commit 93855b083adb18aef6217d94a99c24b4bf6a0ca2 Author: Mike Gerwitz Date: Wed Mar 3 21:09:11 2021 -0500 Slides and notes These are the slides and notes that were presented at LP2021. The commits are squashed because some of the iterations contain unrefined thoughts that are a bit too raw to be presented and will come at a later time. diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore new file mode 100644 index 0000000..49c4fbe --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitignore @@ -0,0 +1,7 @@ +# generated +/*.pdf +/*.tex +/*.blg +/texput.log +/*.bbl + diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile new file mode 100644 index 0000000..09a2e95 --- /dev/null +++ b/Makefile @@ -0,0 +1,25 @@ +# Build presentation +# +# Copyright (C) 2021 Mike Gerwitz +# +# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify +# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by +# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or +# (at your option) any later version. +# +# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, +# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of +# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the +# GNU General Public License for more details. +# +# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License +# along with this program. If not, see . + + +default: slides.pdf + +# TODO: No local init.el! Isolate required options so that this is actually +# portable! +%.pdf: %.org %-preamble.tex + emacs --batch -l ~/.emacs.d/init.el $< -f org-beamer-export-to-pdf + diff --git a/images/tp/copyleft.png b/images/tp/copyleft.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b2ba7dd Binary files /dev/null and b/images/tp/copyleft.png differ diff --git a/images/tp/copyleft.svg b/images/tp/copyleft.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b4a7fdd --- /dev/null +++ b/images/tp/copyleft.svg @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/slides.org b/slides.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d7ccd1 --- /dev/null +++ b/slides.org @@ -0,0 +1,1037 @@ +#+startup: beamer +#+TITLE: Adopting Free Software Ideals +#+AUTHOR: Mike Gerwitz +#+EMAIL: mtg@gnu.org +#+DATE: LibrePlanet 2021 +#+OPTIONS: H:3 num:nil toc:nil p:nil todo:nil stat:nil +#+LaTeX_CLASS: beamer +#+LaTeX_CLASS_OPTIONS: [presentation,bigger] +#+BEAMER_THEME: Luebeck +#+BEAMER_COLOR_THEME: seagull +#+BEAMER_HEADER: \input{slides-preamble.tex} +#+TODO: DEVOID(v) LACKING(l) RAW(r) DRAFT(d) AUGMENT(A) REVIEWED(R) | READY(,) REHEARSED(.) +#+COLUMNS: %40ITEM %10DURATION{:} %8TODO %BEAMER_ENV(ENVIRONMENT) + +* About :noexport: +This file represents the source code for the slides for my LibrePlanet 2021 +talk, as well as the notes containing the text I originally intended to +say. There are a few things to note: + +- The notes are not /necessarily/ an intended transcript. As it tends to + be, when I'm in the moment, I may decide to do things slightly differently + and adapt to the audience. I may also forget something and end up having + to restructure what I was going to say. + +- This notes have not been updated to include what I did actually say. I + hope to provide a transcript in the future. + +- The checklists contain my original intent for this talk; I didn't purge + what I didn't get to. + +- See [[*Exporting]] for information on how to build the slides. + +* Project Notes :noexport: +These notes serve as a reification of thoughts; means of organization and +balance between the three groups; and a checklist to guide the development +of the talk. + +** Topics +*** All [6/8] +- [X] What ideals am I speaking of? +- [X] Be honest with yourself when you don't meet your ideals. Do not dilute + them, so that you can continue to work toward them. Do not be complacent + in your compromises. +- [X] Set your goals high and know that you will /fail to meet them/ for + some time. Keep at it. +- [X] By not admitting our faults, we set unattainable standards that drive + others away from our community. +- [X] The below three groups of roles are often blurred. Distinguish them + throughout the talk. +- [ ] Confirmation bias. +- [X] Impracticality is a self-fulfilling prophecy. +- [ ] Move forward. + +*** Activist/Advocate [9/14] +- [X] My computing is unrelatable and impractical to others. +- [X] My ability to be free is in part a matter of privilege (knowledge and + money). What good are freedoms that others cannot enjoy? + - Ex: my not running JS and still being able to use the web. +- [X] We need advocates deep in communities that many of us do not + participate in, and we need to engage with those advocates, not reject + them as "open source" enthusiasts. +- [X] Are you advocating or just bragging? One of those is not necessarily + effective and could alienate or turn off others to our ideals. It doesn't + help hearing all the ways that you're right and I'm wrong. +- [ ] Waiting for everyone to realize you're right, as if the world will + change around you. +- [X] Do not victim-blame (no shaming users of non-free software). +- [X] Many users do not care about or understand the need for software + freedom. We need to be