Information Doesn't Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age

Author: Cory Doctorow

ISBN-13: 9781940450469

Publisher: McSweeney's Publishing

Published: 2014

One Sentence Summary: A culturally-informed exploration of the challenges and opportunities presented by the Internet, creator economies, and digital rights management.

Why I Chose This Book: Content note: I checked out this book from the library because I wanted to understand more about digital rights management, copyright, and the economics of content creation in the internet age. I wasn't expecting intros written by Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman, but for those of us who now find those names jarring, I'd suggest skipping the forwards.

Offsetting that, Wil Wheaton's narration of the audiobook is engaging and makes for an easy listen. I picked this up because Doctorow is a well-known commentor on internet culture and digital rights who continues to speak meaningfully to the boots on the ground work of grinding the creator economy.

Lingering Questions

How has the internet made it easier to share information, but harder for creators to make a living?

What are the implications of DRM (digital rights management) on consumer rights and fair use?

What role do governments and corporations play in shaping the future of digital content & publishing?

How can we support a sustainable ecosystem for creators and artists in the age of free information?