Open Source as Culture/ Culture as Open Source by siva vaidhyanathan
“Open source” had always been the less preferred choice known to be the insurgent model to proprietary models to the general public . However, this was because humans have been so accustomed and influenced by proprietary information. Little do they know that the “open source” way is closer to how human creativity usually works.
Nearer to date, the advantages of the “open source” model of creativity and commerce have become clearer, revealing flaws and faults of the chief regulatory system such as copyright.
Copyright aims to protect media and its creativity but also limits the improvement of softwares, devices and bans the sharing of techniques and tools with others. Richard Stallman, a computing scientist, was “offended that openness was being criminalised”.
Of late, more countries such as South Africa, Brazil and China have realised the practicality of “open source” models and are now encouraging the dissemination of these softwares. In fact, “open source” is now advancing past software and into licenses. Common “open source” sites are also commonly used by the general public such as Wikipedia.
Copyright can no longer work the same way it used to due to the changes in practices. With “open source” models, copyright is no longer a a single right bestowed on a single author but is now a group of rights that the author may license to others.
“Open source” was something that was unfamiliar to many and difficult to advocate. However, it is now more and more accepted, proving it’s brilliant success and positive habits on the world.