The Future of Ideas

Lawrence Lessig describes an interesting senario - one in which the free internet is increasingly regulated and controlled. I have a hard time believing that the internet can or will ever be controlled. While legal challenges are annoying and obtrusive, the litigious nature of our society is really an American phenomenon. The internet is an international mechanism that can be used by everyone on Earth. Such legal challenges may affect the way in which we use the internet, but I don't think they will be such a force for change that ideas and discussions will cease to exist. I think the future of ideas is bright. No one has a copyright on free thinking and debate. I have faith in our ability as Americans to not allow anything to thwart these discussions, whether it may be burdensome litigation of legislation. The freedom of the internet is so alluring that I cannot foresee any one allowing the "rules" to be changed so much that "these changes will end the revolution."

I also don't understand how "the cost of questioning becomes too great." Sometimes questioning things means that you are going to step on some toes. As long as it is done in a respectful and non-threatening manner, the questioner and the questioned will exist in harmony. I do understand that there may be risks, but I cannot subscribe to the overly-pessimistic view that it will be to "expensive" to ask appropriate questions. As I alluded to before, this prized tradition of free speech will not go away due to some perceived "costs." Great thoughts and ideas have a way of surviving to be heard by others.