Open Access: a Right?

This week was rough for me, and for some reason I found myself thinking about the film we watched over and over. The Internet's Own Boy was both inspiring and heartbreaking.

First off, I was kind of in awe of so many things that went on that I was not completely aware of, even if it was a little bit before "my time" to really understand what is going on politically. I knew of different campaigns on censorship and the internet black out but really did not understand the concept of open-access and why it was needed, and needed quickly.

The night we watched this movie I only felt sadness. I was sad about Aaron's life. I was sad about Aaron's death. I was sad that information is not as "public" as I thought it was. The thing that really got to me, though, was the story about the kid creating an early indicator for cancer, and that if it were not for Aaron's work he would not be able to save the lives in which he has and will continue to do so. I stayed up late that night and thought long and hard about how I take information for granted. I take my special access to databases and services I pay for for granted. If this film taught me something it was that I need to recognize the privilege I have to have all of this knowledge at my fingertips, and I want to fight to make it more accessible for others.

I think my favorite thing that Dr. J said was that she "believes that knowledge is for sharing." I have never really thought of it that way, but I agree. Knowledge should not be exploited and turned into something that makes money but rather used as a tool to make the world a better place and not to control those who cannot have the same means to get to it.

Now that I have recognized something from this film that I never have, I will pay more attention to making knowledge and information something that everyone has a right to access. Also, the film inspired me because someone as intelligent and special as Aaron lived humbly and did not sell his abilities but decided to focus them on what he saw was wrong in the world. His intentions said it all, he could have made millions and instead chose to use his talents for advocacy and generosity. And I need to aim to use my talents for something as good as he did.