The Lessig Challenge

I believe in Open Source. Not that I don't like Windows, which is what I mostly use, but I think there is a place for OS and closed source software. I've followed the copyright and IP debates as much as I can because I think these are important things for the future growth of computing and art (be it software, music, etc.) in our world.

Lawrence Lessig is one of the main people whose work I follow. He had a challenge at the Lawrence Lessig's 2002 Open Source Convention presentation

and here is the challenge:
There's a handful, we can name them, of people you could be supporting, you could be taking. Let's put this in perspective: How many people have given to EFF? OK.

How many people have given to EFF more money than they have given to their local telecom to give them shitty DSL service?

See? Four.
How many people have given more money to EFF than they give each year to support the monopoly--to support the other side? How many people have given anything to these people, Boucher, Canon. . . .

So here it is, my list of contributions to Open Source or "Free" places/ My DSL is about $60 a month ($720/yr), though it's a business expense, so it doesn't come out of my pocket. My family also probably averages $30 a month ($350/yr) to the entertainment industry, which I'd like to at least exceed that much.

2003

Date Group/Company Payment Overage to Entertainment Overage to total

January 2002 Starting Balance $0 ($360) ($1070)

2003 Totals $0 ($360) ($1070)

Updat: Didn't make it for 2002. I would have donated some more, but there are many places that don't take Paypal and I had a bunch of money there. I'm trying to work on some other donations for 2003. I know that a credit card and paying back is easy, but Paypal is convenient since I get paid for some writing this way.

2002

Date Group/Company Payment Overage to Entertainment Overage to total

March 2002 Trillian $25 ($335) ($1055)

October 2002 Eldred v Ashcroft Defense Fund $100 ($235) ($955)

December 2002 EFF $100 ($135) ($855)

2002 Totals $225 ($235) ($855)

Update (12-17-02): I tried to donate to the Internet Bookmobile project, but they don't take Paypal, which is where I have a bunch of money for this stuff. Need to see where else I can contribute. Also might need to reassess the $$ since we rent a fair number of movies and I buy books pretty regularly.

Taking the challenge? Let me know or let Luke know.