This is something we (as informed, intelligent, non-sheepeoples) need to be constantly wary of... the re-writing of history by Big Media/Big IP to suit their purposes.
Remember, what most sheepeople don't remember is that talk is cheap. Sadly, most of the sheepeople think that just because someone says it... or writes it... that it must be true.
They blindly follow Big Media/Big IP because they lack the will to actually look up things for themselves.
That is why there is not more of a public outrage on the draconian copyright laws and extensions. People actually believe the politician when they say things like "it won't change anything" or "it doesn't impact our existing laws", etc.
We'd set the turtle down on the floor and he'd start slowing walking towards a wall. Eventually, he'd hit the wall... back up... hiss (at the wall presumably)... and then he'd proceed forward again, once more hitting his head. At which time, he'd back up... hiss... start forward again and...
Well, you get the picture. He'd do that for an hour or so before he finally tried to turn and go a different direction.
Apparently... the newspapers are "TURTLE ENOUGH FOR US"...
The main problem with that line of thinking is, just as their are broad interpretations for exceptions, there is also room for broad interpretations for draconian adaptations.
And, of course, with the enormous lobbying budgets of Big Content (hereafter referred to as The Evil Empire), I foresee us on a collision course with complete lockdown.
Where pirates are no longer those who copy or download songs, but are deemed those who lend a book, or let a friend listen to a song on their iPod, or even have the audacity to have people over to their house to watch a TV show on a premium channel.
It's sad world we're headed towards.
I'd like to believe that if our founding fathers were alive today, they'd be dumping iPods and DVDs into the bay instead of tea.
But alas, men of good conscious and lovers of freedom no longer hold office. Like the Dodo bird, they are long gone... replaced by men of no conscious and lovers of money.
At what point do negotiators like this become domestic enemies? Some of these treaties directly undermine the US economy - sure not for the copyright holders - but for huge portions of the economy elsewhere... deliberately undermining the State sounds like treason to me.
And what does this mean for libraries? Used book stores? DVD rentals? Places like GameSpot, that do used books?
They didn't have enough interest in their rights to stand-up to the Nazi's in WWII and they don't have enough interest in their rights now to stand up to idiotic and problematic "intellectual" property laws.
Eventually... the entire world - except for pirate - will completely stagnate because you won't actually be able to create anything new since someone will have some VAGUELY similiar copyright, trademark or patent and the new creators will be so afraid of a lawsuit, they won't even try to publish mainstream.
Instead, I see an underground culture forming. You'll have the yellow pencil, googstepping 9-5 sheepeople who just blindly follow the yellow line to work and then back to home.
Then, you'll have the creative underground "criminals"... and dare I says, "intellectual copyright terrorists" who create new stuff, remix stuff and rehash old stuff from 200 years ago - which has been retroactively copyrighted.
It's a sad, sad testemant to where we are headed. And the French are the first to get the labotomy.
So... even the Dutch are using "but think of the children" as an excuse to rip away rights from people. Good for you. I guess the Dutch can start practicing their goosestepping now...
"...you can easily make the case that the U.S. is attempting to take over the Internet much like it is trying to take over the physical world."
Take over the physical world?! Really? Are you completely out of touch with reality.
Look at EVERYTHING the US has touched in recent times... Iraq will probably end up in Iranian hands, Afghanistan's will hate us forever, Egypt and Syria are going into Muslim extremist hands...
Since everyone else is throwing out completely uneducated theories.... I will to:
1) There is NO empirical evidence that the earth is NOT cooling OR warming by itself. The fact that geological evidence proves without a doubt that the earth goes through temperature changes in waves makes it perfectly plausible that the earth is simply going through another phase.
2) Nearly every prediction made by climate scientists has been false. The polar bears were dying because of climate change... no, they are actually increasing. The polar icecaps are melting and the artic is geting warmer... no, actually... it's been steadily getting cooler since the 1940's. The Himalayas will loose 500 billion tons of ice in 10 years (predicted 10 years ago)... actually... it hasn't lost ANY.
