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Lawsuits Suck
omnifrog writes: "Suck has an interesting view on all of the legal cases that are currently in the geek media. Jokingly, they claim that, '... as galling as the verdicts have been, the judiciary -- with every curt dismissal of every nerd-approved argument -- is doing the plugged-in set an enormous favor. Because if anybody needs a lesson in the way the real world works, it's the geeks.' An interesting point of view." Excellent piece.
For example, one programmer bragging about how much Java helps his bottom line was one-up'ed by another AC claiming that Perl programming had netted him "$5 million" a year.
Another good troll is to point out that the dot-com industry has, for the most part, only actually made money by selling equity -- not products or ads. Immediately a bunch of AC's will come out and say "oh, you're just jealous because you didn't make tons of money like we did."
Fine. I guess I'm the only person who reads Slashdot who doesn't have a couple mil' in the bank and a private jet.
Why, then, with geeks supposedly swimming in cash, is the EFF "underfunded"? I suspect that the "swimming in cash" is just part of the delusions of granduer that the geek community has. Sure, some geeks are loaded, but I think that a lot more are sitting on some stock options that have yet to do anything and even more are just pulling in a decent paycheck and want, desperately, to believe that they'll be millionaires someday, too (clue: no one ever became rich selling their time).
Coincidentally I am committing "more real action." Downloading as many MP3's as I can.
Seems like too much effort. I've just copied a lot of mp3's to my computer from my CD collection, and set up a script that copies them until they use up all the space. If the record industry is telling the truth (and would they lie?) then I'm costing them a fortune!
You go to the grocery store and buy some stuff. You slide your saver card across and save 40 cents on toilet paper. Now we know who you are and based on how much toilet paper you bought this week, about how many times you take a dump.
Maybe you pay for your gas with that exxon credit card. Now we know that's the third time you bought gas this week and we have your credit history to dig through too.
Maybe you call someone on your cell phone (Which we see you paid for with your credit card this month.) Now we have your calling record, we know who you're talking to, when and for how long.
We know about all those live goat porn sites you're so fond of browsing from AOL.
We know what songs you download with napster, what movies you rent at blockbuster, what CDs you buy at the music store. We know what kind of car you drive. We know when you buy a latte at starbucks. We know what you watch on cable.
Find a place that doesn't use computers these days. It's next to impossible to stay off our radar.
Seems to me that if we organized and communicated just a bit, we could take over and run the show. Quietly and behind the scenes, we could be Big Brother. Because it ain't Lars out there writing the software that runs all that stuff.
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
Thank you for saying this. It really needed to be said.
The only thing I would add is that Suck apparantly has no clue about what political influence is. PACs and Associations and campaign donations aren't nearly as effective as personal involvement, especially on the local level. A volunteer who puts just two hours a week into a local campaign office for two months has just given a resource that cannot be measured in dollars. Most campaigns need a sysadmin. Glamourous? No, but your investment of time and effort will help tremendously. And be remembered. If you vote, that will be remembered. Especially which issues you vote on. If you vote based on abortion alone (either direction, then don't complain that your view on DeCSS isn't represented.
Corporations use PACs because they are a substitute for real live volunteers-- who are very hard to find. Money is cheaper than time, work or votes, so that's what they use. But work is more valued. The unions slather their party in volunteers, and evidence is being reported which says that they had the power last election to approve or veto the campaign strategies of their favorite candidates. Tremendous, possibly inappropriate power. Bought with time, not money.
The media wants to talk about PACs because they: 1) buy ads which are aired by the media, 2) are more interesting to report on than the volunteer in the back room, and 3) inflame people's outrage at corruption, causing them to spend more time watching the media to hear about it. But the truth is this: time you put in to candidates you like equals issues you believe in being advocated. You didn't 'buy' that influence. You helped people who agree with you get into a position to advance those issues for you.
The main thing I have to say (and this goes for everyone here!) is don't get discouraged, nothing important ever happened without a little adversity. Stubborness is a virute.
1. What else can I do?
2. Who could head up an "internet users association" like we need? (possibly someone at the EFF? IEEE? ACM? A friendly lawyer you know?)
I'd say the EFF is the best choice. Let's talk to them about starting local chapters. The person who is most able to create EFFECTIVE ACTION should lead. Don't be afraid to grab the torch, you can always pass it off later.
