Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

Should All Information be Free?

January 18th, 2012 by Bob Bly

In an online ad to protest anti-piracy laws pending in congress, Wikepedia says, “Imagine a world without free knowledge.”

But should ALL knowledge be free?

Do you expect the attendant at  your local gas station to fill your car for free?

Do you expect your doctor to treat  you for free?

Do you expect the plumber to fix your leaky faucet for free?

A mantra you hear on the Internet is “information wants to be free.”

Does that mean those who create content are entitled to no rewards from it … and are expected to work for free?

What do  you think?

Share

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 11:15 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

66 responses about “Should All Information be Free?”

  1. Stephen Cowee said:

    No, to all your questions, naturally. None of which is the point at all.

    The point is that trying to completely restructure the underlying protocols of the Internet so that a handful of film studios, international recording labels, and book publishers can make even higher record profits is pointless, very dangerous to the security of everyone who uses the web and actually expects that a website they landed on is the real thing, and an effort that won’t even work anyway.

    No one opposing PIPA and SOPA wants to prevent someone getting paid for their work; they simply don’t want the entire world to suffer, weaken the Internet, have their sites taken down for no legitimate reason, and are frankly, very tired of the many tails out there wagging their respective dogs.

    As am I. Getting paid for your work is one thing, and no one expects free gas and oil, But having your website hacked and your database compromised so Jerry Bruckheimer can make another billion is not my idea of a fair payment and subsidy for paying to watch Armageddon XVII.

    First we had the VCR, then DVDs, now the web. Wake up, MPAA, and learn to adapt to the 21st century. Try making something of quality, and people will pay for it. There will always be pirates, just as Walmart knows there will always be shrinkage (theft). Live with it, adapt, and don’t make the world pay your mortgage on that 4th home.

    Today (the 18th), while you still can, try going to google, wikipedia, boingboing, reddit, or any one of hundreds and thousands more sites for more information on what this really is.

    If you write and make money online, then yes, this is about you, too.

  2. Henry said:

    As a copywriter I make my living from selling intellectual property. So obviously I believe that it needs to be protected. Wikipedia agrees. Here is an expanded version of their view on “Free Information.” In their own words:

    “Wikipedians are knowledgeable about copyright and vigilant in protecting against violations: Wikipedians spend thousands of hours every week reviewing and removing infringing content. We are careful about it because our mission is to share knowledge freely. To that end, all Wikipedians release their contributions under a free license, and all the material we offer is freely licensed. Free licenses are incompatible with copyright infringement, and so infringement is not tolerated.”

    I’m sure it’s been pointed out a million times today and will be pointed out a million times again. This bill isn’t scary because of it makes copyright infringement illegal. That’s already illegal.

    It’s scary because it gives the Government censorship control over entire websites for a single user infractions. It’s not a stretch to think they could, at some point, start shutting down websites just because they don’t like what they’re saying (all it would take is a single link in the comments to a copyright infringing website). If we lose free speech, intellectual property becomes worthless anyway.

  3. Scott said:

    Copyright law violates the 1st amendment.
    Nothing wrong with getting paid for work, of course; which has *nothing* to do with copyright. Nor with SOPA.

  4. Braden Talbot said:

    The first question doesn’t line up with the rest.

    Should knowledge be free? Well, it isn’t. It takes time to read and write. It takes time to teach. But that’s not the point.

    Information is infinitely reproducible. No property rights are actually violated. The difference between the reproduction of knowledge and the reproduction of labor and goods is one is scarce and information isn’t.

    I suggest reading “Against Intellectual Monopoly” by Michele Boldrin and David K. Levine. It contains actual economic research and studies that intellectual property is just a nonsensical racket, this aside from the philisophical arguments that you don’t actually “create” anything.

    In the end, its not whether or not is “should” be free. That’s between the buyer and seller–the producer and consumer. But action and litigation against IP laws are an insane bunch of nonsense.

  5. marketing job said:

    marketing job…

    […]Should All Information be Free? – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog[…]…

  6. What is identity theft,Identity theft,Identity theft prevention,Personal identity protection,Identity protection,Government information,Privacy protection,Home security,Online security,Identity protect,Identity theft protection,Best identity protection,Ho said:

    What is identity theft,Identity theft,Identity theft prevention,Personal identity protection,Identity protection,Government information,Privacy protection,Home security,Online security,Identity protect,Identity theft protection,Best identity protecti…

    […]Should All Information be Free? – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog[…]…

  7. Stephen James said:

    All the examples you gave are services and of course shouldn’t be free. And as for not being rewarded for sharing the information.. BBC News get their money from the tax payer and share information with the tax payer. Why isnt it the tax payer therefore, who decides what information should be free. Dont share the codes to nuclear weapons. share everything else. An open world is our only hope.

