I (Gregg Housh) was given this data anonymously.  I did not conduct this survey, although I have verified that the survey happened, and that the data is trustworthy.  Below you will find an explanation from the person who did the survey, and then the data itself. Below the divider anytime “I” is used, it is referring to the author of the survey and not me.

Less than a week after Aaron Swartz was indicted in July 2011 for downloading about four million articles from JSTOR on the MIT network, I conducted a survey of MIT professors on their opinions about Aaron Swartz’s alleged actions and access to academic documents. This survey asked the following three questions. All three questions were optional.
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Aaron Swartz was an amazing man, a genius, and more importantly someone who fought for what was right.

The last few days have been a horribly sad and hectic time. I am sure it has been the same for you. I wanted to write this letter to you right after we all found out about Aaron’s death, but I thought that waiting until I had cooled down would be a wise decision. Cooling down period over, it is time to speak my mind.

What you have done should be considered murder in this country. Nothing about your prosecution of Aaron Swartz was just. I have to wonder how many other people in a similar position to his you have put in prison. How many people who do not deserve prison time are currently sitting in a cell wondering why you did this to them? The world would be a far better place with less people like you in positions of power. Everything about your process and methods in this case, and seemingly in every other one you have ever been attached to, is horrible. Your tactics reek of coercion. The law, this country, and by extension the entire world would be better off without you around.

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