3. What do we have to do to get this person (or people) to work on our behalf?
Lead by example. Get the message out. They will come.
4. How do we get enough members to join?
Make it fun. Freedom sells itself, so stick to principles. Be inclusive. Be passionate. Be stubborn.
5. Once we get members, how do we become an unstoppable juggernaut lobby like the NRA?
Worry about that later. If we worry about not having the force of the NRA, we'll never have the force of the NRA. People will join if they identify with the principles that we lobby for.
Jon Katz can't because: a) he can't write. b) noone has heard of him except for slashdot people (who he has only a little credibility with). c) he doesn't agree with the views of most /. readers. d) He can't work with many politicians. A good leader will work with anyone to get the job done-- not dragging in other issues that aren't related to your group.
Finally, I really don't think that most slashdot readers would actually rally behind anyone except someone who courted them to the exclusion of everyone else.But let's try a test. Who wants to support Orin Hatch? Anyone, anyone? He's fought for fair use protection in copyright law, and as chairman of the Judiciary committee is able to get stuff done. His opponents in the committee are opposed to fair use protections. He was worried about MS before most people. Any takers? No? Why not?
If people on slashdot reward him with thank you emails, and if Utah slashdotters volunteer for him, it will be a sign that this can work. But most computer people I've talked to don't like Hatch. And do you know what? THEY DON'T KNOW WHY! Read up on him. And if you still don't like him, at least admit that some other issue is more important to you than IP law.
If you are apathetic, don't defend it with a lengthy chain of justifications and false fanaticism. Just admit that you aren't doing anything.
If you are involved, I'll apologize to you in person next time I see you. It isn't like there are that many of us.
the saddest part is that te US, by far the most Internetr aware country sets such a poor example. And this leads the rest of the countries to follow suit. For example, till recently the Eu treated software as math algos, but now the new rule they r trying to implement is 'Patent everything'. Countries as diverse as Australia (censor everything), India (spy on eveything) and france (u r liable for everything) are implementing bone head rules trying to regulate freedom. The US had a golden oppurtunity to spread true freedom all over the world, but sadly missed it. I am putting my neck out quite a bit but at the zenith of a nations powers lie the seeds of its decadence. The US is taking away from its citizens the very thing that empowered the nation - freedom. and naturally the world follows suit
A crank is a little thing that makes revolutions
Our thanks to everyone who is responding by joining EFF. It's heartwarming to see the slashdot community rally to our support; we have been processing memberships all morning. The NY DVD litigation has cost us $1 million so far--a major strain on our small organization. We really need and appreciate your help. FYI, for anyone who joins at the $65 level or higher, we'll send you a 10th anniversary T-shirt as a small token of our appreciation. Thanks again! Shari Steele, Executive Director, Electronic Frontier Foundation, http://www.eff.org/join
From the suck article:
"But the decisions are no less legally binding for being silly..."
This is why the article is right. This is what the point is: Being morally right, being technically correct, having half a clue; none of these things will overcome determination, money, big business, and organisation. In othwr words, You're not going to win just because you're right!"
This is the way the world works. Deal with it, or get dirty and change it--really change it--but don't bother ranting and vandalising web sites.
"People who do stupid things with hazardous materials often die." -- Jim Davidson on alt.folklore.urban
Reading through the posts here, I see more criticisms of this article than praises. Did everyone read the article? Or was the first paragraph and every subsequent negative thing read? He's exactly right, he hit it dead on the nail. Our freedoms are being swept out from our feet every day and those who even realize this can't make a coherent movement to stop it. The best we can do is scream and accuse and flame and make stupid posts like virtually every one to this story so far.
We do need a lesson... a lesson in putting on your game face and getting results. Bitching and moaning is going to get you ignored, or worse, targetted. Exactly as the suck article says, we need to play their game. Whether you like it or not, bite the bullet, face reality, and deal with it. The rest of the world deals with it every day, or at least the part that isn't having its freedoms stripped away...
This is exactly the type of thing Borsook was talking about in her book--she was amazed that the underappreciated, downtrodden nerd didn't associate with other underappreciated downtrodden people, like minorities, environmentalists, labor, etc. but rather associated with big business.
