s ideas and recreate them in their own unique way ,however copyright laws often put a hurdle over people’s ability to make re-creations. The idea Lessing promoted in his talk is that through copyright laws creativity can be criminalized which then limits people's ideas ,or prevents them from showcasing potentially good ideas. With that being said I do think copyright laws are important in our society to preserve the works of individuals. Particularly when it comes to arts I can definitely see why the artist would want to protect their art from being copied given that it takes time and effort to create. Nonetheless, people should be allowed to recreate art if they put their own personal and unique attributes to the art.
I do agree with what Lessing said. I particularly found it interesting when he referred to broadcasting being a "terror" that took control of the content industry after the internet. He calls this creation of broadcast a battle of control from businesses that spread content. Even though this video was filmed in 2007, I think the points he is making in regards to broadcasting are still relevant to the present day. I think that broadcast stations compete heavily on relaying information to the public in the way that they want people to perceive a certain set of ideas. Broadcast companies are forever trying to make their content and information seem more credible than their competing broadcast stations, which in turn is just a competition for which broadcast company is able to provide more control over the public as these companies spread their ideologies.
I agreed with Lessing that there has been almost a gatekeeping aspect in regards to copyright laws. I do believe that individuals should be accurately credited for their ideas, but I also believe that if someone has the same idea and follows through with it that it shouldn't be punishable. I speak about this in regards to small businesses, there is multiple small businesses that all sell similar items that have their own distinct twist or just the same thing. Here would the original idea creator sue all these other businesses? Right now it's encouraged to do this since so many small businesses have been created, but regarding copyright laws does this mean that they don't get to anymore if someone copyrights their idea? It was just something I really found interesting and have been wondering the answer to ever since I saw a lot of businesses on Tik Tok.
I thought the discussion on read-write cultures was an interesting one and I think Lessig did a good job captures the balance required with technology. With how prominent technology and sharing work over the internet people are bound to steal work making copyright so important. However, taking existing work and adding one's own twist to it is a separate work in its own right. I think it's also interesting that this TedTalk took place in 2007 and since then internet culture continues to depend on using other works to create new ones.
Maritza Z (Honors)
I think it is an interesting point for Lessig to make but at the same time, I'm not sure if it's something I fully agree with. Considering copyrighted information, it usually relates to a piece holding a piece of authenticity and I see a correlation to that with academic papers and academic honesty (mainly because I'm an undergrad and that's the story of my life right now). It almost becomes a question of when do we draw the line. If anything, it's regulation itself that promotes the spread of different ideas/perspectives and a flourish of new cultures. In that sense, there is no focus on money as Lessig had mentioned but the value of work and authenticity. How am I to secure my own opinion on this comment section if someone else is just going to copy and paste it to receive the same amount of credit?
I agree with Lessig on the concept of finding the balance between the two extremes he mentioned. Especially with how things are during the present I believe that the first form of extremism that Lessig mentioned has a much tighter grasp on how it censors different types of media on different platforms. This creativity has reached the point where it has fully evolved into a new form of speech and expression and even though it is a much newer form, it should be less censored since it technically being well considered as a new form of speech by this present day. As Lessig started this new type of evolution of content can be criminalized and pushed underground but at the end of the day it can not be stopped. So I think for certain companies and figureheads to try and strike this form of content down is just unrealistic.
Cristela Jones (Honors)
Despite this TED Talk being from 2007 it is still very prevalent today. The most recent example I can think of is within the last few years YouTube has been cracking down on music rights in videos where a lot of YouTubers have to physically say they do not have rights to the music they're playing or sometimes even content they show and risk their being taken off for having it. I agree with Lessig because he talks about how some people can make an original video or photo into something new in their own unique way which reminded me of song covers and tutorials on YouTube. In this day and age there's so much content on the internet that it's kind of hard to even come up with something on your own without someone claiming it as theirs so I think user-generated content should be celebrated as Lessig says "amateur-culture" is something we as a society should be doing instead of taking it down for legal purposes.
I like how Lessig brought up past conflict about airplanes being trespassers, and how that claim isn't ideal for the modern world. I do agree that some people can take content and make into their own and enhance it in a way. Companies can try to target "copyrighted" content but apps like Tiktok and Snapchat doesn't necessarily take down copyrighted content. Artists and content makers should think about how their art/music could reach a bigger audience if their content wasn't always copyrighted. People should be allowed to create things and make in their own, for the greater good.
Hannah Hunter MC4301
I agree completely with Lessig's point that it is important to allow for new combinations and transformations of content that appeal to moderns audiences with new perceptions and understandings. There are definitely two sides of this arguments with extremes however I think both have valid points. I also agree that if we give in too much then originality will become a past thought and we"ll lose motivation to derive content from what is inside. Authentic creativity cannot be replaced however its definitely important to fight for free use and expression. I dont know exactly how a new system with more leverage with be mandated but there is a way to allow for the extra leverage to benefits both creators and businesses.
Elizabeth Y. MC4301
I agree with what Lessig said. Even though this happened nearly 15 years ago, I believe it is still relevant in regards to copyright. He discussed copyright laws and how we can't stop and only criminalize. He emphasizes that we can't really stop anyone from using things off the internet, and we kind of just patch it up. I think the idea of everyone being perfect all time with no slip ups is just simply unrealistic. I would assume that 9 times out of 10, when we criminalize someone or something all it does is make someone a criminal, but doesn't necessarily stop it from happening again. Although, I do think that it is necessary to use previous information and as long as they are giving full credit, then there should not be any harm in that. Granted, we do it now in a scholarly or academic papers and written works. Building off of others' ideas is how we grow as people and a society. Overall, after watching the talk, I would say that it is safe to say I agree with Lessig.
