I have long opposed extreme copyright terms and bad copyright law, and supported the public domain and creative commons licensing - but I have also supported paying artists for such work as they have copyrighted. I have always tried to buy a legitimate copy of music I like, where it has been available, and encouraged others to buy legitimate recordings.
But this is simply too much. If the copyright organizations are going to insist on collecting money for works they do not own nor represent, then they can go to hell. Really, this is just extortion. They deserve no more sympathy.
This is why it is wise to take a break every 90 minutes or two hours. However, the break does not typically have to be long. Frequently I merely stop the car, walk around it once or twice, and then continue.
There are lots of places in Canada that have no roads or very poor quality roads. The same can be said of a number of other places around the world.
If you are moving a thousand trucks a day it is probably worth it to build a thousand miles of road to accommodate them. If you are moving the equivalent of one truck every three days to a camp that changes location every three years, it is probably NOT worth it, and a cargo airship may well be the most cost-efficient choice.
Yes, very aggressive drivers in UAE. It is dangerous even to cross the street on foot, when the cars are all stopped and have nowhere to go because they're in the middle of a traffic jam.
There are only a few countries in the world that I refuse to visit again - UAE is second only to Thailand with its aggressive and plentiful thieves.
I tried listening to this track, but it was far too stressful.
It was fine for the first 30 seconds or so, as I waited for the introductory passage to give way to the music...
... but the music never kicked in, and there I was, waiting, waiting, the anticipation building up, waiting for something more interesting than white noise.
I had to turn it off by the midway point. Too stressful. I'll stick to Enya, Vangelis, Devotchka or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata if I want to relax.
I know this is a bit late, but I will post this here in case anyone is looking through this later.
I got an email from Renee better explaining her position and her situation:
"Latest news: It appears the Kenn Borek Air Ltd DC-3 Baslers and Twin Otters are stuck in Chile, South America until the weather clears at the UK’s Rothera Base on the peninsula of Antarctica. Once the planes get there the pilots will rest and put skis on the planes then fly here (I think a 6 to 8 hour flight, maybe more). This goes to show and proves my point that Raytheon / NSF should have pre-positioned the planes ahead of time so that when a weather window opened they could come in to get me, instead of now being stuck in Chile.
"Perhaps you are unaware that there were different professional opinions between the consultant doctors at University of Texas Medical Branch and the National Science Foundation consultants regarding the need for a medical attendant and supplemental oxygen while flying from the South Pole to McMurdo Station on the coast of Antarctica then hop on a C-17 then fly to Christchurch, New Zealand for diagnostic testing to see what really happened / going on and determine if its safe for me to fly over the Pacific then across the US to John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.
"When I learned of the differing professional opinions I requested to have an independent opinion from John Hopkins. After battling with the Raytheon lawyers for more than a week to allow my doctor here to sign the paperwork to have an independent opinion I finally received the independent opinion from John Hopkins yesterday. They don’t think it was a stroke and think it could be a tumor or something else. They too mention I need to get MRI right away and should have been done within a couple of weeks when I had the so-called “stroke” or whatever. But here I wait which in 3 days time will be seven weeks because a decision was made within a matter of days (I have a memo) after the surmised stroke while brain swelling was still on going that they were not going to send a special mission (undoubtedly using the pretext that weather is to dangerous for the crew). Even worse they solely relied on their subcontract doctors from Texas (which we all know goes to the lowest bidder) on what they were saying. I’m not faulting the doctors by any means but it’s Raytheon and NSF not taking the initiative to seek other opinions which meant I was the one who had to speak up and demand an independent opinion – which of course said she needs to get out in quick haste, right away – not just leave her because somehow she appears to be stable.
"For the record I’ve always said I know the risks involved in flying a rescue mission and would not want the aircrew to risk their lives just for me. However, when precedent was set in April 2001 at minus 92F in the pitch black then again in September 2003, then I ask why aren’t they pre-positioning resources ahead of time such that when a weather window opens (which it has) then come in and fly me out.
"As far as the thinking that my situation is not life-threatening I say how do they really know it’s not? No one mentions that within days of my so-called stroke while brain swelling was still going on they made a decision not to even make an attempt to come in early but instead continue with the pre-planned schedule for flying to South Pole, which is mid-October.
