What and who is easiest to take advantage of and exploit, how is that being justified, and what can be done about it? On one piece of the puzzle what the fewest things are that need changing, to change everything.
"#FileOverApp is a philosophy:
if you want to create digital artifacts that last, they must be files you can control, in formats that are easy to retrieve and read. Use tools that give you this freedom.
File over app is an appeal to tool makers: accept that all #software is ephemeral, and give people #ownership over their data.
Speaking as someone who's "bought" some videos on Amazon (so I know I'm included in the people I'm addressing):
If you don't have it on physical media of some sort*, then you don't own it! You are merely renting it for a while. Maybe a long while, but it will eventually come to an end.
doesn't have to be optical; files on your hard drive work fine
The reason why I don't like to spend money on software is I don't trust the idea of digital ownership. I don't feel like I really own something if it could just be duplicated with a click, or if it could get lost due to a system reinstall or just a bug somewhere.
Whereas with #rental both sides would clearly have the understanding that the one renting only gets access for a limited term that has been agreed upon.
Yup. Techies have to do a better job of educating the non-technical among their friends and associates, otherwise they fall for this bullshit.
Basically, if using a thing means it has to phone home for permission, you do not own that thing, you will never own that thing, and that thing can, and likely will, be taken from you with no notice at some point in the future.
I keep reading misconceptions about writing for @medium, which annoy me as a long-time subscriber and writer for that platform. To try to clear some things up:
Authors can set for each story whether it is behind the paywall (and thus eligible for earnings) or not.
Authors can share unlimited "friends links" to bypass the paywall.
The subscription fee ($5/mo or $50/yr) gives unlimited access to all stories on Medium, plus a Mastodon account on me.dm.
@funcrunch@medium@coachtony
Cuz I hate #subscriptions and if I were to subscribe I want that mony to only go to tge person I'm subscribing and not accidentially benefit some hatesppech on the same platform by virtue of accidentially looking at it...
But that's just me who knows that #Ownership is only real if one's only restrictions are laws, not Terms of Service!
In case y'all were tired of hearing about popular Fediverse people making bad decisions, just thought I'd let y'all know I bought a 1980's hybrid pinball/videogame tonight
I always wanted an 80s pinball machine. But it sounds like it's the electro-mechanical equivalent of buying a 1960s Italian coupe?
I'm not shocked, but I am a bit disappointed.
I'm somewhat technical, fix my own appliances and such, and do electronics as a hobby. How much trouble would I be getting myself into by buying such a machine?
The difference is the #ownership of the #MeansOfProduction. As long as a tiny minority of the rich owns it, the rest of us will be marching toward #shantytowns.
(1/4) “A liar will not be believed even when he speaks the truth.” - We all know that. But it's not that simple. The question of #truth, its meaning, and the existence of multiple truths has become a pressing concern due to recent events like a rathetr unique presidency, an unexpected war in Europe, accelerated climate change, and the popularity of a hyped chat bot ...
(2/4) #Technologies like #ChatGPT represent only a fraction of the larger issue. Concerns arise regarding the functioning and training data of these systems, which may perpetuate biases and prejudices. Additionally, the #ownership and distribution of power, interpretive authority, and wealth associated with these technologies further compound the problem.
(3/4) In 2023, Ars Electronica aims to explore the question of #truth and #ownership. The Ars Electronica Festival invites global participants from various fields to discuss these topics, with the goal of engaging the broader public and shaping our collective future. https://ars.electronica.art/who-owns-the-truth/en/