Gabriella Ybarra (Honors)
I do agree with what Lessig said. I agree particularly with his views on copyright laws and that they can limit creativity and potentially criminalize it. While I do think it is important to protect the work of others, especially after they have devoted much time and hard work to create it, I think there should be an ability to create recreations as long as the person doing the recreation adds their own individual flair that is clear and obvious. Many people are inspired by the work of others and I think it is only inevitable for similarities to be translated across during the production process.
Ashley Armstrong 4301
I do agree with Lawerence Lessig. The laws around copyrights are kind of muggy. There is a fine like between creative expression and taking someone elses idea. The laws of copyright are extremely relevant. I believe that people can take an idea and completely make it there own. I believe he is also correct is saying we cant stop anyone from using ideas found on the internet.
Ashley Armstrong 4301
I do agree with Lawerence Lessig. The laws around copyrights are kind of muggy. There is a fine like between creative expression and taking someone elses idea. The laws of copyright are extremely relevant. I believe that people can take an idea and completely make it there own. I believe he is also correct is saying we cant stop anyone from using ideas found on the internet.
Brian Causey MC 4301
I agree with a lot of what Lessig has to say. I work in creative and make creative content for the job I work in, and it was very reassuring to hear some of the things he said. I come from a family where everyone has a 'traditional' job where it is stable, so it was really nice to hear him talk about how our parents use technology and how kids use it, because it is very different. A lot of my creative work when I was younger stemmed from that idea of remixing things. The solution to this copyright issue is growing more complex as the Internet stays up. Things are so easily spread on the internet; it quickly becomes hard to follow the trail of where people are getting inspiration from or if people are stealing content. The same idea applied to academia. A common thing that people say is that academia is just rephrasing whatever someone else said, and could that possibly be violating copyright? It is a complex issue where a lot of things need to be considered, but I agree with Lessig saying that the answer lies within this generation of kids since they view copyright laws as something to be ignored, but still respect the creator's ownership.
Emma Jeffers MC4301
Watching an older Ted Talk that revolves around the internet in general, but more specifically music and the use of creating amateur content was very interesting and almost humorous. Times have changed so much since that Ted Talk was filmed and it seems as if they are changing even faster recently, for example- two years ago I didn't know what Tik Tok was and now it's my preferred source of entertainment. Overall, I agree with Lessig and think he stands behind an interesting idea that I haven't given much thought to before. Laws surrounding copyrights and protecting digital content are very wishy-washy and can sometimes wrongly penalize creators. I think it's getting increasingly more difficult to regulate the use of exclusive digital content and ideas, but I don't necessarily know what the solution should be. On one hand, I want digital artists and creators to get credit and payment for their work, but on the other hand, amateur creators using their content is a form of advertisement. I also think it's worth noting the recent change in how creators get paid for their work. It's now possible to make a living from creating content, and I can think of countless younger AND older creators who make millions of dollars a year posting videos and content. They make this money through sponsorships, so in that case, I feel it's fair that amateur creators are able to use their content and ideas (within reason) without penalization. I don't think it's "fair" that their ideas are "stolen", and of course credit should be given when due, but it's kind of part of the gig nowadays. I recently learned that Spotify and Apple music BARELY compensate artists for their music and streams. At first, I felt this was unfair, but then I realized that by allowing their music to be on these platforms, the artists gain a fanbase and are able to recruit sponsorships and ads with major brands which is where their compensation comes from.
C. Rickner (MC 4301)
Lawrence Lessig says quite a bit in this TED Talk. I'll comment on what I do and don't fully agree with. First, his comment about extremism begetting more extremism is spot on. I'm aware that he intended that to be about attitudes towards legislation and copyright laws, but honestly, that can be applied to basically anything and it's apparent that our culture has only been pushed in opposite directions with increasingly stronger convictions.
Second, Lessig attempts to venture into discussing Creative Commons as a solution for many copyright disputes and attitudes towards "piracy" and such, but TED doesn't allow promotional material of that nature, so Lessig instead opts to mention that our society should decriminalize media piracy. This is something I agree with. Recently, I put together these clips from personally important films (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OmIHqem5YhNxo9Jj5hvx7mq9OfRvVH1E/view) but am unable to publish them on YouTube for copyright reasons.
What's silly to me is that the nature of those clips is to basically promote those films. The hope being that someone would see a specific scene and want to actually watch the full-length feature whenever able to do so. So, there's another spot-on point from Lessig.
Finally, the quote about the younger generation living "life knowing they live it against the law" being "corrosive" and "corrupting" is also prescient.
I'm reminded of Ken Burns' documentary Prohibition. In that series, the final chapter is about the dangers of having the majority of a nation constituting a "Nation of Scofflaws." The idea that if everyone is an outlaw, than what good are any laws?
This is yet another point I agree with. We are in a corrosive and corrupting society because, and I've felt this way since I was a child, but the reason laws are ever expanding is because it feels like, more and more, anytime someone of authority wants to be able to jam someone up or throw the book at someone, they can.
There's really never an example of someone who doesn't break a law (be it professionally, during a commute, traveling, etc).
These copyright laws have been too strict for far too long. There are ways that artists and the companies that support artists can still make their profits while giving into the new generation's desire to remix and remake.
Carson Martinez (MC 4301)
I 100% agree with Lessig on this topic. I feel that the different laws set in place in the social media world are restricting everyones ability to make content that expresses something about the creator. I personally have ran into many different problems while trying to make a youtube video regarding copyright. With the internet being more powerful than ever, laws sure do make it difficult to express our creativity. These restrictions don't allow for people to connect with others who may enjoy the same content because things will get taken down if it doesn't abide by these strict laws. Like Lessig said, we are not talking about mirror copies of the content put out by someone, but the ability a creator has to do something with that content.
