Internet Zen Master (profile), 24 Sep 2013 @ 12:24pm
Re: Re: Re:
[tinfoil hat on]
I've got it!! Cable TV/Hollywood is in bed with the NSA because the NSA's tactics are slowly wiping out all that pesky Internet innovation, in order to restore Hollywood to its rightful place as the be-all, end-all of entertainment gatekeepers once again!
[/tinfoil off]
In other words, the secret world of the Deep Web/darknets will get a lot more crowded if the NSA is allowed to continue their privacy-invading shenanigans unopposed.
Sigh.
Maybe if the Gen. Trekkie in charge of the NSA wasn't so obsessed with sucking up Big Data, he might stop long enough to realize that perhaps the NSA's current methods are only making things worse for everyone.
These state AGs aren't just trying to play catch up with the constantly chaotic evolution of the Internet. They're blatantly trying to smother what has become the very soul of the modern Worldwide Web.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 24 Sep 2013 @ 11:47am
Re: Re: second amendment
While it may not be a solution, the Second Amendment might eventually end up as a way to defend America's right to everything under the First. And Fourth. And Fifth. And Sixth... Did I miss any other Amendments that the government's violated lately?
Internet Zen Master (profile), 23 Sep 2013 @ 5:27pm
Re: Re: Re:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but failure to actively use a registered trademark or enforce it when there's major infringement after a certain period of time may risk that trademark getting removed on the grounds of non-use (however, another party has to apply for this removal from the register for this to happen).
However, as the AC mentioned above, it's more likely a copyright issue instead of trademark.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 23 Sep 2013 @ 12:58pm
Re: The shocking thing
Eh, it's not that bad. Seems par for the course as far as hotel carpet designs are concerned. Kinda looks like something you might hallucinate after ingesting a large amount of LSD.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 23 Sep 2013 @ 12:53pm
Re:
Damn it Ninja. Now I'm reading the article and seeing 'Courtesan' too! (And imagining Japanese courtesans wearing kimonos with that carpet pattern on the fabric.)
In all seriousness though, it looks like Courtesan's C&D is perfectly justified. There's probably a trademark on that specific design that they need to enforce, especially if Mr. Krix is using it commercially, instead of just for personal use, like he did by selling the fabric with said design without the company's permission.
Stupid? Yes, but that's the messed up world of IP law for you.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 23 Sep 2013 @ 12:43pm
Re:
As long as we can design a ship that lets Gen. Alexander stay in his Star Trek Captain's chair, I don't think he'd have much of a problem with this idea...
Internet Zen Master (profile), 19 Sep 2013 @ 1:54pm
Strangely enough
The college I'm currently attending as part of my education for my future econ degree actually had a literal box for its free speech zone at one point.
The zone's old location is a large courtyard that was sandwiched between the ground level of cafeteria/student union building and the current location of the social science division's office. Today there's a rather nice looking fountain in front this courtyard. There are several concrete barriers dividing the area in half, not to mention the outdoor hallways on the second floor that look down on the courtyard below.
I've actually stopped in that area a few times before heading up to the room for my stat course and taken a quick look around. There's sort of an intimidating "obey the rules or else!" vibe lingering in the atmosphere.
It should be noted that this courtyard was specifically set up as the college's Free speech/protest zone during the 1960s during the protests over the Vietnam war, and now it's simply an outdoor area for people who want to eat outside the cafeteria (they've got some nice concrete picnic tables and benches now).
Based on what I've witnessed over past few years, if my college still has a designated free speech area, it's currently located in front of the fountain which sits in front of the old courtyard. This means that a group exercising the right to free speech, that the area the college wants them to do it is located in the center of the campus, so it's pretty much guaranteed that if you're trying to get from one side of the college to the other, you'll at least see the folks who are exercising their First Amendment rights, if nothing else. Although the only groups I've seen in the area in front of the fountain that were handing out pamphlets of any kind were a bunch of student from the college's local Democrat group, and some nice folks (probably) from the Mormon/LDS Temple across the street from campus.
