Thinking about Wealth of Networks, I keep coming back to Benkler’s argument about the importance of nonmarket and nonproprietary production of knowledge happening at the core rather than the periphery of our economy. In an economy with the production and distribution of information and culture at its center, that’s a big deal.
Benkler chose the John Stuart Mill quotes on page 6 well. The first one provides a good metaphor to bear in mind while reading his book: “Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing.”
Makes me look forward to hearing Senator Edwards at Gnomedex to find out what kind of arborist he is.
technorati tags:Benkler, Edwards, Gnomedex
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