What do feminism and Free software have in common? Debates. The debates are about short-term personal freedom versus long-term global freedom. Here’s how it goes:
Feminism
If I want to wear high heels, why shouldn’t I have that choice? Isn’t feminism about choice? If I want to be with a man who treats me badly, why shouldn’t I have that choice? Isn’t feminism about choice? Well, yes, you can choose those things, but ask yourself why you’re choosing them. Doesn’t it have to do with the way a patriarchal society is raising you? Shouldn’t we work at dismantling that structure?
Free Software
If I want to use proprietary software, why shouldn’t I have that choice? Isn’t Free software about freedom of choice? If I want to use Windows-only software, why shouldn’t I have that choice? Isn’t Free software about freedom? Well, yes, you can choose proprietary software, but if you don’t stand up to vendor lock-in with proprietary software, you’ll be locked in and won’t have a choice any more.
Okay, they’re not exactly the same, but the mindsets are similar, even if I’ve reduced the arguments to one- or two-sentence sound bytes. I think we need a little bit of each, so as not to alienate anyone. People should be able to have some short-term choice and personal freedom and also be mindful of long-term goals and larger freedom outside of the personal. It doesn’t make sense to force others to be femi-Nazis or Free software Nazis (nothing traditional, nothing “oppressive”; no proprietary software, no DRM whatsoever), but it also doesn’t make sense to encourage a “Yeah, whatever works for now. To hell with the consequences” attitude.
In the ideal world, of course—if we get there—people will have any choice they want, and it will be a real choice, with no danger of being locked into or reinforcing a dangerous sociological trend.
Further Reading
Individual Choice
I never made the relation until know, thanks aysiu :)
Woww…. fantastic article.
You exposed the hollowness of the “Freedom of choice” people who use that to berate Free Software.
I couldn’t have put it any better.
Well, the issue is complex. On the one hand, people don’t really have as much choice as they think they have. On the other hand, they should not be forced to do the “right” thing. I myself run and depend on quite a bit of proprietary software and formats. I also am part of a legacy system that oppresses women.
But I think recognizing the complexity that exists and the direction we want to moving in helps us to make progress.
My examples from feminism (high heeled shoes and being in an abusive relationship) were a bit lame. The debates usually have to do with stay-at-home moms, changing of names, and participation in the pornography industry.