Paying by the Word

The simple, inexpensive “fair use” copyright system under which the printed word has thrived is now in grave peril, Lawrence Lessig writes in The New Republic. He says the recent Google digital-copying settlement portends expense and legal hassles like those that stifle documentary filmmakers who depend on archival footage:

The deal constructs a world in which control can be exercised at the level of a page, and maybe even a quote. It is a world in which every bit, every published word, could be licensed. ...We begin to sell access to knowledge the way we sell access to a movie theater, or a candy store, or a baseball stadium. We create not digital libraries, but digital bookstores: a Barnes & Noble without the Starbucks. ... Before we release a gaggle of lawyers to police every quotation appearing in any book, can we stop for a moment to consider whether this way of organizing access to culture makes sense?

Digital rights and copyright are going to be one of the bugaboos in our future,

A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death. -Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (1879-1955)

From Albert Einstein himself, courtesy of A Word A Day.

This comment really struck me as a Toastmaster.  This is exactly why I joined and stay in Toastmasters.  When I joined I was a good speaker, but a poor communicator.  I find, and I am sure many of you would agree, that most people come just to be better speakers.  Once they are more comfortable speaking they often leave and use their new skills.  So few stay and refocus their efforts on being better communicators.

Why can't we, as Toastmasters, communicate this part of the mission of the organization?  When I talk to people about being a Toastmaster they assume I went to be a better speaker.  They are often surprised to hear me talk about the communication skills I have learned.

An issue that has been much on my mind lately (as I watch District 27 Toastmasters spend all its energy on organization and alignment and ignore leadership development and program quality). Follow the link for development of the thought and video example from Jon Stewart.

So, what do you think about that Chinese idea you should pay your doctor when you stay healthy?