Re: Vertically Integrated Permaculture Mosaic

[Mark Holmquist]

Repost from libreplanet-discuss, where we've already talked about this 
briefly, because I'd like to hear thoughts:

>> [Patrick had been asked how this is relevant on an FSF list]
>
> This extends User Freedom into the physical realm, where Free
> Software must always be hosted.

Well....I'm not sure we can consider these two categories to be the same.

Digital freedom has to do with the freedom to use your own tools, things 
you own, any way you'd like. This is the same as allowing people to use 
hammers to create anything, even picket signs the hammer manufacturers 
may disagree with. The hammer can also be disassembled, modified, and 
reassembled easily. Anyone who wants to show off the hammer's design may 
do so.

What you're discussing here isn't about individual freedoms, it's about 
changing the economic system in which we live. We would technically own 
the MOP, but we wouldn't then be free to go in and tinker--people need 
their milk, so going in and accidentally breaking the dairy machines 
would be suboptimal. There would almost certainly be laws, or at least 
rules, to prevent such things.

I mean, there might be some merit to these ideas, but it's not something 
that the FSF necessarily wants to promote. As far as I can tell, the FSF 
tries to reach out to companies, saying that free software is compatible 
with viable business models that work in a capitalist society.

And in general, as free software advocates, it's a lot harder for us to 
fight for individual freedoms *and* massive social change at the same 
time....best to stick with what we know, especially since digital 
freedom would (probably) work in either situation.

Anyway, those are my two pennies. Sorry to go on so long about an 
ostensibly off-topic post :)

--
Mark Holmquist
Contractor, Wikimedia Foundation
mtraceur@member.fsf.org
http://marktraceur.info