By now, nearly everybody who would read this blog has probably heard about Aaron Swartz’s suicide. I didn’t know Aaron, though I wish I could have. Many people whom I respect and admire have written eloquently about his life and legacy: Philip Greenspun, Lawrence Lessig, and Tim Berners-Lee. This has left me a lot to think about, from depression (a subject with which I have more personal and intimate familiarity than almost anyone knows) to programming to prosecutorial discretion.
I’ve been thinking for some time on “hacktivism 3.0″, which is a somewhat-misleading term because none of this has truly developed linearly. But if hacktivism has (d)evolved from cDc’s original declaration to Anonymous-style DDOS, it has also grown into full-blown activism “using our powers for good”, changing the world through code and a deep understanding of the technologies that now connect us and define so much of our lives (and not just in the First World). That might mean anything from volunteering at the computer lab at your local library or school to moderating online support communities to running a Tor relay to working with organizations like Citizen Lab.
The need for us – and by us, I mean all hackers – to get involved in making the world a better place is not directly political nor religious and certainly not partisan. I have a deeply ingrained belief that everyone should use their talents, skills, and abilities to try to help people around them. For some, that could mean getting involved in politics or religion, certainly, but for others, it could mean something else.
So don’t wait. Brew a pot of coffee and get to work. If you’ve been considering getting involved with a project, do it. If you already have a cause that matters to you, start doing something you can do. The world needs us right now.
The federal prosecutor who did such an admirable job is Stephen P. Heymann. Do let him know you appreciate his selfless labors.
Office:
1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200
Boston, MA 02210
stephen.heymann@usdoj.gov
(617) 748-3181 (ofc)
(617) 748-3100 (ofc)
(617) 748-3974 (ofc fax)
(617) 223-4607 AMA01(SHEYMANN)
Home:
23 Kenwin Rd
Winchester, MA 01890-1309
(781) 729-4959
https://www.facebook.com/stephen.heymann [544593576]
And surely his friends and family would be be proud to hear what a wonderful public servant you think he is…
Philip Heymann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004045145173
Ann Heymann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004049494750
Becca Heymann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1243020036
Paul Heymann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=213491
Jacqueline Barnett https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1387024953
Ben Brewer https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=4205714
Ovie Carroll https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502888162
Mitch Dembin https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1041605240
David Duffy https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002032056701
Judith Falk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000492529826
Jean Falk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004733971567
Andrew Falk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=14232671
Dorothy Falk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1518875044
Benjamin Falk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=563015230
Jenny Finkel https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=205334
Peter Garza https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1250838479
David E. Green https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=674733985
Gail Grunberg https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1300305988
Stuart Harrison https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1190476219
Peter Hermann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000239474404
Tamara Hunter Hermann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1038235478
Camilla Hermann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1233240296
Kate Hermann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1401535451
Howard Hermann https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1474280711
Ellen Hirsch https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000665045848
Caitlin Hogan https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=213492
Sally Schneider Huebscher https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516995538
Stephen Huggard https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=577192251
Lesley Koenig https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1473317935
Susannah Lewis https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000251989330
Michael Lewis https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1789216769
Peggy Falk Lipscomb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1767478405
Meimei Ma https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1066522128
Laura Falk McCarthy https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1317939935
Margot Moser https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1286063406
Paul Nesline https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1304233
Ingrid Parl https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1243020067
Steen Parl https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1439593849
Michael S Pickett https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001757657625
Lucille Pierce https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1628690441
Philip Reitinger https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=637280654
Ann Ross https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1076564480
Matthew Shopsin https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1007190
Martha Stansell-Gamm https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1292492918
Lindsay Hogan VII https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1581030090
Anna Wilson https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=663036632
John Yarbrough https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=794884761
Ellie Falk Young https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1660197742
Carry on, Internet.
- O.K.
Aaron was targeted by an establishment as a representative of a group with ideas that threaten the power of that establishment. Collectively, that establishment is all powerful and has support from the masses who do not understand the principles at stake but fear change and an uncertain future.
Peaceful change may occur if key establishment powerbrokers are systematically targeted and made to suffer consequences of failing to accept the progress required. Failing that, only mass movement will change the established powerbase in place and that will result in many more deaths of individuals like Aaron.
Interesting and emotional times at the very least.