Software Freedom is Essential to Human Freedom

Explore the critical relationship between software freedom and human freedom in this thought-provoking keynote address delivered at LCA 2021 Online. Delve into the history of technology monopolies, from the Bell System to modern tech giants, and examine how network effects and interoperability impact innovation. Analyze the concept of software as a recipe and its implications for user rights. Investigate the "blind spot" in current antitrust thinking and its consequences for the tech industry. Learn about the "kill zone" phenomenon and its effect on startups and competition. Draw parallels between the tech industry and historical figures like Robert Oppenheimer to understand the broader societal implications of software freedom.

Introduction
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Software as a Recipe
Bill Gates
The Blind Spot
The Bell System
Robert Bork
Network Effects
Interoperability
Monopolies
The Kill Zone
Robert Oppenheimer