I agree with Lessig about copyright and how it's going a bit too far. I think this conversation is still relevant today especially with things like Tiktok and song covers being more and more popular. When he brought up AMV being remixes that differently brought me back to all those music videos with just clips of anime scenes. Today, there is something similar except people usually try to avoid copyright by either slowing down the music or making the clips super fast within a short amount of time hence called an "Edit". That also reminded me how today kids and young adults are still being creative while breaking the law and despite that, they get even more creative in order to bypass any copyright takedowns.
Carson I. MC 4301
I would say that I agree with Lessig's argument. I agree that certain laws have been made so that creativity is influenced, especially by the younger generations. With the increase of laws and limitations, people will begin to take the laws and regulations less seriously, therefore just continuing a conflict of some sort. I also agree with his statement on how children are related to technology. He mentions that rather than copying or "trespassing" on the content, they are are "reimagining" it, which I think is a great way to put it. It's all a part of the way the world is changing and will continue to change.
This thin between our generation creations and the laws for copyright are getting thinner. I agree with Lessig's argument because the past couple years social media was a very open land but new restrictions come up every year limiting our access or potential to creating something relatable.
I agree with what Lessig had to say in the TED Talk. There is a ton of people that get copyrighted on youtube for playing an artist music in the background but it is okay when you are doing a cover or even a lyric video. I feel like the rules or laws you could say are very restricting for some creators.
I believe that although this TED Talk is over a decade old, I think Lessig still made some great and relevant points about copyright. I've seen and heard a lot of things about different social media influencers getting flagged for copyright infringement, and I think humans are so creative and innovative by nature that it's almost unfair, even when you re-vamp something so much to make it your own.
Gavin Dring (Honors Class)
I think Lessig made a lot of great points in this video. Piracy and copyright disagreements have only worsened since this video was uploaded. Youtube is a prime example of heavily regulating content on its platform. With copyright and piracy laws aside, Youtube will go to great lengths in order to remove creators or channels that they think are wrongfully using others work. The best example of this is probably how if you have over 15 seconds of copyrighted music then your video will be demonetized. Also, If you continue to post with the music then they may take down your video entirely. Overall, I think the video was very interesting and I agree with Lessig's commentary on piracy.
I suppose I have a number of points that I want to hit on. Overall, I agree with Lessig with regards to the fact that copyright law as-is is too restrictive, and doesn't allow for the production of legitimately creative and original art. However, I disagree with his methods as to how this should be resolved. I don't think the answer lies in giving companies and/or content producers the ability to make their works freely available for private use-- Because frankly, I don't think many of them will. This is almost some form of "trickle down artistry" where you're still keeping power in the hands of the wealthy creators and assuming that they will do anything other than continue to hoard their wealth. Disney practically holds a creative monopoly at this point on many of the most well-loved works of our childhoods, and this era of soulless live-action remakes is what they choose to do with their copyrighted material rather than letting it fall to the hands of a new generation of creators. We shouldn't be working around the fact that we don't have a private domain, we should HAVE a private domain. Copyright law practically makes it impossible for anything to go into the private domain, even years after the original creators have died. Why do companies get to have a monopoly on creativity? When do we get to have small studios that are able to compete again? When can we let a new generation create original work, or remix old work in original ways, instead of LITERALLY JUST REMAKING THE SAME WORK BY THE SAME CREATORS? We're re-entering an age of this "read-only" material, where big-name producers like Disney sell out entire theaters with 6 new movies and nothing new is introduced in a single one of them. And it will make them billions of dollars because they out-sell and out-advertise every alternative while overworking their creators and making safe, marketable decisions. Raya and the last dragon sucked and Raya and Namaari should have kissed. But disney is full of cowards who can't make anything original or interesting even when they have every tool in their arsenal to do so. Because Disney isn't an artistic company it's a marketing company. No paragraph breaks only screaming here.
Marc-Anthony V MC 4301 (online)
I agree with Lessig, he makes really good points about how recreating something that someone has made isn’t copying. I think that the copyright laws need to be lessened, because our generation is taking stuff that is made, and remaking it to fit into the world around us. Lessig talked about this and I think he did a really good job at it explaining it. People shouldn’t be penalized for using someone’s work and making it their own. I don’t think that is stealing, since they aren’t leaving the work exactly like the original. We see on YouTube people getting their work taken down for using only a little clip of someone else’s work, that’s not right. These creators are not trying to claim they made this work, but they are using it and recreating it to fit their lifestyle.
Lauren Bezdek, MC 4301
I do agree with Lessig that the copyright law limits creativity in a way, but I also think that a truly creative mind will thrive in other ways. With limitations come solutions. If someone was inspired by a song or something, the person could create a form of art inspired by the work. I also don't think that someone should be penalized by recreating a persons work if they didn't make money off of it and gave credit. To me, that is a form of appreciation for the work and the original creator should be flattered to recieve love from their fans.
Abby Johnson, MC 4301 - Online
After watching this video, I believe Lessig has made some excellent and relevant points. Even with this video being made in 2007, it still remains relevant in the conversation of creativity and hindering of those abilities with strict copyright rules. I still believe copyright is important because it allows creators to claim their work; however, I do believe these rules should be updated to fit the currently technological age. With apps like TikTok, users can utilize material, such as popular songs, to create content for viewers. These new social apps can create problems for copyright laws, etc.
I believe with how connected the world is through social media, etc., copyright laws should be updated to be more accepting of collaborative efforts and fit with modern technology.
Sophia Hebert MC 4301
After watching the Ted Talk, I think that people should be able to use others content and remix it to make it their own, while giving credit to those who created the original work. Many creators have been inspired by others work all throughout history. Movies that have the same plot, trends in clothing, songs and food recipes all have been inspired by others work. I believe that copyright is still important, so that credit is given tho those that earn it. Having work taken from you without credit is frustrating.
