This boy SAVED the INTERNET… but couldn't save himself.

10 years ago, he was persecuted by his government, and ultimately paid with his life.

Aaron Swartz is a modern hero that most people DO NOT KNOW.

But they should.

https://image.nostr.build/a5163a2d322330e5853e14ddf87d1613eecbdff0e23451d9f3059d3c1e0cd723.jpg

Aaron was creative, focused, and brilliant.

At 14, he invented RSS; He dropped out of Stanford; At 19, he was in the first Y Combinator class; He co-founded Reddit.

Most likely, if he were alive today, he would be involved with #Bitcoin.

But that’s not EVEN 1% of what he did for us 🙏

Let’s take a look 👇

https://image.nostr.build/37c7dd4a0ddbad0ae5a98babc66adc4916cc4a03b13d63d0fced0e6c3e0541fd.jpg

From a young age, Aaron believed in an OPEN INTERNET. In computers as a tool for LIBERATION.

"But wait, wasn’t the internet always open?"

No.

Believe it or not, there was a time when they wanted you to REGISTER your ID before you could browse or send an email.

https://image.nostr.build/77deabc6b94e160f43a3dd1522c5dac30061ac5423e6b2e3df10162a25e8e612.png

https://image.nostr.build/960a2e8b7b518cd7f34af6d791518cdabf7b7cdc22366decc16c667cad1f727f.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/5d22d57a1ed58ce2f301d45dd09500d066c8c422039ce4c9c30eec586178fddd.jpg

He believed that PUBLIC LEGAL RECORDS and SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH should be accessible to everyone.

But in the U.S.,

• 98% of scientific articles are behind paywalls; and
• ~80% of legal records are too.

Imagine being sued and still having to pay to view the documents?

https://video.nostr.build/2af872c7a7d1b74ce0fb8d42369a87df45a7ee2d23df006d287b58ac60fcfe26.mp4

Aaron's war had 3 major battles.

The first was against PACER.

A legal records database.

PACER is PAID... but it was "free" in 17 public libraries.

With friends, Aaron wrote a script on a USB drive, plugged it into a USB port, downloaded 2.7 million documents... and SET THEM FREE.

https://video.nostr.build/21b565dd1742bc950748be2ac0e0ce2868f4b94c54d1da9321a198c49fe85d1e.mp4

No charges were made against the group.

But the FBI began to take notice.

That had only been the beginning. That boy would still challenge the system.

The following year, Aaron would enter the biggest fight of his life — and the greatest battle in internet history against censorship ✊

https://image.nostr.build/ab43c6a3d189953bfee2fdc26760e819bc9e637dce97d0c8362a36192487b0aa.png

"SOPA/PIPA" 👉 if you're over 20, you probably still remember these acronyms.

A bill to "combat piracy"... which was just an excuse for the government to shut down ANY SITE, without warning.

Some companies loved the idea.

But those who loved the internet fought back.

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

And then, something wonderful happened.

We still knew how to fight against online censorship.

In a coordinated response, the biggest websites on the internet "went on STRIKE."

Wikipedia and Reddit went offline. Google turned black.

Protests also erupted in the STREETS.

But...

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/12adaed7c7a5ce9e8ce3c0944111c45e0e311b02c14319ef31910ea3ee5c60aa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/7a23543a1a8be95067289d830c766a4af93a321402ba1e2f53b268d660cba2fa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/0f934d461a5491c39928a1a1bdbfbefe16cb4f70abd6e8bb54c9ee2e6621b438.jpg

... but people have short memories.

This battle was won.

However, the NEXT one would be the LAST for young Aaron.

This MIT security camera was the final straw that ruined his life 👇📹

https://image.nostr.build/e48beb62bce1cdc7554d8e602786a29969a687202f7c7e6971f9f203de3160e6.png

JSTOR was Swartz's final target: the largest database of academic papers in the world.

Aaron wrote a script to download MILLIONS of papers, over the course of months, using his MIT access, in a small room.

MIT has a rebellious culture.

But the FBI could no longer tolerate the boy's defiance.

https://image.nostr.build/0f98f712709cacd788a841186630069f9b8877bbea34374f83c529e0b29d1385.jpg

With the video evidence, the U.S. prosecution charged Aaron with 13 crimes. Up to 50 years in prison.

In January 2011, he was arrested by undercover agents near the Harvard campus.

From then on, he was legally tortured.

Two years later, he would be found dead at home.

https://image.nostr.build/0e6b2b6d4ac93cc031267d6a3ae4fdd1afbaf7154c3d1b28db144e703325eff3.png

https://image.nostr.build/94285f292eb025a91ba591bb14ac0c8739607d428a956f73eb01a7b5c2f1f360.png

"Aaron would be 38 years old today.

He was accused of 'pirating' scientific papers funded with public money.

Facing up to 50 years in prison, he took his own life.

Those he inspired continue to democratize access to science.

Let us remember him."

*These are the words of Susan, his mother.

https://image.nostr.build/cb82dfbd1b0675e53a6a24ba2b6c6c50be08b60dc315f9a3cfbf3de4ded0a191.jpg

After his death, the charges were dropped by the government.

Aaron never considered entering a 'plea deal'. He would have faced millions of dollars in legal costs.

The father of the internet, Tim Berners-Lee, published a short poem at the time that says it all:

“The world was a little worse for his passing,
But a lot better for his being.”

https://image.nostr.build/110bd2ce6b535252ecff250b6609cc6f301b906f6681c2459d375c09af2a9548.png

Aaron wasn’t a unanimous figure. You may disagree with his methods.

