I, Pirate, Part IV …
p2pnet news view Freedom | P2P:- Pirates are defined by the corrupt corporate entertainment cartels as criminals and thieves, an appellation which more properly fits the cartels themselves.
But, inspired by Crosbie Fitch, we’re saying it’s a badge of honour to be worn with pride.
Yesterday, Crosbie gave the 21st century definition of ‘pirate’ as, “One who asserts and defends natural rights,” going on »»»
A pirate asserts and defends the natural right to liberty typically through file-sharing (qv 3. unauthorised reproduction) contrary to publishing corporations’ amassed privilege of copyright.
A pirate asserts and defends the natural right to privacy typically through technical measures and by campaigning against its invasion by state or corporations (whether to detect copyright infringement or to profile individuals to better target advertising to them).
Today he presents another interpretation.
It dates back to the 1800s but remains apt nonetheless.
This prose, “in apparent agreement,” comes from one George William Curtis, 1824-1892, writes Crosbie, quoting him as saying »»»
The end of all scholarly attainment is to live nobly. If a man read books merely to know books, he is a tree planted only to blossom. If he read books to apply their wisdom to life, then he is a tree planted to bear glorious fruit. He does not think for himself alone, nor hoard a thought as a miser a diamond. He spends for the world. Scholarship is not only the knowledge that makes books, but the wisdom which inspires that knowledge. The scholar is not necessarily a learned man, but he is a wise man.
If he be personally a recluse, his voice and influence are never secluded. If the man be a hermit, his mind is a citizen of the world.
If, then, such be the scholar and the scholar’s office, if he be truly the conscience of the State, the fundamental law of his life is liberty. At every cost, the true scholar asserts and defends liberty of thought and liberty of speech. Of what use to a man is a thought that will help the world, if he cannot tell it to the world?
From Orations and addresses of George William Curtis, VOLUME I. ON THE PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTER OP AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS, AND THE DUTIES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, 1856-1891
April, 2009
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April 30th, 2009 at 10:16 am
The final line “Of what use to a man is a thought that will help the world, if he cannot tell it to the world?” also ties in nicely with article 1 of the Pirate’s Code: “Spread mankindâs good works of art and knowledge to the four corners of the world.”
It’ll upset those publishers who believe that people must pay for each communication, each copy of that knowledge, that people just can’t be allowed to spread it freely – or they’ll be out of business…
April 30th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Another great article, crosbie!