Paris Maddox, MC 4301 - Online
After watching this Ted Talk I agree with what Lessig said. The way people, especially in the younger generation, show creativity now is very different from ever before. Of course, people need to be credited for their original work, but creating too many copyright laws is prohibiting people from a new type of creativity. For example, I watch people on Youtube create commentary on other people's work whether it's a song, movie, or another Youtube video. I have heard them talk about how it feels scary and restricting to make a new video because past videos have been copyright claimed meaning they don't make any money from it. Even if they are putting their own spin on other work, it isn't always credited as their own. I am sure this is happening in many other areas of creativity and art, and for that reason, I believe there can be too many and too restricting copyright laws.
Jeremy Bochniak, MC 4301
It's wild how prevalent and relevant this video is, even with it being 14 years old too. A lot of my classmates how TikTok has younger people mixing and basically copying what they see and try and make it their own. Copyright violations are happening everywhere we look. People still other people's contents all the time, and it sucks for everyone. Creativity is still there I believe, it's just people aren't using it.
I agree with Lessig with a lot of things he said in this video and i also think it is crazy for 14 years ago this video came out and so much is still relevant. I feel like it is so hard now a days to creative anything original and I think he mentioned some good ways to recreate things and how it shouldn't be considered copying. I feel like copyright laws need to be lessened for many reasons and I also believe nothing is as good as the first time or the original so why not. I think older generations should embrace the younger generation on not trying to copy them but to try and make it fit in our society and lifestyle. But i do think there should be copyright laws just not as strict.
I agree with Lessig's Ted talk "Laws that choke creativity." I find it interesting how the speech addresses highly relevant issues involving copyright, digital and online media in modern day.
I agree with Lessing's theme that copyright laws limit creativity. Lessig said, " I'm talking about people taking and recreating using other people's content, using digital technologies to say things differently... These tools of creativity have become tools of speech. It is literacy for this generation. This is how our kids speak. It is how our kids think. It is what your kids are as they increasingly understand digital technologies and their relationship to themselves." I cannot imagine going through school with no ability to make this kind of content. For instance, remixes of popular songs have been used from kindergarten to college to increase learning. Every subject in school has remix songs to help carry out the textbook's content in creative ways. In history, we listen to parody songs about Flees and Rats and their connection to the Black Plague through a version of "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani. Making the parody to a popular song background helps students understand and memorize the content while listening to a familiar tune. I still remember Math multiplication songs, US 50 states parodies, and science cell songs, drilling the Mitochondria is the cell's powerhouse.
In the future, it's a balance on how we can come to a solution on this matter. Such as allowing creators to use past material while giving credit to the owner to create something of their own. Similar to Academic papers process of quoting from other authors material while giving credit.
Lessig additionally purposed to allow creators to choose to make their work available more freely with outside sources, along with businesses supporting this opportunity.
Copyright laws are essential; however, they should not be used as restraints to creativity. People should be given more rights and protection to use past work to create new ones while giving credit, especially in academics and learning.
Hearing Lessing talks about something that many people in the older generation don't often consider was really interesting! I agree that there needs to be space for independent creators to "remix" as Lessing out it, popular works. However, in the years since 2007 when this was written, it seems small creators may have lost the copyright battle Lassing was talking about. I personally grew up watching youtube and I've seen creators be censored and demonetized for using a thirty second clip of copywrited material in a video that's ten times the length of the clip. As Lessing said "common sense revolts at the idea" that these creators are pirating copyrighted work when this happens. In a video essay analyzing a movie creators cant even use clips from the movie they're analzing as an example for fear that the movie production company will get the video taken down. There definitaly needs to be more space for small creators, independent creators, and amateur creators, to use copyrighted works when it's not deliberate piracy.
Andria Puig MC 4301
After listening to Larry Lessing’s Ted Talk, I can agree with the arguments he made. He explained the grey area between using already made audio to create a new concept. He helped his audience understand the difference between stealing someone’s work and taking someone’s work and making it your own. Content creation on the internet has drastically grown within the last 10 years. Video platforms such as YouTube and Tiktok are almost full of recreations of old ideas or audio. It’s gone beyond people remixing famous songs. Across YouTube and Tiktok, creators use audios from shows, movies, songs or other YouTube videos/Tiktoks to use in their own context. I like how Larry stated that this is “how kids speak, how they think and who they are”. Many young people today follow the trends they see online. Many people use internet lingo or references when with their friends and they all understand what’s being said. I agree with Larry’s idea that other people’s content should be free to use, other than for commercial use. When art work is used for commercial use, it becomes a representative of that brand or company. When it’s recreated or remixed, it’s being used in a fresh and creative way to showcase something new. It’s crazy that this presentation from 2007 is much more relevant today in 2021.
I agree with Larry Lessig that certain laws limit creativity and should not be criminalized. He makes a great analogy with how laws of trespassing are similar to copyright laws and his example pushed me to believe in his argument. When I hear about copyright laws I think of YouTube and how big music corporations are copy striking videos of smaller channels that utilize popular songs. Another example is that reaction or commentary channels that watch content online that may have copyrighted music in it and how their channels are being taken down or the Youtuber's are not receiving money for their videos. I do not think that people should be able to take other people's content excessively, but using a few seconds of a song should not mean that the Youtuber should lose all of their profit from the videos.
Hailey Eiland MC 4301
I agree with what Lessig had to say in his Ted Talk. I agree that certain laws have been made so that creativity is influenced, especially by the younger generations. I liked watching it and appreciating all the information he was sharing because I learned a lot of new information. I thought all the talk about the copywriting was very interesting and enlightening.