But he was faithful to his ideal.

He was genuine. Firm in what he believed.

He was a person who used his prodigious skills not to enrich himself, but to make the internet fairer, and the world a better place.

https://image.nostr.build/570b43a6887dfa430be76e33a416c7bbc65d05e9acf0404ae46ad1a522bf9abc.jpg

Aaron had worked with Virgil Griffith (former Ethereum, now imprisoned for "teaching about crypto" to North Koreans).

He knew Elizabeth Stark (from Lightning).

He was friends with Zooko.

And he wrote about #Bitcoin — on the DAY he was arrested (1/6/11)! 😢

http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/squarezooko

https://image.nostr.build/5809cf5fa01059fd6333df5a3010a49fbb17642f447d33674ea4388640fb9703.png

https://image.nostr.build/e7fe674ce2598619319edeae7a342da44e8d35baf99aac31df07924c446b8e56.png

https://image.nostr.build/a5ccd76d96ed40ca7a6337050c427d0caee576d1221858aef7e841e32fb9b00c.png

Curious? To learn more about the story, start with this documentary (on YouTube) 👇

[https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ](https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ)

We’ll finish with an excerpt from the "Manifesto for Free Access," by Aaron himself:

"Information is power. But, like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves. There is no justice in following unjust laws. It’s time to come to the light, and, in the tradition of civil disobedience, declare our opposition to the private theft of public culture.

We must take information, wherever it is, make our copies, and share them with the world."

RIP, Aaron ✊

https://image.nostr.build/18af509a01336df22725822ce2acc3b3008e433dcd83b4c617ad6b877501e34e.png

https://image.nostr.build/a1bf70d3e884b2ff36f35576fc914d42cb71663440d512d89b3c93bc1af5902f.png

https://image.nostr.build/7aa7111a401e98bc3a02ff2ab2321839c79e89f9845bbdaa654f3d468f79b3b0.png


I had no idea of this life story.

nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfdupzqy5l2xy46y4t8jwdcfkty27mh80frrjlrnle39pl8psw75aygxqrqvzqqqqqqyqxmqs9


Coffee on me ☕


"We must take information, wherever it is, make our copies, and share them with the world."

RIP Aaron 🙏

nostr:note1wa0pv3sjxk2ctaznqtt6sdmfrnplehs04yeamlzczge8gk7dgpkq0hj8se


Onward 🫡


Nice


Thank you


Thanks for sharing!


May you rest in peace, Aaron. I'm sorry we failed you as a society.
nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpz4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezummcw3ezuer9wchsygqjnagcjhgj4v7fehpxev3tmwuaayvwtuw0lxy58uuxpm6n53qcqvpsgqqqqqqszs9vlr


Thank you for sharing.


This is great, thank you. He was truly the best kind of freedom fighter


:blobyes:


Someone worked very hard on this. Please zap for this value for value piece and remember Aaron Swartz.

nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpr4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezucnfw33k76twv4ezuum0vd5kzmp0qgsp986339w392eunnwzdjezhkaem6gcuhcul7vfg0ecvrh48fzpsqcrqsqqqqqpgs93zz


:Rainbow spiral:


Great Post


Had no idea who he was, but won't forget.

nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuurjd9kkzmpwdejhgtczyqff75vft5f2k0yumsnvkg4ahww7jx89788lnz2r7wrqaaf6gsvqxqcyqqqqqqgzcfmyy


Great job, grats ! 👏 👏 👏


He is one of the giants that allows us to see further


And Reddit absolutely sucks nowadays.

I'm pretty sure Aaron would've loved Nostr and would have worked on it.

He understood it. RIP.


We need to be more like Aaron.

We need to bring more public information to the Nostr universe.

They persecuted him for sharing publicly funded information.

All the information on Reddit, Facebook, and other social media belongs to the people.

Information belongs to the people, especially if the people individually decide to offer it to the world freely.

This is why Nostr will win.

Long live Nostr.  Let's remember Aaron and help Nostr change the world!

nostr:note1wa0pv3sjxk2ctaznqtt6sdmfrnplehs04yeamlzczge8gk7dgpkq0hj8se

#nostr #freespeech


Impressive lifeline, with tragic ending.
nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqy5l2xy46y4t8jwdcfkty27mh80frrjlrnle39pl8psw75aygxqrqythwumn8ghj7cnfw33k76twv4ezuum0vd5kzmp0qy28wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtngdajxctnpwghsqgrhtctyvy34jkzlg5cz675rw6guc07durafx0wlckqjxf69hn2qds5q73s6


He would love nostr


Onward 🫡


"There is no justice in following unjust laws."
–Aaron Swartz

nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7q3qz204rz2az24ne8xuym9j90dmnh533e03elucjslnsc802wjyrqpsxpqqqqqqz2l37z2


Time to rewatch "The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz"
https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ

nostr:note1wa0pv3sjxk2ctaznqtt6sdmfrnplehs04yeamlzczge8gk7dgpkq0hj8se


"Hanged himself." Like Epstein did.
nostr:nevent1qqsq6jwx5ymrw79anklf8ukde6s73cw3g9dzfxk0jsd84dcp26ldv5gpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygx6ee3mqrzzumsp05qd6xg2jv5rscqzlavhhpq7khherhj0rn5yjypsgqqqqqqsnq8t6v


Great post 💥


Thank you for remembering him. They were dark times back then.


same
it was so unfair that they had to make an example out of him 😢


this part of our world is disgusting!   & so sad @ the same time, fren


This boy SAVED the INTERNET… but couldn't save himself.

