bandwidth: from each according to their ability, to each according to their need

bit torrent is a multiplatform open source app used for the distribution of large files. it basically works like this.. instead of having a bunch of people line up to download an entire file from start to finish, users download random pieces. bit torrent enables people who are downloading the file to share the bits they've downloaded with eachother, so when a fair number have the whole file, swarms can emerge with 100s of people passing bits among themselves, meaning everyone gets it fast. anyone with a copy of the file can essentialy volunteer a share of their bandwidth to help distribute the file. this is an ideal way to for artists, videographers, filmmakers and musicians to share (and access) content which is untethered by copyright restrictions, such as stuff under a Creative Commons license, or work that has fallen into or donated into the public domain (such as the Prellinger Archives), or any of the other sundry copyleft licenses. but bits are bits, so of course it is also useful for trading the sewage the culture industry pumps out, whether for appropriation, reappropriation, or good old passive consumption. An inspiring example of this technology at work is V2V, an agitprop collective sharing, among other important works, a lot of footage from the rallies in geneva earlier this year. media wants to be free - now get to work.