Wired weighs in (again) on Apple vs people who break the law

Let me start by saying I haven't yet read the article, but according to Jason O'Grady, the May issue of Wired Magazine has an article that once again makes Apple out to be a belligerent Giant bent on ripping Jack's beanstalk out by the roots.

Tom McNichol writes:

"Nick Ciarelli is the kind of guy Apple is supposed to love. At age 6 he began using his parents' Mac Classic and quickly became a zealot. At age 13 he launched a Web site devote to all things Apple, especially upcoming product releases, Now 19, Ciarelli has turned his site, Think Secret, into a must read for true Apple fans.

 So why is the company trying to squash him?"

Tom, like so many others, continues to ask the wrong question. It's not why is Apple trying to squash its so-called fans – it's why are Apple fans so intent on hurting Apple?

Adam Penenberg, writing for Wired News, wrote an excellent article (mentioned by Scott
last month). In the piece, he quotes from the Judge's decision to deny the EFF attorneys motion for protective order, seeking to prevent guys like Nick – and Jason O'Grady – from having to reveal the sources who provided the information that Apple considers to be trade secrets.

On the subject of free speech, which McNichol's article says Apple is trying to subvert, and whether or not the defendants in the case should be considered journalists, the judge said whether they are or are not journalists, "This is not the equivalent of a free pass," he wrote. "The journalist's privilege is not absolute. For example,
journalists cannot refuse to disclose information when it relates to a crime."

And that sums it up pretty well. A crime was committed here and Apple has a right to investigate the crime against them. They deserve the respect and cooperation of their fans. I'm still baffled as to why I am so alone in this assessment because it seems like a no-brainer to me. People online and off need to start taking responsibility for their actions and stop whining when they get caught doing something wrong.

As I said, I haven't read the aricle. But I will. And if I am wrong about it, I will say so. Based on the excerpt I've seen so far, however, I don't hold much hope that it does anything to right any wrongs or help the so-called healing to begin. And that, my friends, is where the real tragedy lies.