Aaron Swartz

Eric Weinstein has mentioned Aaron Swartz numerous times in various conversations. Eric holds a strong admiration for Swartz's intellect and contributions, alongside a profound disappointment with the institutional failures that led to his tragic end. His comments reflect a deep emotional connection to Swartz, indicating that Swartz represented what academic and scientific communities should strive to be. Eric expresses a personal sense of loss and anger over how Swartz was mistreated by MIT, particularly as it is one of the institutions where Eric spent a substantial portion of his academic career.

Celebration of Swartz's Legacy: Eric believes that Swartz should be honored and remembered as a significant figure in the tech community, advocating for the creation of a building at MIT named after him to symbolize the importance of celebrating innovators rather than punishing them. He expresses that Swartz embodies the qualities that institutions should aspire to foster.

Critique of Institutional Culture: Eric critiques MIT and similar institutions for failing to protect their most creative minds, like Swartz, and instead succumbing to bureaucratic pressures. He sees Swartz's treatment as indicative of a broader systemic issue where institutions prioritize conformity over innovation.

Call for Change: Eric advocates for a cultural shift within academic institutions, encouraging them to become environments that support and nurture rule-breakers and innovative thinkers. He argues that institutions should focus on empowering their talent rather than stifling it.

Institutional Betrayal: Eric discusses the concept of "institutional betrayal," highlighting how the very structures that are supposed to support individuals can instead lead to their downfall. This theme resonates in both his conversations and tweets, as he underscores the need for institutions to reflect on their responsibilities.

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Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

As a PhD, I don't often have thoughts of total revolution. But when I do, they revolve around extractive scientific publishing companies, charging taxpayers for access to their own tax funded research and the cowardly sons of bitches at the top of MIT who got Aaron Swartz killed.

4:51 PM · Sep 17, 2019

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

On this day 8 years ago Aaron Swartz was permanently taken off the chessboard by MIT and, in so doing, ceased to be MIT.

They were the best and I miss them both:

10:53 AM · Jan 12, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

Protesters who are not making use of Projection Mapping make little to no sense to me.

The ability to use Iconic Buildings and natural formations to video animated messages without leaving any physical damage from your photonic graffiti while demonstrating your prowess is huge.

Jan 19, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

There may be much to protest shortly and for some time as we progressively lose the ability to speak to each other digitally. A thought.

Jan 19, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

Do not destroy when with slightly more work you can inspire and do so at scale. You have the tools to show that you can create while others in control only know how to loot, intimidate and destroy. Imagine how many of our leaders even know what this is...let alone how it is done.

Jan 19, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

In particluar, there's no excuse for Aaron Swartz not to be projected on to the Buildings all around MIT to haunt it as a constant message not to f**k with the technical talent pipeline that still makes the United States the world's big dog rather than the sheep it's becoming.

10:10 PM · Jan 19, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

When engaged in responsible civil disobedience against brick and mortar institutions, a move to full projection mapping animations will put this display on steroids. It communicates that that the power differential is in favor of those with courage, ability and ideas.

Sep 13

Human Rights Foundation (HRF)

@HRF

We’ve been busy projecting messages in New York City. We took @TheDissidentMov to the Statue of Liberty and called for #JusticeForJamal Khashoggi. We also sent messages to #SaudiArabia's associates @GoldmanSachs @KPMG @CreditSuisse. Why are they attending #FIINeoRenaissance?

Sep 13

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

It is time to haunt MIT at night using projectors to remember Aaron Swartz.

12:48 AM · Sep 13, 2024

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

You can recover a surprising amount from just one simple statement: UAP, public health, standardized testing, immigration, mortgage backed securities, crypto, inflation methodology, String Theory, Aaron Swartz, Etc.

“Institutions do not have the right to gaslight individuals.”

May 18, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

In a certain sense, that is the main through-line of my politics. Any institution that gaslights an ordinary human trying to make sense of the world in a reasonable fashion is wrong to me in a particularly profound way.

Don’t know how to describe this as a political perspective.

11:40 AM · May 18, 2021

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

Great job.

Maybe some apologies are in order?

How about now. Now would be perfect.

Aug 25, 2022

ScienceInsider

@ScienceInsider

BREAKING: White House issues new policy that will require, by 2026, all federally-funded research results to be freely available to public without delay, ending longstanding ability of journals to paywall results for up to 1 year. Coverage coming on @ScienceInsider.

Aug 25, 2022

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

Aaron Swartz was who we are supposed to be. A personal hero to me.

And it is time for the Swartz Building at MIT. MIT needs a building named for Aaron. It needs to be a reminder that at MIT we celebrate the rule breakers for good. We don’t hunt them.

3:02 PM · Aug 25, 2022

Eric Weinstein

@EricRWeinstein

Still pushing for a Swartz building at @MIT to acknowledge the loss.

Would have loved to have met him Susan. He inspires us to this day.

9:33 AM · Nov 8, 2024

Susan Swartz

@beadmomsw

Aaron Swartz would/should be 38 years old today.

5:53 AM · Nov 8, 2024

Related Pages

• Digital Wetwork
• Institutional Gaslighting
• Universal Institutional Betrayal