[Leaplist] CopyNight Orlando: let's talk about copyright

[Gavin Baker]

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> Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2007 05:32:06 -0400
> From: patrick <pberry2 at cfl.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [Leaplist] CopyNight Orlando: let's talk about copyright
> 
> Gavin Baker wrote:
>> Looking for kindred spirits in Orlando!
>> 
>> I'm looking to start an Orlando meet-up of CopyNight, a monthly social
>> discussion of copyright law and related topics. I used to host the group
>> in Gainesville and it was always fun: drinking beer, talking about the
>> latest controversies, who's suing whom, and what it means for creativity
>> & consumers. (i.e. the news from Slashdot and Boing Boing)
>> 
>> I'm trying to contact people who might be interested in a CopyNight
>> meet-up. Interested individuals should fill out this brief survey, to
>> help with scheduling & logistics:
>> 
>> http://tinyurl.com/yqf36m
>> 
>> More information on CopyNight is available at: www.copynight.org
>> 
>> Please forward to anyone who might be interested!
>> 
>> (Apologies for cross-posting)
>> 
>> P.S. Recently relocated... hoping to make it to a LUG meeting some time!
>> --
>> Gavin Baker
>> http://www.gavinbaker.com/
>> gavin at gavinbaker.com
> 
> 
> Being fairly busy myself, I can only make one meeting a month as it is.
> Right now, it is an all day installfest.
> 
> Do we have any chance at helping form new and viable copyright?
> Perhaps you could meet us at the Installfest, and other meetings.
> 
> Meet-up kind of fizzled, when they decided to charge dues for their info
> net... and, now, I am unable to imbibe anything beyond ice water or tea.
> 
> I believe we have power, when we believe similar things as individuals,
> but, we act in concert, where there are millions of us writing and
> protesting the imposed restrictions that are well beyond the intent and
> reasoning that is fair.  Will Copynight.org help in the effort?
> 
> What many of us need is to see the facts of political efforts to change
> copyright so as to meet the greater needs of society.  Too often have
> special interests and their groups of money hungry lawyers descended
> upon the weak and the innocent, unjustly, at the expense of colleges,
> universities, and the public.
> 
> EFF and the FSF seem to cover a lot of this ground for me.
> 
> I am sort of thinking out loud, about the coordination of efforts to
> rally supportors for various causes, and then witness the failure to
> attract large numbers.
> 
> A huge success I have witnessed is Grassroots.org.

Sorry for the delay in replying.

The goal of CopyNight (similar to the goal of a LUG) is to build social
capital. You meet new people, share ideas, learn new things, develop a
sense of community.

Not only do participants learn new facts, they also develop their skills
(social skills, communication, rhetoric). This engagement, knowledge,
skills, and community makes it easier to win politically.

So that's the grand policy-level perspective. From the participants'
point of view, it's just fun, a chance to network, drink a brew, chat
about the news.

- --
Gavin Baker
http://www.gavinbaker.com/
gavin at gavinbaker.com

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