10 years ago, he was persecuted by his government, and ultimately paid with his life.

Aaron Swartz is a modern hero that most people DO NOT KNOW.

But they should.

https://image.nostr.build/a5163a2d322330e5853e14ddf87d1613eecbdff0e23451d9f3059d3c1e0cd723.jpg

Aaron was creative, focused, and brilliant.

At 14, he invented RSS; He dropped out of Stanford; At 19, he was in the first Y Combinator class; He co-founded Reddit.

Most likely, if he were alive today, he would be involved with #Bitcoin.

But that’s not EVEN 1% of what he did for us 🙏

Let’s take a look 👇

https://image.nostr.build/37c7dd4a0ddbad0ae5a98babc66adc4916cc4a03b13d63d0fced0e6c3e0541fd.jpg

From a young age, Aaron believed in an OPEN INTERNET. In computers as a tool for LIBERATION.

"But wait, wasn’t the internet always open?"

No.

Believe it or not, there was a time when they wanted you to REGISTER your ID before you could browse or send an email.

https://image.nostr.build/77deabc6b94e160f43a3dd1522c5dac30061ac5423e6b2e3df10162a25e8e612.png

https://image.nostr.build/960a2e8b7b518cd7f34af6d791518cdabf7b7cdc22366decc16c667cad1f727f.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/5d22d57a1ed58ce2f301d45dd09500d066c8c422039ce4c9c30eec586178fddd.jpg

He believed that PUBLIC LEGAL RECORDS and SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH should be accessible to everyone.

But in the U.S.,

• 98% of scientific articles are behind paywalls; and
• ~80% of legal records are too.

Imagine being sued and still having to pay to view the documents?

https://video.nostr.build/2af872c7a7d1b74ce0fb8d42369a87df45a7ee2d23df006d287b58ac60fcfe26.mp4

Aaron's war had 3 major battles.

The first was against PACER.

A legal records database.

PACER is PAID... but it was "free" in 17 public libraries.

With friends, Aaron wrote a script on a USB drive, plugged it into a USB port, downloaded 2.7 million documents... and SET THEM FREE.

https://video.nostr.build/21b565dd1742bc950748be2ac0e0ce2868f4b94c54d1da9321a198c49fe85d1e.mp4

No charges were made against the group.

But the FBI began to take notice.

That had only been the beginning. That boy would still challenge the system.

The following year, Aaron would enter the biggest fight of his life — and the greatest battle in internet history against censorship ✊

https://image.nostr.build/ab43c6a3d189953bfee2fdc26760e819bc9e637dce97d0c8362a36192487b0aa.png

"SOPA/PIPA" 👉 if you're over 20, you probably still remember these acronyms.

A bill to "combat piracy"... which was just an excuse for the government to shut down ANY SITE, without warning.

Some companies loved the idea.

But those who loved the internet fought back.

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

And then, something wonderful happened.

We still knew how to fight against online censorship.

In a coordinated response, the biggest websites on the internet "went on STRIKE."

Wikipedia and Reddit went offline. Google turned black.

Protests also erupted in the STREETS.

But...

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/12adaed7c7a5ce9e8ce3c0944111c45e0e311b02c14319ef31910ea3ee5c60aa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/7a23543a1a8be95067289d830c766a4af93a321402ba1e2f53b268d660cba2fa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/0f934d461a5491c39928a1a1bdbfbefe16cb4f70abd6e8bb54c9ee2e6621b438.jpg

... but people have short memories.

This battle was won.

However, the NEXT one would be the LAST for young Aaron.

This MIT security camera was the final straw that ruined his life 👇📹

https://image.nostr.build/e48beb62bce1cdc7554d8e602786a29969a687202f7c7e6971f9f203de3160e6.png

JSTOR was Swartz's final target: the largest database of academic papers in the world.

Aaron wrote a script to download MILLIONS of papers, over the course of months, using his MIT access, in a small room.

MIT has a rebellious culture.

But the FBI could no longer tolerate the boy's defiance.

https://image.nostr.build/0f98f712709cacd788a841186630069f9b8877bbea34374f83c529e0b29d1385.jpg

With the video evidence, the U.S. prosecution charged Aaron with 13 crimes. Up to 50 years in prison.

In January 2011, he was arrested by undercover agents near the Harvard campus.

From then on, he was legally tortured.

Two years later, he would be found dead at home.

https://image.nostr.build/0e6b2b6d4ac93cc031267d6a3ae4fdd1afbaf7154c3d1b28db144e703325eff3.png

https://image.nostr.build/94285f292eb025a91ba591bb14ac0c8739607d428a956f73eb01a7b5c2f1f360.png

"Aaron would be 38 years old today.

He was accused of 'pirating' scientific papers funded with public money.

Facing up to 50 years in prison, he took his own life.

Those he inspired continue to democratize access to science.

Let us remember him."

*These are the words of Susan, his mother.

https://image.nostr.build/cb82dfbd1b0675e53a6a24ba2b6c6c50be08b60dc315f9a3cfbf3de4ded0a191.jpg

After his death, the charges were dropped by the government.

Aaron never considered entering a 'plea deal'. He would have faced millions of dollars in legal costs.

The father of the internet, Tim Berners-Lee, published a short poem at the time that says it all:

“The world was a little worse for his passing,
But a lot better for his being.”

https://image.nostr.build/110bd2ce6b535252ecff250b6609cc6f301b906f6681c2459d375c09af2a9548.png

Aaron wasn’t a unanimous figure. You may disagree with his methods.

