p2p: the new information war?

Siva Vaidhyanathan's 4-part essay series lays out the basic premise for his forthcoming book The Anarchist in the Library: Peer to peer is analogous to other forms of non-digital dissidence and social organisation, and will have an impact at the cultural and political level, as well as on the nation state. Media & The Net editor Bill Thompson argues that Vaidhyanathan has misunderstood the technology and overstretched his case; Sandy Starr thinks Vaidhyanathan falls too readily on the side of the anarchists; and Richard Barbrook takes it all in and churns out a compelling analysis of the internet's forgotten gift economy. Also: discuss P2P with Vaidhyanathan in the discussion forum.

Friday 9th January

P2P: revolution or evolution?

Miriam Clinton, 9 January 2004

The language of anarchy used by Siva Vaidhyanathan to describe peer-to-peer networks cannot capture the nature of the change they represent – no less than the birth of a new epoch of culture.

Thursday 18th December

The Genie's Revenge: a response to Siva Vaidhyanathan

Matthew Rimmer, 18 December 2003

Siva Vaidhyanathan’s openDemocracy series on peer-to-peer networks raises vital questions about intellectual property in the digital age, but he falls prey to the unsubstantiated revolutionary rhetoric of the copyright-buster. If claims by peer-to-peer distributors that they are supporting free speech and contributing to knowledge want to find a sympathetic ear in the courtroom, then they have to mean it, says this legal expert.

Wednesday 15th October

Part 5: Networks of power and freedom

Siva Vaidhyanathan, 15 October 2003

Part 5 of The new information ecosystem: networks of power and freedom

Wednesday 3rd September

The gift of the net

Richard Barbrook, 3 September 2003

The polarity between anarchy and oligarchy deforms Siva Vaidhayanathan’s vision of the future of the net. Beneath the rhetoric, he and Bill Thompson share a belief in the net's democratic potential. But Siva does point to a real danger: that state and commodifying forces will undermine the liberating ‘gift economy' that lies at the heart of the net.

Wednesday 27th August

Part 4: The nation-state vs. networks

Siva Vaidhyanathan, 27 August 2003

Part 4 of The new information ecosystem: the nation-state vs. networks

Tuesday 29th July

The global conversation: info-anarchy, dissent, and human rights

Siva Vaidhyanathan, 29 July 2003

The core issues raised by p2p are those of ideology and potential, not technology. They imply a defence of universal rights that seeks the end of all architectures of control.

Bikinis in Saudi Arabia: info-anarchy as cultural imperialism

Bill Thompson, 29 July 2003

The advocacy of p2p as a libertarian panacea is a covert rationalisation of corporate control and United States power. What the net really needs is democratic regulation to guarantee online equality.

Wednesday 23rd July

Part 3: The anarchy and oligarchy of science

Siva Vaidhyanathan, 23 July 2003

Part 3 of The new information ecosystem: cultures of anarchy and closure

Wednesday 16th July

Taking the anarchists to task

Sandy Starr, 16 July 2003

Irresponsible behaviour on peer-to-peer networks will never be significant without intelligent public debate. ‘Anarchy’ on its own will not achieve anything but cynicism and draconian reaction. As for cultural diversity and ‘world music’, Sandy Starr argues that Siva Vaidhyanathan is deaf to the ‘celestial jukebox’ that everyone can share.

Wednesday 9th July

Part 2: 'Pro-gumbo': culture as anarchy

Siva Vaidhyanathan, 9 July 2003

Part 2 of The new information ecosystem: cultures of anarchy and closure

Tuesday 1st July

The challenge is not P2P but democracy and accountability

Bill Thompson, 1 July 2003

Siva Vaidhyanathan’s argument is entertaining but simplistic, argues this journalist, programmer and editor of openDemocracy’s Media & the Net theme. A democratic and open network regulated by the state, not techno-anarchism, is the only practical approach.

Wednesday 25th June