| > power ... exerting force over a minority ... free software movements
were never about the openness nor the accessibility of the source
code. But about issues such as this. Yes, Free Software culture has always been more about justice on a new
(digital) frontier where new forms of injustice and abuse roam wild
(and have only grown worse). I sincerely think the best model for understanding big-tech
corporations like Google is as serfdom under feudal warlords within
modern fiefdoms. It closely mirrors these historical power relations
where laws and constitutions have nothing to say. The article is long and complex but I eventually found the kernel in
this line: > "A Google spokeswoman said the company stands by its decisions, even
though law enforcement cleared the two men." Though the moral questions behind it all are very complex, this case
is not itself actually that complex. There was no mistake. No lack of
proper investigation or tardiness by the police. The child, parent,
doctor and police - all of the parties except Google - acted fairly,
in good faith, mutuality and consent. Google is the problem here, and simply believes itself a law unto
itself, that's the nub of it. For all the posturing about complying
with the laws of nation states, companies like Facebook and Google
have grown smug about their power. When they roll over the toes of the
innocent, they laugh and say "and what are you going to do about it?" We are in new "might is right" times and nobody big enough has yet had
the courage to say "Act justly, or we will hurt you back", and then
follow up. For the ordinary citizen, the only sensible course is to resolutely
refuse to use their services and products, and Free Software which
provides so many alternatives to Google, Microsoft, Facebook and
suchlike is the solution. It is the moral choice that a good
citizen can and should make in these times. |