  8. Sheri Ways said:

    I keep trying to subscribe towards the Letters thing, but there’s nowhere to do so! Once i sign in, under the MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION backlink, there’s only my Book Club subscription. How do I add the Letters thing for $5?

  9. Slyvia Buddemeyer said:

    Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this additionally ? taking time and actual effort to make a very good article but what can I say I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done.

  10. advertise for $1 said:

    I don’t even know the way I ended up right here, however I assumed this submit used to be great. I do not understand who you are but definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger when you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  11. Augustine Falin said:

    You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through a single thing like that before. So good to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality!|

  12. tutoring business said:

    One more method in support of promoting your webpage is posting comments on different directories with your web site link.

  13. Wypo?yczalnia samochodów w Gda?sku said:

    We stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to checking out your web page again.

  14. Zenia Rudisill said:

    I consider something truly interesting about your website so I saved to bookmarks..

  15. Maurice Rinks said:

    Hi there! Your write-up rocks also as becoming a respectable wonderful fully grasp!??

  16. Yolanda Fern said:

    Awsome article and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thx 🙂

  17. chanel said:

    The specific appearance of a functional unique 3-layer-type resilient material technology could be born in next year Nike launched as part of the spring NikeFuse innovative technology, in addition to applied to really shoes, including the main Lunar Haze +, Nike Air Sloth 2011 and often the Nike Zoom Superfly. Nike Merge technology is leather, mesh and TPU upper and other traditional materials, fashioned using an amazing new way relating to materials. Three main materials in a good solid perfect blend concerning hot-melt technology so that you achieve unmatched light, strong, breathable and as well protective effect.

  18. Noel Bly said:

    The subsequent time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I truly thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix should you werent too busy on the lookout for attention.

  19. Mauricio Gun said:

    It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!

  20. obama 2016 filmmaker said:

    This is the best weblog for anybody who desires to seek out out about this topic. You realize so much its virtually hard to argue with you (not that I actually would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!

  21. Felicita Enders said:

    Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My blog addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!

  22. This Web page said:

    Hey I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Aol for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the great work.

  23. make money from home said:

    Spectacular factors altogether, you only got a new audience. What exactly can you advocate when it comes to a person’s submit for you to built at times prior to now? Any kind of specific?

  24. Serrapeptase Benefits said:

    It’s laborious to seek out educated individuals on this matter, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  25. wi?cej said:

    Excellent career. You should write more these kinds of posts. You’re accomplished at composing.

  26. snort this said:

    I am glad to be a visitant of this pure blog, regards for this rare information!

  27. Jeorge H Waters said:

    I don’t think that it is so. And I myself prefer to pay for it but I have the best vpn for mac installed and I can download anything I want from torrent websites that are blocked for free.

  28. Greg Bjorg said:

    Wiki

  29. Seed Tracy said:

    It could be a perfect world of communism where you don’t have to pay but it is not now. If we play this game, we must be advantageous. So I decided to invest in ICO on icopulse.com I know this is strange, but this is my decision.

  30. Tim Wong said:

    I am utterly convinced that it should. I am for freedom. Once I have read an essay from https://rapidessay.com/assignment-writing-service.html about freedom and the author was so convincing. Then I changed my mind forever.

  31. apna smartphone said:

    thanks a lot for this information. I am visiting many website then I am visiting your website.
    your content and post is amazing it is very helpful. it’s awesome keep it up bro.
    apna smartphone

  32. riiupw afrass said:

    You may find yourself in the situation that you write a good essay but the teacher rejects it. The answer is simple. It is not enough to express your thoughts. https://fastessay.com Fast Essay writing has strict rules and requirements. You need to compose its structure according to a certain scheme. So you should not take it easy. It is not a simple narration. Essay writing needs professional skills.

  33. cary louder said:

    There are ideas provided cloud computing for small business on the page that make it really impressive. The great delivery of all such ideas is making the page so special and make the site one of the best in society. The great collection of ideas and topics is making the page so special than any other page too.

  34. maps goo said:

    Thank you for giving us this useful information

  35. clara smith said:

    When you call us for proofreading assistance, we guarantee that your assignment will be done on time. So, even if the deadline is only a few hours away, our writers will make sure you get your work on time.

    Whatever subject of study you are in, your ability to write high-quality
    accounting assignment help is critical to your success. Visit us to learn more about our top-rated essay editing service and work with the industry’s best writers who will ensure you get the greatest scores possible.

