Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Aaron Swartz was an internet pioneer. He co-founded Reddit, was active in the open-source software community, co-authored the original RSS specification, and helped lead the protests that stopped the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Unfortunately, Aaron’s hacktivism took a tragic turn. He was arrested for illegally distributing academic journal articles that he gained access to while at MIT. Facing serious criminal charges and in the face of what has been generally considered to be over-zealous prosecution, Aaron chose to end his own life.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
Aaron Swartz was an internet pioneer. He co-founded Reddit, was active in the open-source software community, co-authored the original RSS specification, and helped lead the protests that stopped the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Unfortunately, Aaron’s hacktivism took a tragic turn. He was arrested for illegally distributing academic journal articles that he gained access to while at MIT. Facing serious criminal charges and in the face of what has been generally considered to be over-zealous prosecution, Aaron chose to end his own life.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
