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Public Domain

There are different things to look forward to in any new year. Watching for music, cinema and books that enter the public domain on Jan 1 2023 is one of them. A long time fan and user of Project Gutenberg and Open Culture, I loved seeing this list. This the zenith of the creative life-cycle. When first a work of art is made, it only belongs to the creator - maybe just a in their imagination. A full battery of midwives bring it to life and into the world - the agent, the producer, the director and so on. Then the work goes on its journey not unlike a human. 

Some attain early fame and fade to mediocrity and the oblivion. Others make steady progress gaining momentum as they go. Some toil in anonymity their whole life to be recognized in their twilight years. At no point does the human or the piece of art belong unequivocally to the whole world. Death and entry into public domain is needed to transition to that phase. This is a crowded space too - each other there are new entrants seeking that moment of acknowledgement and maybe a second chance. Some will win just like some of our loved ones who are recalled fondly decades after their passing.

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