But he was faithful to his ideal.

He was genuine. Firm in what he believed.

He was a person who used his prodigious skills not to enrich himself, but to make the internet fairer, and the world a better place.

https://image.nostr.build/570b43a6887dfa430be76e33a416c7bbc65d05e9acf0404ae46ad1a522bf9abc.jpg

Aaron had worked with Virgil Griffith (former Ethereum, now imprisoned for "teaching about crypto" to North Koreans).

He knew Elizabeth Stark (from Lightning).

He was friends with Zooko.

And he wrote about #Bitcoin — on the DAY he was arrested (1/6/11)! 😢

http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/squarezooko

https://image.nostr.build/5809cf5fa01059fd6333df5a3010a49fbb17642f447d33674ea4388640fb9703.png

https://image.nostr.build/e7fe674ce2598619319edeae7a342da44e8d35baf99aac31df07924c446b8e56.png

https://image.nostr.build/a5ccd76d96ed40ca7a6337050c427d0caee576d1221858aef7e841e32fb9b00c.png

Curious? To learn more about the story, start with this documentary (on YouTube) 👇

[https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ](https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ)

We’ll finish with an excerpt from the "Manifesto for Free Access," by Aaron himself:

"Information is power. But, like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves. There is no justice in following unjust laws. It’s time to come to the light, and, in the tradition of civil disobedience, declare our opposition to the private theft of public culture.

We must take information, wherever it is, make our copies, and share them with the world."

RIP, Aaron ✊

https://image.nostr.build/18af509a01336df22725822ce2acc3b3008e433dcd83b4c617ad6b877501e34e.png

https://image.nostr.build/a1bf70d3e884b2ff36f35576fc914d42cb71663440d512d89b3c93bc1af5902f.png

https://image.nostr.build/7aa7111a401e98bc3a02ff2ab2321839c79e89f9845bbdaa654f3d468f79b3b0.png


Aaron will always be the best of us. Said it before and mean it. We fight on … at least I will always do so … in his memory. 💜 https://image.nostr.build/a1d0a87f5d8b70ac165b76d0f97b50abf50f3ce1c05ac7847cdc2337b80b9010.jpg


Aaron famous invention will last. We're going to merge RSS with Nostr.


Human knowledge belongs to the world ❤

nostr:note1wa0pv3sjxk2ctaznqtt6sdmfrnplehs04yeamlzczge8gk7dgpkq0hj8se


This is beautiful, he’s such an inspiration till this day, i will never delete a copy of his manifesto. Will always go back to it when i feel like liberty is nowhere to be found.


was anything done with solving zooko's triangle?


Thanks 4 sharing


Damn that is some sad shit


Gone but not forgotten


Thanks for This Article about Aaron. I was not aware of him. But I share his freedom philosophy 🙌


Goat
nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpzemhxue69uhhwmm59eek7anzd96zu6r0wd6z7q3qz204rz2az24ne8xuym9j90dmnh533e03elucjslnsc802wjyrqpsxpqqqqqqzhp9q0e


This is a thread to remind of this:

nostr:nevent1qqspd4hj7spvlvsdtn2tvuncmj2qznfcnvg65hg8e8h60ga52le6h3gpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7q3qp2u3tjffwlrxk47xhajdtqjjmdrwt5p845k8ux4vn23mf0p2udusxpqqqqqqz79cv0z


Onward 🫡


:sir:


I love pic 7. He is a giant who looks small.


"suicide" sure right lets not look into that at all


Excellent note 📝 👏👌🔥


i can understand that, t-y 4 sharing, it confirms my perspective on a lot of this idiocracy/assholes & evildoers.


Need more rebels.  ^*•*^


Read this!

nostr:note1wa0pv3sjxk2ctaznqtt6sdmfrnplehs04yeamlzczge8gk7dgpkq0hj8se


Take your time and read this!

nostr:note1wa0pv3sjxk2ctaznqtt6sdmfrnplehs04yeamlzczge8gk7dgpkq0hj8se


Thank you. This story breaks my heart


Great post 👍


Every time I read about Aaron I am more convinced he is the best person ever. May we all use #btc & #nostr to create the most #equitable world for #humanity
nostr:npub1ljxdldrq885zamfkn82k7zcjs4lrsf9wykrh9e3hq4thh89vlzxsr83h7d @webwort nostr:npub1dgpt04w4c88wc0g262xaw8zvlm4mvwtmjhl0tn2sxtyjywsn6q4qt8ka3a hy
Aren’t we all nostr:npub1zrj93dgru098vcjk37tz2tm7hj93c5g3xt8nn8g2yxucd3wvve9qr0k7y5 nostr:npub1aelrgegt8m2h442675xf9apa4wfna27zh5a5jqk3day8kdn2hupqt2qpf4 nostr:npub1mvenvvmenmmlnkajjeate0kk27mvvatcgk0jhs4a3r2cg2nql92qzsgn3v @gerrikabeiti nostr:npub1hsdet2fwztkvjp4pnx7lckwakt488y6a5earraxf4zrqqdvc8pmsqlsy2m nostr:npub1fyg9029gy0ctm9nghmp6q8c436d7n7vkexz0paluvxvzz5x9kfhq7d2g8w whatever … you all get yourselves in order … momma tired 💤 https://image.nostr.build/ba1cd1f1fe8763f647ef9a66002cdd3575fa2a1b29cf21b052eda6e21e408a0b.jpg


the fucks they are, still want control but i think their cork has been popped.   allthebest  laanwj & appreciate your contribution to this space!


