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#+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
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: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:
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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.
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