Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 2 Nov 2010 @ 11:02am
Re:
Have to disagree with you there, AC. You're not talking about thinking for oneself, you're talking about deciding which option among other people's thoughts you feel is best. If these students aren't given the option of choosing from among myriad sources, then they will have to suck it up and voice their own opinion, backed up by solid arguments.
In time, if this is done right, these types of thoughts lead to the students' work being quoted by others too lazy to form and defend the thoughts themselves.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 2 Nov 2010 @ 10:55am
Re: I'll admit, I kinda like this.
Oh, and Mike, check out Formalist Literary Criticism if you want an example of an academic endeavor founded and based on limiting the outside sources to be used. It was always my favorite critical style because it was pure: I would read a text, and analyze it based on the text, and that's it.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 2 Nov 2010 @ 10:50am
I'll admit, I kinda like this.
Where some people see an evil hand controlling our children, I have to admit that I see a teacher that is attempting to force some critical analysis and thought from the students.
It's becoming increasingly easy to find a fully-formed, near-untraceable argument for or against anyting online these days. I would assume that, since this is an AP class, the work will lean more toward position papers than simple regurgitation of dates and names. If that's the case, and the teacher asks for a paper that critiques the US pre-Monroe Doctrine vs. post-Monroe Doctrine, any student can spend 15 minutes Googling, copying and pasting from blogs and informational sites, and editing for flow and tone, and be done. It's the path of least resistance, and any kid that can get into an AP History class should be smart enough to be able to pull it off.
If, however, the kids are forced to use the information allowed and, gasp, think for themselves, whatever they come up with will have value because it will be born of their own analysis and thought, not based on the weighting and page priority of Google's search algorithm.
The students most likely will not come up with anything original or earth-shaking, but whatever they come up with will be their own thoughts. Teaching kids how to think should be the primary concern of any school, as far as i'm concerned, so, yeah, I like this.
Letting the internet do your thinking for you is not thinking for yourself, even if you would have come to the same conclusion.
I'd wager that the police car that shows up at the end of the video had a dashboard camera, with audio recording to boot. If the police are willing to press this "no audio recording without consent" bit, then I'd say the biker has the grounds for a nice countersuit.
I've been pulled over before, and at no time was I greeted with "Sir, do I have your permission to record this encounter, with audio?"
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 16 Nov 2009 @ 7:28am
Not Draconian,
but Onerous. Draconian may have been nice and alliterative when applied to DRM (the dreaded, despised, Draconian DRM deeply disturbed Dante), but it just doesn't sum up the above and beyond pain in the ass that stuff like this embodies.
Come on, Mike, give onerous a chance.
Good luck alienating your customers, Apple, and let me know how that works out for you.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 6 Nov 2009 @ 6:30am
Re: As always....
Agreed. Maybe the sheer density of population in Japan makes the niche marketing of so many unique items more feasible, maybe the Japanese are just more willing to embrace the unique. Maybe the heads of companies in the US are just so scared to try something new (new Coke, Crystal Pepsi, dog food flavored Cheetos, etc.) that they almost always defer to lowest common denominator products, ensuring that, while all you can get is vanilla, you can sure as hell get that vanilla everywhere.
Oh, and let's be a bit continental in our verbiage, and say that North America gets shat upon. It just sounds like a more erudite BM.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 7:16am
I could throw a football a quarter mile
Horror isn't the only genre that can make a low budget smash. Napoleon Dynamite cost about $400K to make, and it made a buttload of money. I fondly remember a lot of quiet hits, and the common denominator has always been solid story telling. Hollywood, she don't get that, and will pander to the teens who spend their allowance on the latest effects-driven pile of crap that Access Hollywood told them to see.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 29 Oct 2009 @ 8:44am
Re: Re: Re: Socialist Liberal Smear Campaign
Oh, and be careful with your mixed cliches there, that's another landmine. I'll invoice you a penny for my two cents on the matter, and we can agree in principle to disagree or something.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 29 Oct 2009 @ 8:39am
Re: Re: Re: Socialist Liberal Smear Campaign
Yes, irregardless is a word, but it is a stupid word. I find that, as soon as I see someone using that word, it is convenient to simply disregard their entire statement, as the speaker is trying to self-bootstrap their argument into a position of credibility by inserting the biggest word they can muster rather than using facts and/or solid reasoning. Antidisestablishmentarianism is a word also, but I doubt that you'll find it used in many coherent conversations.
