RMS at TEDx: Introduction to Free Software and the Liberation of Cyberspace

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37 points·jordigh··5 comments

If I didn't already know about free software I'd find this talk baffling. I thought TED talks were supposed to be inspiring?

You think? I suppose it's interesting to hear an opposing viewpoint, because it seemed like a good introduction to someone who doesn't know. What did you think would be confusing to the general public?

What about this interview instead?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUJtMlEwd6Q&t=1m15s

I found this video to much more informative about the issue of free software and hacker culture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pube5Aynsls

I think there is too much information crammed into a very short talk, so it makes fairly large leaps of logic at some points and makes weird claims about "universal back doors" etc. It's not made clear exactly what proprietary software even is. It all sounds very pessimistic and doesn't offer much advice beyond telling people to throw away all their proprietary software.

It might be better to explain examples of free software that people may already be using, or things that they might want to use. Perhaps show examples of why for example free access to source code allows poor schools in africa to customise software to their needs etc.

It's TEDx and not TED.

From the text: The TEDx talks are "designed to help communities, organizations, and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences."

EDIT: it is a "licensed event", but not TED.

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