Y’arr, What be Yer Share of the Booty, Matey? Deviance as Strategy
Symposium:
- ISEA2011: 17th International Symposium on Electronic Art
- More presentations from ISEA2011:
Session Title:
- How dare you? Acts of Deviance and Strategies of Discreditation
Presentation Title:
- Y’arr, What be Yer Share of the Booty, Matey? Deviance as Strategy
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
Panel: How dare you? Acts of Deviance and Strategies of Discreditation
The term ‘Piracy’ has been used by copyright holders to declare different forms of copyright infringement and simple nonprofit peer-to-peer file sharing techniques as criminal and destructive antisocial acts. However, the use of this devaluating denomination has developed its own dynamics. What was meant to discredit a set of cultural practices has backfired, as the so called pirates gradually co-opted the name by activating the inherent heroic and rebellious connotations. Piracy as a label has become a ubiquitous symbol in the online- and offline world. Sailing under the flag of piracy as a form of deviance is now even understood as a radically liberal political action.