The Coming War on General Computation
Summary
Cory Doctorow’s 2011 speech argues that DRM and regulation aimed at controlling general-purpose computers will backfire, leading to rootkits, surveillance, and restricted creativity. It traces the evolution from physical copy protection to legal frameworks like the WIPO treaty and SOPA, criticizing their impact on innovation and privacy, and advocating open, interoperable systems. The talk frames the ongoing 'war' as a broader struggle over how computing should be governed and accessed.