"Raytheon has clear policies which says and I quote: “This category [Urgent] refers to cases that must be evacuated as soon as possible to save life, limb, or eyesight or prevent permanent disability” which “by definition, movement required as soon as possible with highest support level.” The doctors here have always said even to this day that I need to be evacuated as soon as possible. John Hopkins said the same yesterday. Obviously, to save life is life-threatening but certainly though eyesight or prevent permanent disability is perhap
I assure you that Renee is no whiner. I wintered with her at McMurdo in 2009. She's a tough lady.
There are other factors in play here, which may come out in the future.
Renee was primarily concerned about getting a second medical opinion and a medical attendant for her evacuation flight. Both of these were previously denied to her - but thanks to the publicity, both have been now been granted.
As I've been saying elsewhere, there were other factors involved. Renee was being denied a second medical opinion, and denied a medical attendant on her evacuation flight. Thanks to the publicity, this has now been rectified. Naturally, the relevant facts never make the news. It ain't sexy.
Workers in Antarctica tend to be young (before they've had kids) or old (after they've had kids) or social misfits (like me!)
Workers in their 50s are common.
In any case, there were other factors involved - like being denied a second medical opinion or a medical attendant on her evacuation flight - that caused her to seek publicity. Fortunately, she is now getting both - thanks to the publicity.
South Pole does have plans for winter evacuations, and handled an evacuation on 25 April 2001. A Twin Otter could have probably landed at Pole in September.
Whether an evacuation is a good idea or not is another question, and I understand the reluctance to do so - but frankly, there were other factors involved. Renee was being denied a second medical opinion and a medical attendant for her evacuation, possibly for reasons of internal company politics. Fortunately, this publicity has obtained both these things for her.
There is much more to this story than what has been released in the press. Renee was denied a second medical opinion and denied her request for a medical attendant on her evacuation flight. There are also questions of official retaliation for doing her job properly. But those things don't get publicity - and the publicity has helped her get that second medical opinion and the medical attendant.
Renee is at the South Pole, at an elevation of 9300 feet - however, because the atmosphere at the poles is thinner than at the equator, air pressure at South Pole is roughly equivalent to 10,500 feet.
However, this is a good point. It is one of the reasons why Renee requested a medical attendant on her evacuation flight, as well as a second medical opinion about her condition. Both requests were at first denied, but fortunately this publicity campaign has succeeded in getting both these requests granted.
As always with news stories, some of the most relevant details were omitted.
(I wintered with Renee at McMurdo Station in 2009, and have been in contact with her regarding her current circumstances.)
I know Renee personally. In fact, I submitted this story to Slashdot in late September, but it didn't get posted.
There are other factors involved. Renee is aware of the problems with an evacuation this time of year, but was more concerned about being prevented from getting a second medical opinion and being denied a medical attendant on the evacuation flight. She sought publicity upon the advice of her lawyer, who felt this was the only way to pressure the company to do the right thing - and the publicity campaign has worked. Renee is now getting a second medical opinion and will be getting a medical attendant on her evacuation flight.
Polar aviation technology has advanced considerably since 1999, and a Twin Otter can safely land at considerably lower temperatures than an LC-130. You may note that Renee did not ask for an evacuation in August or most of September - merely that a plane be put on standby for an evacuation as soon as possible in October. She didn't earn her Engineering degree or get to be Winter Site Manager by being stupid. There was also concern that the denial of her reasonable request for a second medical opinion, etc., might be retaliation related to some issues with anonymous whistleblowers which she handled.
It should also be noted that some types of stroke can get progressively worse, and that she is currently at a high altitude with low oxygen which might exacerbate the damage. I understand the skepticism, but like I say - she is not stupid.
More information here, though note that this page was established by family members, not Renee herself:
I only met him once, and he could be a little difficult at times - it took years to convince him to release titles in anything other than ASCII - and certainly he could be single-minded and met frequent disappointments - the latter being the curse of every person who is ahead of their time.
It seems a little early to make such a speculation, however.
I volunteered with Project Gutenberg for about 5 years in the1990s. Michael was something of an iconoclast, and had his hand in all sorts of things. I had the pleasure of meeting Michael at his home once, and last was in contact with him two years ago.