Abigail Gutierrez MC4301
I really like what Lessig said in his TED talk about how the internet and future innovation has the opportunity to revive this Read-Write culture that Sousa talked about. His argument showcased music videos that showed one’s creativity in creating something new through existing content. This is absolutely relevant today through social platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
The younger generation showcases creativity through digital technologies and does so as a way of life. It has become the culture of the younger generation today. Young people create willingly and with joy and fun.
Lessig talked about that’d how this is the way young people speak, and I thought that that was so relatable. Creating while being mindful of copyright and fair use is absolutely necessary for our culture today and should be celebrated!
Guy H (MC 4301)
It's crazy to watch a TED talk from 14 years ago and it still be so relatable. I agree with what he said about creating system where creative work is more freely shared. I feel like if artists felt like copyright wasn't the only option, more people would be open to sharing their work for non-commercial use. Lately YouTube has been under a lot of flack from users and creators alike due to its copyright system. In some instances videos are taken down because of a few seconds of copyrighted material. There should be more of a middle ground, especially with the abundance of user generated content today.
James Robinson (MC4301)
I haven’t seen a Ted talk in so long, this gave me some recollection on how they run. Anyways, I agree with Lessig during the red talk. He’s explains how we control/stop how technology evolves, something I also agree on. Technology has changed in many different way in the last 4 decades. Technology has made such a huge impact on how we live daily, technology has produced so high that kids at the age of 6-7 have their own phones/tablets which they use to progress their learning abilities. All of this is so necessary and will only go up and more developed within our society.
With technology advancing as fast as it is and with so much content out there, this TED Talk is relevant even 14 years later. I agree with the ideas presented because criminalizing people and even kids who are have no ill intent and may just be making the mistake of resting content, should not be seen in a criminal light in my opinion.
This TED talk has become even more relevant over time. The biggest take away was when Larry talked about auto take-down on youtube. Today the idea of censorship is a pressing one and is a huge threat to our society. The goverment nor big tech should be able to restrict anyones first admendment rights. Competion is key to having a free and neutral internet.
Technology is constantly evolving. With such fast advancements, content availability, browsing, and even networking are still relevant and changing decades later. All of those things carry value on how the internet and consumption works. Even though the video was produce over 10 years ago, a lot of what Lessig talked bayou is still relevant. The relevancy it holds is very surprising yet powerful because you can see technologies impact on the world. I am on the fence of Lessig's point of the copyright law. I know it is important to have a standard of authenticity. But the law creates a space for artist to feed off of one another while still giving some type of ownership. This generation of content creators know how to capitalize on digital technology. From Youtube, TikTok, and even Instagram there are so many outlets for you to make revenue riding of the copyright law.
I definitely agree with Lessig, I think creativity has become somewhat displaced because of how we are constantly restricted. I like how he suggested that the internet gives us the opportunity to revive the read-write culture people were afraid of losing. On a side note, I thought the Anime Music Video was really strange, yet I think it also reinforces his admiration for remixing media. He elaborates how people can create unique edits to other creator's content using digital technology to create new messages. We now live in a time where we have access to unique technology where we can take sounds from the world around us and use it to develop new messages. These technologies have indeed become tools of speech and creativity. What resonated with me the most is how he went on a tangent about how every facet of culture is a produced copy of something. That artist choice is the key to new technologies. Ultimately, I think copyright is important, but I think we should be more lenient in order to promote the exchange of ideas.
Johnny Vasallo MC4301
Morgan L MC 4301 Online
I agree that user generated content is the ability for younger generations to remix old songs and display them. It is a way for people to connect again, but in today’s world, a lot of it is about the money. Things like Youtube and TikTok creates “influencers” that are paid to produce content. It is no longer people just doing it for the love of the craft but doing it to gain followers to become rich and famous. I do agree that the using of old videos and songs is how our generation speaks. That is seen very clearly in the uses of Vine and TikTok videos. Sounds are constantly being changed and used a different way to convey a new message. I agree with his point that people should be able to choose to have their work more available. With that, I also agree that business should embrace this creativity. I also agree that our generation was raised knowing we live life against the law and it was supper corruptive to us, and still is to future generations.
My disagreement with this video, is when he mentions " we watched TV, they make TV" this is who our kids are." well, I just don't believe that, now I don't have any kids but it also all depends on the culture like he was talking about, and yes we can't stop our kids from watching or doing certain things but we can definitely teach them right and wrong allow them to make their own Choices.
When he talks about the language of our kids meaning this generation yes it is true I see kids with IPdas as little as 3 years old and watching videos and stuff but again it is all up to the parent to teach these kids these things. Another thing I agree on is when he touches the point of balance, I do believe their needs to be balance when you use such songs or videos and site your source, because it does belong to the person, I mean there are so many Singers who have gotten sued over using someone else beat and not asking permission, and if that is the case with other Artist why is it any different for us? it shouldn't be. and then when he says people use to do it for the love of the craft I believe it was once true and now it has gotten more to the fact of influencing people and getting paid for it. I just have a hard time when it comes to doing something for the love of something to get paid for it like I love watching old school movies and their score on the movies back then, now it is more like electrical eerie scores in some movies and it is lame. It really blows my mind though that this video was made in 2007 and we are in 2021 he was so advance for his time to talk about this , and now all the content how people use it I do agree it is more political and of coarse it was like that back then but now even more so. I believe we should have a balance and still use others content and source them accordingly at the end of the day it is the peoples decisions how their child views his culture, I am a huge believer in once you instill something into a child they do tend to hold on to that even as they get older.