RIP Aaron Schwartz
nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygqjnagcjhgj4v7fehpxev3tmwuaayvwtuw0lxy58uuxpm6n53qcqvpsgqqqqqqsh4hvq9


This boy SAVED the INTERNET… but couldn't save himself.

10 years ago, he was persecuted by his government, and ultimately paid with his life.

Aaron Swartz is a modern hero that most people DO NOT KNOW.

But they should.

https://image.nostr.build/a5163a2d322330e5853e14ddf87d1613eecbdff0e23451d9f3059d3c1e0cd723.jpg

Aaron was creative, focused, and brilliant.

At 14, he invented RSS; He dropped out of Stanford; At 19, he was in the first Y Combinator class; He co-founded Reddit.

Most likely, if he were alive today, he would be involved with #Bitcoin.

But that’s not EVEN 1% of what he did for us 🙏

Let’s take a look 👇

https://image.nostr.build/37c7dd4a0ddbad0ae5a98babc66adc4916cc4a03b13d63d0fced0e6c3e0541fd.jpg

From a young age, Aaron believed in an OPEN INTERNET. In computers as a tool for LIBERATION.

"But wait, wasn’t the internet always open?"

No.

Believe it or not, there was a time when they wanted you to REGISTER your ID before you could browse or send an email.

https://image.nostr.build/77deabc6b94e160f43a3dd1522c5dac30061ac5423e6b2e3df10162a25e8e612.png

https://image.nostr.build/960a2e8b7b518cd7f34af6d791518cdabf7b7cdc22366decc16c667cad1f727f.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/5d22d57a1ed58ce2f301d45dd09500d066c8c422039ce4c9c30eec586178fddd.jpg

He believed that PUBLIC LEGAL RECORDS and SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH should be accessible to everyone.

But in the U.S.,

• 98% of scientific articles are behind paywalls; and
• ~80% of legal records are too.

Imagine being sued and still having to pay to view the documents?

https://video.nostr.build/2af872c7a7d1b74ce0fb8d42369a87df45a7ee2d23df006d287b58ac60fcfe26.mp4

Aaron's war had 3 major battles.

The first was against PACER.

A legal records database.

PACER is PAID... but it was "free" in 17 public libraries.

With friends, Aaron wrote a script on a USB drive, plugged it into a USB port, downloaded 2.7 million documents... and SET THEM FREE.

https://video.nostr.build/21b565dd1742bc950748be2ac0e0ce2868f4b94c54d1da9321a198c49fe85d1e.mp4

No charges were made against the group.

But the FBI began to take notice.

That had only been the beginning. That boy would still challenge the system.

The following year, Aaron would enter the biggest fight of his life — and the greatest battle in internet history against censorship ✊

https://image.nostr.build/ab43c6a3d189953bfee2fdc26760e819bc9e637dce97d0c8362a36192487b0aa.png

"SOPA/PIPA" 👉 if you're over 20, you probably still remember these acronyms.

A bill to "combat piracy"... which was just an excuse for the government to shut down ANY SITE, without warning.

Some companies loved the idea.

But those who loved the internet fought back.

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

And then, something wonderful happened.

We still knew how to fight against online censorship.

In a coordinated response, the biggest websites on the internet "went on STRIKE."

Wikipedia and Reddit went offline. Google turned black.

Protests also erupted in the STREETS.

But...

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/12adaed7c7a5ce9e8ce3c0944111c45e0e311b02c14319ef31910ea3ee5c60aa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/7a23543a1a8be95067289d830c766a4af93a321402ba1e2f53b268d660cba2fa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/0f934d461a5491c39928a1a1bdbfbefe16cb4f70abd6e8bb54c9ee2e6621b438.jpg

... but people have short memories.

This battle was won.

However, the NEXT one would be the LAST for young Aaron.

This MIT security camera was the final straw that ruined his life 👇📹

https://image.nostr.build/e48beb62bce1cdc7554d8e602786a29969a687202f7c7e6971f9f203de3160e6.png

JSTOR was Swartz's final target: the largest database of academic papers in the world.

Aaron wrote a script to download MILLIONS of papers, over the course of months, using his MIT access, in a small room.

MIT has a rebellious culture.

But the FBI could no longer tolerate the boy's defiance.

https://image.nostr.build/0f98f712709cacd788a841186630069f9b8877bbea34374f83c529e0b29d1385.jpg

With the video evidence, the U.S. prosecution charged Aaron with 13 crimes. Up to 50 years in prison.

In January 2011, he was arrested by undercover agents near the Harvard campus.

From then on, he was legally tortured.

Two years later, he would be found dead at home.

https://image.nostr.build/0e6b2b6d4ac93cc031267d6a3ae4fdd1afbaf7154c3d1b28db144e703325eff3.png

https://image.nostr.build/94285f292eb025a91ba591bb14ac0c8739607d428a956f73eb01a7b5c2f1f360.png

"Aaron would be 38 years old today.

He was accused of 'pirating' scientific papers funded with public money.

Facing up to 50 years in prison, he took his own life.

Those he inspired continue to democratize access to science.

Let us remember him."

*These are the words of Susan, his mother.

https://image.nostr.build/cb82dfbd1b0675e53a6a24ba2b6c6c50be08b60dc315f9a3cfbf3de4ded0a191.jpg

After his death, the charges were dropped by the government.