In a number of conversations with Michael (mostly online) our opinions on methods often clashed, but I have no doubt that he sought to serve humanity to the best of his ability, and especially to bring knowledge and opportunity to everyone in the world - without exception. He strove mightily to break down the barriers to knowledge, and to dethrone the gatekeepers who seek to prevent ordinary people from joining the company of the elite. I used to doubt his assertion that such gatekeepers exist, or that anyone would be so vile as to purposely prevent meritorious students from gaining an education - but I have come to realize that he was mostly correct. When the Digital Millennium Copyright Act came before Congress, Michael was the chief voice speaking out against it - but sadly, few people listened, or even understood why it was important. Michael's work has done a great deal to break down the barriers to knowledge that he despised, and for this we should all be thankful.
The rule is 70 years after an author's death, and only applies to works created in or after 1976. Works created prior to that were copyrighted for a fixed period from first publication. That period is presently at 95 years.
Regardless, large publishers will doubtless attempt to get the copyright period extended again, so when this speech will be in the public domain - if ever - is unknown.
Of course, if the Constitution had any weight, this speech would be public domain in about 8 years, as (IIRC) the copyright term maxed out at 56 years at the time King gave his speech, and the Constitution gives no authority for copyright law except to promote the useful arts and sciences. Whereas it is difficult to persuade a dead man to give a stirring speech in the past, none of the copyright extensions of previously published works are legal - though, of course, the courts continue to enforce them.
He has pointed out that literacy rates were much higher in 1850 (when compulsory schooling was first introduced in Massachusetts) than they are now, despite the complete absence of compulsory education and a general absence of public education.
I have seen similar while traveling overseas. Unschooled kids are not uneducated, and sometimes are better educated than their schooled counterparts.
Are there problems with autodidactism? Yes. But there are also many advantages, especially in creativity, relevance of knowledge, and resistance to widely accepted - but wrong - ideas.
Didn't have this problem on the GRE, but I know it cost me on an AP History exam I took in high school. I could have gotten college credit if it wasn't for a reviewer who was blinded by their ideology.
Of course, it's not restricted to standardized tests. I probably learned more than most of my peers in college, but you would never suspect it from my grades.
Slashdot Mirror
I have long opposed extreme copyright terms and bad copyright law, and supported the public domain and creative commons licensing - but I have also supported paying artists for such work as they have copyrighted. I have always tried to buy a legitimate copy of music I like, where it has been available, and encouraged others to buy legitimate recordings.
But this is simply too much. If the copyright organizations are going to insist on collecting money for works they do not own nor represent, then they can go to hell. Really, this is just extortion. They deserve no more sympathy.
There is a variant of Deep Vein Thrombosis called Traveller's Thrombosis.
This is why it is wise to take a break every 90 minutes or two hours. However, the break does not typically have to be long. Frequently I merely stop the car, walk around it once or twice, and then continue.
Note that this is a Canadian company.
There are lots of places in Canada that have no roads or very poor quality roads. The same can be said of a number of other places around the world.
If you are moving a thousand trucks a day it is probably worth it to build a thousand miles of road to accommodate them. If you are moving the equivalent of one truck every three days to a camp that changes location every three years, it is probably NOT worth it, and a cargo airship may well be the most cost-efficient choice.
Yes, very aggressive drivers in UAE. It is dangerous even to cross the street on foot, when the cars are all stopped and have nowhere to go because they're in the middle of a traffic jam.
There are only a few countries in the world that I refuse to visit again - UAE is second only to Thailand with its aggressive and plentiful thieves.
I can believe this. I visited Abu Dhabi (UAE) in 2008. Worst drivers ever. Aggressive.
I've visited about 60 different countries and all 7 continents, so I have a few examples to compare it with.
I tried listening to this track, but it was far too stressful.
It was fine for the first 30 seconds or so, as I waited for the introductory passage to give way to the music...
... but the music never kicked in, and there I was, waiting, waiting, the anticipation building up, waiting for something more interesting than white noise.
I had to turn it off by the midway point. Too stressful. I'll stick to Enya, Vangelis, Devotchka or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata if I want to relax.
I know this is a bit late, but I will post this here in case anyone is looking through this later.
