Lessig

The various areas of discussion in Lessig's work seem to be intimately related in the spread of ideas and information. From Kodak to Open Source software, we are able to see how early media beginnings have grown into wide-spread sources for a growing web of knowledge, learning, exploration and information. Lessig discusses the spread of images through early photography to people that may have never been exposed to such sights. So too we can see the benefits of educational programs like Just Think! as well as open source programming who's goals are both in the areas of collaboration and creative learning. All of the areas in Lessig's work seem to be rooted in democratic values allowing the public to explore ideas un-inhibited by commercial media. I found it interesting as Lessig talked about the importance and far reaching components of blogs. Lessig talks about the freedom people have in creating, reading, and adding to blogs. Blogs differ in commercial media outlets like TV news because blogs are not under the financial restraints imposed on TV media who's goal is to bring in revenue. Blogs instead, grow in popularity as readers join into discussions they have selected to be a part of. After popularity of a specific blog grows to a large enough number, only then might TV news begin to cover a story; of course presenting information through a targeted lens.
I agree with Ryan who tries to drive home the point of creating and sustaining freedoms. Individual freedoms grow and become positive, both for the individual as well as the greater community. Like the Just Think! program emphasises, I find it important to look for individuals strengths and find new creative ways for them to utilize them. As it creates a more positive life experience for them, it influences the lives of those around them, and now with the help of technology it can reach people around the world.
I do not recall ever hearing about, or at least understand what Open Source was. I was very interested and excited to watch and learn a little about what open source is (video). It is so interesting to see how collaboration and ingenuity can be used to make a free product available to all on the Internet. I learned open source is a way for people to work together by means of electronic code to create programs, systems and other computer based tools.