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We all know that the U.S. government wiretaps. This article isn't about whether or not that is right. Wiretapping is normal, and there are, on occassion, real reasons why wiretapping is the best way to go about solving a problem or answering a question. I know-- as part of my job I analyze FBI data. It would be foolish to assume that ALL governments don't have some form of surveilance in place to check up on those aspects of their citizens' lives that warrent it. The Japanese constitution, however, prohibits the Japanese government from any form of wiretapping. (Not to say that all governments always stick to their constitutions -or equivalents-, but...) That the FBI feels compelled to say, "we don't believe you, we don't trust you!" to the Japanese government is perhaps excessive, but well within the realm of normal FBI activity.

In the Techserver article it is stated that the FBI is asking for assurances (asking for assurances -- they're not allowed to actually interfere with international issues.) that U.S. facilities handle U.S. telcom traffic. Here's the real issue: if this starts becoming a standard, it has cascading implications for the involvement of the U.S. in the global telcom industry. How can we participate in what is by nature a global entity when we're supposed to draw firm and distinct lines between "us" and "them?"

DrEldarion wrote "They've already done experiements where they put electrodes on a guy and he was able to move a cursor around the screen just by thinking about it... (sorry, I forgot where I read that... no link :/ ) "

Here's some links to articles about that:

• Brain Implant Allows Paralyzed Man To Control Computer
• Implant Lets Computer, Paralyzed Man's Brain 'Talk'
• Brain Implant Helps Quadroplegics Communicate
• Medical Marvel Links A Brain And A Computer
• New Brain Implant Connects To Nervous System
• Thought-Activated Computing
• Brain Implant allows Paralysed Man To Communicate With Computer

• Also, a Slashdot article:

• Brain Implants Control Computers

" Anyways, I'm sure that eventually you'll just have a DataJack in your head (just like in ShadowRun!) where you'll just plug in a cable and you're all set. "

Sounds like fun to me! ;-)

Impossible means no one's done it yet.

You can read about this "cybersquatting" incident here.

Now that's a technical innovation. And one techie without much influence in a political situation. Various news sources have been noticing the story at various levels this week.

http ://www.techserver.com/noframes/story/0,2294,91180- 144345-1010275-0,00.html

Some other students from my high school and I got together and created a computer network for a local Senior Citizen Center. We asked Boeing for spare computers and got Microsoft to donate a lot of software. We then installed all the necessary hardware and software and set the computers up at the Des Moines Senior Center. We also taught classes to the senior citizens so they would be able to use the computers. Initially there were eight computers in the network, each with internet access, printing and scanning access, and Microsoft Office. It has expanded since then though. We also created a web page for the Senior Center. I think they moved it or something, though, because I can't find it. But here are a few links to articles about it.
At Microsoft
At the Nando Times
And another at Microsoft, but written by the Senior Center director
As you can see, technological charity isn't just for kids. In fact, kids can be the ones giving the charity!

http:/ /www.techserver.com/noframes/story/0,2294,59187-94 348-654243-0,00.html

The real story here isn't the cancelation of the final episode of a TV show- its about the power of the Internet. I think we all know deep down how powerfull it is- therein lies the huge draw for so many of us.

I wont assume to preach to the choir on this point, but I will illustrate with an anecdote. One of my friends runs a fairly major X-files website and listserv. A whole culture has developed around this with people submiting scripts and info on shows in advance (I think they pull them off of satelites or something...) I suspect this is much like the buffy crowd.

The Internet poses a phantom menace for any and all who censor. We are seeing some censoring already. I.E. Australian censorship, or in Shangh ai, or those slowly disapearing textfiles.

Let us hope that the Internet continues to be successful as an outlet for free speach.

Quite bizarre.

1. rigging a survey,
2. faking video evidence in court,
3. using cash reserves to affect profits, then firing the internal auditor that questioned it,
4. mounting a bogus grassroots PR marketing campaign

   The actions of a desperate company? An overly arrogant company?

   Or both?