Aaron never considered entering a 'plea deal'. He would have faced millions of dollars in legal costs.

The father of the internet, Tim Berners-Lee, published a short poem at the time that says it all:

“The world was a little worse for his passing,
But a lot better for his being.”

https://image.nostr.build/110bd2ce6b535252ecff250b6609cc6f301b906f6681c2459d375c09af2a9548.png

Aaron wasn’t a unanimous figure. You may disagree with his methods.

But he was faithful to his ideal.

He was genuine. Firm in what he believed.

He was a person who used his prodigious skills not to enrich himself, but to make the internet fairer, and the world a better place.

https://image.nostr.build/570b43a6887dfa430be76e33a416c7bbc65d05e9acf0404ae46ad1a522bf9abc.jpg

Aaron had worked with Virgil Griffith (former Ethereum, now imprisoned for "teaching about crypto" to North Koreans).

He knew Elizabeth Stark (from Lightning).

He was friends with Zooko.

And he wrote about #Bitcoin — on the DAY he was arrested (1/6/11)! 😢

http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/squarezooko

https://image.nostr.build/5809cf5fa01059fd6333df5a3010a49fbb17642f447d33674ea4388640fb9703.png

https://image.nostr.build/e7fe674ce2598619319edeae7a342da44e8d35baf99aac31df07924c446b8e56.png

https://image.nostr.build/a5ccd76d96ed40ca7a6337050c427d0caee576d1221858aef7e841e32fb9b00c.png

Curious? To learn more about the story, start with this documentary (on YouTube) 👇

[https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ](https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ)

We’ll finish with an excerpt from the "Manifesto for Free Access," by Aaron himself:

"Information is power. But, like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves. There is no justice in following unjust laws. It’s time to come to the light, and, in the tradition of civil disobedience, declare our opposition to the private theft of public culture.

We must take information, wherever it is, make our copies, and share them with the world."

RIP, Aaron ✊

https://image.nostr.build/18af509a01336df22725822ce2acc3b3008e433dcd83b4c617ad6b877501e34e.png

https://image.nostr.build/a1bf70d3e884b2ff36f35576fc914d42cb71663440d512d89b3c93bc1af5902f.png

https://image.nostr.build/7aa7111a401e98bc3a02ff2ab2321839c79e89f9845bbdaa654f3d468f79b3b0.png


r u familiar with "their plan" to control this medium?


He would've loved nostr if he were still alive. I wish I would've met him. Honestly he was a hero, I wish I would've met him when he was still alive. Rest in peace Aaron.


thank you


Onward 🫡


To the Lost 🥃


I regret voting for Obama because he left Aaron in jail and he was gone under Obama’s watch.  Thank you Aaron. 🙏🙏🙏


I like! 💜🧡


The state cronies love putting MIT kids in jail.


a gem.


He broke the law and killed himself.....I bet he would join the leftist cult and want to censor right-right people too.


Aaron was Satoshi 🔥


wow, i didn't know any of this... inspiring figure


Great post!! 🦅


The academic publishing industry utilises researchers as indentured servants, not only not paying for papers, but often charging for publishing.  Peer reviewers are also unpaid and act as the first, but not last gatekeepers of "acceptable" information.  If the people doing the work aren't paid, the information should be free and what he did was moral imo.


He should have just gone on the run like Snowden. He could have continued his amazing work anywhere in the world.
He does sound like an amazing person. Even the best of us can feel as though we are trapped into a corner.
Let him be remembered for the genius he was. 🙏


Upward 📈


How do you always, consistently have the most moronic take on absolutely everything?


Generational Wealth. You are Welcome 🫡


May you rest in peace, Aaron. I'm sorry we failed you as a society.
nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpz4mhxue69uhkummnw3ezummcw3ezuer9wchsygqjnagcjhgj4v7fehpxev3tmwuaayvwtuw0lxy58uuxpm6n53qcqvpsgqqqqqqszs9vlr


That film makes me so angry and sad. I did not know about him. thank you for sharing.


wss://nostrelinostrelites.org
wot.utxo.one
nos.lol
relay.damus.io
👀

2 WoT. 2 large public. 1 your own? If not just add another WoT such as wot.sovbit.host

Onward 🫡


yeah, they whackd him just like McAffee


Onward 🫡


Wow.  Great summary, I wasn’t aware of his story.   I’m convinced that in the not too distant future we will look back on the copyright era as the medieval times.  Information can’t be owned, only kept secret.  Once it’s published, it’s public.


It’s just bait.


Thanks for sharing!


Fuking Obama killed him!
Obama is the biggest fraud in American history


Love it 🫡


Coffee on me ☕


We can't let his life go in vain.

We need to be like Aaron. It's the way to keep his memory alive.


We're gonna win 👊


Great post 👍


RIP


What an awesome human being-an inspiration for us all💯


Wunderbar! 🧡


like bitcoiner👍


Pura vida!


Awesome 👌


Who invented RSS?

RSS has a complex history of development with multiple contributors rather than a single inventor. Here's how it evolved:

## Early Development
The conceptual foundation for RSS began in 1997 when Dave Winer developed scriptingNews, which is considered the birth of RSS[4]. However, the first official version of RSS (RSS 0.9) was created by Ramanathan V. Guha and others at Netscape in March 1999 for use on the My.Netscape.Com portal[1][6].

