RiP! A Remix Manifesto

RiP! A Remix Manifesto, is a documentary on copyright, and the fight between being creative, and following the rules of "copyright." Brett Gaylor, the writer and director of this film, breaks this manifesto down into four points. 1.) Culture always builds on the past 2.) The past always tries to control the future 3.) Our future is becoming less free and 4.) To build free societies, you must limit the control of the past.

My interpretation of this film is that Gaylor is against old ways (copyright) and wants people to have the freedom to use, download, and view content in whichever way they choose. He uploaded this film through Creative Commons because he isn't concerned with the fact that his video will probably be downloaded, shared, and remixed for free. To me this is notable, because a lot of artists who create music for instance want people to buy their music, and not just be able to listen to it for free, however Brett Gaylor, seems to think differently. America will always find a way to download, watch, and listen to content for free however, doing it legally is another story. Copyright holds the world back from experiencing works of art such as music and films, and to me that does hurt America's future. I feel as if we aren't experiencing some things we should be because of copyright laws. This film provides America and the rest of the world with ideas of reform against copyright, which I think is genius. We need change! Artists who are trying to share content such as, Elisa Kreisinger, can't upload some of her content on youtube for people to see because that goes against what "copyright laws" says is okay. Well how about it's not okay for you to delete a video that probably could teach the world something??? Take that copyright!! There are so many laws against who can upload what, what viewer can see this and what viewer can't, that it's almost ridiculous at some points. We are supposed to have freedom of speech, and expression... so why are there laws against that? VERY contradicting.

My overall thoughts on the film is that it had a well portrayed message, and it actually gives the viewer hope for our future becoming more free. I think this is a step in the right direction for reform against copyright and an advocacy for "copyLEFT." His points in the film are thorough, and if others had a mindset like this, our world on and off the internet would be more free and less constricting.