Now we're learning that big business isn't the nerd's friend any more than big government is; and the difference is that it's actually possible to get big government to be on your side through the democratic/lobbying/activism process, where big business will always only be on the side of profit, which may or may not be in the nerds' best interest.
And it's always a good bet that small government (i.e. local, or all those other downtrodden minorities) can be on the nerd's side if a little activism takes place.
So support the EFF and ACLU, and build coalitions with other activists, as is starting to happen at the coalition demonstrations like those in Seattle, Philly, and LA. Prague's coming up!
Note that the demonstrations, while valuable and important, are less effective than lobbying and working with the system, especially since we're talking about national law-making, not local problems (like police violence) or global problems (like the World Bank), though there are plently of local and global considerations.
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Make mine methylphenidate.
OK, this will have zero effect. Why? Because slashdot people don't vote. And when they do vote, they vote for third parties that have no chance of winning. And when they do vote for major party candidates, it is based on abortion, or human rights in Uzbekistan, etc. Or more likely, who the media told them is the 'hip' candidate.
Slashdot people also refuse to volunteer in campaigns. They also refuse to help local candidates in local elections. They love watching, and writing about, the media COVERAGE of politics, but have no interest in the political process.
The chickens are coming home to roost. Support third parties; don't vote; don't get involved and volunteer; don't write even a simple letter your congressman; ignore local elections. Oops! No wonder political leaders don't listen to you. YOU HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING TO THEM YET. You've told the Slashdot moderators a lot. But in terms of actual opinions stated, backed by the willingness to work, you've done ZERO. Note that I haven't talked money yet. Donating money is great, but peanuts compared to actual involvement.
Do you think hiring a PAC will make a difference? PACs are important because they represent voters-- individually, their contribution limits prevent any one PAC from being too influential. Politicians have learned the hard way that Slashdot people don't vote for them, no matter how hard they try to court them.
I'm sorry. I am not accustomed to flaming all of Slashdot, but you all win this year's oscar for unfounded bitching. I have been involved in politics for three years, half of which were spent volunteering on and off. I've never worked with or joined a special interest group (unless /. counts as a special interest) and I have never given a dime of money-- just time and work.
I know lobbyists, politicians, campaign operatives, Very Important People, and congressional staffers. I can guarantee you that in my three years I have seen exactly one slashdot regular. ONE. He's doing his part. I'm doing mine. Are you doing yours?
I have worked ceaselessly to promote issues important to us. And while I've made some tiny progress, I am alone. The EFF, which is our PAC, is alone. The labor unions can rally millions of voters to the polls. They gave Ralph Nader a shred of a chance, then took it away. How? With votes-- the basic unit of political influence.
Every plan for an Association will fail based on the critical insight that Slashdot people won't Associate. They might put some money, but they certainly won't vote based on these issues. Except possibly for President-- one vote in four years isn't too much to ask for. But then again, most civil libertarians are voting for Harry Browne, so why would the major party candidates care?
I guess I'm mad because I've put the last few years of my life and some damn hard work into politics. I have gotten real, measurable results. And the rest of you, instead of helping, complain ceaselessly on slashdot about stuff that you get DEAD WRONG, and wonder why things don't go your way. If you can't participate, personally, in the process, then don't complain that it doesn't go your way. Democracy's great strength is feature, but it is also a user requirement.
I have suggested that people read Heinlein's Take Back Your Government . Someone once called me naive for thinking that that is how things work in the Real World. As a registered member of the Real World, I can assure you that I have personal experience that Heinlein is right, rather than the experience of watching pundit shows on TV.
Democracy is participated in, not purchased. It isn't what people who sell advertisements to fund their news shows say, but it is true.
Frankly, you're full of it.
I vote. I vote for third party candidates. So what if they "don't have a chance of winning"? This is an election, not a horse race. The two major candidates are, IMHO, slime. Why vote for one or the other? That's what they want you to do.
If I vote for a third-party candidate, and one of the big two win, I get a slime officer. If I vote for one of the big two, and he or she wins, I get a slime officer; same difference. If one slimer needs one more vote to win, I stop him whether I vote for the other slimer or the third party candidate. You don't need more votes than anybody else, you need over 50% of the vote, period.
But if enough votes go to third party candidates, then a couple of things can happen. First, the slimers can see the lost votes and try to get us back. Secondly, if they fail, other voters see the third parties, believe they can make a difference, vote them in, and you get third-party officers. Self-fulfilling prophecy.
Democrats and republicans want you to believe that they are the only choices. Since they're both slime, that causes apathy, and an apathetic population is easier to control. Prove them wrong at the ballot box. It may take several elections, but it will work.
--The basis of all love is respect
"Why? Because slashdot people don't vote. And when they do vote, they vote for third parties that have no chance of winning."
You, sir, are a complete dumbass.
Are you so disillusioned with third parties that you feel the Republicans and Democrats are the only choices out there? It's not like I can't vote for Nader, Browne, Buchanan, or anyone else, right? To insinuate that voting for a third party is a wasted vote is pure arrogance on your behalf. Yes, Nader, Browne, and Buchanan don't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the election. That doesn't mean that we can't stick it to the Big Two with a vote for a third party candidate, which says "We're sick of politics as usual, if you don't want to listen to us, we'll find a candidate who will." Eventually, the Big Two will look behind them, and see just how close those third parties are catching up. It's not going to happen today, tomorrow, next week, or even next year, but it will happen.
The elections aren't like a horse race. I'm not going to vote for Joe Candidate just because I think he'll win, I'm going to vote for Joe Candidate based on the issues. Take a look at Minnesota. Dear God, some third party professional wrestler is the governor over there! Those idiots who voted for him wasted their votes! They should've voted Republican or Democrat! Hmmmm, I guess those people voted on the issues. I know, I know...to you, it's a new concept, but it's a cool concept! You can say that Jesse Ventura got elected just because of his past with Hollywood and the WWF, but something lit a fire underneath the collective asses of Minnesota voters that got them to say "Go Ventura!" Say what you will about the guy, but he is an effective politician who's getting the job done, and he's not afraid to speak his mind on anything. Oh oh, wait...Reform Party...third party...wasted vote.
You think that voting for a third party is a wasted vote? Here's a wasted vote: voting for someone "just because." And I have a feeling that's how you vote.
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The real Raunchola isn't cool enough to have any imposters
For one, I'm not a US citizen, but have been following all this very closely.
/. and don't exclude someone just because they are not a "Linux" zelot, but if they feel the same way as you on most political issues, welcome them.
That out of the way, the solution is painfully obvious, yet might be difficult.
Organize an association of Internet users and like minded people. Call yourselves "Internet users of America" or something along those lines. Gather ACTUAL names and addresses, attract new members, vote on a platform, elect a leader...then LOBBY!!!!
Easier said than done is the big problem. You might be able to start with Slashdot and K5 active members, then expand to other web based gathering sites. The EGO thing will also be hard to overcome, but if someone credible, and a name you all recognize starts it, and at least gets a buy in from editors, it might actually work.
How can you fight the "Motion Picture ASSOCIATION of America" and the "Recording Industry ASSOCIATION of America" with being an asociation or special interest group yourself?
The article on Suck had some very good points, defacing a web page for kicks is not going to accomplish ANYTHING except irritate John Q. Public.
Not to belittle the monumental hurtles and battles of the African Americans in the last century, but if all Martin Luther King did was spray paint graffiti on a few walls, would anything have been accomplished?
For simplicitys sake, and to avoid fractures, start here, start on
Consider this a CALL TO ACTION for someone (for legal purposes...someone of voting age) to carry the torch and start something, hell.....even Jon Katz could do this. You may not like what he has to say, but he has credibility in the real world. and in an association he HAS to listen to the active voting members.
Like it or not, this is quickly becoming a battle of the most organized, not the most technical.
The one about young men skipping college to go into techie jobs. Not that a broader education is necessarily a cure for tunnelvision, but perhaps if more geeks had studied history, political science, economics, etc., there would be a greater number of technical folks able to do more than flame.
One important question is how to bring some of this "News for Nerds" to the attention of the masses, in a way that they can understand. The vast majority of people are not technically savvy, yet making them understand that their rights are being eroded is essential to stopping and even reversing these dangerous and often ill-considered rulings.
--meredith
--meredith
--meredith
Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis
I graduated, got a job, and joined the EFF. Follow the articles advice and join up. Every $10, $25, $50 or $500 helps. Let's /. the EFF membership!