I don't think this surprises anyone - the problem is that the people who stand to benefit the most in the short term from copyright regulation staying the way it is are those who have the most political power.
The real question is how we can change that situation from the outside.
Nah that's absolutely the wrong question, and the very question those in power want you to ask. Putting different people in charge won't fix it either. The problem is fundamental to human nature, we're not accustomed to being free. Kings used to fear democracy because they were worried that we'd become free, instead as soon as we were free we started electing new kings. Even in the good ole' US they wanted to elect George Washington dictator for life.
You should instead ask, how can I setup my environment so that I am not subject to the will of others... Don't ask the government for your freedom, take it from them.
You're right and it is typical of HN that you're getting downvoted for making an argument.... but the ironic thing is, I am pro-IP and I agree with you-- government will never give you freedom. (get rid of government- I'm an anarchist- and you'll still have IP, it will just be enforced with contracts.)
> (get rid of government- I'm an anarchist- and you'll still have IP, it will just be enforced with contracts.)
That's got to be one of the funniest things on HN ever. So, get gid of the government and you will use contracts at the same time?
Contracts can be made between consenting parties and that's all fine and good as long as they both live by the terms. But as soon as one party thinks the other one does not then you will need some mechanism of arbitration, in other words a judicial system. And that sooner or later leads to authority vested in - you've guessed it - a government.
You can't be an anarchist and be pro-IP at the same time, the cognitive dissonance is huge.
The real question is how we can change that situation from the outside.