The Commons

After reading Boiler and Vaidhyanathan, I have come to realize that democracy, freedom, and libraries are all things that are quite taken for granted. Especially here in the U.S., it is my opinion that those previously mentioned nouns are extremely significant, however new technology is especially taking over libraries which in turn effects our freedom and sense of democracy. According to Boiler, the art of stepping foot into a library and scanning for a relevant book is nearly lost to the new age and Internet. Although previously functional, it seems that the Internet and online books is slowly consuming readers. Not only is this effecting how people view and gain knowledge in books, but now copyright is becoming an even bigger issue as well. In regards to fair use and who can use and view these online books, the lines are blurred and confusing it seems.

In Vaidhyanathan's reading he discusses anarchy and oligarchy. He explains that our freedom and democracy is being challenged since the power to distribute and share information is essentially becoming controlled through the Internet and government digitizing (only specific) books. His hope is that anarchy and oligarchy will be mediated and explains that "We have only begun to consider the long term ramifications of these revolutionary technologies and the behaviors they will enable or inspire."

Overall the power of libraries has been somewhat lost to the new technology and ease of searching online to find the information we need. Instead of having to look for it, we now have the 'power' (if you will consider it that) to view a book with just a few clicks as opposed to thumbing through the pages. Either way the future of knowledge and power is to be determined by how we utilize our current freedom and democratic powers to benefit us!