Banned book library in a Wi-Fi lightbulb
50 points by classichasclass
50 points by classichasclass
This is the true hacker spirit: civil disobedience supported by technology.
very cool idea and implementation
Was the final solution that the esp32 ran as an access point?
One thing to note is that this is distribution and if the book is under copyright it’s ethically (and legally) fraught.
The harder but more visible and ethical way is to buy copies of the book and “set up shop” as a free library.
I don’t know if in the EU they can punish individuals from owning and lending books (The exception is probably Nazi stuff in Germany, and Mein Kampf isn’t that mind opening anyway)
In the US it’s protected under the constitution and if anyone tried to stop you you’d probably make a lot of money, though it might be taxpayer money so a net loss for the people.
I think that if someone is distributing banned books, they're worried about things other than piracy.
I don't think this particular method - setting up hidden electronic caches that only the initiated and technologically savvy can find - will do much for censorship in the US for example.
The censorship happens in small towns, is usually a reactionary and grassroots movement, and thumbing your nose at such people, and in such an esoteric manner, won't make things better.
It's harder but makes more lasting change to engage people publicly in debate about the concept and consequences of censorship.
Banned works are often rather pedestrian. I often wonder if books get banned as part of a publicity campaign.
I think the important thing is to understand and address why a town, often full of people who consider themselves patriotic supporters of the constitution, would lean towards banning a book in the first place.
ofc. This is performance art, not an especially convincing attempt at changing people's lives.
But you can say the same thing about most banned books.
Source that it’s legal in the US? I believe it’s very illegal to share digital books you don’t own the copyright too. Why else would IA, TPB, and any other sharing site constantly have issues.
Im sorry I wasn’t clear that the copies have to be physical copies. I had a free library model in my head but I guess it wasn’t clear.
I mean that sounds more true but those books can’t be stored in a lightbulb…
Not clear to me if you are joking and if so about what but it’s pretty cheap to set up a free library.
You don’t even need to custom build the structure: they are sold online.
You can even set it up on public property in at least several towns I know. You just need a permit.
I suppose a determined enough town group could add conditions on the permit, which may be why people choose to set it up on the edge of their property.
The biggest hassle is vandals, which again depends on the culture of the town/city.