5 ms·
We're building a statue of Aaron Swartz
- pablopeniche 2y agoWe're building a statue of Aaron Swartz. Our internet is under threat, once again. The marble bust, to be installed in a public park in SF, will remind us of our internet values: freedom of speech, freedom of access, and privacy. RSVP for the unveiling on Nov 8th (Aaron's birthday) in SF and DONATE! – http://aaronstatue.org http://aaronstatue.org
- abracadaniel 2y agoInterestingly, this won’t be his first statue. He is among the statues at the Internet archive. https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aaron_Swartz_statue.jpg https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aaron_Swartz_statu... See also - https://www.nualacreed.com/galleries/ceramic-archivists https://www.nualacreed.com/galleries/ceramic-archivists
- teruakohatu 2y ago> Carved in marble, to be installed in a public park in [UNDISCLOSED], San Francisco Isn’t it unusual to censor the location, wouldn’t this be public information anyone could request from the city? In my city, in New Zealand, this would have been discussed in committee meetings along with mountains of paperwork and health and safety documents. The RSVP as an image that might be a render of the statue or bust: https://lu.ma/qasq8c6u https://lu.ma/qasq8c6u
- dewey 2y agoMaybe it's a way of saying that they don't know where yet (permissions etc.)?
- PlunderBunny 2y agoOr that they don't intend to get permission.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- jampekka 2y agoJSTOR is a disgrace. RIP Aaron Swartz.
- kajika91 2y agoI'm not good with names and forgot who he was. I think the website should have given a short reminder. He is a famous activist behind the Creative Commons. Died too young in 2013 at the age of 26. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz
- adt 2y agoOr you could RTFA...
- breck 2y agoHe put his own life on the line to liberate scientific information for us all: https://x.com/breckyunits/status/1839806663752331535 https://x.com/breckyunits/status/1839806663752331535 A documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M85UvH0TRPc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M85UvH0TRPc
- DowagerDave 2y agoWould a better tribute be something that's directly related to appropriate internet activism, and not physically tied to a single location that few will ever see/visit/care about?
- ddingus 2y agoThis can be widely publicized, and IMHO, should be. That's a start.
- 2OEH8eoCRo0 2y agoWho is we?
- thetopher 2y agoThis looks like a scam. They’re asking for $5k - 20k individual donations for a statue that (according to the supposed sculptor’s website) will only cost $6,000. https://www.monumentallabs.co/commissions https://www.monumentallabs.co/commissions Why are they asking for so much money? Also, the website claims that donations are tax-deductible, but there’s no mention of a registered non-profit organization. No transparency. So many questions.
- pablopeniche 2y agoHey thetopher, I'm the guy building the statue. My name is Pablo Peniche (@pablopeniche on twitter). I'm happy to put my name on it and answer questions. The cost of the bigger-than-life-size statue (about 1.3x) is ~$25,000 (I'm happy to show you the receipts) Shipping is ~$6,000 (it's "art" shipment so it's more expensive). + Installation at the park + Permits from city gov + Costs of the unveiling event A 501c3 (not my own, but a tech-culture magazine "The Mars Review of Books") is sponsoring the project, so yea all donations are tax deductible. I've personally paid ~$10,000 (again, I'm happy to show receipts) to get the design of the statue + website - and I made it all open-source so anyone can 3D print their own statue, for free. Let me know if you have more questions.
- ebcode 2y agoHi Pablo, I agree w/ thetopher that this needs more transparency. If you're happy to show your receipts to date, you should do so on the website. Also, offer a way to contact you (email, phone, something) that isn't twitter.
- morserer 2y agoI'd like receipts publicly posted as well. What is the purpose behind hiding the statue's location?
- breck 2y agoAloha Pablo. Aaron was a mentor to me and one of my "heroes" (as much as one can have heros). My greatest regret in life is not being brave enough to stand up with him when he was under attack. I've cried about that often. I'd love to help you out. 1-415-937-1984 breck7@gmail.com
- throwaway81523 2y agoI've been wanting to endow a chair at the Mechanics Institute Library named after Aaron. Those have apparently gone up to $500 recently, but that still has to be a lot cheaper than a professorship at Stanford or anyplace like that: https://www.milibrary.org/chair-appeal https://www.milibrary.org/chair-appeal My idea is to place it near the computer terminals in the library, so you could sit in it and send out job application emails starting "I currently occupy the Aaron Swartz endowed chair at the San Francisco Mechanics' Institute...". Heh.
- imwoody 2y agothis man should be remembered by the younger generations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q6Fzbgs_Lg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q6Fzbgs_Lg
- bubblesnort 2y agoAaron Swartz should be remembered but afaik he committed suicide. As someone with a failed attempt, I hope this doesn't set an example for others to an hero.
- sn0n 2y agoYou skipped part of the story friend.
- transfer92 2y agoIt's a tragedy when someone commits suicide. I am in favor of open access to scientific literature. But I don't think he's a hero, and I don't think he deserves a statue.
- bijant 2y agoAaron is the Martyr of our revolution. He deserves this and much more. It's a total disgrace that the Reddit IPO Prospectus failed to even mention his name.
- bijant 2y agoAm I too stupid to donate ? Pressing the button only opens a mail form...