Is it really free?

Yeah that's kind of my point.

Internet censorship is a reality. It's more than a government proposing a filter at the ISP level, or the Great Firewall of China. It's censorship with corporate controlled websites, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter etc. Link blocking, user blocking, interestingly timed service failures, stacking the deck in a search engine. Putting little xif files on phones and all the rest.

Whilst we can put up information and try and find reputable sources, there's impediments to that. The current IP wars are an example. People who aren't profiting from sharing information can still be penalised. Users can only see abstracts for free, unless they have a lot of money. Puts pressure on unis, but what about everyone else?

We want people to be better informed and for science to proliferate, but we've left it in the hands of corporate publishers. Everyone is screwed over by that.

Now try and blog. If you want to be informative and detailed, you've got a space problem and people are trained to soak up little nibbles of data, not to read at length. Blog sites are often designed for this. So do what, have a website? To do it for free requires technical skills most people have, to do it professionally is at a cost most cannot pay. If you've got the skills, you may well not have the time to keep informed in the areas you'd like to talk about.

Not to mention that computing technology has built in obsolecense and is prohibitively expensive to maintain.

How we're all doing this - debt.

*most people don't have those technical skills, I mean. Like php or python, etc, server level languages

The Pub Model is insufficient.

The Library Model needs to be combined with it.

If we just have Pub, we have Beer, and Boobs and Loud Noises. All are fun (well depends who you ask) but how much can ya learn or teach when you're drunk?

If we just have Library, we have lots of books, and we can't talk Shoosh.

Hence, a combination.

Well, when I read I read, and when I drink I mostly drink, even if I may open a paper now and again, but I doubt I would open a book. But loud noises and beer works splendidly for me too :). As for how much one learn while pubing I'm not sure although I'm willing to give it a try, not expecting any instant success though?

A programmer Emma?

Reading above comments like Yoron's is a joy. To know other people think the way you do - even though others may try to intimidate (trolls/people with massive chips on shoulders) I find the majority of people on web-sites like this to be interesting, informative, often very funny. I have even made close friends with a couple. Had I been out clubbing or pubbing (I think pubing might be something a bit more personal ;) ) I doubt I'd be any of the above except entertained.

While I have conflicting views of Assange, his is a much needed voice in these days of monopolised media. I support his campaign for a more open society and free of those "power-structures" which can be from either the left or right but are all about control.

The neocon Baillieu government is now proposing laws that anyone over .05 caught driving will have interlock devices fitted to their car - even if a first offence. I agree with the fitting of interlocks to recidivist drivers. However, this latest 'idea' from so-called proponents of libertarianism is simply an attempt to appear tough.

The legal costs of such action will tie up our courts even further, advantage only the lawyers and sellers of interlocks, nor has any study has been done as to whether such draconian measures will reduce drink driving. Guess where I am going to link to for further reading? Even the H/un sometimes has something worthwhile to print even if I completely disagree with the Murdoch tabloid's favouring of 'nanny-state' measures to control.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/turn-off-for-drink-drivers/story-e6frfhqo-1226584540222

Not a programmer. I wish.

What Dianna said about pubing. I'm sure you could learn from that but I'm not sure it helps the digital liberty cause.

Loud noises and beer work for some. I was just drawing a bow.

Personally, I prefer the Library and then going to a nice quiet picnic table and having a chat about it.

Translate into internet version at your leisure.

Basicallly, back to main topic. People like Assange are part of a broader movement for digital liberties and free information.

That's good for every one, but it's particularly good for isolated people with low noise tolerance that don't like beer.

So, let's keep that movement going.

But I suppose if there is some kind of intergovernmental conspiracy it's because certain groups don't like the movement.

In which case....keep picking up the torch.

I don't know Emma, I find most public figures pompous icons for a cause,and I, a cynic here, just want to give them a really big welcome, right into their face. I consider most people seeking public office the ones least suitable for it. I'm most probably older than
n you, been traveling extensively, and don't really expect anything wondrous anymore.

But I love honesty.
And empathy

But that's no cause, in that case it will be just you.
And you better be prepared to defend it..