But I digress.
Looking at the map of MJC's campus, it looks like the "Free Speech area" was placed in the middle of campus, but situated so that it's effectively out of the way and students passing through the middle of campus to get to classes won't pay any attention to folks exercising their free speech. Maybe it's some kind of "seen but not heard" type deal by the college.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 18 Sep 2013 @ 9:23am
Re: Re:
And let us not forget:
3/ the US has the ability to bomb the entire Earth into a nuclear wasteland if necessary. Don't think for a second that there's nobody in the top ranks of command with the balls to suggest nuking the enemy if the rest of the world picked a fight with the US (M.A.D. be damned!). There's probably a war hawk or three in the top military brass who'd love it if the US ever got a chance to use its nuclear arsenal.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 16 Sep 2013 @ 10:38am
*facepalm*
Edward Snowden gave the NSA documents to reporters that he trusted wouldn't completely cripple the U.S.' spying capabilities. What he didn't take into account was the fact that some ex-government officials don't know when to shut up.
I have some orders for Gen. Keith Alexander while he sits in his Captain's Chair aboard the USS Big Data: muzzle your ex-boss before he damages the U.S.' reputation even further with his rambling.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 16 Sep 2013 @ 10:26am
Re: Re: Re:
I guess you could say it's a bad thing because people might start confusing non-canon events (the book published by someone else) with canon events (the book published by the series original author) and vice versa.
It's actually happened to a relatively well-known character in the Creepypasta universe (nobody's making money off the character, but the problem is still the same).
Internet Zen Master (profile), 16 Sep 2013 @ 10:03am
Re: Retelling stories
"However in the longer term this causes the story and the story teller to fade from culture...
... Stories need to be retold as culture and language change else they fade away as fewer and fewer people can actually read them."
This pretty much nails the problem the Doyle Estate is creating for itself.
I have personally seen stories (well, primarily the characters) and their creators sink into obscurity in the collective universe known as Creepypasta.
Money isn't an issue since the stories are published on the net for everyone to read (but many Creepypasta artists/writers will enforce their copyright over their creations in extreme circumstances), but the fact is: the characters in the creepypastas are not (in theory) supposed to be limited to just one single work, or even their original author. What gives those characters longevity is if more people start writing stories about them, keeping the characters relevant and spreading the word about their existence to an even greater number of readers.
I've seen a few characters pop up and then drop off the radar because the collective fandom/culture changed and forgot about them within a couple months.
Now while Sherlock Holmes might take decades or even centuries longer to disappear from modern culture than a bunch of characters that only a specific subculture knows about, a similar thing could happen to good great detective and dear old Watson if people stop retelling Conan Doyle's stories.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 16 Sep 2013 @ 9:22am
On the fence about this
While it's obvious that Real Strike is harmless and provides about as much training with actual weapons as the real [sarcasm]"violent evil murder simulator"[/sarcasm] Call of Duty, I can understand why some of the students' parents reacted the way they did. Maybe some of them thought: "if this boy had access to real guns, he'd probably do something like this in real life!" Flawed, stupid logic? Yeah, but they're just parents thinking about their kids.
The sheriff's department, on the other hand, are completely blowing this out of proportion. "Terrorizing"? Really? Maybe if he was trying to intimidate everyone who was bullying him by posting the video to YouTube, but I kinda doubt it.
Maybe if the guns in the app fired lasers instead of bullets we wouldn't have this problem.
I highly doubt this kid will be get convicted, but who knows these days.
Internet Zen Master (profile), 13 Sep 2013 @ 9:53am
Re:
You make a good point. However, on the flip-side, it also can add a whole new layer of red tape that makes it harder for all the good, respectable cops (they do exist, you just rarely hear about them because there's no reason to point out their actions) to do their jobs.
It feels like a big case of "This is why we can't have nice things(TM), COPS Edition".
