Early Life and Education
00:00:00
Joshua Gay shares about his childhood in Hingham, Massachusetts, his large family, his early curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and unconventional path through school, including early jobs and unique learning style.
Early Interests: Poetry and Programming
00:06:11
Joshua discusses his teenage passion for poetry and how a friend's interest in Linux and calculator programming introduced him to computing. He also talks about early HTML and graphic design projects in high school.
Finding a Career Path
00:11:30
Joshua initially aspired to be a millionaire and studied investing. After struggling academically, he strategically entered college as a computer science major to improve his acceptance chances, eventually discovering a passion and aptitude for programming.
First Industry Experience
00:18:26
Joshua describes working at a startup called Super Wings, engaging in R&D, and dealing with proprietary software challenges. The experience deepened his interest in free software and sparked early philosophical reflections.
Embracing Free Software and Collaborating with Stallman
00:24:07
After Super Wings collapsed, Joshua fully committed to free software. He corresponded with Richard Stallman, leading to the creation of the book "Free Software, Free Society," gaining deep exposure to the GNU philosophy and community.
Philosophy of Free Software and New Applications
00:29:47
Joshua reflects on learning the free software philosophy, its practical applications, and its broader societal implications. He discusses connecting with Lawrence Lessig and applying free software principles beyond code.
The Free Textbook Project
00:37:53
Joshua shares the origins and goals of his Free Textbook Project, aimed at creating modular, open-licensed educational materials. Though the project didn’t launch fully, it led to his involvement with similar efforts.
Textbook Revolution
00:41:20
Building on his interest in open education, Joshua takes over the Textbook Revolution blog, compiling and promoting free textbooks and educational resources, creating an influential online hub for open learning.
Post-College Path and Publishing Work
00:43:48
After college, Joshua moves to NYC, pursues jobs in publishing and software, and attempts to pitch open textbook ideas. He joins small publishing and software firms, continuing his advocacy for open source.
Early Programming Jobs and Challenges
00:49:11
Joshua recounts technical work at Harris Corporation, where he introduced Python scripts to improve old systems, and how those experiences inspired further pursuit of computer science research and open source.
Grad School and the Commons Development Foundation
00:53:04
Joshua and his wife attend the University of Oklahoma. He starts the Commons Development Foundation, explores civic tech tools, and begins laying the groundwork for LibrePlanet and other open collaboration efforts.
Launching LibrePlanet and Joining FSF
00:58:22
Joshua proposes and launches LibrePlanet while also organizing hackathons and working on free textbook proposals. He joins the Free Software Foundation (FSF) as a campaigns manager.
Working at the Free Software Foundation
01:00:46
Joshua describes FSF’s internal structure, its shift from CD sales to membership models, and how unionization helped define work boundaries, particularly regarding interactions with Richard Stallman.
Campaigning and Consumer Awareness
01:05:37
Joshua talks about his role in building FSF’s campaigns team, raising awareness about software freedom, and how digital rights conversations evolved to be more mainstream and relatable.
Respect Your Freedom and Supporting Developers
01:07:57
Joshua details launching FSF’s hardware certification program, supporting developers, and the broader goal of fostering ethical hardware businesses that align with free software principles.
Joining CK12 Foundation and Scaling Open Education
01:12:12
Joshua joins CK12 Foundation to build a platform for open, customizable K-12 textbooks. He bridges technical and editorial teams and supports the adoption of free educational resources in schools.
Mozilla, Open Badges, and Peer-to-Peer Learning
01:18:26
After CK12, Joshua works with Mozilla and Peer2Peer University on Open Badges, metadata standards, and open learning pathways. He helps connect informal learning to formal recognition.
Licensing and Compliance at FSF
01:20:47
Returning to FSF, Joshua manages licensing and compliance, helping individuals and organizations navigate GPL and advocating for license compatibility, influencing standards and policy.
Bridging Standards and Free Software
01:27:24
Joshua works on licensing compatibility with Creative Commons, microformats in HTML5, and other initiatives that connect software freedom to global infrastructure and digital policy.
Transition to IEEE and Standards Work
01:29:48
Joshua leaves FSF to join the IEEE Standards Association, where he brings free software principles into standards development. His unique background positions him to support both open source and global standardization.
IEEE’s Mission and Culture
01:35:41
Joshua explains IEEE’s mission to promote technology for humanity, its history, and its passionate global volunteer community. He reflects on how IEEE aligns with his values and long-term goals.
How the Community Has Changed
01:41:29
Joshua reflects on the legitimacy and acceptance of free and open source software, noting a major shift from skepticism to widespread understanding and integration into society and business.
Open Source 2.0 and Broader Adoption
01:46:32
He discusses the broader adoption of open source principles in academic and institutional contexts, and how the community now tackles large-scale societal challenges like climate change.
A Message to Future Generations
01:51:37
Joshua shares heartfelt reflections for future generations, emphasizing the importance of community, collaboration, and staying grounded in humanity while solving technical problems.
Final Reflections and Gratitude
01:54:59
Joshua expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his story, reflects on the community’s importance in his career, and appreciates the Free and Open Source Stories project.