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Code: And Other Laws Of Cyberspace
There’s a common belief that cyberspace cannot be regulated—that it is, in its very essence, immune from the government’s (or anyone else’s) control.Code argues that this belief is wrong. It is not in the nature of cyberspace to be unregulable; cyberspace has no �nature.” It only has code—the software and hardware that make cyberspace what it is. That code can create a pla...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
November 30th 1999
by Basic Books
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Very easy to read, but a bit repetitive. This is an interesting introduction to some regulation debates surrounding cyberspace.
It also proposes a specific fix to some of the problems (a coded ID system which would eliminate some of the anonymity of the web) which seems a bit too neat.
Having such a solution in the book is both a great virtue of it and a downside as well. The good part is that this solution makes the book not merely a series of paranoid criticisms, which is too often the norm in...more
It also proposes a specific fix to some of the problems (a coded ID system which would eliminate some of the anonymity of the web) which seems a bit too neat.
Having such a solution in the book is both a great virtue of it and a downside as well. The good part is that this solution makes the book not merely a series of paranoid criticisms, which is too often the norm in...more
This book goes over the new challenges that the internet introduces. Gone is the idea of a black and white geological location of anyone connected to the Net. If you buy Nazi paraphernalia (ignoring for a moment the shameful fact that there is such a thing) in France from a person in the United States you've broken the law...or have you? In France, it's illegal to buy anything Nazi-related, in the US it's not.
This is but one example of the new problems we're dealing with because of how the inte...more
This is but one example of the new problems we're dealing with because of how the inte...more
In Code: Version 2.0 Lessig gives us the best kind of general-audience academic book. He focuses on asking questions and presenting frameworks of thought, but he doesn't hide his own opinions about how those questions should be resolved. He synthesizes literature and provides good references, but in an unobtrusive way that doesn't interrupt the flow of his own writing. And most importantly, he opens the door to an exciting array of ideas.
Personally, but I found most interesting were his theories...more
Personally, but I found most interesting were his theories...more
Describes how the internet or cyberspace is being regulated and the role of code, encompassing embedded software and hardware code as well as current laws. With regulability being determined by architecture, norms, law and market forces, cyberspace may well end up being the most regulated and intrusive "space". In introducing cyberspace, it distinguishes cyberspace from the internet based on the lifespan plus the level of control and interaction e.g. internet banking vs a virtual world like Seco...more
Would have given it 2 1/2 stars if I was able to. It was okay...read it as required reading for a class..a bit of it went a bit above my head. But the majority was also a bit outdated as this was written in 1999. He has a newer version of this from 2006, and I wish I had read that instead. I believe the newer one would have different views of his ideas of controlling and regulating the Internet and whether it is possible...discussing law, code, and the ethics it involves. It was interesting, but...more
This should be required reading for any digital rights activist. Although Lessig is ocassionaly quit the American lawyer he manages to make a set of important arguments with a clarity of thought that I haven't encountered elsewhere in the thinking on intellectual property, privacy and free speech.
He argues compellingly that "Code Is Law" and the way he makes explicit what "things" regulate (law, norms, market an architecture) is an incredibly valuable tool for framing future discussions about th...more
He argues compellingly that "Code Is Law" and the way he makes explicit what "things" regulate (law, norms, market an architecture) is an incredibly valuable tool for framing future discussions about th...more
I had to read this for a class on technology and policy. It's the first book by Lessig that I've read. The writing seemed tortuous to get through, but maybe that's because it was edited by a group using a wiki. It's really not until the last couple chapters that Lessig reaches his thesis -- that we should be wary of taking a libertarian response towards changes to the architecture, norms, and laws of cyberspace. Lessig wants us to thoughtfully consider these changes and work within the structure...more
This book has some fairly interesting perspectives on our situation of being in the real world and cyberspace at the same time, and what that means for everything from copyright to consumerism. However, I think it was overly wordy and got into too many side topics.
Very clear, if a bit slow for someone with any background on internet issues. It's a great read; maybe a bit academic for your typical nonfiction, but not unreasonably dense either.
Incredibly insightful and densely packed. Lessig not only examines the implications of online design and functioning (and of the decisions made that result in and/or support both); he offers well-thought-out approaches to combating the more troubling aspects of the digital world.
