Take money for example. If you asked most people what money meant to them, I think you would likely hear back that it money was a source of security or freedom. It’s sort of understood that we are given money relative to our perceived usefulness to others in our society. It’s not a perfect system to be sure, but the aim of money is to reward the most useful and productive with the freedom to live in whatever manner suits them best.
Aaron Swartz was clearly one of the most useful and productive young men of the internet age, but he seemingly had no interest in money. A true egalitarian, he saw money as a hindrance to human progress. He sought to circumvent intellectual property rights and he justified his actions by pointing out that ultimately the spread of knowledge was for the betterment of all.
I agree, to an extent. There is no doubt in my mind that the world would be a better place if there were more open access to information. And I believe in equality, but only to a point. I believe in equality when it doesn’t cost me anything. I think Aaron Swartz had a vision for the future where access to information was universal, where privilege was minimized and where, ultimately, an individual’s drive and merit determined their educational opportunities.
How can I not support this vision now? Well, for the very selfish reason that I have paid a small fortune and gone deeply into debt to get access to the education that I’ve received (and continue to receive). I did so because partially because I was born curious and partially because I was afraid that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to get a job that I found fulfilling and intellectually stimulating. After all, there is a great many more people who want good jobs than there are good jobs to be had. Competition or more specifically, fear of failure lies at the root of my reluctance to embrace openness and sharing. It’s petty and short-sighted and I know it, but the little voice is there none the less.
On the other hand, I have no desire to see my children held back because they didn’t have the financial resources to crack open the horde of knowledge and learning held within our universities. Ultimately, I recognize that Aaron has a superior point of view. We need look no further than the benefits that widespread public education has brought to the world for proof.
But I also have a personal anecdote. I come from a family of storytellers. One of the oldest stories I know comes from the time of my grandfather’s grandfather when the Kennys were peasant farmers in Byrnesgrove, County Kilkenny. As the story goes, there was a gentleman who took it upon himself to teach my great, great grandfather how to read. He not only gave him the skills, he shared with him a rather extensive personal library.
My great, great grandfather taught his brothers and sisters the trick of reading and the whole family taught their children. My grandfather credits this early exposure to literacy as the reason why so many Kennys subsequently became successful professionals. It might not be as simple as that but the family certainly benefited from the generosity of their landlord.
I may not be Aaron Swartz, but I am a little bit better for having learned about his life, his goals and his achievements. He was an inspiring young man.