Interview With Pirate Party Leader Rick Falkvinge

mmuch writes "In the wake of the recent copyright debate in Swedish mainstream media, the P2P Consortium has published an interview with Rick Falkvinge, the leader of the Swedish Pirate Party. He comments on the mainstream politicians starting to understand the issues, the interplay between strict copyright enforcement and mass surveillance, and the chances for global copyright reform." Some choice Falkvinge quotes: "What was remarkable was that this was the point where the enemy — forces that want to lock down culture and knowledge at the cost of total surveillance — realized they were under a serious attack... for the first time, we saw everything they could bring to the battle. And it was... nothing. Not even a fizzle. All they can say is 'thief, we have our rights, we want our rights, nothing must change, we want more money, thief, thief, thief'... Whereas we are talking about scarcity vs. abundance, monopolies, the nature of property, 500-year historical perspectives on culture and knowledge, incentive structures, economic theory, disruptive technologies, etc. The difference in intellectual levels between the sides is astounding... When the Iron Curtain fell, all of the West rejoiced that the East would become just as free as the West. It was never supposed to be the other way around."

Re:Fuck you America

[Saffaya]

"you're making the same fundamental mistake that many people of other countries make. That's assuming that the vast majority of Americans think one way or another, and pegging all of us as fitting some arbitrary mold that serves their own prejudices"

There is truth in what you are saying, however, consider this fact :

You guys elected W.Bush TWICE.

It still needed a majority of Americans to think the same way to accomplish this.
Food for thought.

Re:Fuck you America

[tyroneking]

More depressing still is your use of 'us and the Brits' - I know, 51st state and all that, but we Brits did do somethings ourselves and should not be referred to in such a sidekick sort of way.

Oh, fuck you America, you fucking bunch of fat-arsed, over-consuming, celebrity obsessed, loose moraled, fornicating, right-wing, fascist, bigoted, interfering, dullard, fuck-wits - before I forget ;)
 

Re:Fuck you America

[ScrewMaster]

{sigh} I was trying to say "it's not all about us" and give some credit where credit is due, but I guess you limeys are too damn thickheaded to take a compliment when you get one. Fine. Next time I'll say "Us and the Germans" or maybe "Us and the French" or maybe "Us and the Iranians". Sheesh. Would you have felt better if I'd said, "The Brits and us?"

Besides, Canada is the 51st State ... I thought everyone knew that, and for all you Canucks in the viewing audience that's a goddamn JOKE and I just don't want to hear it.

Re:Fuck you America

[VanillaBabies]

I think you pasted the wrong troll rant. This is a copyright article, so you use the one about owning a family friendly record store. Use the anti-America one for YRO and politics.

Re:They're free to share...

[gandhi_2]

I don't know man, That ascii bunny was pretty 1337. But every time I go to copy/paste it, I have to provide a DRM key.

Be careful america

[microbox]

We Canadians are going to form a nation with Cuba and Mexico and SURROUND you.

Mwahahahahahaha.

Then we're going to write you a stern letter about many things really.

Re:Be careful america

[ScrewMaster]

So then you'll call yourself Cubanadexico. Or Maybe Mexicanuba.

Re:Fuck you America

[drseuk]

Means nothing - t'was us Brits that invented America what invented all the rest of that stuff - P.S., we're still waiting for the Royalty check ...

Re:Fuck you America

[skulgnome]

Oh very well. All yanks today are idiots. There, you happy now?