While this is the first of Lessig's books I've read, it seems to function as an introduction to the scope of his body of work. For that reason, and perhaps because the first edition was published in 1999, it is at times rather pedagogic, especially for someone who has grown up with the internet. His style is lucid and readable, although I think 15-20% of the text is spent talking about the arguments he is going to make, as opposed to simply making them. Still, a work of formidable intellectual v...more
This is a really terrific assessment of the current state of Information, particularly as it exists on the Internet. Lessig's biggest concerns are showing readers that the current state of the Internet has nothing to do with the essential nature of the Internet, but is rather the product of conscious choices that have been made to affect the code behind the Internet throughout its history. He also hammers home that a change in the code (or the law, norms, or market that house/effect the Internet...more
Some interesting stuff here about how regulation and code are interdependent. Very dry though.
i went through a copyright law phase in middle school. mostly because of pirating music.
An interesting take on the internet and digital technology in general. Lessig claims that far from being an anarchy, the internet is bound rigidly by a set of laws: its code. By changing the design of the code, we change the space, the culture, the use.
Lessig argues for a series of changes which he thinks should be made to the code. Many of these deal with the intellectual property, copyright, and ownership issues which Lessig deals with at Creative Commons.
This is the older version of the book...more
Lessig argues for a series of changes which he thinks should be made to the code. Many of these deal with the intellectual property, copyright, and ownership issues which Lessig deals with at Creative Commons.
This is the older version of the book...more
classic and foundational work on cyberlaw.
I think remains Larry's greatest book.
Had to read this for a class, but was surprised to see I actually enjoyed it! A really easy, interesting read about the effect of the internet and technology on our culture, law and government. There is some scary stuff in here about the power of technology and what people are willing to give up in terms of human rights, just so they can have their life somewhat easier because of internet capabilities. Big Brother stuff all over the place..only it's true and Lessing shows you where and how to co...more
Brilliant, foundational, etc.
A great book. It gives me a fresh look at how technology affects laws (and how people react to it). Lessig is one of my fav writers.
This book is a must if you want to study (or just want to know the issue around) cyberlaw. Granted, his view is more closer to the open source and anti-IPR people like me.
This book is a must if you want to study (or just want to know the issue around) cyberlaw. Granted, his view is more closer to the open source and anti-IPR people like me.
while i appreciate the updated-as-a-wiki sort of thing, it reads as if it were written by committee. which is very disappointing since Lessig's other books show that he is actually a fantastic writer.
Still, good info if you're into it.
Still, good info if you're into it.
An early warning of the mechanisms of control that would vie to strangle the internet in the 21st century. written when the naive were saying the 'net would route around censorship. A seminal text.
I'm skeptical (and a little surprised) by Lessig's willingness to embrace a top-down architecture approach to net design, but this book is a must-read for anyone that wants to be more than just a surfer.
Aug 31, 2008
Weavre
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
politics-issues-history,
sorting
MILL NON-FIC ADULT ST MAIN RM 343.73 LES
Author: Lawrence Lessig
Publisher: Basic Books, 2000
ISBN: 046503912X, 0465039138
Author: Lawrence Lessig
Publisher: Basic Books, 2000
ISBN: 046503912X, 0465039138
Impossible to rate for me: it was interesting and thought-provoking, although I strongly object to some of the arguments/conclusions made.
Revisiting Lessig for the dissertation, particularly his perspectives on regulation.
still reading - addresses freedom, privacy, intellectual property choices - about the net
Interesting and timely read given the current debate on network neutrality.
Jun 02, 2007
Kateywatey
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all internet users
A must-read for anyone who spends at least an hour of their lives on the internet.
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Lawrence "Larry" Lessig (born June 3, 1961) is an American academic and political activist. He is best known as a proponent of reduced legal restrictions on copyright, trademark, and radio frequency spectrum, particularly in technology applications.
He is a director of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics at Harvard University and a professor of law at Harvard Law School. Prior to rejoi...more
More about Lawrence Lessig...
He is a director of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics at Harvard University and a professor of law at Harvard Law School. Prior to rejoi...more
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04. März, 06:55 Uhr