## Key Evolution Stages

**Netscape Era**
Dan Libby at Netscape produced RSS 0.91 in July 1999, simplifying the format by removing RDF elements and incorporating elements from Dave Winer's news syndication format[2]. At this point, RSS was renamed to "Rich Site Summary."

**UserLand Software Period**
After Netscape abandoned the project, UserLand Software took control of the RSS specifications[6]. Dave Winer, while at UserLand, continued development through various versions, ultimately leading to RSS 2.0 in September 2002[2].

**Harvard Standardization**
In July 2003, Winer and UserLand Software assigned the copyright of RSS 2.0 to Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society[2]. This move effectively standardized the format and made it freely available for use.

## Industry Adoption
The format gained widespread adoption between 2005 and 2006, particularly after Microsoft Internet Explorer and Opera Software adopted the now-familiar RSS icon that was originally created by Stephen Horlander for Mozilla Firefox[2]. However, RSS usage declined with the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter[6].

Citations:
[1] Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashtriya_Swayamsevak_Sangh
[2] RSS - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)
[3] RSS Feed Generator, Create RSS feeds from URL https://rss.app/en/
[4] RSS - Version History - TutorialsPoint https://www.tutorialspoint.com/rss/rss-version-history.htm
[5] How I almost invented RSS | Scott Berkun https://scottberkun.com/2010/how-i-almost-invented-rss/
[6] RSS | Definition, Meaning, & Facts - Britannica https://www.britannica.com/technology/RSS


I don't know much about the guy but people give him so much credit for things he didn't do


thanks perplexity for the great sources 🙄


:amy:


This boy SAVED the INTERNET… but couldn't save himself.

10 years ago, he was persecuted by his government, and ultimately paid with his life.

Aaron Swartz is a modern hero that most people DO NOT KNOW.

But they should.

https://image.nostr.build/a5163a2d322330e5853e14ddf87d1613eecbdff0e23451d9f3059d3c1e0cd723.jpg

Aaron was creative, focused, and brilliant.

At 14, he invented RSS; He dropped out of Stanford; At 19, he was in the first Y Combinator class; He co-founded Reddit.

Most likely, if he were alive today, he would be involved with #Bitcoin.

But that’s not EVEN 1% of what he did for us 🙏

Let’s take a look 👇

https://image.nostr.build/37c7dd4a0ddbad0ae5a98babc66adc4916cc4a03b13d63d0fced0e6c3e0541fd.jpg

From a young age, Aaron believed in an OPEN INTERNET. In computers as a tool for LIBERATION.

"But wait, wasn’t the internet always open?"

No.

Believe it or not, there was a time when they wanted you to REGISTER your ID before you could browse or send an email.

https://image.nostr.build/77deabc6b94e160f43a3dd1522c5dac30061ac5423e6b2e3df10162a25e8e612.png

https://image.nostr.build/960a2e8b7b518cd7f34af6d791518cdabf7b7cdc22366decc16c667cad1f727f.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/5d22d57a1ed58ce2f301d45dd09500d066c8c422039ce4c9c30eec586178fddd.jpg

He believed that PUBLIC LEGAL RECORDS and SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH should be accessible to everyone.

But in the U.S.,

• 98% of scientific articles are behind paywalls; and
• ~80% of legal records are too.

Imagine being sued and still having to pay to view the documents?

https://video.nostr.build/2af872c7a7d1b74ce0fb8d42369a87df45a7ee2d23df006d287b58ac60fcfe26.mp4

Aaron's war had 3 major battles.

The first was against PACER.

A legal records database.

PACER is PAID... but it was "free" in 17 public libraries.

With friends, Aaron wrote a script on a USB drive, plugged it into a USB port, downloaded 2.7 million documents... and SET THEM FREE.

https://video.nostr.build/21b565dd1742bc950748be2ac0e0ce2868f4b94c54d1da9321a198c49fe85d1e.mp4

No charges were made against the group.

But the FBI began to take notice.

That had only been the beginning. That boy would still challenge the system.

The following year, Aaron would enter the biggest fight of his life — and the greatest battle in internet history against censorship ✊

https://image.nostr.build/ab43c6a3d189953bfee2fdc26760e819bc9e637dce97d0c8362a36192487b0aa.png

"SOPA/PIPA" 👉 if you're over 20, you probably still remember these acronyms.

A bill to "combat piracy"... which was just an excuse for the government to shut down ANY SITE, without warning.

Some companies loved the idea.

But those who loved the internet fought back.

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

And then, something wonderful happened.

We still knew how to fight against online censorship.

In a coordinated response, the biggest websites on the internet "went on STRIKE."

Wikipedia and Reddit went offline. Google turned black.

Protests also erupted in the STREETS.

But...

https://image.nostr.build/605d066f5a7cc73cf8efe620725ac19f3fa9e85b760acd9e66b6f637b6837681.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/12adaed7c7a5ce9e8ce3c0944111c45e0e311b02c14319ef31910ea3ee5c60aa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/7a23543a1a8be95067289d830c766a4af93a321402ba1e2f53b268d660cba2fa.jpg

https://image.nostr.build/0f934d461a5491c39928a1a1bdbfbefe16cb4f70abd6e8bb54c9ee2e6621b438.jpg

... but people have short memories.

This battle was won.

However, the NEXT one would be the LAST for young Aaron.

This MIT security camera was the final straw that ruined his life 👇📹

https://image.nostr.build/e48beb62bce1cdc7554d8e602786a29969a687202f7c7e6971f9f203de3160e6.png

JSTOR was Swartz's final target: the largest database of academic papers in the world.