able to relate it in practical terms. +- [ ] Indoctrination in cynicism and purity. +- [ ] The concept of user freedom naturally extends to other fields, + including SaaS, DRM, privacy, security, and human rights. But we have to + be careful as a community not to adopt too many principles and alienate + those who may otherwise agree with us. +- [ ] Situational awareness: sometimes you should be an advocate instead of + an activist. +- [X] Offering someone new to free software old hardware that isn't even + fully functional (e.g. S3 with Replicant) is out of touch with reality. +- [X] Kids' games and their understanding of freedom. +- [ ] Speak out against objectionable and incorrect metaphors +- [X] People and organizations are approached by many different types of + advocates with many different types of agendas, some of them in conflict + with one-another. People only have so much bandwidth, and cannot please + everyone. + +*** Developer/Distributor [2/2] +- [X] Free software should promote /practical/ freedoms---they should be + /designed/ for study and modification without having to deeply understand + the system at every level. Lower the barrier to entry. +- [X] Choice of GPL as a form of advocacy. + +*** User [7/11] +- [X] Cognitive dissonance. +- [ ] Users can be advocates whether they realize it or not by setting an + example for others and helping to develop social and cultural norms. +- [ ] Using non-free software /can/ be a form of anti-advocacy or a + repudiation of ideals if you encourage others to do so as well. +- [X] There is not always a free replacement available, or the replacement + may not be practical for certain users. +- [X] Certain software has a cultural aspect---using a free replacement may + not fill that gap. Games using well-known characters or storylines are an + example. Social media is another. That barrier is high, since change + involves not just oneself, but others in the community to adopt similar + changes and ideals. +- [X] Freedom is not all-or-nothing. Work toward it incrementally. +- [X] If freedom is put above all else, sometimes it requires + sacrifice. But that should not be /expected/---that's a personal decision. +- [X] Don't feel bad or make excuses when ideals aren't met---be /proud/ of + how far you've gotten, and keep at it. +- [X] The FSF, GNU, and others provide a clear objective and guidance, but + what of the /transition/, which involves a mix of free and non-free? +- [ ] Using non-free software on behalf of an employer +- [ ] Is there a difference in freedom lost between SaaS and ephemeral + software (e.g. a webpage you'll only visit once)? How about related + issues like privacy and security? + + +* REHEARSED Slides [6/6] +:PROPERTIES: +:ID: slides +:END: +** REHEARSED Summary :noexport: +#+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 2 :maxlevel 3 :indent t :id slides +| ITEM | DURATION | TODO | ENVIRONMENT | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| Slides | 0:36:19 | REHEARSED | | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Summary | | REHEARSED | | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Introduction | 0:02:10 | REHEARSED | | +| \_ Spoken Intro | 00:01:30 | REHEARSED | note | +| \_ Ideals | 00:00:40 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Perspective | 0:10:00 | REHEARSED | | +| \_ Black Boxes | 00:01:15 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ The First Hurdle | 00:03:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Unrelatable | 00:03:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Change | 00:01:30 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Journeys Have A Beginning | 00:01:15 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ My Story | 0:12:40 | REHEARSED | | +| \_ My Journey | 00:00:40 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Discovery | 00:03:45 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Practicality | 00:01:45 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Copyleft and Advocacy | 00:01:50 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Barrier to Entry | 00:01:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Wifi | 00:02:20 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Impact of Gaming | 00:01:20 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Social Complexities | 0:09:30 | REHEARSED | | +| \_ Brand Recognition and Trademarks | 00:01:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Culture | 00:02:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Balancing Ideals | 00:03:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Moral Judgment | 00:02:00 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Hold Ideals Strong | 00:01:30 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Conclusion | 0:02:00 | REHEARSED | | +| \_ Quell Anger | 00:00:30 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +| \_ Unless | 00:01:30 | REHEARSED | fullframe | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Questions? | | | frame | +|----------------------------------------+----------+-----------+-------------| +| \_ Thank You | | | fullframe | +#+END: + +** REHEARSED