No argument here that Aaron Swartz was a genius.
But the position this movie is putting forward is that he is some kind of Hero or Martyr, and blame the government and the prosecution for this suicide.
The ONLY person responsible for his suicide is Aaron himself.
He committed a crime for which he was being legitimately prosecuted. He committed said crime KNOWING it was a crime, and the intent of making a statement about open access. I can respect that. I disagree with his methods, but I can respect that.
But when you commit an act of criminal civic disobedience, you should do so accepting that you will most likely pay the price for that action.
Let me say that again.
Those who choose to engage in civil disobedience must be willing to face the consequences.
Swartz was offered a plea deal that would have required a prison term of only four to six months. A slap on the wrist.
I fear "documentaries" such as this that go so far to present one very very slanted view of a situation actually do a huge disservice to the public. And this one does very little to openly present the facts that show there is more to this story than a "hero" whiz kid who was being "bullied" by the big bad prosecution, until he was "forced" to take his own life.
But the position this movie is putting forward is that he is some kind of Hero or Martyr, and blame the government and the prosecution for this suicide.
The ONLY person responsible for his suicide is Aaron himself.
He committed a crime for which he was being legitimately prosecuted. He committed said crime KNOWING it was a crime, and the intent of making a statement about open access. I can respect that. I disagree with his methods, but I can respect that.
But when you commit an act of criminal civic disobedience, you should do so accepting that you will most likely pay the price for that action.
Let me say that again.
Those who choose to engage in civil disobedience must be willing to face the consequences.
Swartz was offered a plea deal that would have required a prison term of only four to six months. A slap on the wrist.
I fear "documentaries" such as this that go so far to present one very very slanted view of a situation actually do a huge disservice to the public. And this one does very little to openly present the facts that show there is more to this story than a "hero" whiz kid who was being "bullied" by the big bad prosecution, until he was "forced" to take his own life.