Rhetorical. Digital. Political.

illogical-vulcan:

Open Government was published in 2010 by O'Reilly Media. The United States had just elected a president in 2008, who, on his first day in office, issued an executive order committing his administration to "an unprecedented level of openness in government." The contributors of Open Government had long fought for transparency and openness in government, as well as access to public information. Aaron Swartz was one of these contributors (Chapter 25: When is Transparency Useful?). Aaron was a hacker, an activist, a builder, and a respected member of the technology community. O'Reilly Media is making Open Government free to all to access in honor of Aaron. #PDFtribute -- Tim O'Reilly, January 15, 2013

kimboekbinder:

Because I find myself profoundly affected by the death of someone I didn’t know - Aaron Swartz, activist and inspiring human - I have decided to pledge here, publicly, my intention to work towards a just world. 

Because I know the terrible dissonance of seeing a world of beautiful possibly overlaid so closely atop the actual world. I know the pain of seeing how a few definitive actions could turn the cold, cruel world into a world where suffering is diminished rather than tolerated or encouraged. 

Because power in the form of physical wealth, health, and knowledge is kept from those who need it most and I believe there is a moral imperative for those of us with more (wealth, health, knowledge) to help those of us with less. 

Because I cannot abide living idly while violence (physical, financial, or political) is still considered the best way to prove who is correct. 

Because those with power abuse it to their own personal gain. 

Because curiosity should be rewarded, cherished, and regarded as the best of traits. 

I pledge to share my knowledge.

I pledge to hold accountable those in power.

I pledge to speak up about racism, sexism, ageism, and homophobia: to counter bigotry and hatred where I find it. And to allow others mistakes, and help them understand how they are being hurtful. 

I pledge to not let fear, cynicism, and apathy guide me.

I pledge to be an activist every day. 

I pledge to make the world that wouldn’t have killed him.

bookuse:

An Aaron Swartz reader assembled by Bob Stein:

http://www.futureofthebook.org/blog/archives/2013/01/speaking_truth_to_power.html

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5004729/speaking-truth-to-power.pdf

“I’ve spent much of the past 24 hours reading remembrances of Aaron Swartz as well as a wide selection of his own writing.

We’ve lost an important voice. Not only was he uniquely able to wrap his head around the vast complexity of the emerging digital landscape, Aaron Swartz was generous and brave. He threatened the keepers of the status quo and paid the ultimate price.

Depending on how history turns out, Aaron Swartz may be the first hero of our future age.

For people not familiar with Aaron or the brilliance of his expansive mind I’ve assembled a collection of writings by and about Aaron Swartz.” ~ Bob Stein