3) Science can prove just about anything you want. With the right slant on the right study, it's like the Bible... you can read into it what you are looking to get out of it. Want proof? Look at the TONS of studies sponsered by industries that prove exactly what they want. One that comes to mind is the 3 glasses of milk a day help you loose weight. The study was sponsored by the national dairy association. Many times, people interpret the data to prove their point, instead of stepping back and asking "what does this data mean?" They fit the data with the theory, instead of fitting the theory to the data.
The fact is, pollution, war, overcrowding, destruction of topsoil, drug resistant viruses and religious fanatics are all a MUCH larger threat than global warming. We will all be dead LONG before the climate changes makes any difference to us whatsoever.
Seriously... how long after Iran gets nuclear weapons will it be before they use them... and we retaliate... and then it escalates.
Talk about global warming? Nah... talk about global cooling after a nuclear winter.
There are many VERY REAL threats out there... spending resources on psuedo-science is just insane.
Sadly, the French do have a documented history of rolling over and taking it... until they finally, finally, finally have had enough.... in which case they start the decapitations.
"in fairness, no one involved in this SPECIFIC case, was saying "its for the artists". That would be a strawman created by mike to further his point, that lawyers are vicious bloodsucking scum, who'll eat their mother if given a chance."
In fairness, Mike didn't say this particular case said "it's for the artists"... he simple pointed out that copyright law very rarely benefits the actual copyright holders and VERY frequently benefit the large content brokers (like Disney) who wield it in an unconstitutional, immoral way to make more money. And everytime they want MORE power of content... they say... oh... but the artists... but the musicians... etc.
Speaking as an author who has published multiple books, I do believe that DRM is the devil.
I can't even begin to tell you the number of books that I've donated over the years to elderly homes, book drives, libraries, etc. You can't do that with a electronic book.
In fact, an electronic book takes away one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading a book - sharing it. When I first read the Harry Potter series, I was spellbound with it. I wanted to share it with as many people as possible - mostly so I could talk to them about it, discuss ideas, future plots, etc. They'd read it and give it back so I could share it with someone else... or they'd share it with someone else.
The result was, when the next book came out... we ALL bought a copy so we could read it right away.
How many potential customers do we loose with electronic books?
I can't even imagine. And sadly... for author's with supposedly creative imaginations... they can't imagine either.
And I blame this on the entitlement mentality. Someone writes a book, creates a song, software, etc. and wants to wring every drop of money they can from it.
While there is nothing wrong with wanting to get paid, the mentality that a single act, a single book or a single software game or app is going to be your gravy train harms more content creators than any one concept.
While it's nice to be able to coast through life, living off a single accomplishment... the only people who are remembered for a single accomplishment are inventors. Would Shakespeare been remembered had he only wrote one play? One sonnet? What about Poe? Bach? Mozart?
They'd be a footnote to someone else in history who DID go on to be prolific.
I think of everything I write or create as a lead-in to my future - and past - works. If someone sees something that I write, I want them to enjoy it enough that they will want to find more material created by me.
One off sales do very little to make you money. It's repeat business that really earns you long term income.
I just wish artist/writers/musicians would get off their duff, drop the lazy attitudes... and produce.
Copyright law has FAILED... MISERABLY... if, as the founding father's intended, its purpose is to PROMOTE the useful arts... it does very little to promote and much more to encourage people to sit back and feed at the trough of old accomplishments.
"You are always looking at a way to slam them, rather than considering that what they are doing might actually be good and useful."
It isn't. You apparently are SOOOO intent in trying to find good that you've put on shades AND blinders.
I know many indie musicians... heck... I come from a FAMILY of indie musicians.
I can tell you right now, none of them would want to pay and be in an organization that doesn't nothing for them... all for the "HONOR" of having a .music domain.
It's not like music is a regulated industry - like education or medicine - that REQUIRES accreditation or licenses. Music is something ANYONE with talent - and arguably those without talent - can engage in.
There is no reason to have a gatekeeper and EVERY reason to NOT have one.
