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silveroxide_'s review
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Essential reading for anyone doing creative work that appears on digital platforms. Yes, even 10 years after 1st publication. It’s a fast, engaging read, and the audiobook is read by the always excellent Wil Wheaton.
mrfroggy's review against another edition
4.0
Theres always some underlying sinophobia and racism when white tech guys who defend things like free speech and data privacy always manage to slip through in every tech "leftist" book/article ive read that just makes their entire analyses incomplete and skewed in favor of american hegemony over true access to information for the entire world
While this book is good primer on the ongoing internet copyright fight between industry gatekeepers and artists and their fans, which i think does a particularly good job at explaining the actual outcomes of copyright legislation, it doesnt do a satisfactory analysis (imo at least) on actionable steps or american imperialism through copyright. I understand this is primarily focused on creative work though, but i wouldve liked to see more about news media and journalism as a means of reality control, since the author seems to care so much about free speech
While this book is good primer on the ongoing internet copyright fight between industry gatekeepers and artists and their fans, which i think does a particularly good job at explaining the actual outcomes of copyright legislation, it doesnt do a satisfactory analysis (imo at least) on actionable steps or american imperialism through copyright. I understand this is primarily focused on creative work though, but i wouldve liked to see more about news media and journalism as a means of reality control, since the author seems to care so much about free speech
kitsuneheart's review
5.0
Phenomenal. A must for anyone trying to make a living using any sort of digital media, be it books, music, videos, or whatever we might invent in the future.
The basic idea: DRM does pretty much nothing to protect your work and, if the DRM isn't under the creator's complete control, it takes away power from that creator and gives it to someone else. Doctorow doesn't so much argue 100% against DRM, but he does advocate for more control to be placed in the hands of those who have created things, and he urges the artists of today to rethink their relationship with publishers, labels, and producers.
While occasionally witty, Doctorow's main talent is in giving simple explanations that are in no ways dumbed down. He guides his readers through the complexities of copyright, DRM, and the basic function of the Internet in a manner that will inform all but the most timid of techno-phobes.
I received the audiobook version of this book for backing a Humble Bundle (an organization Doctorow is very involved with, as he mentions in the book), and the narration of Will Wheaton is, as always, a delight. I can pretty much be swayed to listen to an audiobook if I find out he's the narrator. If this audiobook should ever appear on the HB again, get it! Or, if you can't wait for a great Bundle, buy directly from Doctorow's website.
Do it. Do iiiiiiit.
The basic idea: DRM does pretty much nothing to protect your work and, if the DRM isn't under the creator's complete control, it takes away power from that creator and gives it to someone else. Doctorow doesn't so much argue 100% against DRM, but he does advocate for more control to be placed in the hands of those who have created things, and he urges the artists of today to rethink their relationship with publishers, labels, and producers.
While occasionally witty, Doctorow's main talent is in giving simple explanations that are in no ways dumbed down. He guides his readers through the complexities of copyright, DRM, and the basic function of the Internet in a manner that will inform all but the most timid of techno-phobes.
I received the audiobook version of this book for backing a Humble Bundle (an organization Doctorow is very involved with, as he mentions in the book), and the narration of Will Wheaton is, as always, a delight. I can pretty much be swayed to listen to an audiobook if I find out he's the narrator. If this audiobook should ever appear on the HB again, get it! Or, if you can't wait for a great Bundle, buy directly from Doctorow's website.
Do it. Do iiiiiiit.
yates9's review
3.0
The book makes me think, and is full of insight, but is presented in a disconnected manner so that I am actually not really sure where Cory wants me to land, what are the values, the balance.
I say, I prefer to read reviews of this book than the original as the synthesis forces you to iron out inconsistencies...
I say, I prefer to read reviews of this book than the original as the synthesis forces you to iron out inconsistencies...
antisocial_auntie's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting take on how artists can be supported by their work, how putting blocks on arts create the desire to seek illegal ways to get the show/song/video, and made me think about when and how I go out of my way to financially support the artists I love.