    You can also utilise our no-cost essay help.

    https://kambadyami.cu.ma/read-blog/264

    Related Blog-

    Want to hire a reliable custom essay writing service? Choose Allessaywriter.com

  36. Dasty said:

    Bringing home a new puppy is a wonderful experience involving the whole family, which is why we begin training early to ease the transition to their new home and family. overwhelming at first, amount of support, we assist in the preparations to make it less stressful. To provide a completely different environment for our puppies, we thoroughly researched and make sure this puppies will only go to respectable families
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  37. Floor Striping Pickerington OH said:

    This type of message always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content, so happy to find good place to many here in the post, the writing is just great, thanks for the post.

  38. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  39. Derek Gilmore said:

    It contains a lot of useful information. Today, I was looking for posts similar to this one on the Internet. Your kind words are very much appreciated. In addition to writing blog posts, I write article descriptions. I appreciate your visit. This is a very well written article. I have an fixed a tool to test our your webcam here. Using this method, you can easily fix your webcam. See my webcam profile above for more information. Please refer my profile and test your webcam. Visit here https://linktr.ee/webcamtest

  40. Asad Rai said:

    For me, I don’t think so all information should be free. If you work hard and be yourself and you have a brand name in the market you shouldn’t give information free because people will not respect that.
    Suppose that there is a Youtuber whose name is star anonymous and star anonymous net worth is about $12000 a year.
    If starts providing free information and skills he learns it will be a waste. People respect only paid promotions. Anonymous deserves some money because of the hard work he did.

  41. SQL assignments said:

    My Assignment experts guarantee an A+ grade in your SQL assignments and exam and My Assignment experts are 24/7 hours available. We guaranteed top-class assistance and 100 % plagiarism-free writing. We promise on-time delivery at an affordable price. Avail of our service at a minimum 30 % discount rate with added benefits.

  42. Joe Clark said:

    Best Merchant Cash Advance Leads are exclusive Leads addressed to you Merchant Cash Advance Leads is the Qualified MCA Leads Data provider as a firm in the entire globe.

  43. lawn mowing townsville said:

    When you need expert lawn maintenance service, we are the people to call. We provide lawn mowing services Wollongong
    are proud of. We also provide a lawn mowing services Rockhampton based to ensure all people across australia can experience the #1 lawn care service!

  44. Ndure Shoes said:

    Shop from a wide range of ladies shoes from Ndure Shop from a wide variety of Women s chappals, sandals, sneakers, sports wear, loafers, slipons and heels from Ndure Our shoes are made from best quality material that is durable Shop from a wide range shoes color and style At Ndure, we have a fashion for each one of You.
    Shop best quality fancy heels shoes for women and pencil heels from Ndure Shop from a wide range of colours and styles, available exclusively at Ndure. Ndure Women s fancy heels and pencil heels are made from best quality materials, with soft sole Style a chic look in Ndure Shoes At Ndure, we have fashion for every one of You.

  45. John David said:

    Very knowledgeable article. For more info
    https://www.heededucation.com.au/diploma-of-accounting/

  46. John David said:

    Some of the information should be free. For more info https://www.heededucation.com.au/xero-accounting-and-payroll/

  47. Keshav said:

    Raabta Lyrics – Agent Vinod : Raabta Lyrics of Agent Vinod (2012): This is a lovely song from Agent Vinod starring Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Gulshan Grover and Prem Chopra. It is sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh and Joi Barua and composed by Pritam Chakraborty.000

  48. Saaj Bhatt said:

    Waqt Karta Jo Wafa Aap Hamare Hote Lyrics from Dil Ne Pukara is Hindi song in the voice of Mukesh. Waqt Karta Jo Wafa Aap Hamare Hote song lyrics are written by Indeep Bakshi, its tune is made by Kalyanji Anandji.

  49. ShopECS said:

    ECS is the most reliable place for you when it comes to buying sneakers shoes for girls. Our product is made with best and high quality leather material.

  50. Flormar said:

    From Flormar.pk shop the best concealer for your face and reduce dark circles under your eyes. Choose the perfect concealer-corrector from a huge range of shades available in Pakistan.

  51. Borjan Shoes said:

    Borjan offers its customers the best bags for men in Pakistan. We have the highest quality men’s bags and leather laptop bags in pakistan for great prices. Buy from Borjan’s amazing collection of men’s bags online. Get your favorite men’s bags from Borjan to keep yourself in style and comfort at the same time.