So, to sum up, you are right, but you are nit-picking for the wrong reasons. Plus, I got a strong hit on my Sarcasmometer when I read the initial post, so it doesn't matter either way.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 2 Oct 2009 @ 10:48am
Hackintosh next?
I'd love to see this carried to Apple's doorstep, in that they try to restrict any installs of their OS to Apple products, citing the EULA that users must 'accept' before installing (I hate using the emphasis/sarcastic quotes, but Apple brings it out of me). I've been waiting for their "you don't own OSX, you own a license to use OSX" line to meet a serious challenge, and this feels close enough to the mark to me.
"Encased meat", eh? Sounds like a Hot Doug's fan right there.
Free speech doesn't really exist anywhere, because there are so many codicils and exceptions at this point that even the government has no problem telling you that you can't say this or that. I'm not talking about the classic 'shout fire in a crowded theatre' scenario either, just being bitter in general while also being too lazy to cite specifics.
I laugh, then I weep, then I laugh some more, when I read these comments. I call it a Godwin's law effect; either DRM, the RIAA/Trent Reznor, or speed limits/red light cameras will be brought up in any given Techdirt topic, so long as the comment number is greater than 15.
In this case, both parties at fault, one for being too stupid to look where she was going and the other for not following clearly established procedures designed to protect those too stupid to look where they arae going from themselves. Ruling: Double Fault, we shall proceed to a Sudden Death Elimination Final.
Weapon of choice is rat traps and thumbtacks. Ready? Go!!!
Although the above argument sounds reasonable, it neglects to take into account that to flaunt is to show off while to flout is to scorn or show contempt for. This would, in fact, preclude "flaunt the law" from making the same statement as "flout the law". The RIAA could, however, flaunt their contempt for the law, which would be nearly the same as flouting, but a bit more ostentatious.
So long, Fare well, Auf Wiedershein, Good Bye, I Flit, I Float, I Flutter and I Fly. (Sorry, too much flout/flaunt talk makes me want to sing.)
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 23 Jun 2009 @ 5:29am
Let me get the ball rollling here
"But, that's not what you've been saying! You want them to give everything away and to not make any money..."
That headline is only going to lure the industry shill ACs from the woodwaork. Even though this article didn't touch on business and pricing models, someone will decide it should, and make a total mess of this post.
I'm a fan of Kevin Smith as well, and while some of what he makes is shite, he's even gracious enough to mock himself through in-scene dialogue. He always seems to come off as a fan of movies/comics himself, a true geek, and as long as that attitude persists, I'll be glad to pay for his stuff.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 19 Jun 2009 @ 1:22pm
Chad Kroeger's Horse-face
Nickelback does suck, by the way. They are the Journey of the 20-aughts. Processed, corporate rock shite. You want some good Canadian stuff, go download you some Sloan. Pay for it if you want, but if you do like it, find a way to get some cash to the band. Me, I like T-Shirts and live shows.
Eponymous Coward, AKA Doug (profile), 19 Jun 2009 @ 1:15pm
Re: Re: Re:
Lord, you ACs come here to gripe, and then insist that Mike do the heavy lifting for you. Real quick, continuing with the Trent Reznor frame of reference.
The model was never stated as "free music, expensive tickets", it was more like "Connect with your fans, and give them a reason to buy". To cover the first part of that scenario, Reznor first made his music incredibly easy to get to, DRM-free and in a number of high-quality formats. He encouraged remixing of his audio, providing albums/songs in multi-track files to make slicing and dicing easy for apt fans, and provided tons of video footage from live performances for fans to play with. This showed fans that the man valued them, or at least didn't think they were criminal children. Yes, he was giving stuff away, but it was to show that he was invested in them as well, and this built a stronger loyalty.
