Interview Podcasts – Prometheus Unbound https://prometheusunbound.gaplauche.com A Libertarian Review of Speculative Fiction and Literature Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:05:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 yes Interview Podcasts – Prometheus Unbound false Interview Podcasts – Prometheus Unbound podcast Interview Podcasts – Prometheus Unbound https://prometheusunbound.gaplauche.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg https://prometheusunbound.gaplauche.com/category/features/podcasts/interview-podcasts/ PUP003 | Interview with Jeffrey Tucker https://prometheusunbound.gaplauche.com/2013/03/27/pup003-interview-with-jeffrey-tucker/ Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:05:47 +0000 http://prometheus-unbound.org/?p=11281
We started off by asking Jeffrey Tucker what it's been like working for a commercial publisher and bookseller after having worked for a nonprofit educational institution, the Ludwig von Mises Institute, where he was editorial vice president, for so long.

Then we went on to talk about the business model of Laissez Faire Books and the role of the publisher in the digital age as a curator and service provider (curation as a service); the compatibility of open source and business; intellectual property; the nature of competition; how many entrepreneurs and businesses misidentify the source of their profitability and don't understand why people buy their goods or services; how copyright has held back the publishing industry; markets as institutions of teaching and learning; his favorite works of fiction; his plans for Laissez Faire Books; and more.]]> Prometheus Unbound Podcast Prometheus Unbound Podcast Prometheus Unbound Podcast Prometheus Unbound Podcast

In episode three of the Prometheus Unbound Podcast, Matthew and I have a fantastic interview with the wonderful Jeffrey Tucker, editor of Laissez Faire Books. It's a long one, about an hour and fifteen minutes, and we knew you'd be eager to listen to Jeffrey, so we wasted no time with chit-chat and got right down to business. We covered a number of topics ranging from LFB, intellectual property, and Jeffrey's favorite fiction.

We started off by asking Jeffrey Tucker what it's been like working for a commercial publisher and bookseller after having worked for a nonprofit educational institution, the Ludwig von Mises Institute, where he was editorial vice president, for so long.

Then we went on to talk about the business model of Laissez Faire Books and the role of the publisher in the digital age as a curator and service provider (curation as a service); the compatibility of open source and business; intellectual property; the nature of competition; how many entrepreneurs and businesses misidentify the source of their profitability and don't understand why people buy their goods or services; how copyright has held back the publishing industry; and markets as institutions of teaching and learning.

“Don't work for my happiness, my brothers — show me yours — show me that it is possible — show me your achievement — and the knowledge will give me courage for mine.”
— Ayn Rand

We talked about a new book Jeffrey wrote with Doug French (as yet unpublished) titled Who's Going to Stop You, which was inspired by the important role played by Ayn Rand and her fiction in the libertarian movement. It's about what many still need to learn from her — an alternative to the typical libertarian activities of electioneering and bitter diatribes against the state on the one hand and academic-style educational efforts to promote liberty on the other — which is to set a positive example in expanding freedom and personal fulfillment in our own lives and the lives of others. We can't wait to see it.

For the last 20-30 minutes, we discussed the power of fiction in presenting abstract ideas, how it grounds and concretizes them in human action. Jeffrey Tucker told us about his favorite works of fiction, four novels by Garet Garrett (listed below), and some of his future plans for Laissez Faire Books. To our great pleasure, those plans include publishing more out-of-print and original libertarian fiction like Rose Wilder Lane's Young Pioneers and John Hunt's Higher Cause.

Jeffrey Tucker Meme

Follow Jeffrey Tucker

Books Mentioned

]]> Interview Podcasts – Prometheus Unbound full false 1:20:03 PUP001 | Interview with Stephan Kinsella https://prometheusunbound.gaplauche.com/2013/01/24/pup001-interview-with-stephan-kinsella/ https://prometheusunbound.gaplauche.com/2013/01/24/pup001-interview-with-stephan-kinsella/#comments Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:57:16 +0000 http://prometheus-unbound.org/?p=10884
We invited Stephan on the show to discuss the problems of intellectual property and piracy in the Digital Age. But first we had to ask him about his love of science fiction and fantasy. We got him to mention some of his favorite authors and books (see below for a list), and we even talked about the Hobbit movie for a bit.

Then, at about 23:15 in, we dove into the meat of the interview. Stephan explained the historical origin of copyright (censorship) and patents (government grants of monopoly privilege, which is what copyright is now too really), how intellectual property has shaped and distorted the film and publishing industries, including Hollywood’s move to California to avoid patent disputes, and why reform is not enough. We also discussed how the Digital Age — the age of the internet, smartphone, ereader, and globalization — is making the evils of copyright and patents more obvious and acute while at the same time undermining traditional business models built around intellectual property. And finally, we explore ways artistic creators might earn a living in a world without intellectual property laws.]]> Prometheus Unbound Podcast Prometheus Unbound Podcast Prometheus Unbound Podcast Prometheus Unbound Podcast

At long last, here is the first episode of our new, original podcast.

First, Matthew and I break the ice by briefly talking about what we've been reading recently. I had just finished Kameron Hurley's debut novel God's War. Overall, I think it's a good effort with an interesting story and world-building but is not without its flaws. Matthew had recently finished Live Free or Die by John Ringo. It was a 2011 Prometheus Award finalist, not a winner as I mistakenly thought while recording the podcast and, according to Matthew, didn't deserve to be.

Our interview with Stephan takes up most of the episode. It's around 53 minutes long and starts 9:40 minutes in. For those who don't already know him, Stephan Kinsella is a patent attorney and prominent libertarian legal scholar. He is best known for his opposition to intellectual property.

We invited Stephan on the show to discuss the problems of intellectual property and piracy in the Digital Age. But first we had to ask him about his love of science fiction and fantasy. We got him to mention some of his favorite authors and books (see below for a list), and we even talked about the Hobbit movie for a bit.

Then, at about 23:15 in, we dove into the meat of the interview. Stephan explained the historical origin of copyright (censorship) and patents (government grants of monopoly privilege, which is what copyright is now too really), how intellectual property has shaped and distorted the film and publishing industries, including Hollywood's move to California to avoid patent disputes, and why reform is not enough. We also discussed how the Digital Age — the age of the internet, smartphone, ereader, and globalization — is making the evils of copyright and patents more obvious and acute while at the same time undermining traditional business models built around intellectual property. And finally, we explore ways artistic creators might earn a living in a world without intellectual property laws.

Stephan Kinsella, IP Man

Stephan Kinsella, IP Man

More about Stephan Kinsella and Intellectual Property

Authors and Books Recommended by Stephan Kinsella

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