The Cost of Freedom, with Dr. Richard Stallman

Dr. Richard Stallman, emblematic figure of the free software movement and founder of the Free Software Foundation, will be speaking in Lausanne on January 17 at 18:00. At this unique event, he will host a conference dedicated to “The Cost of Freedom”, a timely topic when domination by proprietary technologies and opaque algorithms increasingly direct what we see or believe.

A conference to question our digital future
Free software refers to programs that can be used, modified and redistributed freely, guaranteeing users total control over these tools. This is in contrast to proprietary software and platforms which limit these freedoms and readily appropriate our personal data for resale, or know more about us than they should.

Netflix, Uber and Google are fun to use, but what is their real cost to society? Dr. Stallman will explore the economic and ethical issues surrounding the use of free software versus proprietary solutions, and why open access to technology is not only a matter of personal freedom, but also an imperative for society and democracy.

When & Where:
Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm. The event will be followed by drinks.
Venue: Ecole 42 Lausanne, rue de Lausanne 64, Renens (map)
Admission: Free, no registration required because of privacy!

Why come?
Whether you’re an IT enthusiast, a student, an entrepreneur, or simply a citizen interested in the future of our digital freedoms, this conference will provide valuable insights and a rare opportunity to exchange views with a true icon of the technological world.