Vigilance Redux

[Peppermint Pig]

Had a bit of downtime lately between projects and this Inkscape design is the result.



Actually, it's still a work in progress. I would like to add some cut-out areas behind the center area, and possibly a latin quote in the upper right. It's an Art Nouveau inspired variant of my neo-art deco Vigilance logo (I use it as a catch-all branding for art/online gaming/etc). I was specifically interested in something complementary to the late 19th century since I've been enjoying the Red Dead Redemption game lately. I'm sure the perceptive among you can appreciate the details. I'll give you a vector copy of the gun if you can figure that one out (should be easy, and it's also in RDR).

[Alex Libman]

Yuck, Inkscape, a communist-licensed vector graphics editor...  As a dedicated freedom fighter I would much rather type all my SVG code in vi!

Great job otherwise.

[Peppermint Pig]

Thanks for the feedback.

LOL... Well, I appreciate the argument against intellectual property, but the developers are putting a valuable tool out there for people to freely access. Of all the organized statist tinged activities out there to rail against, this one is so far down the list it would resolve itself in the transition to a voluntary society as a reaction to the activity.

Updated and polished!



This one might make a good T Shirt design...

[Alex Libman]

[...]  I appreciate the argument against intellectual property  [...]

I am not arguing against intellectual property per se.  I definitely recognize the negative right to IP as with any other type of property (i.e. you delete my files and you owe me restitution), and I also recognize that IP can emerge in many jurisdictions as the result of Contract Law.

Of all the organized statist tinged activities out there to rail against, this one is so far down the list it would resolve itself in the transition to a voluntary society as a reaction to the activity.  [...]

Well, as a C/C++ programmer trying to make a living, this affects me quite a bit.  Furthermore, I believe that GPL is foreshadowing an inkling of a next category of tyranny that will come about after the current fascist system of IP is abolished, like communist tyranny came about after the overthrow of Czarist tyranny in the country of my birth.  You can find a lot more detailed rants from me on this issue elsewhere.

I'm not seriously asking anyone to stop using GPL'ed software in situations where there isn't a copyFREE alternative, thus my vi SVG joke, but don't think it is much better than pirating Adobe software instead.  At least with Adobe you get a much better quality product that will improve your productivity, and a much more marketable skill to put on your resume, thus it can be economically beneficial to use Adobe software even if you have to pay for it.

[Peppermint Pig]

Deleting files is a violation of your physical property.

Certainly, people should be free to come up with their own agency to resolve IP issues that they can contract into.

Well, as a C/C++ programmer trying to make a living, this affects me quite a bit.

What does? Their competing with you by making something free? Or is it their protective measures through GPL?

I'm not seriously asking anyone to stop using GPL'ed software in situations where there isn't a copyFREE alternative, thus my vi SVG joke, but don't think it is much better than pirating Adobe software instead.  At least with Adobe you get a much better quality product that will improve your productivity, and a much more marketable skill to put on your resume, thus it can be economically beneficial to use Adobe software even if you have to pay for it.

Keep in mind, these companies are providing tools that involve proprietary formats, therefore it's easy to get locked into their system which might not address demands for innovation. The costs involved in Adobe software are a consequence of having to compensate for piracy, but it detracts their opportunity for making more sales with less restrictive pricing.

Relative to its cost (of a free download), Inkscape provides great value and it has continued to advance in terms of features. I will at some point need to upgrade my OS to stay on top of advances...

I still use Photoshop 3.0.5 for my composition and sprite/pixel art needs. I use Corel Painter for illustration and Inkscape for vector illustration and composition. They all work well together, and I don't mind having to use multiple programs to get things done when they are as feature rich as these.

[Alex Libman]

Deleting files is a violation of your physical property.

That's debatable.  Some people don't see energy as "physical" - your hard drive doesn't change, only it's magnetic properties do.  And then there's illegitimate access to information.  If a private road owner, for example, sets up a device that reads all visitors' smart-phone signals (or, in a sci-fi scenario, their brainwaves!) without their permission, that might not constitute a crime in absence of recognition of negative IP rights.

Certainly, people should be free to come up with their own agency to resolve IP issues that they can contract into.

And I think a lot of them would, as charter cities, corporations, business alliances, etc would find it in their best interest to become members of contractually-based IP recognition authorities.  My only disagreement with IP advocates is that it isn't a universal Natural Right to impose those IP recognition obligations by default.

Well, as a C/C++ programmer trying to make a living, this affects me quite a bit. What does? Their competing with you by making something free? Or is it their protective measures through GPL? The latter, obviously.

[Peppermint Pig]

That's debatable.  Some people don't see energy as "physical" - your hard drive doesn't change, only it's magnetic properties do.  And then there's illegitimate access to information.  If a private road owner, for example, sets up a device that reads all visitors' smart-phone signals (or, in a sci-fi scenario, their brainwaves!) without their permission, that might not constitute a crime in absence of recognition of negative IP rights.

While it is true that people have different standards for the respect of property rights, and libertarianism does not provide a single form of property recognition outside of self ownership, energy is a property of the physical universe, and thus a physical form of property manipulation when someone deletes your files. It contrasts to the notion of IP because IP claims ownership over an IDEA and any physical manifestation of the idea, despite who owns the physical stuff which the idea is expressed through, no matter how 'arcane' or  specialized the property may be.

Illegitimate access to information is twofold: You may have an ethical authority to determine the use of your property, but an EFFECTIVE creation of privacy and protection of sensitive data requires that you invest the time/energy/resources to create that security. There is no expectation to privacy on par with a 'right'. Constitutionally, the government is supposed to recognize this, but there is no reason to assume to trust someone who claims to represent the government, either.

These are real problems which require market action to build conventions in contract so that invasive behaviors that advance the occurrence of fraud are put down before they get out of control.

And I think a lot of them would, as charter cities, corporations, business alliances, etc would find it in their best interest to become members of contractually-based IP recognition authorities.  My only disagreement with IP advocates is that it isn't a universal Natural Right to impose those IP recognition obligations by default.

I am in complete agreement here. This assumption of universally encompassing dictated "conventions" against the will and consent of individuals is a huge source of conflict, and implies that people would not choose a form of IP that best satisfied the interests of the participants. Advocates of democracy tend to be severely naive on the subject by ignoring consent. Socialists take it a step further and ignore the untenability of enforcement and market incentive to profit from ideas.

If GPL functions to rob people of the freedom to develop similar ideas, then it is no better than existing copyright law.

[Alex Libman]

We are in complete agreement.