Since the advent of internet 2.0, every new technology that can interface with the web has created new ways to exploit property and services. This goes well beyond the piracy of music, movies, and television programming. By combining a few benign pieces of software, even a neophyte with a bit of determination can create alternatives to potentially expensive goods and services.
More dangerous than a gun that shoots heroine-coated child pornography.
Skype is a fairly popular program that allows people with internet connectivity and a microphone the ability to have audio conversations for free. For a very small fee, you can also call real phone numbers. Combine this innocent software with any cellphone or mp3 player that has wifi capabilties, and install Skype (this is the trickiest operation.) You know have what amounts to a free phone if you only call other Skype devices, or an unbelievably cheap phone if you pay the small service fee.
The worst that these types of acts actually amount to are breaking the user agreements created upon purchasing most pieces of hardware. Yet most corporations who are losing potential business are treating these clever tech-heads like the worst criminals on the planet.
As Lessig says during one of his TED Talks, corporations are turning otherwise creative people into criminals. This type of labeling can have an incredibly corrupting effect on young people, often making the problem worse.
Companies should be trying to bring forth a product or service interesting enough to convince these clever people to join up. If they need someone to design these products, ask the people you’re trying to imprison, they seem to be better with technology, anyways.
