International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA)’s Post

In the final post of our 2024 High School Debate Topic Blog Series, Sydney Blitman of the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) writes, "The ecosystem of creators and consumers is not confined to the United States. Creators reside in every country and creativity is a tie that binds all of humanity." Read the post here: https://lnkd.in/eKR-gTxt

📍 I am excited to hear the panel discussion next Thursday, 3rd October from 6 to 8 pm at Busboys and Poets on 14th Street, Washington D.C. Presenting Tim Davis who will be moderating, Carol Beane, Jon C. Cawley, and Ibrahim Al-Assil. When I am thinking of our next Science and Art Cafe talk on “Freedom”, I question how much creativity and censorship should be allowed in the realm of art and science. Creativity, by its very nature, thrives on the boundless potential of the human mind, pushing the boundaries of what is known and accepted. It is the driving force behind innovation, culture, and personal growth. However, with creative freedom comes the responsibility to consider the impact of that expression on society. Censorship, on the other hand, is often viewed as a tool for maintaining social harmony and protecting individuals from harmful or offensive content. The balance between allowing full creative freedom and imposing necessary restrictions is delicate and complex. 🇸🇬 Raised in Singapore within the heart of an artistic yet traditional Malay Muslim family, and later married to an American soldier, I’ve intimately experienced the intricate dance between restraint and creativity. Historically, some of the most groundbreaking works of art, technology, and music emerged from contexts where censorship was either minimal or absent. Yet, there have also been instances where the lack of regulation has led to the dissemination of harmful ideologies and misinformation. I feel the key lies in finding a middle ground where creativity can flourish but not at the expense of societal well-being. Open dialogue, education, and ethical considerations play crucial roles in navigating this balance. Encouraging artists and creators to be mindful of their influence while also advocating for the protection of their right to express themselves freely is essential. ☮ Ultimately, the goal should be to foster an environment where creativity is not stifled by undue censorship but rather guided by principles that uphold the dignity, respect, and shared values of the community. I believe this approach allows for a rich tapestry of expression that can inspire, challenge, and unite us all. These are just my thoughts. Come share yours at our next Science and Art Cafe! To attend RSVP at the link below: https://lnkd.in/e28-Y6kK #art #science #creativity #censorship #dialogue

At Input | Output, we're dedicated to advancing research through collaboration. We actively seek partnerships across diverse fields, whether it's distributed systems, game theory, law and policy, or social dynamics, to name a few. Our commitment to open source means all our research is freely available and royalty-free, fostering collaboration and innovation across the industry. Learn more about this approach in this clip ⤵️

Here's what we're tackling with in the ERC-funded project Beyond Sharia:

Where it’s at:

An important exploration into Governing with the more-than-human world that Claudia Chwalisz and DemocracyNext are creating with this paper and convening. From the paper: "How do we want democracy to evolve today, and what perspective do we want underpinning how we think about it? For me a recognition of the interconnectedness of all things is essential for trying to understand the world, and should be taken into account in how we innovate all aspects of democracy." These are certainly thoughts that resonate with me and colleagues at Co-Intelligence Institute Looking forward to the second paper in July 2024!

✍ The impact of thin and thick truth: The limits of truth commission design in polarized #societies. Lesley-Ann Daniels (Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals) and Virginia Zalunardo #IBEIalumni, in this article, theorise how different truth commission designs #impactsocial outcomes, contrasting two ideal types: shallow truth, which provides only individual factual knowledge, and thick truth, which produces a public report and looks for a pattern of events. 🔗 Open Access via the Journal of Human Rights: https://lnkd.in/db5rDwt5

This event is tonight. I've been invited to speak as the academic sociologist, alongside an author, a publisher, and a librarian. Each have valuable insight from their respective areas. Come along! My intention is to present some helpful sociological concepts that can expand how we think about the topic - which I see as a symptom of broader social issues and proclivities. While this may of course change depending on how tonight's conversation pans out, my three main intended points are as follows: 1. This issue is not only about the *content* of the books, it is about the *discontent* of communities. Did you know that people calling for a book removal often refuse to inspect it first? Thus, to respond to a book challenger by pointing out what is actually in the book may not be the best use of time and energy. 2. As discontent increases, the institutions will cop the flack. We all know that removing a book from a shelf will have no impact on a child's broader engagement with the internet and other media. When an instrumental end-goal is unachievable, people often turn to the substantive goal of symbolic activism. As libraries, schools, and councils are bodies that people can still engage with and make demands of, they can expect to be the targets. 3. Consider the content creator (i.e. YouTubers, TickTockers). I've given de-escalation training to rooms of library staff. They describe how content creators enter the library, phone already recording, and complain about a book. While the library staff get quite distressed, the content creators remain gleeful - for them this is play; it is a resource for culture-war clicks and clout. Thus, while it can be tempting to interpret rising requests to ban books as evidence of increasing puritanism and moral panic, it is worth considering the role of cynicism and agent provocateurs. https://lnkd.in/gGpynjB7

To celebrate ‘World Intellectual Property Day’, partner Peter Eduardo Siemsen and the academic coordinator of the Instituto Dannemann Siemsen, Patricia Porto, assess the trends in IP discussion this year and reflect on the importance of intellectual property rights for recognising and rewarding creators for their work and contribution, as well as for encouraging innovation and investment in research and development. The article, entitled ‘World Intellectual Property Day: what is being discussed about IP around the world?’, can be read at https://lnkd.in/dE56K6Fm