Introduction [2/2] +*** REHEARSED Spoken Intro :B_note: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: note +:DURATION: 00:01:30 +:END: + +- Introduction + - Software engineer, hacker at heart. + - Assistant GNUisance; GAC. + - But not speaking on behalf of the GNU Project. + - But I'm coming to you today primarily as an activist for user freedom. + +- While I am an activist, and I'll be giving advice to others like me, I'm + also a user and author of free software. + - I'd say a user foremost, since that's what I do each and every day---use + free software. + - But it took me a long time to get where I am today. + - And it wasn't easy. + - Us activists try to put on a straight face and paint a positive picture + of everything. Neglect inconvenient truths. + - But my not admiting to our faults, we risk setting unattainable + standards that may drive others away from our movement. + - And that's really what this talk is about---those hard problems of + software freedom. The process of adopting those ideals and + incorporating them into your own life. Ascribing them meaning and + identity within the context of all of the other things that are + important to you. And maybe then advocating for those ideals. + + +*** REHEARSED Ideals :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:00:40 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Run, Study, Modify, Share + +**** READY Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- But first: what ideals am I talking about? + - Within the context of free software, I'm referring to the four freedoms. + - The freedom to run, study, modify, and share software with others. + - We repeat these freedoms again and again, but what do they /really/ + mean? + - We reject being controlled by those who write software. We believe that + everyone should be free to do their own computing in a manner that + /they/ see fit. How they please. Not how someone else pleases. + +** REHEARSED Perspective [5/5] +*** REHEARSED Black Boxes :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:15 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Magical Black Boxes + +#+BEAMER: \fullsubtext +(Computer Literacy) + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- This isn't an easy concept to grasp for many people. + - Users look at devices like magic black boxes. + - They don't understand how the apps they use and the underlying operating + system works. + - Lack of computer literacy in our cultures. + - An app a program, and a program is a sequence of instructions for a + computer that someone else wrote. Someone else is instructing your + computer what to do. + - And since computers and devices are effectively extensions of people, + they determine what we can and cannot do. How we can and cannot + act. What we can and cannot see. + +*** REHEARSED The First Hurdle :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:03:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +``I love the concept of free software'' + + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- I want to tell you something my wife told me just a few weeks ago. +- Nurse, shoutout to helthcare professionals holding our society together + during the pandemic. +- "Love the concept of free software" + - That's a really powerful message. + - Of all my coworkers and interviews, I haven't heard such a direct + statement from anyone in my professional circle. + - /Some/ people know about free software, but usually in terms of "open + source". +- Yet this nontechnical person is aware of these concepts. + - I assume he's non-technical because he continued to lament how a system + comes installed with Chrome and he isn't sure how to uninstall it. +- This is one of the hardest parts of my activism! To try to get people to + internalize our ideals and understand why the are important. + - And yet, he's already done that. He's cleared the first major hurdle. + +*** REHEARSED Unrelatable :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:03:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Unrelatable + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- It's interesting to me how my activism was more effective through her + unintentional advocacy. + - Why is that? + - Certainly part of it is because she was there and I wasn't. + - The more people that can advocate on our behalf, the fewer places we + have to be. + - But there's a more fundamental reason. +- Compare: community members and vaccine hesitancy. + - Being able to relate culturally + - My computing with an X200 using Libreboot and Guix System. + - My use of Replicant and its issues + - Not running JavaScript on webpages. + - But I'm still able to use parts of the web despite that by privilege + of my technical knowledge, something that your average user cannot + do. +- The way I do my computing is unrelatable. + - And I lament that I cannot recommend my own practices to others. + +*** REHEARSED Change :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:30 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Many People Don't Like Change + +#+BEAMER: \fullsubtext +(That Includes