Aaron wrote a script to download MILLIONS of papers, over the course of months, using his MIT access, in a small room.

MIT has a rebellious culture.

But the FBI could no longer tolerate the boy's defiance.

https://image.nostr.build/0f98f712709cacd788a841186630069f9b8877bbea34374f83c529e0b29d1385.jpg

With the video evidence, the U.S. prosecution charged Aaron with 13 crimes. Up to 50 years in prison.

In January 2011, he was arrested by undercover agents near the Harvard campus.

From then on, he was legally tortured.

Two years later, he would be found dead at home.

https://image.nostr.build/0e6b2b6d4ac93cc031267d6a3ae4fdd1afbaf7154c3d1b28db144e703325eff3.png

https://image.nostr.build/94285f292eb025a91ba591bb14ac0c8739607d428a956f73eb01a7b5c2f1f360.png

"Aaron would be 38 years old today.

He was accused of 'pirating' scientific papers funded with public money.

Facing up to 50 years in prison, he took his own life.

Those he inspired continue to democratize access to science.

Let us remember him."

*These are the words of Susan, his mother.

https://image.nostr.build/cb82dfbd1b0675e53a6a24ba2b6c6c50be08b60dc315f9a3cfbf3de4ded0a191.jpg

After his death, the charges were dropped by the government.

Aaron never considered entering a 'plea deal'. He would have faced millions of dollars in legal costs.

The father of the internet, Tim Berners-Lee, published a short poem at the time that says it all:

“The world was a little worse for his passing,
But a lot better for his being.”

https://image.nostr.build/110bd2ce6b535252ecff250b6609cc6f301b906f6681c2459d375c09af2a9548.png

Aaron wasn’t a unanimous figure. You may disagree with his methods.

But he was faithful to his ideal.

He was genuine. Firm in what he believed.

He was a person who used his prodigious skills not to enrich himself, but to make the internet fairer, and the world a better place.

https://image.nostr.build/570b43a6887dfa430be76e33a416c7bbc65d05e9acf0404ae46ad1a522bf9abc.jpg

Aaron had worked with Virgil Griffith (former Ethereum, now imprisoned for "teaching about crypto" to North Koreans).

He knew Elizabeth Stark (from Lightning).

He was friends with Zooko.

And he wrote about #Bitcoin — on the DAY he was arrested (1/6/11)! 😢

http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/squarezooko

https://image.nostr.build/5809cf5fa01059fd6333df5a3010a49fbb17642f447d33674ea4388640fb9703.png

https://image.nostr.build/e7fe674ce2598619319edeae7a342da44e8d35baf99aac31df07924c446b8e56.png

https://image.nostr.build/a5ccd76d96ed40ca7a6337050c427d0caee576d1221858aef7e841e32fb9b00c.png

Curious? To learn more about the story, start with this documentary (on YouTube) 👇

[https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ](https://youtu.be/9vz06QO3UkQ)

We’ll finish with an excerpt from the "Manifesto for Free Access," by Aaron himself:

"Information is power. But, like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves. There is no justice in following unjust laws. It’s time to come to the light, and, in the tradition of civil disobedience, declare our opposition to the private theft of public culture.

We must take information, wherever it is, make our copies, and share them with the world."

RIP, Aaron ✊

https://image.nostr.build/18af509a01336df22725822ce2acc3b3008e433dcd83b4c617ad6b877501e34e.png

https://image.nostr.build/a1bf70d3e884b2ff36f35576fc914d42cb71663440d512d89b3c93bc1af5902f.png

https://image.nostr.build/7aa7111a401e98bc3a02ff2ab2321839c79e89f9845bbdaa654f3d468f79b3b0.png


never forget

nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezumt0d5hsygqjnagcjhgj4v7fehpxev3tmwuaayvwtuw0lxy58uuxpm6n53qcqvpsgqqqqqqsd7x5z2


Onward 🫡


Thank you Aaron.

Satoshi Bless.


didn't Boy Sminem save the world?


https://rense.com//general95/swartz.html

"Was Aaron Swartz Killed By An
MIT Satanic Child Porn Ring?"


I'm  trying not to be judgmental but  Im very pro Government.....
it seems like he took a wrong direction in life.....
Dropped out of very good University,  abandoned career and became a dissident fighting against the Government, FBI......
And FBI is protecting people from crime
This  is just doesn't make sense.....and nobody in his circle of people told him that's not okay


And the database he tried to liberate? What are your thoughts?
If people want to give preview on their work, research, scientific documents that's up to them.
Whoever wants to sell their research documents, writings...etc  it's up to them too. My understanding is that no one wants their work stolen or exploited


What a hero! It's crazy how being outspoken and standing up for what's right gets you looking at a 50 year sentence. Such a beautiful mind and such a shame how his life ended. At least now he is Free. 💜


Remember Aaron Swartz.

FUCK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

nostr:nevent1qqs8whskgcfrt9v973fs94agxa53eslumc86jv7al3vpyvn5t0x5qmqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygqjnagcjhgj4v7fehpxev3tmwuaayvwtuw0lxy58uuxpm6n53qcqvpsgqqqqqqsh4hvq9


Then his whole account is bate, because he is consistently a fucking moron.
Is there a point after which it stops being bait and just becomes who you are?


Thanks


Thank you for sharing this, Jack


pura vida 🤙


Let's go 🚀


⚡ LIVE FREE ⚡


⚔Do Easy⚔


Wow! That's amazing 😯


amazing story


PV 🤙


defund the government. bring them back down to earth