The Internet's Own Boy depicts the life of American computer programmer, writer, political organizer and Internet activist Aaron Swartz. It features interviews...
We often say, upon the passing of a friend or loved one, that the world is a poorer place for the loss. But with the untimely death of programmer and activist Aaron Swartz, this isn't just a sentiment; it's literally true. Worthy, important causes will surface without a champion equal to their measure. Technological problems will go unsolved, or be solved a little less brilliantly than they might have been. And that's just what we know. The world is robbed of a half-century of all the things we can't even imagine Aaron would have accomplished with the remainder of his life.
The worldwide push to develop offensive and defensive cyber-capabilities is compelling many U.S. allies, such as Qatar, to improve its computer defenses in the face of the growing threat. And like so many, Qatar has turned to the United States for help.
"If we can no longer provide information to the public because of rules and fees dictated to us by the rights holders, what purpose would we serve?... If we cannot secure these rights, it is not only libraries that lose but also our patrons. They will lose access to the depth and breadth of human knowledge."