Free Range Learning

A movement that later became the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther began with a simple premise: the Christian church had become overly professional. The Priests were the only ones who had both the education and the access to be able to read and interpret Scripture. The average person had no way of knowing, much less disputing, whether the hierarchy of the church was being faithful to the tradition handed down by the Apostles.

Luther understood that for Scripture to have real power, it needed to be put into the hands of the people. This was not to dilute the importance of professional pastors and theologians. Not all were called to that vocation. But all were part of the priesthood.

Luther also realized that the extreme reaction to his teaching, on the part of some radicals, to completely undermine the structure of the church was both harmful and unproductive. Some level of professionalization was both necessary and good.

This is the essential premise regarding modern copyright law that has inspired Lawrence Lessig, a Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, to devote his life to changing it. Lessig argues that copyright law, as it has developed in the 20th Century, inhibits the power of ordinary people. In the video below, Lessig gives a fantastic lecture on this topic.

Like Martin Luther arguing for a theology of vocation, Lessig doesn't want to get rid of copyright law. He wants to reform it; let copyright law protect the things that need protection and let ordinary people (i.e. non-professionals) explore their creative vocation.

This video is well worth an hour of your time. Lessig's presentational skills alone are worth learning.