Comments on: Is the replication of information a form of activism, and can it even be so? http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/ Palmer, CL. “Structures and strategies of interdisciplinary science.” JASIS 50(3): 242-253, 1999 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:15:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mark http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/comment-page-1/#comment-4160 Mark Fri, 11 May 2007 16:17:36 +0000 http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/#comment-4160 Thanks for the thoughts, Jenica. And I truly do not mean to make anyone feel bad about what they do or do not do. As I said, I perhaps do even less, at least on some issues. I just feel that these are critical questions as the technologies make it easier to "act" in ways that really do not require much action and certainly little to no sacrifice. "Information gives us the power to act rightly." Well said. Thanks for the thoughts, Jenica. And I truly do not mean to make anyone feel bad about what they do or do not do. As I said, I perhaps do even less, at least on some issues.

I just feel that these are critical questions as the technologies make it easier to “act” in ways that really do not require much action and certainly little to no sacrifice.

“Information gives us the power to act rightly.” Well said.

]]> By: Mark http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/comment-page-1/#comment-4159 Mark Fri, 11 May 2007 16:14:35 +0000 http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/#comment-4159 Jenn, I do remember that editorial and I remember feeling somewhat ambivalent about it as I do this. They're not exactly meaningless issues, but they are more surface issues while the deeper and more dangerous underlying issues are (generally) ignored. Getting rid of the Chief was important for several reasons, but there were certainly more important things the individuals involved could have been doing with their time and energy, and certainly more important things the University could have been doing with the money expended on the issue over the years. Jenn, I do remember that editorial and I remember feeling somewhat ambivalent about it as I do this.

They’re not exactly meaningless issues, but they are more surface issues while the deeper and more dangerous underlying issues are (generally) ignored.

Getting rid of the Chief was important for several reasons, but there were certainly more important things the individuals involved could have been doing with their time and energy, and certainly more important things the University could have been doing with the money expended on the issue over the years.

]]> By: Jenica http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/comment-page-1/#comment-4157 Jenica Fri, 11 May 2007 15:24:22 +0000 http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/#comment-4157 Every now and again I toss out the phrase "information is power". In my own mind, I expand that to mean that information gives us the power to act rightly. Sadly, what you're pointing out is that we've come to see the more simplistic side of that -- information, itself, is our means and our end, rather than being the tool by which we propel ourselves to useful action. Which is pretty depressing. And also reminds me that I signed up for the Amnesty International Urgent Action Network emails, but haven't yet written a single. damned. letter in support of better worldwide human rights, <i>though I meant to.</i> Action. Information is only power if you act on it. Every now and again I toss out the phrase “information is power”. In my own mind, I expand that to mean that information gives us the power to act rightly. Sadly, what you’re pointing out is that we’ve come to see the more simplistic side of that — information, itself, is our means and our end, rather than being the tool by which we propel ourselves to useful action.

Which is pretty depressing. And also reminds me that I signed up for the Amnesty International Urgent Action Network emails, but haven’t yet written a single. damned. letter in support of better worldwide human rights, though I meant to.

Action. Information is only power if you act on it.

]]> By: Jenn http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/comment-page-1/#comment-4150 Jenn Fri, 11 May 2007 03:52:47 +0000 http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/#comment-4150 The day after they retired the Chief, I read an editorial in the DI to this effect. All those kids who rallied to save or get rid of the Chief--it was such a pointless cause. Why not use their wits for something more important and lasting? It's sad. The day after they retired the Chief, I read an editorial in the DI to this effect. All those kids who rallied to save or get rid of the Chief–it was such a pointless cause. Why not use their wits for something more important and lasting? It’s sad.

]]> By: Mark http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/comment-page-1/#comment-4149 Mark Fri, 11 May 2007 00:10:09 +0000 http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/#comment-4149 I appreciate the comment and the confidence, CW. The reason I consider myself (somewhat) inadequate to the task is based on experience and not on capacity to ask questions or think. I spent over 20 years in the Army; not exactly a lot of activism there. Now, truthfully, there are a lot of reasons I stayed so long. But one of the main ones I told myself--and to which the oath of enlistment is actually sworn--is to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign AND domestic. I gave up many of my own liberties and even those of my family for many years so that others could have the right to protest and challenge the government of my country. And I hoped that they would do so! There was quite a lot that my government did (and DOES) that I did/do not agree with and I wanted it challenged. Educationally, I am very weak in any sort of political theory/science, activist politics, whatever. After I "retired"--such a stupid word and, in fact, my government owns me for another 17 years--I struggled to find myself and my voice, ideals, values, etc. I had given up 20 years of my life to only awaken and find my country in worse shape regarding the things I thought I was defending. Then they sent my first-born off to fight a war in which I most certainly did not believe. I am still trying to figure many of these things out. My government, in effect, owns me and they have possession of my son. I am more than willing to go to jail and even to die for the things in which I believe. Perhaps even for the larger issues surrounding this one. But I am not going to jail over some stupid DVD encryption key. Perhaps that provides some insight into why I suggested folks like Rory or Jessamyn would be better suited to facilitate such a conversation. I appreciate the comment and the confidence, CW.

The reason I consider myself (somewhat) inadequate to the task is based on experience and not on capacity to ask questions or think.

I spent over 20 years in the Army; not exactly a lot of activism there. Now, truthfully, there are a lot of reasons I stayed so long. But one of the main ones I told myself–and to which the oath of enlistment is actually sworn–is to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign AND domestic.

I gave up many of my own liberties and even those of my family for many years so that others could have the right to protest and challenge the government of my country. And I hoped that they would do so! There was quite a lot that my government did (and DOES) that I did/do not agree with and I wanted it challenged.

Educationally, I am very weak in any sort of political theory/science, activist politics, whatever.

After I “retired”–such a stupid word and, in fact, my government owns me for another 17 years–I struggled to find myself and my voice, ideals, values, etc. I had given up 20 years of my life to only awaken and find my country in worse shape regarding the things I thought I was defending.

Then they sent my first-born off to fight a war in which I most certainly did not believe.

I am still trying to figure many of these things out. My government, in effect, owns me and they have possession of my son. I am more than willing to go to jail and even to die for the things in which I believe. Perhaps even for the larger issues surrounding this one. But I am not going to jail over some stupid DVD encryption key.

Perhaps that provides some insight into why I suggested folks like Rory or Jessamyn would be better suited to facilitate such a conversation.

]]> By: CW http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/comment-page-1/#comment-4148 CW Thu, 10 May 2007 23:01:41 +0000 http://marklindner.info/blog/2007/05/10/is-the-replication-of-information-a-form-of-activism-and-can-it-even-be-so/#comment-4148 Thanks for this post. I'm not sure you can say you're not up to the task of engaging with the issues, though, I think you've done a very good job of asking very important questions! Thanks for this post. I’m not sure you can say you’re not up to the task of engaging with the issues, though, I think you’ve done a very good job of asking very important questions!

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