I got an email from Renee better explaining her position and her situation:
"Latest news: It appears the Kenn Borek Air Ltd DC-3 Baslers and Twin Otters are stuck in Chile, South America until the weather clears at the UK’s Rothera Base on the peninsula of Antarctica. Once the planes get there the pilots will rest and put skis on the planes then fly here (I think a 6 to 8 hour flight, maybe more). This goes to show and proves my point that Raytheon / NSF should have pre-positioned the planes ahead of time so that when a weather window opened they could come in to get me, instead of now being stuck in Chile.
"Perhaps you are unaware that there were different professional opinions between the consultant doctors at University of Texas Medical Branch and the National Science Foundation consultants regarding the need for a medical attendant and supplemental oxygen while flying from the South Pole to McMurdo Station on the coast of Antarctica then hop on a C-17 then fly to Christchurch, New Zealand for diagnostic testing to see what really happened / going on and determine if its safe for me to fly over the Pacific then across the US to John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.
"When I learned of the differing professional opinions I requested to have an independent opinion from John Hopkins. After battling with the Raytheon lawyers for more than a week to allow my doctor here to sign the paperwork to have an independent opinion I finally received the independent opinion from John Hopkins yesterday. They don’t think it was a stroke and think it could be a tumor or something else. They too mention I need to get MRI right away and should have been done within a couple of weeks when I had the so-called “stroke” or whatever. But here I wait which in 3 days time will be seven weeks because a decision was made within a matter of days (I have a memo) after the surmised stroke while brain swelling was still on going that they were not going to send a special mission (undoubtedly using the pretext that weather is to dangerous for the crew). Even worse they solely relied on their subcontract doctors from Texas (which we all know goes to the lowest bidder) on what they were saying. I’m not faulting the doctors by any means but it’s Raytheon and NSF not taking the initiative to seek other opinions which meant I was the one who had to speak up and demand an independent opinion – which of course said she needs to get out in quick haste, right away – not just leave her because somehow she appears to be stable.
"For the record I’ve always said I know the risks involved in flying a rescue mission and would not want the aircrew to risk their lives just for me. However, when precedent was set in April 2001 at minus 92F in the pitch black then again in September 2003, then I ask why aren’t they pre-positioning resources ahead of time such that when a weather window opens (which it has) then come in and fly me out.
"As far as the thinking that my situation is not life-threatening I say how do they really know it’s not? No one mentions that within days of my so-called stroke while brain swelling was still going on they made a decision not to even make an attempt to come in early but instead continue with the pre-planned schedule for flying to South Pole, which is mid-October.
"Raytheon has clear policies which says and I quote: “This category [Urgent] refers to cases that must be evacuated as soon as possible to save life, limb, or eyesight or prevent permanent disability” which “by definition, movement required as soon as possible with highest support level.” The doctors here have always said even to this day that I need to be evacuated as soon as possible. John Hopkins said the same yesterday. Obviously, to save life is life-threatening but certainly though eyesight or prevent permanent disability is perhap
I assure you that Renee is no whiner. I wintered with her at McMurdo in 2009. She's a tough lady.
There are other factors in play here, which may come out in the future.
Renee was primarily concerned about getting a second medical opinion and a medical attendant for her evacuation flight. Both of these were previously denied to her - but thanks to the publicity, both have been now been granted.
Isn't it always the doctor that goes insane?
Well, that's the stereotype, anyway. (Among Antarctic winterovers, that is.)
As I've been saying elsewhere, there were other factors involved. Renee was being denied a second medical opinion, and denied a medical attendant on her evacuation flight. Thanks to the publicity, this has now been rectified. Naturally, the relevant facts never make the news. It ain't sexy.
If you're at Kerguelen, why did you even bother to post as an Anonymous Coward? Aren't there, like, only 4 of you?
Anyway, there were other factors involved. See my other posts.
Workers in Antarctica tend to be young (before they've had kids) or old (after they've had kids) or social misfits (like me!)
Workers in their 50s are common.
In any case, there were other factors involved - like being denied a second medical opinion or a medical attendant on her evacuation flight - that caused her to seek publicity. Fortunately, she is now getting both - thanks to the publicity.
South Pole does have plans for winter evacuations, and handled an evacuation on 25 April 2001. A Twin Otter could have probably landed at Pole in September.
Whether an evacuation is a good idea or not is another question, and I understand the reluctance to do so - but frankly, there were other factors involved. Renee was being denied a second medical opinion and a medical attendant for her evacuation, possibly for reasons of internal company politics. Fortunately, this publicity has obtained both these things for her.
