Talk:Which name should you use?

A choice must be made

I think the definition must make a choice. Either it is "Free Content", "Free Expression" or whatever else. Having two (allegedly) equivalent expressions doesn't cut it, it blurs the message. For example, the FSD is the Free Software Definition; there is also an Open Source Definition; there is no "Free Software and Open Source Definition". Settling on a single term sends a clear message and makes it easier to stick in people's minds.

By giving alternatives, we make it look like we don't know exactly what we want to talk about... We also make people focus on the ambiguity in the title rather than the clear message in the definition.

(I personally find "Free Content" and "Free Creation" are the two best choices, but it doesn't really matter; what matters is that a decision is made) --Antoine 01:43, 3 May 2006 (CEST)

Agree, with my vote going for "creation"(i think "free culture" is best of all, but this seems to be taken :-) My english is far from perfect, but if "free thought" has same connotations as it has in polish i would seriously consider also that JaroslawLipszyc 02:25, 3 May 2006 (CEST)

I think "free thought" is a very bad choice because thinking is not the same thing as creating works at all. Having ideas is part of the process of creating, but it is not in itself threatened by copyright (well, except clauses prohibiting analysis of DRM systems).

What is a stake is the actual process of creating and sharing works, which is much more than simply thinking and expressing ideas (which is why I also think "free expression" is bad :-)).

I'm sorry if my wording is not very clear, but it's not easy to try to explain this (especially, for me, in English). I tried a similar explanation under "things which are not works of the mind". --Antoine 02:41, 3 May 2006 (CEST)

I'm not sure we must decide for a single name. Two names seem like a reasonable compromise as it will be very hard to please everyone with a single phrase. Some prefer a term which is pragmatic and neutral ("free content"), others may prefer one which is artistic and natural ("free expression"?). "Creation" is a controversial term within the GNU/FSF world; see the Words to Avoid page on GNU. Then again, so is "content". I personally like "free content" because it is already in use with the meaning we apply to it, especially in the Wikimedia world. I would be very reluctant to give up that part.--Erik Möller 15:10, 4 May 2006 (CEST)

Paths of naming

The way I see it, there are two possible paths of terminology: Either we try to define one or two basic terms which encompass the largest number of works possible (as was originally the goal with "Free Content and Expression Definition"), or we define a single all-encompassing term which is, however, always instantiated to refer to a specific work. To clarify, either we just have something like:

• Free Content
  • works of a primarily functional nature, e.g. scientific data, encyclopedias, etc.
• Free Expression
  • works of a primarily artistic nature, e.g. music, paintings

Or we have a more complex model:

• Free Culture
  • generic: Free Content
  • code: Free Software
  • music, paintings, etc.: Free Art
  • scientific data, publications, etc.: Free Knowledge
  • interactive play: Free Game

The definition, in this second case, could be called "Free Culture Definition", and the specific terms appropriate for certain works would be listed within it.

I'm somewhat undecided on the issue. On the one hand, I'm worried about an inflation of names. On the other, I'm worried about adoption. How does "This painting is Free Art, as per the Free Culture Definition" sound? As opposed to "This painting is a Free Expression, as per the Free Content and Expression Definition".

I note, in fact, that rough beginnings of a "Free Culture Definition" have been drafted on the Free Culture Wiki. Another opportunity to merge efforts, along with the Open Knowledge Definition?--Erik Möller 16:48, 4 May 2006 (CEST)