The second part, a reason to buy, involves him offering the music for free, but then allowing fans a deeper experience, as well as scarce goods that couldn't be downloaded. For examples, see link:
In this case, the limited edition package sold out, equalling $750,000 in gross sales, and God knows how much more in sales of the other packages.
Ticket prices may indeed go up, but at a certain point the market won't bear it any more. When it hits that point, the difference will be in the extras that artists offer, and what they can do to show their fanbase that they appreciate the attention. (Mean, school marm-y summary coming) If they can connect with their fans, and at the same time give those fans a reason to buy, fans WILL buy, and artists worth their salt should be just fine.
Browbeating/harrassing/suing fans sure as hell isn't connecting with them, and no matter how much the RIAA howls, they can't change that.
On the post: Virginia High School Says Barring Students From Doing Outside Research Helps Them 'Think For Themselves'
Re:
In time, if this is done right, these types of thoughts lead to the students' work being quoted by others too lazy to form and defend the thoughts themselves.
On the post: Virginia High School Says Barring Students From Doing Outside Research Helps Them 'Think For Themselves'
Re: I'll admit, I kinda like this.
On the post: Virginia High School Says Barring Students From Doing Outside Research Helps Them 'Think For Themselves'
I'll admit, I kinda like this.
It's becoming increasingly easy to find a fully-formed, near-untraceable argument for or against anyting online these days. I would assume that, since this is an AP class, the work will lean more toward position papers than simple regurgitation of dates and names. If that's the case, and the teacher asks for a paper that critiques the US pre-Monroe Doctrine vs. post-Monroe Doctrine, any student can spend 15 minutes Googling, copying and pasting from blogs and informational sites, and editing for flow and tone, and be done. It's the path of least resistance, and any kid that can get into an AP History class should be smart enough to be able to pull it off.
If, however, the kids are forced to use the information allowed and, gasp, think for themselves, whatever they come up with will have value because it will be born of their own analysis and thought, not based on the weighting and page priority of Google's search algorithm.
The students most likely will not come up with anything original or earth-shaking, but whatever they come up with will be their own thoughts. Teaching kids how to think should be the primary concern of any school, as far as i'm concerned, so, yeah, I like this.
Letting the internet do your thinking for you is not thinking for yourself, even if you would have come to the same conclusion.
On the post: Maryland Police Confiscate Biker's Computers After He Catches Questionable Activity On Helmet Cam
Interesting to note:
I've been pulled over before, and at no time was I greeted with "Sir, do I have your permission to record this encounter, with audio?"
On the post: Apple Tries To Patent Annoying People With Intrusive Advertising That Requires Attention
Not Draconian,
Come on, Mike, give onerous a chance.
Good luck alienating your customers, Apple, and let me know how that works out for you.
On the post: Nestle's Kit Kat Bars Give Consumers An RtB In Japan
Re: As always....
Oh, and let's be a bit continental in our verbiage, and say that North America gets shat upon. It just sounds like a more erudite BM.
On the post: OK, Hollywood Learns A Scary Lesson From 'Paranormal Activity'
I could throw a football a quarter mile
On the post: RIAA's Main Anti-Piracy Partner Appears Clueless About BitTorrent
Re: Re: Re: Socialist Liberal Smear Campaign
On the post: RIAA's Main Anti-Piracy Partner Appears Clueless About BitTorrent
Re: Re: Re: Socialist Liberal Smear Campaign
So, to sum up, you are right, but you are nit-picking for the wrong reasons. Plus, I got a strong hit on my Sarcasmometer when I read the initial post, so it doesn't matter either way.
Meow!
On the post: Nicolas Sarkozy Caught Mass 'Pirating' DVDs; Time To Kick Him Off The Internet
Re:
On the post: Public Enemy Trying To Get A Little Help From Its Friends
Bass!!!
