The signal non-technological enabler of harnessing cognitive surplus was the creation of the open-source license (GPL, by Richard Stallman ~25 years prior), which injected 'the right amount of inefficiency' into the IP system—using copyright law to subvert rather than extend copyright's traditional goals by granting more rights to users and fewer to creators, so contributors no longer fear being alienated from their work.

causalpending

Speaker

Clay Shirky

Evidence Quote

people are no longer afraid that they'll be alienated from the work they contribute

Source

Clay Shirky on Coase, Collaboration and Here Comes Everybody 10/20/2008EconTalk
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:28:59 AM

My Notes

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