On the post: Canada Forcing Wounded Vets To Sign Agreement Not To Criticize The Military On Social Media
Re: Unbelievable
On the post: All It Takes Is Two Words To Wipe Away One Of The Pillars Of Free Speech Online
Re: Re: Re:
I've got it!! Cable TV/Hollywood is in bed with the NSA because the NSA's tactics are slowly wiping out all that pesky Internet innovation, in order to restore Hollywood to its rightful place as the be-all, end-all of entertainment gatekeepers once again!
[/tinfoil off]
In other words, the secret world of the Deep Web/darknets will get a lot more crowded if the NSA is allowed to continue their privacy-invading shenanigans unopposed.
Sigh.
Maybe if the Gen. Trekkie in charge of the NSA wasn't so obsessed with sucking up Big Data, he might stop long enough to realize that perhaps the NSA's current methods are only making things worse for everyone.
These state AGs aren't just trying to play catch up with the constantly chaotic evolution of the Internet. They're blatantly trying to smother what has become the very soul of the modern Worldwide Web.
On the post: Surprise: Paywalls Cause Massive Falls In Number Of Visitors - And Boost Competitors
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the post: All It Takes Is Two Words To Wipe Away One Of The Pillars Of Free Speech Online
Re:
It just wants to monitor and record every move the Internet makes. 24/7. For the rest of eternity.
Suddenly I think I understand how uncomfortable it is to be an animal trapped in a cage.
On the post: Border Patrol's Horrific Treatment Of On The Media's Producer, Family & Friends Highlights The Lack Of Accountability From DHS
Re: Re: second amendment
Hopefully something like that never happens.
The Zen Master says, "We'll see."
On the post: NSA Apologist Says The NSA's Actions Are Fine Because 'Privacy Is Dead'
Re: According to the Borg
On the post: Cosplayer Sent Cease & Desist By Carpet Company For Hotel Carpet Camouflage
Re: Re: Re:
However, as the AC mentioned above, it's more likely a copyright issue instead of trademark.
On the post: Cosplayer Sent Cease & Desist By Carpet Company For Hotel Carpet Camouflage
Re: Re: Re:
Though on review, this does appear to be more a copyright issue instead of trademark.
On the post: Cosplayer Sent Cease & Desist By Carpet Company For Hotel Carpet Camouflage
Re: The shocking thing
On the post: Cosplayer Sent Cease & Desist By Carpet Company For Hotel Carpet Camouflage
Re:
In all seriousness though, it looks like Courtesan's C&D is perfectly justified. There's probably a trademark on that specific design that they need to enforce, especially if Mr. Krix is using it commercially, instead of just for personal use, like he did by selling the fabric with said design without the company's permission.
Stupid? Yes, but that's the messed up world of IP law for you.
On the post: NY Times: NSA Should Be Barred From Requiring Companies To Introduce Surveillance Backdoors
Re:
On the post: GTA V Launch Gimmick Goes Sideways When Heavily Armed Cops Show Up
How much does anyone want to bet
On the post: California College Tells Student He Can't Hand Out Copies Of The Constitution On Constitution Day
Strangely enough
The zone's old location is a large courtyard that was sandwiched between the ground level of cafeteria/student union building and the current location of the social science division's office. Today there's a rather nice looking fountain in front this courtyard. There are several concrete barriers dividing the area in half, not to mention the outdoor hallways on the second floor that look down on the courtyard below.
I've actually stopped in that area a few times before heading up to the room for my stat course and taken a quick look around. There's sort of an intimidating "obey the rules or else!" vibe lingering in the atmosphere.
It should be noted that this courtyard was specifically set up as the college's Free speech/protest zone during the 1960s during the protests over the Vietnam war, and now it's simply an outdoor area for people who want to eat outside the cafeteria (they've got some nice concrete picnic tables and benches now).
