--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it is as silly to think about…" description: "\"But it is as silly to think about peer-to-peer as applying just to music as it would have been to think about the Internet as applying just to pornogra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/lawrence-lessig-3201_architecture_but-it-is-as-silly-to-think-about-peer-t_3040211.png" --- # But it is as silly to think about peer-to-peer as applying… ![“But it is as silly to think about peer-to-peer as applying just to music as it would have been to think about the Internet as applying just to pornography. Whatever the initial use of the technology, it has nothing to do with the potential of the architecture to serve many other extremely…” quote by Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/lawrence-lessig-3201_architecture_but-it-is-as-silly-to-think-about-peer-t_3040211.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/lawrence-lessig-3201_architecture_but-it-is-as-silly-to-think-about-peer-t_3040211.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/lawrence-lessig-3201_architecture_but-it-is-as-silly-to-think-about-peer-t_3040211.png) > “But it is as silly to think about peer-to-peer as applying just to music as it would have been to think about the Internet as applying just to pornography. Whatever the initial use of the technology, it has nothing to do with the potential of the architecture to serve many other extremely important functions.” [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technology’s original purpose doesn’t limit its future potential; architectures can serve many important functions beyond initial uses. **In simple terms:** Tech can be repurposed for broader good. Key Takeaway Design flexible, future‑proof systems. Themes technology law innovation Mood thoughtful forward‑looking Type philosophical strategic When to use this quote - software development - policy making - digital rights activism Key Concepts network architecture social impact Questions to Reflect On - How can we anticipate diverse uses of new tech? - What safeguards support ethical evolution? A Different Perspective Initial misuse can shape public perception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Pornography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pornography/) [Silly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silly/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Nobody has ever built a reliable peer-to-peer service, where people can really access all the music they want in one location,... 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Hayes > [If you find yourself constantly stressing to keep up with the worldly demands from your friends, then it's obvious that you are in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-mbiaka/if-you-find-yourself-constantly-stressing-to-keep-up-with-the-worldly/) Edmond Mbiaka ## More by Lawrence Lessig > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [As I've indicated, most books go out of print within one year. The same is true of music and film. 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