Lessig's talk is really on the money in terms of content and how the internet has reopened doors for more content creations. It's pretty amazing to hear this talk in the year 2007 when Myspace, Facebook, and Youtube were just starting out with a fast pick-up in the internet world. He points out the younger generations have a mindset of living against the rules for content, a great example of this would being this like LimeWire for illegal downloading of music or PirateBay for pirated movies. Every expansion of the internet will require a middle ground to meet content creators and allow them to produce free of trademark scares.
Julian O. (MC 430)
Joseph Cortez MC4301
This TED Talk video was uploaded on YouTube in 2007 and it is still relevant in 2021. I agree with what Lessig had to say about the creativity work. I feel like a lot of content is either taken down or is not made due to copyright being an option. Technology is growing bigger every year and we are starting to see more platforms other than YouTube have rules for copyright. Being a content creator and streamer, I know about these issues as I can't stream music unless it's non copyright music on Twitch. Copyright and censorship has a huge impact on a lot creative mindsets. Technology is going to continue to improve every year and with Lessig talking about how we control how technology evolves, it only makes me support his argument even more.
I agree with Lessig completely, that we have lessened the capacity to create to a full extent to some degree due to the restrictive nature of technology, and many end up becoming consumers rather than creating. Like some other students commented, this TED talked aged well, and is really interesting to look back on technologies evolution since then. It resonated with me especially when he talked about using technology as tools of communication, that the culture is "what our kids are using to understand access to this culture." This reminds me of how content like this has became an exchange of social currency and how big of a role the manipulation and adding to previously made content has had on our culture/society. Without some of the additions to popular culture and adaptation of content, it is possible that past and present generations wouldn't be as receptive to it or understand history in the same way. Its become very much a language and is how people think. Though, in regards to the architecture of copyright laws I think it's important to emphasize the importance of recognizing to what you're "recreating" stems from, I couldn't agree me more that we are essentially copying things every day when we create. But I don't think certain copy right laws would be a hinderance if there was some recognition and would only be teaching our kids the difference between copying and ripping an artist off or riffing off of a previous work and giving that due credit. Like he said it is all about balance.
Hailey Ellis (Honors)
I definitely agree with the points that Lessig is making. As technology adapts, laws that govern the use of technology also have to adapt, which copyright laws have not. The restrictions that these outdated laws place on creativity have caused artists to be regulated on using the work of others to create their own media. I think that Lessig is a very forward thinking person, as this Ted talk was made in 2007, and the form of art and the restrictions copyright laws place on it has only become increasingly popular with the overwhelming popularity of platforms such as Youtube and TikTok today.
At first, I was kind of skeptical of where he was trying to get at but then it all made sense and I definitely agree with him. Regulations can play a role in an effort to protect cybersecurity and or any types of other attacks. It also enforces some type of control because there are people around the world that do mean harm. On the other hand that in my opinion, impacts more than we can imagine is the decision to accept our new norm in society. It hit me when he mentioned that we used to make mixtapes and now they make movies or television. Which is true! I have always believed that our world is never going to stop evolving especially now with the rapid change in technology. We must also evolve and see this evolution of technology as an opportunity.
I agree with a lot of the points Lessig made in his TED Talk. We absolutely use digital technologies to say things and express ourselves. I believe it is a great thing that young people have an opportunity to use the sounds and images in our culture to communicate and connect with others. Finding a balance, as Lessig mentioned, between creating and maintaining a balance with copyright law seems to be a struggle even to this day among platforms such as Youtube. Due to copyright claims, I've seen some of my favorite creators become demonetized on a video that accidentally included or barely included copyright content, losing all earnings they would have received on their video. Art in any form is inevitably inspired by other art or content and creative ownership can still be respected while the artist creates their own interpretation.
Alyssa Clinkscales MC4301 Online
I agree with Lessig in many ways. I don't think anyone should be penalized for taking an idea and recreating it to make it their own. I feel that recreating or remixing someone else's work is just as creative as creating it the first time; but copyright laws enforce the removal of remixes, etc, which ultimately stops the flow of creativity. Most ideas we have come from things someone else says, not all ideas are directly from one person, we need help from other perspectives to get our brains in a certain direction and I think remixes are no different. Obviously there are still certain rules that apply, like performing a Miley Cyrus song and claiming it as your own, there is a balance like Lessig said.
To be completely frank, I 200% agree with Lessig's comments. I started creating video content, and subsequently uploading said content to YouTube, when I was still in middle school. Lessig mentions that society should be looking to what children are doing on the Internet, remixing and creating, to guide the future of digital content. He says that "anybody with access to a $1,500 computer" can create--which I also have to agree with, considering it was when I received a MacBook laptop valued at just about that exact price as a gift that I started creating videos. However, that barrier to entry has lowered substantially since 2007, when this TED Talk was posted, considering people now can film, edit, and upload content directly from a cell phone if they want to. Lessig also mentions how copyright law has been slow to catch up to what people like Sousa imagined for it. This is another stance I have to agree with. For example, Lessig himself uses AMVs, or "Anime Music Videos," to represent remix of content. In 2007, and up to the early 2010s, these type of videos were everywhere, for every song, and possibly every anime out there. Now, though, in 2021, you would probably be hard pressed to find such videos on YouTube. This is because the copyright system on major content platform websites, such as YouTube and Twitch, have heavily cracked down on the use of music that does not directly belong to you. The rules surrounding music are also heavily subjective, as it is essentially operated on a song-by-song basis. One song might be completely fine to use in a video, and may not even register as being someone else's content, whereas another song can cause your entire account to be taken down in the blink of an eye--and you wouldn't even know it until the video or livestream has already been posted. Lessig himself refers to this as a sort of copyright extremism, and it has only gotten worse since then. In that regard, Lessig also says that it is very likely policy makers will not understand the gravity of the copyright law situation "until it is too late to fix it." To that, I would suggest that we as a society very well have already reached that point.