Based on what I've witnessed over past few years, if my college still has a designated free speech area, it's currently located in front of the fountain which sits in front of the old courtyard. This means that a group exercising the right to free speech, that the area the college wants them to do it is located in the center of the campus, so it's pretty much guaranteed that if you're trying to get from one side of the college to the other, you'll at least see the folks who are exercising their First Amendment rights, if nothing else. Although the only groups I've seen in the area in front of the fountain that were handing out pamphlets of any kind were a bunch of student from the college's local Democrat group, and some nice folks (probably) from the Mormon/LDS Temple across the street from campus.
But I digress.
Looking at the map of MJC's campus, it looks like the "Free Speech area" was placed in the middle of campus, but situated so that it's effectively out of the way and students passing through the middle of campus to get to classes won't pay any attention to folks exercising their free speech. Maybe it's some kind of "seen but not heard" type deal by the college.
Should be interesting to see where this goes.
As the Zen Master says, "We'll see."
On the post: Former NSA Boss Hayden Says Snowden Likely To Become An Alcoholic Because He's 'Troubled' And 'Morally Arrogant'
Re: Re:
3/ the US has the ability to bomb the entire Earth into a nuclear wasteland if necessary. Don't think for a second that there's nobody in the top ranks of command with the balls to suggest nuking the enemy if the rest of the world picked a fight with the US (M.A.D. be damned!). There's probably a war hawk or three in the top military brass who'd love it if the US ever got a chance to use its nuclear arsenal.
On the post: Former NSA Boss Claims Terrorists Use Gmail, Anonymity Is Awful And The US Built The Internet, So Of Course It Should Spy On It
*facepalm*
I have some orders for Gen. Keith Alexander while he sits in his Captain's Chair aboard the USS Big Data: muzzle your ex-boss before he damages the U.S.' reputation even further with his rambling.
On the post: Conan Doyle Estate Is Horrified That The Public Domain Might Create 'Multiple Personalities' Of Sherlock Holmes
Re: Re: Re:
It's actually happened to a relatively well-known character in the Creepypasta universe (nobody's making money off the character, but the problem is still the same).
On the post: Conan Doyle Estate Is Horrified That The Public Domain Might Create 'Multiple Personalities' Of Sherlock Holmes
Re: Retelling stories
This pretty much nails the problem the Doyle Estate is creating for itself.
I have personally seen stories (well, primarily the characters) and their creators sink into obscurity in the collective universe known as Creepypasta.
Money isn't an issue since the stories are published on the net for everyone to read (but many Creepypasta artists/writers will enforce their copyright over their creations in extreme circumstances), but the fact is: the characters in the creepypastas are not (in theory) supposed to be limited to just one single work, or even their original author. What gives those characters longevity is if more people start writing stories about them, keeping the characters relevant and spreading the word about their existence to an even greater number of readers.
I've seen a few characters pop up and then drop off the radar because the collective fandom/culture changed and forgot about them within a couple months.
Now while Sherlock Holmes might take decades or even centuries longer to disappear from modern culture than a bunch of characters that only a specific subculture knows about, a similar thing could happen to good great detective and dear old Watson if people stop retelling Conan Doyle's stories.
On the post: Conan Doyle Estate Is Horrified That The Public Domain Might Create 'Multiple Personalities' Of Sherlock Holmes
Re: Re: You mean...
On the post: Student Arrested And Charged With 'Terrorizing' For Shooting Classmates... With An iPhone App
On the fence about this
The sheriff's department, on the other hand, are completely blowing this out of proportion. "Terrorizing"? Really? Maybe if he was trying to intimidate everyone who was bullying him by posting the video to YouTube, but I kinda doubt it.
Maybe if the guns in the app fired lasers instead of bullets we wouldn't have this problem.
I highly doubt this kid will be get convicted, but who knows these days.
As the Zen Master says, "We'll see."
On the post: If You Can't Trust A Cop... 13-Year Veteran Of Seattle PD Makes Body Cameras For Cops
Re:
It feels like a big case of "This is why we can't have nice things(TM), COPS Edition".
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