To say otherwise displays either ignorance, stupidity or a propensity for Cool Aid drinking.
"Your negativity is so strong, you cannot seem to see any of the good."
You blind devotion to an evil corporate entity has so blinded you that you can't see the OVERWHELMING bad, instead trumpeting the teeny, tiny little spec of good that MAY or MAY NOT come out of it.
I predict a rise in the sale of old fashioned chainmail. Let's see those barbs try to pentrate that... not to mention that conductive nature of the metal will cause the current to take the pass of least resistance... through the metal, instead of through your flesh.
They already raised over a half million dollars. OVer $100,000 more than their goal of $400K.
And idiots say kickstarter doesn't work?! Really?!
Here's the truth... kickstarter doesn't work... IF you have nothing that people are interested in.
But if people are interested in it, they will give up their hard earned money for what they percieve is value.
The problem is, people's perception of what gives value and creators' (especiall Big Media and in this case "gatekeepers") perceptions of what gives value may be WILDLY different.
Perhaps they are right to go to the President. After all... in signing ATCA, we seems to think that copyright is a power of the President.
Actually... since he made illegal appointments when the Senate was still in session, apparently, he thinks EVERYTHING is a Presidential power. Much like a short guy with a funny moustache thought about...oh...65-70 or so years ago.
On the post: Danish Trade Minister Apologizes For Using Bogus Industry Numbers To Support Pro-ACTA Argument
I can do it too...
I believe that 99.5% of all statistics are made up.
Of course... with the MPAA and RIAA... it happens to be true.
On the post: Chris Dodd: The Internet Developed Because Of Strict Copyright Enforcement
Cookoo...
This is something we (as informed, intelligent, non-sheepeoples) need to be constantly wary of... the re-writing of history by Big Media/Big IP to suit their purposes.
Remember, what most sheepeople don't remember is that talk is cheap. Sadly, most of the sheepeople think that just because someone says it... or writes it... that it must be true.
They blindly follow Big Media/Big IP because they lack the will to actually look up things for themselves.
That is why there is not more of a public outrage on the draconian copyright laws and extensions. People actually believe the politician when they say things like "it won't change anything" or "it doesn't impact our existing laws", etc.
Trust no one Mr. Maulder.
On the post: Chris Dodd: The Internet Developed Because Of Strict Copyright Enforcement
ookoo for cocoa
On the post: Dear Big Newspapers: Keep Putting Up Silly Paywalls And Clear The Internet Field For Us 'Newcomers'
Turtle?
We'd set the turtle down on the floor and he'd start slowing walking towards a wall. Eventually, he'd hit the wall... back up... hiss (at the wall presumably)... and then he'd proceed forward again, once more hitting his head. At which time, he'd back up... hiss... start forward again and...
Well, you get the picture. He'd do that for an hour or so before he finally tried to turn and go a different direction.
Apparently... the newspapers are "TURTLE ENOUGH FOR US"...
On the post: UK Trying To Censor Parody Video About The 2012 Olympics
Olympics
If the Spartans were alive today, they would no doubt put the entire Olympic Council to the spear.
On the post: Dutch Research Reveals Wide Scope For Copyright Flexibilities In EU Laws
Dutch Oven?
And, of course, with the enormous lobbying budgets of Big Content (hereafter referred to as The Evil Empire), I foresee us on a collision course with complete lockdown.
Where pirates are no longer those who copy or download songs, but are deemed those who lend a book, or let a friend listen to a song on their iPod, or even have the audacity to have people over to their house to watch a TV show on a premium channel.
It's sad world we're headed towards.
I'd like to believe that if our founding fathers were alive today, they'd be dumping iPods and DVDs into the bay instead of tea.
But alas, men of good conscious and lovers of freedom no longer hold office. Like the Dodo bird, they are long gone... replaced by men of no conscious and lovers of money.
On the post: How The US Trade Rep Is Trying To Wipe Out Used Goods Sales With Secretive TPP Agreement
At what point?
And what does this mean for libraries? Used book stores? DVD rentals? Places like GameSpot, that do used books?