Noah West. HON3396E
I agree with Lessing for the most part. However, I think that we must remember that when we are given such freedoms as he talks about, we must remember to use them wisely. For example, under the guidelines that Lessing talks about, it could be very easy for content to be altered only slightly and then resold. This is not to say that I disagree with his vision, only that we must protect the rights of the original creator as well as the remix creator. I also think Lessing makes a very good point when he states that the law requires more common sense in order to create a new medium for online content. If we are to push for a world where content can be made more easily and freely we must not be unreasonable about how, where, and, under what condition this content can be distributed. Overall I think Lessing's argument was very well structured and we would do well to head his words.
Sarah Theriot (Honors)
It was really interesting listening to Lessig’s Ted Talk, because I could really see how passionate he was about the subject. I got to be honest, in the first few minutes I was kind of worried. However, just over halfway through Lessig was able to convince me how important the topic of our current and future technologies are. I definitely agree that children are influence a lot by what they see online in this current digital age. I do wonder, what he would think about our current situation in the year 2021. I think especially after the pandemic started, we have learned to rely even more on technology and it’s even more present in our every day lives than it was in 2007.
I also think that while some copyright restrictions are good because they protect the creators, too many promote a sort of censorship (for lack of a better term). It is one of the most annoying things when I click on a video and can’t watch it because there’s a copyright strike on it. If the video is highly accessible elsewhere that’s another story, but that’s typically not the case.
After watching the video, I think that the points Lessig made are very relevant points to how things are today because of the critical role that social media plays in our world today. Content creators and influencers are not just titles being thrown around, people actually make a living doing this. They have the capability to revive an original artist's work by making it relevant and going viral. This can be a benefit to both parties, but the lines with copyright are definitely blurred. Lessig referred to copyright laws in the lecture and how we are not able to stop them, we can only criminalize them. This only pushes it into the underground, but doesn't actually solve anything.I think that there is a fine line between stealing someone's work and creating entertaining content. However, platforms like Tiktok are places where people are literally in competition for likes off the basis of copying each other. So where do we draw the line?
Morgan Rovillard MC 4301
I agree with Lessing for the most part. It's always very interesting to hear theories of people from hundreds of years ago, and then they actually rein true in the future. As for copyright, it is getting to be a bit ridiculous. Youtubers can't even post clips with any song in it or they will get demonetized which is just weird at this point. Some people are saying that people should not be penalized for taking someone else's idea and putting their own twist on it, but I would be a bit frustrated if I was the creator and someone's 'twist' got more popular and made them more money. On the other hand, creativity is creativity and that is stopping people from being creative no doubt.
Carl Nagel MC4301 Online
I agree, for the most part, with Lessig because while technology increases, I think our drive to be creative and make new things decreases. Even with the popular Tik Tok videos and reels on Instagram, which lets people create very specific content, people are now just redoing or making a reaction video to someones content. I think credit is the most important and a lot of artists/musicians who have very innovative ways to express and are under-appreciated, are usually drowned out with content that looks/sounds the same from what is popular. I think copyright laws need to be there but I know as technology expands, these laws wont be paid attention to. I think if the content is from a source that is from a long time ago and a popular source, it should be fine to recreate/use. We are in a place today though where the smallest creative ideas can be reproduced until it is ruined.
I was really struggling to understand Sousa's concern with the Talking Machine. I didn't understand what the machine did other than play sound, so I researched it. The Talking Machine was the first ever device to record sound and play it back (video link below). Someone would hand crank the machine while another person spoke into a mouth piece. The vibrations caused the needle to move and etch into the tin foil on the cylinder. The recording sounded quite awful, but the concept is revolutionary. Additions to the idea was made over time from other inventors up until the invention of LP's, which brought an end to Phonographs (Talking Machines). Then came the invention of tape recordings.
I guess even after learning about the invention, I still don't quite understand Sousa's concern. Lessig said that Sousa's fear was that we would lose the ability of read-write culture because of the machine. The young generation could still get together and sing the new and old songs, only now by recording them they would be able to have the songs longer. They could still get together and record with the machine. Isn't that still read-write?
I understand the concern as it pertains to broadcasting to a mass audience. There is only a one way transmission of sound - the mass consumer cannot respond. So I agree that at one period of time there was a read-only culture due to limited accessibility. Now that technology has advanced as far as it has, it's no longer limited access. The masses can respond online through numerous ways. Creativity is constantly flowing, and it is optional for the consumer to partake in read-write or read-only culture.
My favorite part of this TED Talk, was his user generated content examples. I definitely agree that taking music or videos and using it to create something new should not be considered piracy under copyright. That's where Creative Commons comes into play (which I noticed he hinted, but couldn't talk about). Competition can be necessary for growth. ASCAP didn't want to grow and compete with BMI, and it caused them to go under. Thomas Edison's invention of the talking machine wasn't improved for years until 10 years later, when he had competition from someone else. Where would we be now without competition and creativity?
Learn more about Thomas Edison's Talking Machine:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/americas-listening/edison%E2%80%99s-talking-machine
I believe I agree, to an extent, with Lessig and the points he made in his Ted Talk.
It is interesting to me that this ted talk was given 14 years ago and yet my classmates and I are able to apply the ideas and concepts presented to today's social media climate. Content is constantly being remixed and reused with the rise of apps like Tik Tok, which is based on video content creators. Ideas are almost never completely new and if we had to give credit to each originator of individual pieces of content, it'd be never-ending. Social media is a constant turnover of the same content and our generation knows how to remix old into new like nobody's business.
Alyssa Tintori
Mc4301
Despite the fact that this TED Talk was given in 2007, it is still very popular today. The most recent example I can think of is YouTube's crackdown on music rights in videos over the last few years, forcing many YouTubers to physically state that they do not own the music or, in certain cases, the material they display, or risk being taken off for possessing it. I concur with Lessig.
