This just in from Dave Segal at Demand Progress: The Internet’s Own Boy will be available in theaters and On Demand Friday, June 27th.
The Internet’s Own Boy follows the story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. From Swartz’s help in the development of the basic internet protocol RSS to his co-founding of Reddit, his fingerprints are all over the internet. But it was Swartz’s groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing combined with his aggressive approach to information access that ensnared him in a two-year legal nightmare. It was a battle that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26. Aaron’s story touched a nerve with people far beyond the online communities in which he was a celebrity. This film is a personal story about what we lose when we are tone deaf about technology and its relationship to our civil liberties.
A local screening is in the works.
Founded by Aaron Swartz and Dave Segal, Demand Progress is a progressive online advocacy organization. They have received national notice for their impact in fighting so-called “anti-piracy” legislation, curbing government data collection, and the fight for net neutrality. Make no mistake, in addition to running online campaigns, Mr. Segal and his team spend plenty of time down in Washington making their case the old-fashioned way, face-to-face with members of Congress. Boots on the ground. Donate now and help support the efforts of Demand Progress.