The next in the Fridays at the Library series will feature a panel discussion of the documentary The Internet’s Own Boy: the Story of Aaron Swartz.

Chicago-born Aaron Swartz (1986-2013) was immensely active and influential in the development of the Internet during his short life. He was involved in the development of RSS feeds, Creative Commons licences and Reddit, and was a passionate campaigner against US government attempts to control the Internet and against restrictive copyright legislation. At the time of his suicide in 2013 he was under US Federal indictment for data theft.

A panel of experts will discuss some of the issues raised in the Brian Knappenberger film The Internet’s Own Boy (2014), including the nature of dissent and the response of governments, the shortcomings of the US legal system with respect to human rights, and the nature and ownership of knowledge in the so-called Information Age.

Prior to the panel discussion, there will be an optional screening of the documentary.  Alternatively, it can be viewed online by clicking here.

The session will be held in the Noel Stockdale Room beginning at  3.30pm on Friday, 20 March 2015. The forum will be preceded by an optional screening of the documentary from 1.15pm to 3.15pm.

All are welcome – no bookings required – light refreshments served.