I agree with Lessig in a sense, because his comments on creativity are definitely prevalent in content online today in 2021. Creativity is changing with this generation and its technological developments. I think Lessig's idea for choice in copyright is interesting, especially given that this TED talk is from 2007 when social media was really just starting to take off. I also agree with his statement about the laws put in place limiting creativity, in that it can create more conflict and cause younger people/generations to take these laws less seriously.
Zoey Alsbrooks
MC 4301
I agree with all of what Lessig was saying. My roommate and I had a very similar converstion ourselves about the way human's were becoming very lazy and relying more on technology. In the beginning, Lessig was explaining how Sousa predicted technology over taking human creativity and I was surprised at how spot on he was. Our society has slowly let technology do all of the work and we kicked our feet up and watched. The problem is we don't have creativity anymore either and it is started to become easier to see.
Treviant Winfrey MC4301
I agree with Lessig’s stance on copyright because the younger generation is so much more used to repurposing than creating original content. Remixing original posts is way more common today than when the copyright laws were created. Creative Commons makes it possible for the remixing. Copyright laws were setup, not necessarily to discourage collaboration originally, but to protect the creator’s content. Now, that’s all anyone does. For music sampling it normally costs a few extra bucks but collaboration and feature culture.
From watching the TED Talk presentation with Lessig, I agree with several points he had made. As technology continues to develop, it is important we also adapt to the online culture presence. As the younger generation is fully submerged with online media, I think it becomes more difficult for the older generation to fully grasp the idea of the content being created. Something that really stuck to me was when he mentioned how the amateur's culture produces for the love of the content, and not solely for the profit of it. I think this is so true with lots of apps like Twitter or Tik Tok, where everyone posts content for the pure sharing of information or for someone to get a good laugh from the video. This is why I believe copyright laws should be more relaxed because it limits one's creativity and people should be allowed to express themselves without worrying about strict copyright laws.
Clarisa Gonzales- 4301
Zachary Perkins (MC 4301)
I agree with the video for the most part, however I think as technology and modern media evolve and expand outdated copyright laws have to be updated to reflect the times we live in. As many of my classmates have mentioned, apps such as TikTok are centered around taking copyrighted content and repurposing it to create new content but is it doing any harm, if its not content created for profit? I recently started a YouTube channel and often times when I pick my intro music , I try to pick license free music where the creators have simply asked to only be credited in the video but due to YouTube's policies, it almost always flags the videos down fro copyright and the sounds have to be removed. I understand protecting your intellectual property and making sure someone doesn't convey messages with your art that you never intended to convey but I know myself personally when I hear things that borrow elements from other works of art, it normally inspires me to do my research and revisit the original work and limiting copyright also limits that exposure.
I agree with Lessig’s comment because I think that copywrite law have been abused by larger media personalities corporations or company to sliced individual who are providing fair criticism of them. I also agree with his sentiment that current generation are more participants in creating culture rather than just consuming it and this problem will only continue to grow as platforms like TikTok and YouTube Instagram and whatever Mark Zuckerberg tries to buy next grow. His solution of letting artist use the work for non commercial use is a good one but it makes me think what would happen if the remake were to outperform the original and someone wanted to profit of that. This is happening on Tik tok today popular creators are getting compensation and opportunities doing a dance created by someone else. Many times this dance isn’t done with the same skill as the original but it is done by someone more marketable. Or in the case of artist who have their work stolen by individuals and large corporations but don’t have the means to prevent it. I say that to say right now current copy-write laws are outdated not only in the way that they limit creativity but that they favor people with money and influence to enforce them while people without that same power gave their intellectual property stolen
Alyssa G MC4301
I agree with Lessig's point on how laws can choke creativity. As we continue to expand and shift how we create, we need legislation to adapt accordingly. I definitely agree that artists need more freedoms to grow but I will point out that total freedom can be misunderstood. Using content to create original works rather than just being a copy a paste version, needs to be protected. When Lessing said "these tools of creativity have become tools of speech" it really resonated with me. Artists should have total control over how their content is used. We should take that responsibility out of the hand of the business. I 100% agree that competition can achieve balance.
Chandler Deppisch (online)
I found this TED Talk extremely eye opening, namely because of the fact that it did come out in 2007. Because of newer apps like Tik Tok and the rising fame of Insta, Twitter and Snapchat, I was ignorant to how there truly is outdated laws regarding creativity ownership. This seems like a blessing and a curse, as the freedom to create is ideal, but the drawback of manipulating or stealing content is a price no creator should have to pay.
It always amazes me how much technology continues to grow. I do agree with Lessig to some degree. He said pretty concrete points about how the younger generation uses user-generated as the means to remix music and videos. It allows people a platform to promote their creative content. So it was interesting hearing his take in his TedTalk presentation.
I concur with the position of Lessing on copyright since the more youthful era is so much more utilized to using older material in their own way than making their own work. For the case of unique posts it is way more common nowadays than when the copyright laws were first made. Nowadays fitting the old into the new and more sensitive society Inventive Commons makes it conceivable for the remixing to take place. Those original copyright laws were made purely to keep originality sincere, but to brainstorm with others was what was dismantled in the process. Presently, that’s all anybody does. For video games, brands, music, and other services filtered through heavy creativity this takes a great deal of time
Amber Dotson (4301 Online)
I completely agree with Leesig's TED talk, he made several valid points. Technology is rapidly changing and growing, technology is just one of those things were it keeps continuing to to grow and grow. I like the fact Lessig keep addressing children in his TED talk because the younger generation is the future of this country. Platforms such as Youtube, Tiki's Tok, Instagram, Snapchat have all open many doors for technology to grow.
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