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COMMONS MAGAZINE

Media and Internet

The Internet offers an unparalleled opportunity for generating and expanding the commons in many ways. The mass media, often relying on free use of the airwaves, is a powerful public resource that too often represents the views of a narrow strata of society. Thinking of communications itself as a commons opens up broad new possibilities for sharing of information and insight.

Jonathan Tasini with Bernie Sanders on the campaign trail.

November 12, 2016

Political Revolution Marches on in New Podcast

Jonathan Tasini, author of the Essential Bernie Sanders, launches "The Working Life"
August 24, 2015

How the Right Wing Won the Language Wars

Why liberal, welfare and entitlements are dirty words.

A very popular toy doll who shall remain nameless due to lawsuit fears.  (By Deborah is Lola under a Creative Commons license) 

March 10, 2015

The Plot to Privatize Common Knowledge

How patents, copyrights and trademarks have been grossly distorted--even Barbie is tied up in court

(By Joseph Gruber under a Creative Commons license)

March 3, 2015

Two Victories for the Commons at FCC

Net neutrality grabbed the headlines, but easing restrictions on municipal broadband is just as important

Image from Free Press Pics under a Creative Commons license.

July 22, 2014

Who Gets to Decide What a City Can Do with Broadband Internet?

Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans and some states want to control local affairs

Lelalnd Maschmeyer is a creative director in New York City and author of The Triumph of the Commons.

May 14, 2014

You No Longer Have to Own Everything You Use

Leland Maschmeyer on creativity, sharing and the 21st Century Economy

 Free Press Pics under a CC license

May 4, 2014

How To Save Equal Access on the Internet

Publicly owned networks in cities across the US preserve net neutrality and provide quality service
April 13, 2014

Why Do I Work So Hard?

Two starkly different visions of life's meaning from a pair of car ads
February 9, 2014

A Whole World of Knowledge at Your Fingertips

The School of Open helps us navigate the immense resources of on-line learning