Ryan B - Lessig

Tuesday, August 31, 2010


Ryan B



The invention of the personal camera was, like so many technologies, a milestone for the avaerage citizen...once it became affordable and easy to use of course. With this new tecnology the push of a sinlge button allowed people to explore the world in ways they never had before. It suddenly made even the simplest of people artists, not professionally speaking in most cases. What is considered art is left up to interpretation. In this same sense, the camera allowed a person to capture the world and interpret it as art and unique. If there had been a law passed about getting permission to "take" a photo much of this art and interpretation would have been lost and the camera as a form of expression probably would have fizzled.



The "Just Think" program is in many ways like the invention of the camera. The "Just Think" program is a tool allowing the simplest of people express themselves in ways they never had before. It allows the kids in this school to interpret the world as they see it and understand it. People learn best when they 1) enjoy what they are learning 2) can relate to what they are leaning & 3) can show what they are leaning by expressing it in their own way. The "Just Think" buses gave these kids a new way to learn and understand and, much like the camera, gave these kids the means to create art with just the click of a button.



On 9/11, technology gave people the ability to stay in touch with loved ones and keep in contact with one another. It showed up close and live the horros of that day. All day long the big news stations brodacasted the events for the world to see, and even today some images shown that day are no longer allowed to be shown. Did the media go too far that day? Did they not do enough? What ever the case, whether it was too much or too little, blogs around the world rose up to fill the gaps the mainstream media wasnt filling. In these blogs the truth was spoken and lies were made, condolences given and calls to action demanded. That day the people really had a voice like never before and they allowed everyone to say what they wanted to say and what needed to be said. Again, with just the click of a button the average person became a reporter in their own sense.



The fourth and final section is about one of the newest steps forward in technology. Free Software or Open-Sourse Software has, again with a simple click of a button, given the average Joe a means to express themsleves in ways they never had before. Much like the "Just Think" project a simple person can learn and express in simple ways. Being able to freely downlaod software allows people to learn on their own time. Many learn by "tinkering" and thats what the free downlaod of software allows many to do. Many can download updates for their digital camera or download new picture editing software for their camera and "tinker". It allows this chapter to come full circle and show how todays technology is helping us reinvent the camera and its use. It started with the camera and from their has grown into something much more than anyone could have imagined. Free expression is easier today than it ever was in our history and as long its as easy as a click of a button, then free expression and our interpretation will only continue to grow and give the average person a voice in this loud and fast-paced world.