Open Source and Open Information is something I have been passionate about for a very long time. It started as a way to free computers from the proprietary systems distributed by computer manufacturers. The GNU not Unix movement helped to get this started. From the beginning the concept of "Free as in freedom of speech versus Free as in Free Beer" has been the balancing act of the Open movements.
Open Education, like Open Source comes down to a question of Freedom and access versus low cost (Stallman). Freedom is never free, as it always comes with a cost. It means that the responsibility for its use falls on the user. After all, if you exercise your freedom of speech you must be prepared for a reaction. Likewise if you use Open Source/Information you become a steward for the product or information. You become responsible for its use and abuse. If there is a security breach or the information is incorrect there is no one else who is responsible. That lies with you.
However the possibilities are endless. As great minds share those minds we all gain. If you can add your own mindshare to this, the world can become a better place. This opens access to those who may not be able to get information or software due to georgraphic or economic conditions. There is potential for crossing the digital divide as we democratize the electronic media. This is what Freedom is about.
An interesting side effect of the Open Source movement as a socialist concept... it allows the capitalist concept of Adam Smith's Invisible Hand of market forces work more efficiently (Smith, 1776). It levels the playing field a bit, as the cost of entry into new markets gets cheaper for businesses of all sizes.
Free the Software
References
Fenster, Free The Software. Retrieved from http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/yt-yK9MNPlwr2k/fenster_the_free_software_song.swf
Smith,A (1776) The Wealth of Nations. Retrieved from:http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/smith-adam/works/wealth-of-nations/index.htm
Stallman, R. Why Software Should Not Have Owners. retrieved from http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html
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