http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.01/mediaeval.html 16 March 2007
Rebecca Zorach provides interesting parallels between the "nodes" of medieval texting, writing and copying in the monastaries and the texting, writing and copying that the internet has made so available to us. Copying was the means of preserving information in the past. It also described they active creation of new material in what was learned from the past. The printing press, although it provided the means to easily print and distribute books, limited the number of individauls who could contribute. It also created a physical commodity and a profitble business for those with resources. By the 17th century, copyright laaws were protecting the creative rights of some but limiting the ability of others to create. As Zorach describes, the monks had a network between monistaries. Few common people traveled any distance from their birthplace so the monks provided a source of information on their travels. Those monks relegated to copying literary works in their nodes embellished their works, not just artistically but literally. e are reminded of how the marvel that was the printing press provided books, reading material and the ability to read to many during this time, but there were still those who were not included, especially serfs and slaves. In drawing her parallels, the author remembers those today who do not profit from the promise this technology holds.
As I read this article, I tried to imagine who would have been the Jack Valenti of medieval times? Would he have been the wealthy book publisher who decided how many books to print and where to sell them? Would he own the theater and decide what would be seen and by whom? I often wonder if there was anyone else with anywhere near the talent of William Shakespeare alive at that time. Would he have had a chance to publish and profit from his creativity? Would he have had any better chance today? The Internet should be able to provide that opportunity to all but will it?
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