On a lighter note than usual:
Africa, East Africa Safari adventure Accommodation Giraffe Manor, Nairobi
Monday, February 27, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
CD ripping isn't fair use
More on the perils of DMCA. Does anyone else see pervasive anti-fair use technology coming soon to a medium near you?
Boing Boing: RIAA: CD ripping isn't fair use
Boing Boing: RIAA: CD ripping isn't fair use
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Doing Business with China
The recent dusting of ire toward China by members of Congress belies an essential reality: China represents exactly what Capitalism needs: huge markets populated by an oppressed people who have cash. China is capitalism without liberty, an ideal system for business: it allows profit while ensuring that there won’t—or can’t—be significant instability. If businesses can be sure of a climate that supports them while at the same time prevents worker unrest, “excessive” democracy (in the form of taxes on businesses, for example), then the environment for doing business is perfect.
Key U.S. technology and internet companies have been complicit in helping China achieve this objective. Limiting access to the ’net through “commercializing” it—ending internet neutrality—is a step on the way to developing means of silencing critics of business and government. Boingboing has been keeping track of a lot of this. For one of the recent entries, see here. For a good rant, see John Batelle here. I’ll be interested in seeing what, if anything, comes out of this hearing.
China’s defense of its position is based on the old playground defense: the West did it first, so it’s okay for us.
This model or theory applies mostly to large corporations, but I’m afraid that the future will bring more restrictions on personal and internet freedom as those corporations exert increasing control over how we live our lives and enjoy the fruits of our labors. DRM is but one example, one that I will leave for another post.
Key U.S. technology and internet companies have been complicit in helping China achieve this objective. Limiting access to the ’net through “commercializing” it—ending internet neutrality—is a step on the way to developing means of silencing critics of business and government. Boingboing has been keeping track of a lot of this. For one of the recent entries, see here. For a good rant, see John Batelle here. I’ll be interested in seeing what, if anything, comes out of this hearing.
China’s defense of its position is based on the old playground defense: the West did it first, so it’s okay for us.
This model or theory applies mostly to large corporations, but I’m afraid that the future will bring more restrictions on personal and internet freedom as those corporations exert increasing control over how we live our lives and enjoy the fruits of our labors. DRM is but one example, one that I will leave for another post.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
I don't know if I'm there yet, but this is interesting
BAY AREA / Out of the retail rat race / Consumer group doesn't buy notion that new is better
I know my friend and fellow blogger jec will enjoy this, though.
I know my friend and fellow blogger jec will enjoy this, though.
Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald: Do Bush followers have a political ideology?
Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald: Do Bush followers have a political ideology?
This is a great post. I haven't posted anything in a while, but this is certainly worthy.
This is a great post. I haven't posted anything in a while, but this is certainly worthy.
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