Me) + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Wife doesn't even use free software herself + - Aware of the concepts. + - Doesn't like that people have control over her computing, but doesn't + like change. + - It's not enough to change how she does her computing. Yet. +- Compare: both of us want to be vegan, and we don't need convincing, but + haven't done it after years. + - That's how my wife thinks about software freedom. + +*** REHEARSED Journeys Have A Beginning :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:15 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Every Journey Has A Beginning + +#+BEAMER: \fullsubtext +(And Not Every Journey Has An End) + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- When you've been familiar with software freedom for a long time, it's easy + to forget where you came from. + - It's like that with most things. + - In my profession, I suffer from being unable to think like a + beginner. Missing the obvious. I've become myopic. + +- But to get from A to Z is a /process/. It's a journey, that takes time + and effort and, in the case of software freedom, completely changing how + one does their computing. + - Changing how one perceives the world. + - How one lives their life. + - It doesn't just happen. + +- Further, we're always evolving. +- The goalposts of software freedom are always moving, as more and more + things become possible. + - It didn't used to be possible to run a free BIOS, for example. Now it + is. The goal has shifted. + +** REHEARSED My Story [7/7] +*** REHEARSED My Journey :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:00:40 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +The year was 1999... + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- I didn't start out with free software. + - I grew up with Windows as a kid. + - I even started learning programming, about 20 years ago now, when I was + 10, using a proprietary language---Microsoft's Visual Basic 6. + - As a kid, I did what kids to best, which is mimic. I sought to follow + the example of the world that was around me. + - I learned to exercise control over the user. Introduce quotas. License + keys. Direct the user in ways that I wanted the user to act. + +*** REHEARSED Discovery :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:03:45 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +A Noise and A Bubble + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- But I don't have time to go into my whole life's story. +- So how did I first discover the concept of software freedom? +- But at some point, the laptop I was using, which was running Windows, + experienced hard drive issues. + - For those who don't know, hard drives contain spinning metal platters. + - It started making a grinding noise. + - I needed a way to use my system while I waited for a new hard drive, so + and I found that GNU/Linux distros have bootable live CDs, which ran in + memory, and so I could use without a hard drive. + +- I was fascinated by the level of customization that could be performed, + and I started digging into the OS a bit more. + +- One of the games I really liked on the system was Frozen Bubble. It was a + lot alike another non-free game I had played on Windows. + - And part of what happened next may have been a little bit of luck. + - Because a lot of games are compiled into machine code, just like on + Windows, but in a different format---ELF instead of EXE. + - But Frozen Bubble was different. When I opened the executable file, I + saw source code! + - Not minified or obfuscated source code. Actual, formatted source code + with sensible function and variable names, and comments. Source code + that looked like the preferred form of modifying the program. + - I was in excited disbelief. This was so different than what I was used + to on Windows. The operating system not only game with games, but came + with the source code!? + - Frozen Bubble is written in Perl, which is an interpreted language. I + didn't know Perl, but I decided to try to make some small + changes. Surely I was wrong. Surely I was missing /something/. + - But no. I relaunched the game and there my change was! I could modify + the game as I pleased! I was amazed. I felt empowered. I felt this + overwhelming sense of excitement. + - I wanted to know more. Why did the developer decide to do this? + - At the top of a file was the copyright header. Now, I didn't know + anything of software licensing at the time beyond the licenses designed + to /restrict/ users. To tell them what they /cannot do/. + - But this license appeared to be different. + - The license, its stated, was the GNU General Public License version 2, + published by the Free Software Foundation. + - It said that I'm free to redistribute it and/or modify it. + - So it wasn't just that I could /technically/ modify it---the author + was /encouraging/ me to do so! + - And while my memory is a bit blurry on the details, that marked the + beginning of my journey. + - I began to look into the GNU Project and the FSF and the philosophy + behind free software. + +*** REHEARSED Practicality :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:45 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Practical Practicality + + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: +- So I had unlearning to do myself, as both a user and as a software + developer. + - I didn't have anyone to help to guide me. + - I did have the FSF and GNU to serve as a beacon of light. As an + anchor. A lighthouse, as Snowden put it. + - It gave me something to work toward. To constantly improve upon. + - But it didn't give me advice that was /practical/ at the time. + - And that's setting off alarm bells for certain people, so let me + explain. + +- People often say that free software isn't practical. + - Not just opponents, but also users who /want/ to use free software. + - We counter, saying we've done it. Clearly I have. Clearly this + conference has. We're doing it now, as we speak. + - But are we trying to help, begin defensive, or just bragging? + - We have to be careful no to dismiss users' legitimate concerns. + - I just mentioned how my computing today is not relatable, right? + - What I consider to be practical for myself is absolutely not practical + to someone without the requisite understanding. + +- Someone saying that they're already there---that they have + freedom---isn't necessarly helpful + - I know the goal. Help me get to where you are. + - Don't just dismiss me. + +- We have to be practical about what we consider to be practical for other + users, especially those less experienced than us. +- Keep that in mind. We'll continue to explore that concept as we go. + +*** REHEARSED Copyleft and Advocacy :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:50 +:END: + +#+BEGIN_CENTER +#+ATTR_LATEX: :height 1.5in +[[./images/tp/copyleft.png]] +#+END_CENTER + + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Now, I want to pause there for a moment. + - We touched on the ideals of software freedom previously. + - But how is that actually enforced? + - Software is covered by Copyright law. Copyright grants a rather long + monopoloy over the ability to, well, make copies of the work. By + default, software is proprietary. Non-free. + - To grant users back the freedoms they ought to have, Richard Stallman + turned copyright on its head with the concept of Copyleft. This + philosophy is embodied in the GPL. The GNU General Public License. +- Now, some developers write free software for technical reasons. This is + the focus of open source. +- But some write it for philosophical reasons. And some write it as a form + of advocacy or activism. +- What happened here? + - What lead me to discover software freedom? + - This program and its license. This game. + - I can't say whether the author set out to do that. But that's what + happened. Those of you writing software may never realize the true + impact that you actually have. +- And that's why the choice of license is so important. +- Choosing the GPL isn't just about ensuring that your software remains + free. + - It's also about making a statement. Advocating for the principles and + ideals of software freedom. + + +*** REHEARSED Barrier to Entry :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Barrier To Entry + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- I also want to emphasize another aspect of Frozen Bubble. + - The low barrier to entry for modification. + - It helped demonstrate to me not just the freedom that I had, but the + viability of that freedom. + - When we think about software freedom, we shouldn't think about it just + in terms of licensing. We should also consider /practical/ + freedoms. How to make the freedom to study and modify the software more + available for more users. + - That doesn't mean you have to write your software in a scripting + language, though certainly that might help. + - But it does mean being mindful to how high the barrier of entry is to + your program. Be mindful to the abstractions you create. + - Document the design and philosophy of the program and how it works. + - Empower as many users as you can. + - A skill that takes time to acquire. + +*** REHEARSED Wifi :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:02:20 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Device Drivers + +#+BEAMER: \fullsubtext +E.g. Wifi + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Alright, back to my story. +- One of the most notorious problems when users switch to GNU/Linux is the + issue of wireless drivers. +- Back in the day I had to use a tool called =ndiswrapper= which was able to + load Windows XP drivers on GNU/Linux. =ndiswrapper= is free software, but + the Windows drivers were non-free. + - Nowadays, more devices Just Work with a Linux-based system, but there's a + catch---it usually works because of what we call "binary blobs" + distributed with the kernel Linux. These are opaque and non-free. + - The linux-libre project strips those blobs to provide a fully free + kernel, but then many users notice their devices don't work properly. + + - Generally, the recommendation for Wifi on Linux-based systems is to use a + card or dongle based on