In The Future A Penguin Will Save Your Mind
Saturday, August 15, 2009 by adonohue26
Has Dennis’ “Opening Pandora’s box” filled your mind with images of a dystopian future where your mind and body are held in thrall by omnipresent technology? Don’t panic. A saviour exists, and he is in the form of a penguin.
I’m referring to Tux, the penguin mascot for the numerous operating systems based on GNU/Linux code. More importantly, Tux is also a widely recognised symbol of free and open source software; that is, software that can be freely studied, altered and re-distributed by anyone with the knowledge and inclination to do so.
Open source software resists the hoarding of proprietary software systems by large commercial, political and governmental interests. Instead, it subscribes to a more democratic vision. Open source software allows resistance against oppression, whether it be breaking free from the financial pressure caused by the never-ending Windows upgrade cycle (most Linux-based operating systems can be downloaded for free) or simply allowing you to circumvent overly restrictive copy protection on a DVD. It also tends to be much more secure, as code is frequently checked and revised to deal with new security threats.
If the concept of open source software can be carried forward into the future, the dangers that Dennis describes are greatly weakened. The security of open source software prevents unwanted attacks or intrusions (this would be especially beneficial for, say, a neural-interfaced computer) and allows software to be under the control of the user, rather than the other way around (for example, a brain sensor could be reflashed to disable intrusive monitoring systems).
On a more radical note, if the concept of open source is extended to bio-genetics and neuroscience, it would become possible to alter the very makeup of the body according to one’s individual desires, and thus permanently remove oneself from any form of control that relies on exploiting biology.
Original copyright notice for the above image: Permission to use and/or modify this image is granted provided you acknowledge me lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP if someone asks.
I’m referring to Tux, the penguin mascot for the numerous operating systems based on GNU/Linux code. More importantly, Tux is also a widely recognised symbol of free and open source software; that is, software that can be freely studied, altered and re-distributed by anyone with the knowledge and inclination to do so.
Open source software resists the hoarding of proprietary software systems by large commercial, political and governmental interests. Instead, it subscribes to a more democratic vision. Open source software allows resistance against oppression, whether it be breaking free from the financial pressure caused by the never-ending Windows upgrade cycle (most Linux-based operating systems can be downloaded for free) or simply allowing you to circumvent overly restrictive copy protection on a DVD. It also tends to be much more secure, as code is frequently checked and revised to deal with new security threats.If the concept of open source software can be carried forward into the future, the dangers that Dennis describes are greatly weakened. The security of open source software prevents unwanted attacks or intrusions (this would be especially beneficial for, say, a neural-interfaced computer) and allows software to be under the control of the user, rather than the other way around (for example, a brain sensor could be reflashed to disable intrusive monitoring systems).
On a more radical note, if the concept of open source is extended to bio-genetics and neuroscience, it would become possible to alter the very makeup of the body according to one’s individual desires, and thus permanently remove oneself from any form of control that relies on exploiting biology.
Original copyright notice for the above image: Permission to use and/or modify this image is granted provided you acknowledge me lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP if someone asks.