Should Information Be Free?

The digital age has affected every traditional concept and money has become the center of our universe.  Currently, information is restricted to only individuals who subscribe and provide payments.  In the future, the subscription process may become less expensive and many predict that information will easily be accessible and free. Considering the cycle of producing articles, the raw talent does not make a dime.  The authors of these articles have put more time and research.  They should be receiving all the profits from their product.  Since the authors do not make any profit, they write and research to express their knowledge, they are doing all the work for free.  Why should people pay to seek free knowledge from a professional?  From society's point of view, free information would be an ideal world but for the businesses, "free" is the worst situation. 

In this article, Malcolm Gladwell discusses a strong concept: Free psychology.  Free obtains every person in the world.  For example, free samples at Costco.  Most people would not try the sample if they had to pay money.  Even if it were ten cents, many people would pass.  The word “free” is a trigger word that attracts everyone.  Since most people are not willing to spend, subscriptions are pointless and will become obsolete.  In reality, the articles that are most utilized are the free ones.  Wikipedia is a perfect example.  When a person is using the Google search engine, Wikipedia is the first source and is viewed by many. 

To demonstrate what one student from MIT did was wrong but yet he believed that free access of the articles in the MIT library should be free.  Aaron downloaded the articles in MIT library and posted them in the Internet for free access.  Aaron had the right mentality and good intentions, but he still broke the law.  There are many other ways to achieve a “free” world.  When he was taken to trial, he committed suicide.  Aaron’s death can be interpreted in numerous ways.  Some may believe he was a coward who could not obtain accountability.  Although some believe that theory, Aaron’s death still sent a message and it will open the eyes of many to the idea of “free” information.