Toppling the closed culture monopolists

subvertising, black markets, overlay networks, smart word-of-mouth marketing, heavy dvd distribution, community wireless, community broadband,

along with pamphlets, coffee mugs, rocks glasses, paper fans and pens, all bearing the names of prominent free culture and open source resources specifically for artists and coders.

getting rid of copyright means convincing a huge portion of the population that free culture is important and that copyright is evil
If we are able to reach the point at which we CAN get rid of copyright, then the closed culture companies will need to change or die

That is going to require that we avoid relying on mainstream media or infrastructure controlled by them (AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, in Texas), such as community wireless or nerdy events, to start with, so we can spread our influence from there.

If by closed culture we mean not allowing non-commercial sharing then changing the copyright law would solve this problem. They can't stop their product from being shared and cannot have a closed culture. Except perhaps in software if they are not required to be open sourced.

@amandajohnson, this thread was actually partially inspired by you bringing up concerns that in the absence of copyright, the copyright industry would still exploit artists.

Like, for example, we get rid of copyright. But these corporations still have all the money. They still have a monopoly on people's attention. They're still the ones who control pop culture, because they're the only ones who can just throw money into the air and have a marketing campaign materialize. So they can still take your song, use it on an episode of Glee, and not credit you. And the backlash wouldn't do a thing.

That's what you were concerned about, right?

@alexmcoyo I think you're onto something. I think we should all try and get https://openwireless.org started up in our local communities. If the telecoms fight back, well, then I guess we have a political fight on our hands.

I'm also working on starting a mutual aid group for indie artists. Instead of going to a publisher or distributor for financing, promotion, and talent-finding, they go to each other. I feel like I've been talking about that for way too long instead of achieving things, though, so I'm going to wait until we see some results to suggest anything further on that front.

http://www.communitywireless.org/

http://www.muninetworks.org/

@zacqaryadamgreen Yes, that is what I am concerned about. I do not see how, without laws, protect artists from that. Even if we shut down corporations, we will still have rich people or people who have great reputations. There will still be a power difference between various artists and modes of publication.

get involved with existing subcultures who value independence. Hardcore/Punk for years used to pride itself from independence from mainstream media. Its not the only scene like this

So get involved in local music scenes, and help turn your fellow pirate on to them. Same with movies, art, etc....

Find local scenes full of non-corporate independents and do your best to support them, and turn your fellow pirate on to theme.

I think the best way to do this is to create our own alternative structures. Artists are getting fucked by the current system, i we replace it then they will work with us.

@amandajohnson something like this?
https://snowdrift.coop/