virtual reality

openDemocracy's managing editor Becky Hogge takes a fortnightly reality check on all things virtual. From information feudalism to the digital divide, welcome to the interface between technology and democracy.
Tuesday 5th June

The knowledge revolution

5 June 2007
A new knowledge market is scaring elites, releasing creativity and reshaping the intellectual-property argument
Monday 21st May

The internet's fading promise

Becky Hogge, 21 May 2007
Governments around the world are becoming more sophisticated in restricting their netizens' freedom, finds Becky Hogge.
Tuesday 8th May

Digging in

Becky Hogge, 8 May 2007
The corporate pressure on the successful user-generator news aggregator Digg highlights the flaws in the legal architecture governing next-generation media outlets, says Becky Hogge.
Monday 23rd April

Campaigning in cyberspace

Becky Hogge, 23 April 2007
If politicians really want to reach voters via the internet, argues Becky Hogge, they need to exploit the best features of the new communications environment.
Monday 9th April

We are the web

Becky Hogge, 9 April 2007
Like language, the internet exists as a function of its users, who define and generate its structure. As the complex digital world evolves, however, some shared values are needed writes Becky Hogge.
Monday 26th March

'Data is the pollution of the information society'

Becky Hogge, 26 March 2007
How can free people grapple with growing threats to their privacy and liberty? A computer-security guru's view of the surveillance dystopia worries Becky Hogge.
Tuesday 13th March

A gain for the public domain

Becky Hogge, 13 March 2007
After a surprising breakthrough in negotiations, the scene is set for a full debate on intellectual-property rights and human development. Becky Hogge is encouraged, but the fight isn’t over yet.
Wednesday 28th February

Reporting Africa, blog by blog

Becky Hogge, 28 February 2007
A new collaboration between the citizen journalists of Global Voices and Reuters promises refreshing perspectives by and from Africa, says Becky Hogge.
Tuesday 13th February

One high, one low note for downloaders

Becky Hogge, 13 February 2007
As the music industry begins to move away from digital rights management, writes Becky Hogge, the European Union considers criminalising the infringement of intellectual property.
Tuesday 30th January

An Irish challenge to the EU's snooping law

Becky Hogge, 30 January 2007
The Data Retention Directive is incompatible with a democratic society, argues Becky Hogge, who backs Digital Rights Ireland's legal battle.
Tuesday 5th December

Let the IP debate begin !

Becky Hogge, 5 December 2006
An imminent British report on intellectual-property law will shape government policy on the balance between consumers and rightsholders. Becky Hogge sets the scene – and takes sides – in the debate to come.
Tuesday 21st November

Free software's Faustian moment

Felix Cohen and Becky Hogge, 21 November 2006
A recent deal between Microsoft and Novell has ignited the long-smouldering controversy about whether code can be owned. Is it the first step towards a two-tier software economy?
Tuesday 7th November

Flash! Web's creator doesn't fear for its future

Becky Hogge, 7 November 2006
After discussing reputation and the blogosphere, Tim Berners-Lee found his words turned upside down. Becky Hogge helps uncross the wires.
Monday 23rd October

Information between old and new worlds

Becky Hogge, 23 October 2006
The defence of independent news and quality journalism is vital, but is it best served by recourse to law? Becky Hogge, unillusioned techno-utopian, considers the lessons of Google's multiple legal entanglements.
Monday 9th October

Consumer or citizen?

Becky Hogge, 9 October 2006
The marketisation of public choice is an infringement of freedom. At the heart of a fightback is the reclamation of language, says Becky Hogge.
Monday 4th September

Revolution at our fingertips

Becky Hogge, 4 September 2006
As the networked information revolution reaches a threshold for repression, Becky Hogge finds its future has already been written, and the battle lines are clear.
Monday 21st August

Anonymity on the net

Becky Hogge, 21 August 2006
The promotion of "darknets" is one response to corporate surveillance of personal data. But there is a better way to ensure privacy online, says Becky Hogge.
Monday 31st July

Whose space? Abuse and control in social networks

Becky Hogge, 31 July 2006
Social-networking websites are drawing fire as adults lure teenagers into real-world liaisons. Defending online communities, Becky Hogge argues for education not legislation.
Monday 17th July

The Crown's copyright con

Becky Hogge, 17 July 2006
As the UK government abuses copyright law to stifle free speech and obstruct freedom of information, the case of Craig Murray reveals how the impulse of power to control dissent is crushing democratic rights anew.
Monday 26th June

What moves a movement?

Becky Hogge, 26 June 2006
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