On the post: Do You Need Permission To Take A Photo With A Chair In It? You Might In France...
Again...
They didn't have enough interest in their rights to stand-up to the Nazi's in WWII and they don't have enough interest in their rights now to stand up to idiotic and problematic "intellectual" property laws.
Eventually... the entire world - except for pirate - will completely stagnate because you won't actually be able to create anything new since someone will have some VAGUELY similiar copyright, trademark or patent and the new creators will be so afraid of a lawsuit, they won't even try to publish mainstream.
Instead, I see an underground culture forming. You'll have the yellow pencil, googstepping 9-5 sheepeople who just blindly follow the yellow line to work and then back to home.
Then, you'll have the creative underground "criminals"... and dare I says, "intellectual copyright terrorists" who create new stuff, remix stuff and rehash old stuff from 200 years ago - which has been retroactively copyrighted.
It's a sad, sad testemant to where we are headed. And the French are the first to get the labotomy.
On the post: Dutch Economics Minister Says ACTA Is Designed To Shut Down Child Porn Sites... Even Though That's Not True
But think of...
On the post: Be Afraid: Russia And China Seek To Put In Place Top-Down Regulation Of The Internet
Ignorance is bliss?
Take over the physical world?! Really? Are you completely out of touch with reality.
Look at EVERYTHING the US has touched in recent times... Iraq will probably end up in Iranian hands, Afghanistan's will hate us forever, Egypt and Syria are going into Muslim extremist hands...
If anything, the US is cutting it's own wrists.
On the post: Twitter Suspends Four Accounts Critical of Sarkozy: Is This What He Meant By 'Civilizing' The Net?
I'd act surprised...
As for Twitter... keep up with the suspensions... and see who comes out with a newer, better Twitter alternative...
Don't think it can happen? Can you say... MySpace?
On the post: Pro Tip: Even If Someone Has Faked A Damaging Memo About Your Organization, Don't Threaten To Sue Anyone Who 'Comments' On It
Climate Change
1) There is NO empirical evidence that the earth is NOT cooling OR warming by itself. The fact that geological evidence proves without a doubt that the earth goes through temperature changes in waves makes it perfectly plausible that the earth is simply going through another phase.
2) Nearly every prediction made by climate scientists has been false. The polar bears were dying because of climate change... no, they are actually increasing. The polar icecaps are melting and the artic is geting warmer... no, actually... it's been steadily getting cooler since the 1940's. The Himalayas will loose 500 billion tons of ice in 10 years (predicted 10 years ago)... actually... it hasn't lost ANY.
3) Science can prove just about anything you want. With the right slant on the right study, it's like the Bible... you can read into it what you are looking to get out of it. Want proof? Look at the TONS of studies sponsered by industries that prove exactly what they want. One that comes to mind is the 3 glasses of milk a day help you loose weight. The study was sponsored by the national dairy association. Many times, people interpret the data to prove their point, instead of stepping back and asking "what does this data mean?" They fit the data with the theory, instead of fitting the theory to the data.
The fact is, pollution, war, overcrowding, destruction of topsoil, drug resistant viruses and religious fanatics are all a MUCH larger threat than global warming. We will all be dead LONG before the climate changes makes any difference to us whatsoever.
Seriously... how long after Iran gets nuclear weapons will it be before they use them... and we retaliate... and then it escalates.
Talk about global warming? Nah... talk about global cooling after a nuclear winter.
There are many VERY REAL threats out there... spending resources on psuedo-science is just insane.
On the post: Hadopi Sends Info On Those Accused (Not Convicted) Of Repeat Infringement On To Prosecutors
Too bad...
Viva La Revolución!
On the post: Protecting The Artists? Disney's Marvel Uses Copyright To Crush Already Broke Ghost Rider Creator
In fairness...
In fairness, Mike didn't say this particular case said "it's for the artists"... he simple pointed out that copyright law very rarely benefits the actual copyright holders and VERY frequently benefit the large content brokers (like Disney) who wield it in an unconstitutional, immoral way to make more money. And everytime they want MORE power of content... they say... oh... but the artists... but the musicians... etc.
