Okay Cory didn't respond to my last open letter, neither did Lessig, but I think we'll eventually understand each other; I'm optimistic. I am trying to understand Cory's position, and I think Lessig will be able to play a role in reconciling our differing positions, which I don't think are really that different.

First, Cory, I love mashups. I love them. But there's a difference betw a mashup and where we're going. When I listen to a mashup I know I'm listening to one. I think most artists understand the value of new works created from excerpts of their original work. My podcasts have been mashed, sometimes in a degrading ways, but I'm okay with it because the listener knows that they're listening to someone else's opinion, not mine. This is what communication is about. I say something. If you're listening carefully you get a chance to hear something, perhaps gain some new understanding, or point of view. Maybe it evokes a response. It's art and it's information.

Here's an example of a guy who quotes me extensively in a post that's not very nice. Anyone reading it would know: 1. This guy doesn't like me very much and 2. I didn't write it.

Now, technically speaking, he's probably breaking my copyright, but shit, life's too short to worry about it. And truth be told, I excerpt other people's creations in similar ways.

So I think Cory what you're worried about (I wish you'd say it clearly) is that somehow we'd move away from the new arts of mashups and remixes. I wouldn't advocate that. I'm concerned when it appears that I'm speaking but someone else's ideas are what you're hearing. The Internet is already too rough a communication environment in this regard, let's not make it even worse.

I'll keep trying to break through, at least get some kind of response. I think you and I are the two strongest advocates here. Let's see if we can't get into agreement on something. Larry can you help?

# Posted by Dave Winer on 3/4/05; 7:28:31 AM - --