Open Source Life

I am pro-Science. This is an understatement.

I believe in the pursuit of knowledge and its application through technology. I believe our world is a better place because of the innovation made possible by the field of Science and I also believe that we will continue to benefit from the brilliance of our Scientists at an exponential rate.

Having said this, I do accept and understand that some people hold conflicting opinions regarding the impact of Science. Global warming, Hiroshima and Chernobyl for example are hardly achievements to be proud of, quite the opposite in fact. However, despite the negative impact of the aforementioned and other examples like them, I still believe that knowing more about the Universe we live in (and the physics that govern it) is fundamentally a good thing. How we have chosen to apply the knowledge that is derived from Science, I accept, is a more subjective and emotional debate. 

Looking through a more favourable and positive lens: 

Clean water, medicine, sailing ships, motor vehicles, flight, electricity, computers, DNA sequencing and the internet are just a few examples of what is possible. All of these innovations have saved lives, improved standards of living and brought people together in ways that would not have been possible without the brilliant ideas of Science and its more practical cousin - Capitalism. That's right, I brought Capitalism into the same breath as Science. 

Science, Innovation, Technology and.... Capitalism are all inextricably linked. 

'Science' tests theories. Once a theory has enough proof to support it, 'Science' then hands it over to it's more practical and 'trendy' brother- 'Innovation'. 'Innovation' takes proven theories and works out how to apply them to solve problems or satisfy the needs or demands of society. 

Both 'Science' and 'Innovation' need access to 'Technology' and other resources to turn their ideas into theories and thus theories into applications. This means having an awkward conversation with their estranged cousin - 'Capitalism'. 


'Capitalism', despite it's cold and sometimes distasteful demeanour, does provides access to Technology and other resources necessary for Science and Innovation to do its thing. 'Capitalism', for it's troubles, will take a cut out of the end product (which usually takes the form of a superior and unique Technology) as it goes to market... and this cycle continues... until.... 'Capitalism' eventually retires. 

Unlike it's associates, Capitalism -in my humble opinion- has a shelf life and I believe we are approaching it. Now, I don't believe Capitalism will completely disappear (I think there will still be corner cases whereby Capitalism can still thrive) and it won't even begin to substantially disappear for quite some time - as it is needed. But, I think the scenarios whereby profit-making is a viable pursuit will become increasingly diminished by the emergence and success of commons-based peer production (also known as the Collaborative Commons). 

Commons-based peer production is not an entirely new concept. It has been around for centuries. In the feudal system, Lords and Kings ruled supreme and the proletariat came together with what little they had, on common ground (quite literally stuff not owned by the Kings and Lords) to work together, share ideas and produce food. This worked well until the enclosure act, whereby the Aristocrats claimed the commons as their own to practice intensive mechanically driven agricultural methods. I cover this in more detail in a previous blog here.

In the 21st century this takes a slightly different guise. The commons is no longer a boggy field left unwanted by some posh bloke living in a mansion on top of the local hill. The modern commons is the Internet. The internet is infinite and cannot be entirely owned by anyone. This 'digital commons' provides the platform for millions and millions of people around the world to collaborate on meaningful projects without the constraints of hierarchal organisational structures usually found in traditional enterprises. These projects are often, but not always, conceived without financial compensation for contributors where time and intellectual property are the only real cost to the contributor and the reward is always 'technological progress'.

Why? Because some people care about progress more than profit. 

It is entirely possible to produce products and services at or near to zero cost (more specifically, without access to capital) and offer them to others for free. Sample projects include: Linux, Wikipedia, OpenStreet Map, 3D printing projects, DNA research, etc... In fact, the only thing holding us back is energy production. When Science finds an energy source than produces limitless amount of clean energy, the cost of production (of everything) will tumble to zero provided we maintain an open and collaborative society. I won't dwell on this though as I have already bored some of my regular readers with this previous blog

Open Source software is perhaps the biggest and most well know success story for the modern 'collaborative commons'. Opening source code, sharing and collaborating through thriving online communities that provide access to some of the most creative minds on the planet is a proven model for success and one of it's well known products -Linux- is arguably the poster child. The Linux community and ecosystem has produced and continues to produce intellectual property at a rate that far outstrips the innovation associated with traditional capitalist driven production methods.

The thing is, despite my belief that commons-based peer production is a good thing and will grow in terms of it's contributions to our way of living- the transition is a little scary. Capitalism fuels everything we do. Without access to capital an individual, business or organisation can not function in society. This naturally throws up questions, fear and doubt. But, there is no need to be afraid, this won't happen over night and there are a lot of things that will be gradually addressed along the way -the horrifically imbalanced distribution of wealth across the globe being one of them. 

In the meantime, keep enterprising and paying your bills BUT keep an OPEN mind. An abundance mentality will serve you well in the brave new world ;-)

On a side and sad note: Robin Williams. An absolute genius with a talent that can not be commoditised by Science, capitalism or any other market force. He made people smile, laugh and outright happy. Rest in peace, the world is a poorer place without you. 

Thanks for Reading,

Chancey