Apparently, only down to $25.
On the post: Court Once Again Confirms Right Of First Sale For Software: You Own It, Not License It
Hackintosh next?
On the post: Gamer Says Sony Violated His 1st Amendment Rights By Banning Him
Re: Other idiotic sayings
Free speech doesn't really exist anywhere, because there are so many codicils and exceptions at this point that even the government has no problem telling you that you can't say this or that. I'm not talking about the classic 'shout fire in a crowded theatre' scenario either, just being bitter in general while also being too lazy to cite specifics.
On the post: The No Responsibility Society: Suing Because Your Daughter Is Texting So Much She Didn't Notice The Open Manhole
So many angry people
In this case, both parties at fault, one for being too stupid to look where she was going and the other for not following clearly established procedures designed to protect those too stupid to look where they arae going from themselves. Ruling: Double Fault, we shall proceed to a Sudden Death Elimination Final.
Weapon of choice is rat traps and thumbtacks. Ready? Go!!!
On the post: RIAA Wastes Little Time Trying To Extend Interpretation Of Usenet.com Victory
Re: Re: It's "flout" not "flaunt"
So long, Fare well, Auf Wiedershein, Good Bye, I Flit, I Float, I Flutter and I Fly. (Sorry, too much flout/flaunt talk makes me want to sing.)
On the post: Connecting With Fans, Offering A Reason To Buy Works For Movies As Well
Let me get the ball rollling here
That headline is only going to lure the industry shill ACs from the woodwaork. Even though this article didn't touch on business and pricing models, someone will decide it should, and make a total mess of this post.
I'm a fan of Kevin Smith as well, and while some of what he makes is shite, he's even gracious enough to mock himself through in-scene dialogue. He always seems to come off as a fan of movies/comics himself, a true geek, and as long as that attitude persists, I'll be glad to pay for his stuff.
On the post: McDonald's: If An Employee Uploaded Nude Photos From Found Cameraphone, Sue The Employee, Not Us
Re: We need an "obvious" meter...
-Corbin Dallas
(Nice Bloom Co. ref, tho.)
On the post: So Why Can't Major Record Labels Provide Accurate Accounting To Bands?
Re:
Units shipped is a centralized number, and you're either dumb or a shill.
"Battle not with the stupid, lest ye become stupid."
On the post: Is It Really So Bad If Music Is Used In A Way The Musician Doesn't Like?
Chad Kroeger's Horse-face
On the post: Is It Really So Bad If Music Is Used In A Way The Musician Doesn't Like?
Re: Re: Re:
The model was never stated as "free music, expensive tickets", it was more like "Connect with your fans, and give them a reason to buy". To cover the first part of that scenario, Reznor first made his music incredibly easy to get to, DRM-free and in a number of high-quality formats. He encouraged remixing of his audio, providing albums/songs in multi-track files to make slicing and dicing easy for apt fans, and provided tons of video footage from live performances for fans to play with. This showed fans that the man valued them, or at least didn't think they were criminal children. Yes, he was giving stuff away, but it was to show that he was invested in them as well, and this built a stronger loyalty.
The second part, a reason to buy, involves him offering the music for free, but then allowing fans a deeper experience, as well as scarce goods that couldn't be downloaded. For examples, see link:
http://ghosts.nin.com/main/order_options
In this case, the limited edition package sold out, equalling $750,000 in gross sales, and God knows how much more in sales of the other packages.
Ticket prices may indeed go up, but at a certain point the market won't bear it any more. When it hits that point, the difference will be in the extras that artists offer, and what they can do to show their fanbase that they appreciate the attention. (Mean, school marm-y summary coming) If they can connect with their fans, and at the same time give those fans a reason to buy, fans WILL buy, and artists worth their salt should be just fine.
Browbeating/harrassing/suing fans sure as hell isn't connecting with them, and no matter how much the RIAA howls, they can't change that.
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