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RNC delegates are public figures. by Animats · 2004-10-07 12:25 · Score: 1 · on Indymedia Server Raided by FBI

Why? What's illegal about posting the names and addresses of delegates to political conventions? They're players in the political process, and are supposed to be accessable. If you voted in a Republican primary, you elected them. You're entitled to lobby them. Even though they're locked into the presidental candidate choices, they vote on the platform, and there's some room for negotiation there.

The list of Democratic National Convention delegates is on the Democratic National Convention website. (Look at the entries for each state.) The Republicans have been heavily criticized for keeping their delegate list a secret.

Watch the video! by EnronHaliburton2004 · 2004-09-23 16:19 · Score: 1 · on Senate Candidate Wants to Ban Polling

I missed his keynote address, but I heard alot about it.

Right now I'm installing a new hard drive on my wife's computer, and am listening/watching
the video.

Re:1984? by Wybaar · 2004-07-21 05:03 · Score: 1 · on 1984 Comes To Boston

I just don't understand. Its one of the the most public,

Sure.

most newsworthy

Not really. John Kerry mathematically wrapped up the Democratic nomination by winning enough delegates over 4 months ago. He's been campaigning as the nominee since then. Voting to officially nominate him at the convention is just a formality (and an excuse to party.) They'll also be approving the official Democratic party platform, which should be a matter of "All in favor? Good. Any opposed? Done and done." It's already been written, so I would imagine any lengthy discussion about it has already happened.

and best covered events happening, and everyone's in a twist about the governement having a few cameras there as well?

Actually, there's also been a lot of discussion about trash cans, mailboxes, random bag searches, and a fairly major road closure for people north of Boston during the DNC.

BTW, I should mention I live in Massachusetts, although luckily I won't have to go anywhere near Boston during the convention. I still may be affected by the bag searches, at least, since I take the Commuter Rail to work.

Re:Not-So-Sad Truth by vandoravp · 2004-07-13 07:28 · Score: 1 · on Alan Kay Decries the State of Computing

I think that Kay is not bitter about the method of communication but rather the content of it. Lots of instant messenging is a waste; e-mail is filled with pointless spam; many people use spreadsheets simply to organize data, not to analyze it (in real depth). It is true that communication is radically different than in years past but, it is only the method. Interaction between people has not gotten more intelligent, merely easier and more frequent. You could even argue that it is not easier and that communication has actually become less intelligent (LOL, etc...).

Instant messenging is great for communication because of its global "instant" nature but it is not entirely good for society since it promotes not-in-person interaction and isolationism. (Speaking of isolationism, this is could possibly be the biggest thing wrong with our country, as the brother of a friend of mine pointed out in an essay. I would be much obliged if you vote for him too. That's all for a later rant.) The phone isn't in person either but it is still live and with an actual person. And, for the most part, there isn't much idle time on the phone.

Communication has become fast and widespread but very shallow at the same time (shallow streams flow faster?). People do not take the time to create meaningful ideas (snail-mail letters generally are more in depth and intelligent since the person has to actually think).

There are many exceptions to all of this and many examples of the current state of communication promoting the exchange of meaningful and intelligent ideas (like /. and its emergent behavior-like scoring system) but it appears that on the whole it has not been for the best. Metails was started with the intention of being the Friendster that promotes creativity in addition to simple interaction but I don't think it has really stayed on track. It seems like Kay's vision was more intelligent communication, not just more, faster communication. While we may be at a new level of interacting as far as the method goes, the actual nature of communication has actually gone nowhere, perhaps even slightly backwards.

Feel free to blast me for saying we haven't really come anywhere. Oh yes, I am too young (17) to remember party lines but I've heard many a story about them. Is it really "miraculous" that many houses now have their own line or two instead of an entire block sharing one? More like inevitable to me.