Atheros (hold it up). But that does not help you + if you don't have the money to spare. + - And so we have a bit of a problem. + - On one hand, the wireless situation for a fully free GNU/Linux system is + wonderful compared to my experience 15 years ago. + - But that's only if you have money to spare. + - What of people that do not? + - What about people who wish to repurpose old hardware? Some people + consider e-waste to be a major ethical issue. + - In those cases, they may have systems that are fully free except for + one exception: the wireless drivers. + +- Let's think about someone exploring free software. +- They want to dip their toes into GNU/Linux. Surely they want to use the + hardware they already have, not purchase something else just to give it a + try. + - But if they use a distribution that we recommend---me as an activist, or + the FSF on their list of endorsed distributions---then their hardware + may not work. + - What do we tell this person? + - Let's let that sit for a moment and move on. We'll be coming back to + it. + +*** REHEARSED Impact of Gaming :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:20 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Change Coupled With Addiction + + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Let's talk about my desktop, where I did most of my computing. + - Around the time that I built it, I was dual-booting Windows and + GNU/Linux. +- For those who don't know, dual booting means that, when I started by + system, I had the choice of whether to boot into Windows or GNU/Linux. +- Why? Why would I do that? + - The simple answer is: old habits die hard. + - It /takes time/ to upend the computing you've done for so long. To + learn new ways of doing things. + - This process was /incremental/. + +- But the biggest thing keeping me booting into Windows was a game. + - It was a very popular MMO that I'm not going to name. I was quite + addicted to it at the time. + +- Games are influential. +- I'm not even a gamer, and yet I've mentioned games twice so far. + - How about a third: I first started programming at the age of 10 because + of a game that provided a level editor; I wanted to do more than what + it allowed. + +- I want to stay on this topic for a bit, because it's an important one. +- There are a number of aspects to games beyond addiction that make them a + bit different than other software. + +** REHEARSED Social Complexities +*** REHEARSED Brand Recognition and Trademarks :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Brand™ + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Games are more than just software. +- They're also art. And with that, we have some additional complexities. +- It may challenging to find a free replacement for a game because of issues + surrounding trademarks. + - For example, my kids want to play certain games because they have + certain characters that they recognize. + - It's not that it's impossible to make free software to replicate some of + these games---it is---but they'd be of no practical use to my children + if they didn't contain the characters they want. + +- And then to further complicate things, many AAA games have budgets in the + tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars and seem to me to be more + like interactive movies. + - That's something the free software community is not currently + well-positioned to counter. + - It's not that we /can't/, but to counter such a massive undertaking, we + need more people who believe in our ideals to work toward it. + +*** REHEARSED Culture :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:02:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Social Pressure + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- There's something else too. +- Games are something that people can gather around and enjoy together. + - It can be ingrained in culture. + - Getting rid of a game, or replacing it with something free, may be more + challenging if all of your friends also play it. + +- We have this problem with social networks too---what good is a social + network that none of your peers use? + +- I avoid a lot of these problems by breaking social norms, or simply not + associating with certain people. + - I'm okay with doing this. + - But many people aren't. Or can't. + +- I used a vegan metaphor previously. + - But it was a bit shallow. + - Consider a party: you can be a vegan at a party and abstain from certain + meals. Or bring your own. Kind of like I do with free software. + + - But with certain games like MMOs, or popular social networks, the + software isn't just a /component/ of a social even, it /is/ the + event---the means of communication. + + - There is no abstaining or substituting while also communicating. + - Severing non-free software in such cases may mean severing social ties, + unless there's free software that is compatible. + + - And while I've done that, and I'm okay with it, that's /me/. + - We can't demand or /expect/ that of others. + - We need to work with people to adopt replacements, to help them move + their community to another platform that respects