53: Making Superheavy Elements, and Celebrating Public Domain Day
Dec 7, 2023
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Discover the fascinating world of superheavy elements and the international race to discover them. Learn about the science behind the periodic table and the work of Dimitri Mendelev. Explore the process of creating new elements by smashing elements together. Delve into the significance of Public Domain Day and the importance of the public domain in the creative process. Learn about the complexities and frustrations of copyright law.
Public Domain Day celebrates the expiration of copyrights, allowing free access to creative works.
Copyright extensions benefit corporations and restrict access to cultural artifacts.
Mickey Mouse entering the public domain raises questions about the future of copyright extensions.
Deep dives
The Concept of Public Domain Day
Public Domain Day celebrates the moment when copyrights expire and creative works enter the public domain, allowing them to be used without permission or payment. It is a day to celebrate the freedom to access and enjoy artistic and intellectual works without restrictions.
The Drama of Copyright Extensions
Copyright extensions have been a controversial topic, often benefiting corporations more than creators or the public. The length of copyright has been extended to a minimum of 70 years and a maximum of 120 years in many countries, preventing works from entering the public domain and limiting innovation.
The Impact on Archiving and Distribution
Copyright extensions make it challenging for archivists to collect and distribute creative works, particularly films that are at risk of deterioration. This restricts access to important cultural artifacts and makes it difficult to preserve and share these works with the public.
The Case of Disney and Mickey Mouse
The upcoming public domain day in 2024 will see the iconic character Mickey Mouse entering the public domain. This is significant because Disney has been known for lobbying to extend copyright and maintain control over their intellectual property. Its expiration will raise questions about the future of copyright extensions.
The Power of Public Domain
Public domain allows for the free use and adaptation of creative works, giving them new life and allowing for diverse interpretations and experiments. It celebrates art as a collective heritage and encourages artistic growth.
Copyright Complexities and the Fight for Fair Use
Copyright law can be messy and frustrating at times, with issues like overly conservative platforms and companies favoring big corporations. Fair use and transformative works provide some protection, but public domain is an important step further, giving the public greater freedom to use, adapt, and create with creative works.
Timestamps: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:17) Superheavy Elements (00:37:41) Public Domain Day (01:19:19) Outro
We also learn about:
It’s like we’re in school again, ordering the periodic table before discovering the electron, Mendelev didn't even like electrons, the nucleus is an atomic juggling act, atomic high jinks, the Fermi paradox, the Fermi problem, the number of piano tuners in Chicago, smashing elements into new ones, that’s why it’s called nuclear physics, receiving a Nobel and then fleeing Italy then learning your Nobel was wrong, accidentally discovering nuclear fission instead, we all so Barbie we knew this was leading to bombs, uranium neptunium plutonium, nobody cared because they didn’t want to draw attention to this during WORLD WAR 2, how does this keep happening i thought i was smart, the radioactive avengers, metropolis, I only scream about ice cream for anticapitalist purposes, none of this is legal advice, you know the patent stealing guy Edison, trademarks patents and copyright, JK Rowling patented a new kind of transphobia, the US constitution mentions copyright, the Micky Mouse Curve, even Bobel winning economists agree copyright extension is bad, happy hbomberguy video day, YouTube sucks at Fair Use, Mr Boop, Night of the Living Dead on Wikipedia, we’re IP pilled, SO MANY DISNEY MOVIES ARE BASED ON PUBLIC DOMAIN STORIES, it’s not open season on Mickey, “he can be naughty”, canine enthusiasm is unprotectable by copyright, Pride and Prejudice but Mr Darcy is a Vape God, Frank Capra is proud that It’s a Wonderful Life grew in the public domain, “battle lines will have to be drawn”, which two elements would YOU smoosh together?