  52. Metro Shoes said:

    Metro shoes offer their customers the highest quality men sports shoes and wallets. Get the best available mens sandals in Pakistan.

  53. Servis Shoes said:

    Servis.pk is a leading online store that provides trendy and stylish Sneakers for women, men, and kids at affordable prices. Buy online Sneakers for women, Sandals, Chappals, Casual Wear Shoes, Heels, and Pump Shoes in different sizes at a reasonable Price from Servis Pk. We can deliver in all Metro cities across Pakistan, like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.

  54. Rios Cosmetics said:

    Rios provides wide range of best beauty blender with reasonable prices in all over Pakistan. The store aims to provide satisfaction through high quality products such as beauty blenders and beauty blender sponges.

  55. Oxeltech said:

    Electronic design services involve the process of designing and developing electronic devices or systems, such as circuit boards, microprocessors, and other Electronic design services. These services are typically offered by companies that specialize in electronic engineering and design.

  56. cavpshost said:

    Hosting companies that provide virtual private server plans for Windows operating systems at a reasonable price, they are cheap windows vps hosting. These plans often offer a range of customizable resources and features, including as RAM, storage, and CPU cores, to meet a variety of hosting requirements.

  57. Maples Closet said:

    Discover the timeless elegance of our Kaftan Abaya at Maples Closet. Immerse yourself in a fusion of modern trends and traditional flair, as our meticulously crafted Kaftan Abayas bring sophistication and comfort to your wardrobe. Explore our exclusive collection that caters to your unique style and celebrates the essence of modest fashion.

  58. BabyBoxShop said:

    Unwrap joy with our Baby Box Gift Boxes – a symphony of baby essentials nestled within beautifully designed packages. These boxes are not just presents; they’re an experience of opening happiness. With a variety of themes and contents to choose from, these gift boxes offer a charming and convenient way to celebrate a new addition to the family.

  59. BSNS Consulting said:

    At BSNS Consulting, we offer you unparalleled Business Advisory Services near me. Our team of expert consultants is dedicated to providing personalised solutions that drive growth and success for your business. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, our strategic insights and industry knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions and achieve your goals.

  60. BSNS Consulting said:

    Business Consultancy and Services. Our team is committed to enhancing your company’s revenue and efficiency through comprehensive advisory, strategic planning, and process optimization. Whether you need help with market entry strategies or performance improvement, we’ve got you covered with end-to-end solutions.

  61. CAvps Host said:

    Looking for a budget-friendly VPS windows cheap hosting solution? Look no further! At CAVPS Host, we offer top-notch virtual private servers tailored to meet your Windows-based needs without breaking the bank. Our cost-effective VPS plans ensure high performance, robust security, and seamless scalability, all at a fraction of the price you’d expect. Experience the power of Windows VPS without compromising on quality. Explore our range of cheap Windows VPS hosting options today and elevate your online presence with CAVPS Host!

  62. Tiptop-Einrichtung said:

    Nagel Tisch is a simple term for a nail table or manicure table, similar to “Nageltisch.” It’s used for performing nail-related services and typically includes storage for nail care tools and products.

  63. iHost VPS said:

    Take your online presence to new heights with our Canada-based Virtual Private Servers. Buy Canada VPS plans to ensure excellent website performance and low latency for your Canadian audience. Benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructure, premium hardware, and exceptional support while establishing a strong online presence in Canada.

  64. CAvpshost said:

    Discover Cheap Windows RDP VPS hosting solutions at CaVPS Host. We provide a reliable platform for remote access to your virtual server, all at a wallet-friendly price point. Benefit from top-notch performance and efficiency without compromising your budget.

  65. Vallee Real Estate said:

    Trust Vallee Real Estate as your esteemed New Westminster realtor, where our top-tier real estate agents are dedicated to delivering premium services. Benefit from expert guidance and access to exceptional properties, ensuring a seamless and rewarding real estate journey that exceeds your expectations.

  66. Ginkgo Retail said:

    Ginkgo Retail provides a strategic roadmap on how to reduce customer returns, leveraging data-driven insights and innovative approaches. Our tailored solutions pinpoint the root causes behind returns, empowering businesses to proactively address issues. Through streamlined processes and proactive customer engagement, we enhance product accuracy and customer satisfaction, minimizing return rates. With our expertise in predictive analytics and personalized experiences, Ginkgo Retail guides businesses in implementing effective policies and practices that mitigate return complexities. Gain a competitive edge by partnering with us to navigate the landscape of reducing customer returns, fostering lasting customer loyalty and optimizing operational efficiency.

Leave a Reply