A world organized around centralized control, strict intellectual property rights, and hierarchies of credentialed experts is under siege. A radically different order of society based on open access, decentralized creativity, collaborative intelligence, and cheap and easy sharing is ascendant.

A new book, praised by John Seely Brown, DJ Spooky, Yochai Benkler, and others:

... thoroughly delightful ... penetrating ... masterful ... weaves a rich tapestry ... wonderful detail ...

Naturally the book is freely available for download. (It's also on sale in hardcover.)

From the archive:

If I had to name one high-cultural notion that had died in my adult lifetime, it would be the idea that difficulty is artistically desirable.

Also:

History suggests that, all other things being equal, a society prospers in proportion to its ability to prevent parents from influencing their children's success directly.