On the post: How Publishers Repeated The Same Mistake As Record Labels: DRM Obsession Gave Amazon Dominant Position
DRM is the devil...
I can't even begin to tell you the number of books that I've donated over the years to elderly homes, book drives, libraries, etc. You can't do that with a electronic book.
In fact, an electronic book takes away one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading a book - sharing it. When I first read the Harry Potter series, I was spellbound with it. I wanted to share it with as many people as possible - mostly so I could talk to them about it, discuss ideas, future plots, etc. They'd read it and give it back so I could share it with someone else... or they'd share it with someone else.
The result was, when the next book came out... we ALL bought a copy so we could read it right away.
How many potential customers do we loose with electronic books?
I can't even imagine. And sadly... for author's with supposedly creative imaginations... they can't imagine either.
And I blame this on the entitlement mentality. Someone writes a book, creates a song, software, etc. and wants to wring every drop of money they can from it.
While there is nothing wrong with wanting to get paid, the mentality that a single act, a single book or a single software game or app is going to be your gravy train harms more content creators than any one concept.
While it's nice to be able to coast through life, living off a single accomplishment... the only people who are remembered for a single accomplishment are inventors. Would Shakespeare been remembered had he only wrote one play? One sonnet? What about Poe? Bach? Mozart?
They'd be a footnote to someone else in history who DID go on to be prolific.
I think of everything I write or create as a lead-in to my future - and past - works. If someone sees something that I write, I want them to enjoy it enough that they will want to find more material created by me.
One off sales do very little to make you money. It's repeat business that really earns you long term income.
I just wish artist/writers/musicians would get off their duff, drop the lazy attitudes... and produce.
Copyright law has FAILED... MISERABLY... if, as the founding father's intended, its purpose is to PROMOTE the useful arts... it does very little to promote and much more to encourage people to sit back and feed at the trough of old accomplishments.
On the post: Always A Gatekeeper: RIAA Backs .music Proposal... If It's Only Limited To 'Accredited' Musicians
Re:
It isn't. You apparently are SOOOO intent in trying to find good that you've put on shades AND blinders.
I know many indie musicians... heck... I come from a FAMILY of indie musicians.
I can tell you right now, none of them would want to pay and be in an organization that doesn't nothing for them... all for the "HONOR" of having a .music domain.
It's not like music is a regulated industry - like education or medicine - that REQUIRES accreditation or licenses. Music is something ANYONE with talent - and arguably those without talent - can engage in.
There is no reason to have a gatekeeper and EVERY reason to NOT have one.
To say otherwise displays either ignorance, stupidity or a propensity for Cool Aid drinking.
"Your negativity is so strong, you cannot seem to see any of the good."
You blind devotion to an evil corporate entity has so blinded you that you can't see the OVERWHELMING bad, instead trumpeting the teeny, tiny little spec of good that MAY or MAY NOT come out of it.
On the post: Park Ranger Tases Guy Walking Dogs Without A Leash
I predict...
On the post: People Rushing To Give Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars In Just Hours For Brand New Adventure Game
Already happened
And idiots say kickstarter doesn't work?! Really?!
Here's the truth... kickstarter doesn't work... IF you have nothing that people are interested in.
But if people are interested in it, they will give up their hard earned money for what they percieve is value.
The problem is, people's perception of what gives value and creators' (especiall Big Media and in this case "gatekeepers") perceptions of what gives value may be WILDLY different.
On the post: Megaupload Users Plan To Sue... As Their Files & Data Are About To Be Destroyed
Think of the...
THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
and...
TERRORISTS!
TERRORIST CHILDREN!
On the post: Another Interesting White House Petition: Reduce The Term Of Copyright
Maybe not
Actually... since he made illegal appointments when the Senate was still in session, apparently, he thinks EVERYTHING is a Presidential power. Much like a short guy with a funny moustache thought about...oh...65-70 or so years ago.
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