Re: Patent breakthrough- maybe we don't need them after all?

From: Michael S. Lorrey (mike@datamann.com)
Date: Wed Mar 15 2000 - 17:15:45 MST


Lee Daniel Crocker wrote:

> > If you think that you have an equal 'right of access' to that
> > memespace, then you are no better than a socialist who is against
> > property rights.
>
> It is one thing to hold the opinion that infinitely copiable memespace

Assumption check: Who says memespace is infinte? In a finite universe, there is
a limited amount of memespace.

> should be fenced off and privately held the same way as uncopyable

> dirtspace, but it is quite another to continue claiming that those who
> oppose the former also oppose the latter when you know that's not true.

memescapes and landscapes are equal to me. I am equally comfortable living in
the land of ideas as I am living in concrete reality. This is one reason why
even extropians have let the socialist statists at ICANN steal the whole kit and
kaboodle out from under us. Since eventually that is where most of us will be
living one day, failing to see memespace as real estate is a serious
miscalculation.

> Either you can't see the obvious fundamental objective difference, or
> you are spreading a malicious lie; in either case, further rational
> argument with you on the issue is impossible until you admit that this
> statement is false, and that "property" and "intellectual property"
> are two completely separate things, unfortunate linguistic and legal
> similarities notwithstanding.

They are not separate things, if you accept the view that the mind is merely a
program. Your right of existence and self ownership is bound up in your right to
ownership of your own self program. Having legal structures that ensure that the
product of that software mechanism are properly paid for is an essential part of
your self ownership rights. If such structures are not in place, then for all
intents and purposes you are the slave of whoever feels like using your ideas in
violation of your contract with them individually, or with the social entity to
which you all belong.

--
TANSTAAFL!!!

Michael S. Lorrey Member, Extropy Institute http://www.extropy.org Member, National Rifle Association http://www.nra.org "Live Free or Die, Death is not the Worst of Evils." - General John Stark



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