Paper: Governance, Free Speech, Human Rights, Content Freedom

• There are oppressive governments in the world. The people in those countries would like to have freedom of press, or to talk, or to use the web. The government thinks they are a threat to 'public safety'. There are mostly-benign governments in the world. Some of the people are criminals that would like to speak safely and anonymously in the conduct of their trade. The government thinks they are a threat to public safety. Anonymous cash would be useful, but then Jim Bell argues it might form an Assasination Market. People would like to freely download and share music, but the music companies think this is unacceptable. People would like to freely share research, ideas, blogs, and knowledge, but some countries/companies think this is a threat. All two sides of the same coin.
• Prof Lessig argues that its the Code that regulates, meaning the computer code. Our society is so driven and controlled by what software allows, that its the programmers who set the rules for society. That means you. Technology does not discriminate. We can invent it either way -- so what should it be -- (1) software that allows free/anonymous speech/sharing by individuals or (2) software that allows control of speech/sharing by those in power.
• Take a side. Argue for it. Keep in mind the other side, and dont leave your argument open to trivial responses of 'but.. that would mean X'.
• Assignment will be submitted through Crowdgrader.
• After submission, you are required to grade peer submissions.

Submission link: https://www.crowdgrader.org/crowdgrader/venues/view_venue/3640 Links to an external site.