their freedom, and + /then/ they can all enjoy freedom together. + - Freedom shouldn't have to mean isolation from one's peers just because + they don't share the same ideals. + - Not to mention that just creates echo chambers, and also removes our + voice from that community. + - It perpetuates or even worsens the divide. + + +*** REHEARSED Balancing Ideals :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:03:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Compounding Ideals + +#+BEAMER: \fullsubtext +Small Contributions Grow + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- However, there /are/ situations that I can't just escape from. Where I + have to confront the unfortunate reality that I live in head-on. + +- Let's take schools for example. +- Say you live in a district where students use non-free software or + services. Which is highly likely. + +- Now, there's something you have to understand. + - That school has already invested money into hardware, services, training + of staff and students, has put data into the chosen platform, and so on. + - Given all of that, one person voicing dissent isn't going to change all + of that. It's too expensive. + +- In my case, I arrived too late to my district to voice any input on the + process. + - I did meet with assistant superintendents of the district to voice some + concerns, but again, I'm just one person. + - Why are my ideals more important than the opinions of others? + +- But what if it were different? + - What if there were dozens of parents? Or more? + - They could have possibly prevented this before it started. + - They don't have to subscribe fully to our ideals. They just need to + know enough to /advocate/ for them. To care. + - They may not care enough about freedom for themselves, but maybe + they'll care for their children. + - Kind of how we may eat whatever we please as adults, but want our + children to eat healthy because it's good for them as they grow. + +- But how do we get those parents? + - Through advocacy. + - But what advice do we have to offer those parents? + - Don't let your child use non-free software? + +- I put the social and emotional well-being of my children above my ideals + of software freedom. + - And I suspect that most, if not all, parents do the same. + - But but forcing your child to participate in your activism when they're + too young to understand is not doing that. + - If they're old enough to understand and want to do so on their own, + great. + - But if they're young, like my children, then having them do things + differently in class than the other kids will increase social + anxiety. Decrease learning. Possibly open them to ridicule. + - It's one thing to ask myself to be strong in that situation. It's + another thing to ask my child to be. + +- And so we find ourselves in this situation that, unless we can connect + with parents and offer them better guidance, they're going to just see us + as extremeists, and not engage. + - This situation will simply perpetuate. + - And this is one of the ways non-free software is introduced to the next + generation---these companies gain strongholds in schools and push their + software so that students will get used to them and use them outside of + school. People don't like change. +- But imagine if we taught /freedom/ in school. Sharing. Imagine what + impact that might have on our activism and advocacy. It would be done + /for/ us, by those who know how to teach best. + +*** REHEARSED Moral Judgment :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:02:00 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Moral Judgment + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Let's consider this question carefully, because it's loaded, and it's a + question a lot of people ask themselves. + - Am I a bad person for using non-free software? + +- Well, why is non-free software bad? +- Is it the program itself? +- When you liberate a program---make it free---the code doesn't have to + change. So clearly the program itself isn't the problem. + - What did change are the terms---the license. Copyright, and in some + cases patents and trademarks, take away freedoms we would otherwise + have. + - A free software license grants those freedoms back. + - But from whom? Who is relinquishing that power? + - The copyright holder. Or patent or trademark holder. + - They are the ones who can otherwise tell us what we can and cannot do. + - They exercise their rights /over/ us, as an instrument of power. + - /That/ is what's bad. The power they have over us when we use + non-free software. +- Users of non-free software, we say, are /victims/, not bad people. + +- But we do have to be careful with the terminology that we use. +- People who don't hold our ideals as strongly as we do---or maybe some of + you watching this now---won't be happy being called victims if they don't + feel like they are. + - Because when you call them a victim for doing something they /want/ to + do, you're implying that they have poor judgement. +- They may not want to be labeled victims /or/ bad people. + +*** REHEARSED Hold Ideals Strong :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:30 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Never Dilute Your Ideals + +#+BEAMER: \fullsubtext +And Take Pride In Your Progress + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- There's been a theme throughout this talk. +- We have these ideals, but there are a lot of challenges to meet them. +- And sometimes guidance can be hard to come by, until you reach a certain + point. + +- This necessarily means that, unless you find yourself in a rather + remarkable position, you're going to find yourself using non-free software + as you try to figure out how to do without it. + - Despite being ideologically opposed to it. + +- And when it gets tough, it'll be tempting to justify your use of non-free + software in a particular case by reframing the issue, or possibly by + diluting your ideals---by saying that certain parts aren't important after + all. + +- Never dilute your ideals. Never. + - Don't make excuses when you don't meet them. Own up to it. + - Otherwise, you risk becoming complacent, and then stagnet in your + progress. + - That's where I was at one point. + +- Instead, set your goals high, /knowing/ that you will fail to meet them + for quite some time. + - Keep those goals strong. + - This is what organizations like the FSF and GNU are good for---they do + not leave any question as to where those ideals stand. They are + unwavering. + +- And then be /proud/ of the progress you make, however much, and the + freedom that you've gained. + +** REHEARSED Conclusion +*** REHEARSED Quell Anger :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:00:30 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Anger and Cynicism Cloud Judgement + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- I used to look at everyone embracing non-free software with anger and + cynicism. + - But in reality, it's just that most people don't know about these + issues. Or understand why they're important to adopt them. + - When you see schools embracing non-free software and services, + advertisements non-free software, your friend or family member using a + proprietary program, your employer embracing non-free services, and so + on, rather than getting angry, take it as a call to action. Help them + to understand. + + +*** REHEARSED Unless :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:DURATION: 00:01:30 +:END: + +#+BEAMER: \fullslidetext +Unless + +**** REHEARSED Notes :B_noteNH: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: noteNH +:END: + +- Not all of us find it within ourselfs to be as free as, say, Richard. We + all lead different lives. Under different circumstances. But what we + should all strive to do is to help one another, in the spirit of freedom; + not just for ourselves, but for /everyone/. +- But why do we have trouble with our own freedoms? Because it's + impractical? +- Impracticality is a self-fulfilling prophecy. + - Not at the level of an individual user, but as a society as a whole. + - All of these issues discussed here are of humanity's own + making. Non-free software isn't a law of nature. It's non-free because + we allow it to be so. + - It doesn't have to stay that way. I hope it doesn't. + - If enough of us speak out, we can change that over time. + - The smallest steps toward freedom add up. We don't all need to be + purists. We just need to be /aware/, and care. + +- And since my primary job now is a Dad, I couldn't help but end it with + this Dr. Seuss quote from the Lorax: + - "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to + get better. It's not." + +** Questions? :B_frame: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: frame +:END: + +Some topic ideas: + + - Free/Libre games my children play + - Ideals related to software freedom (SaaS, Privacy, Security, Human Rights) + - Non-free JavaScript for online shopping, banking, etc + - Employer using non-free software + +** Thank You :B_fullframe: +:PROPERTIES: +:BEAMER_env: fullframe +:END: +#+BEGIN_COMMENT +Some ideas if there are no quesitons: + + - Free games for children + - Ideals related to software freedom (SaaS, Privacy, Security, Huamn Rights) + - Non-free JavaScript for shopping + - SaaS, ephemeral software, reliance on another individual + - Shopping for nouveau-compatible nVidia card + - Employer using non-free software +#+END_COMMENT + +#+BEGIN_CENTER +Mike Gerwitz + +[[mailto:mtg@gnu.org][=mtg@gnu.org=]] + +=mikegerwitz@mastodon.mikegerwitz.com= + +\bigskip + +Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 +International License +#+END_CENTER + + +* Exporting :noexport: +For a non-interactive build, including all dependencies, simply run =make=. + +Once all dependencies are built, you should be able to simply export this +buffer as a Beamer presentation (=C-c C-e l P=) to get an updated PDF (or +you can just run =make= again). + + +* Copyright and Licenses :noexport: +This file Copyright (C) 2019 Mike Gerwitz. + +This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 +International License. See [[file:COPYING.CCBYSA]] for the full license text. + + +* Local Variables :noexport: