Capitalism breeds crime - technology is simply a means for those with resources to perpetrate. In a system where competition is the means for "survival" there are always going to be those who cheat.
When all of the fuss began about AT&T and their privacy policies, I dropped them as my phone carrier even though they are the local monopoly on land lines (I now use a VoIP line who charges about 40% less with no limitations on long distance). This re-affirms that decision.
Although this is certainly a bad thing for the net, I think it may be too little too late. We are guaranteed freedom of speech and the right to assemble by the first amendment. That doesn't carry over into the business world. Sure, you can stand out in front of a business on the sidewalk waving a sign, etc but set foot anywhere on their premises (including a parking lot) and you can be arrested. People generally don't gather at government buildings/ property (where the 1st Amendment is applicable) but in the marketplace, which is traditionally a public arena (think Socrates). In other words, to reach the public at large is much harder, if not impossible. Sure, you can wave that sign on the sidewalk, but people just drive by you and don't have to hear what you are saying. This also acts as another way in which corporations are set up as a tyranny (see: Noam Chomsky) rather than any sort of free or democratic enterprise.
Hopefully, the net can stay free and set an example for the real world and roll back some of the limitations we actually encounter in our lives outside of a glowing screen.
After watching this twice, I'm reminded of a court case in Russia regarding the sinking of the Kursk submarine back in 2000 where the mother of one of the sailors was demanding answers. Like something out of the soviet union from a few years back, they quietly came up behind her, stuck her with a needle in her arm and she passed out. wish i could find the video for that... i saw it on French channel 4 i think.
If america is the beacon of freedom in the world, it's pretty damn dark.
Slashdot Mirror
Capitalism breeds crime - technology is simply a means for those with resources to perpetrate. In a system where competition is the means for "survival" there are always going to be those who cheat.
When all of the fuss began about AT&T and their privacy policies, I dropped them as my phone carrier even though they are the local monopoly on land lines (I now use a VoIP line who charges about 40% less with no limitations on long distance). This re-affirms that decision. Although this is certainly a bad thing for the net, I think it may be too little too late. We are guaranteed freedom of speech and the right to assemble by the first amendment. That doesn't carry over into the business world. Sure, you can stand out in front of a business on the sidewalk waving a sign, etc but set foot anywhere on their premises (including a parking lot) and you can be arrested. People generally don't gather at government buildings/ property (where the 1st Amendment is applicable) but in the marketplace, which is traditionally a public arena (think Socrates). In other words, to reach the public at large is much harder, if not impossible. Sure, you can wave that sign on the sidewalk, but people just drive by you and don't have to hear what you are saying. This also acts as another way in which corporations are set up as a tyranny (see: Noam Chomsky) rather than any sort of free or democratic enterprise. Hopefully, the net can stay free and set an example for the real world and roll back some of the limitations we actually encounter in our lives outside of a glowing screen.
After watching this twice, I'm reminded of a court case in Russia regarding the sinking of the Kursk submarine back in 2000 where the mother of one of the sailors was demanding answers. Like something out of the soviet union from a few years back, they quietly came up behind her, stuck her with a needle in her arm and she passed out. wish i could find the video for that... i saw it on French channel 4 i think. If america is the beacon of freedom in the world, it's pretty damn dark.
kind of like starcontrol 2... with the rainbow worlds... anyone following?