They have landed a plane at South Pole in the darkness before.
http://www.polarconservation.org/education/antarctic-evacuations/2001-doctor-evacuated-from-the-south-pole
There is much more to this story than what has been released in the press. Renee was denied a second medical opinion and denied her request for a medical attendant on her evacuation flight. There are also questions of official retaliation for doing her job properly. But those things don't get publicity - and the publicity has helped her get that second medical opinion and the medical attendant.
Renee is at the South Pole, at an elevation of 9300 feet - however, because the atmosphere at the poles is thinner than at the equator, air pressure at South Pole is roughly equivalent to 10,500 feet.
However, this is a good point. It is one of the reasons why Renee requested a medical attendant on her evacuation flight, as well as a second medical opinion about her condition. Both requests were at first denied, but fortunately this publicity campaign has succeeded in getting both these requests granted.
As always with news stories, some of the most relevant details were omitted.
(I wintered with Renee at McMurdo Station in 2009, and have been in contact with her regarding her current circumstances.)
I know Renee personally. In fact, I submitted this story to Slashdot in late September, but it didn't get posted.
There are other factors involved. Renee is aware of the problems with an evacuation this time of year, but was more concerned about being prevented from getting a second medical opinion and being denied a medical attendant on the evacuation flight. She sought publicity upon the advice of her lawyer, who felt this was the only way to pressure the company to do the right thing - and the publicity campaign has worked. Renee is now getting a second medical opinion and will be getting a medical attendant on her evacuation flight.
Polar aviation technology has advanced considerably since 1999, and a Twin Otter can safely land at considerably lower temperatures than an LC-130. You may note that Renee did not ask for an evacuation in August or most of September - merely that a plane be put on standby for an evacuation as soon as possible in October. She didn't earn her Engineering degree or get to be Winter Site Manager by being stupid. There was also concern that the denial of her reasonable request for a second medical opinion, etc., might be retaliation related to some issues with anonymous whistleblowers which she handled.
It should also be noted that some types of stroke can get progressively worse, and that she is currently at a high altitude with low oxygen which might exacerbate the damage. I understand the skepticism, but like I say - she is not stupid.
More information here, though note that this page was established by family members, not Renee herself:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evacuate-Renee-Nicole-Douceur-from-Antarctica-Immediately/139354572829055
"Offensive to accepted standards of decency or modesty."
That's the first definition I came across. There were a few others, but I think this puts it in perspective.
The obscenity exception means "You can say anything you like - anything at all. It's no holds barred! Unless we don't like it."
Which is to say, the obscenity exception makes a mockery of free speech, in ways that laws against fraud or incitement to violence do not.
... they asserted that fundamental rights are "privileges" granted by government.
Getting the relationship between government and citizen inverted is a Democrat specialty.
Republicans and Democrats are evil in different ways.
I only met him once, and he could be a little difficult at times - it took years to convince him to release titles in anything other than ASCII - and certainly he could be single-minded and met frequent disappointments - the latter being the curse of every person who is ahead of their time.
It seems a little early to make such a speculation, however.
I volunteered with Project Gutenberg for about 5 years in the1990s. Michael was something of an iconoclast, and had his hand in all sorts of things. I had the pleasure of meeting Michael at his home once, and last was in contact with him two years ago.
In a number of conversations with Michael (mostly online) our opinions on methods often clashed, but I have no doubt that he sought to serve humanity to the best of his ability, and especially to bring knowledge and opportunity to everyone in the world - without exception. He strove mightily to break down the barriers to knowledge, and to dethrone the gatekeepers who seek to prevent ordinary people from joining the company of the elite. I used to doubt his assertion that such gatekeepers exist, or that anyone would be so vile as to purposely prevent meritorious students from gaining an education - but I have come to realize that he was mostly correct. When the Digital Millennium Copyright Act came before Congress, Michael was the chief voice speaking out against it - but sadly, few people listened, or even understood why it was important. Michael's work has done a great deal to break down the barriers to knowledge that he despised, and for this we should all be thankful.
Rest in Peace, Michael. You did well.
The rule is 70 years after an author's death, and only applies to works created in or after 1976. Works created prior to that were copyrighted for a fixed period from first publication. That period is presently at 95 years.
Regardless, large publishers will doubtless attempt to get the copyright period extended again, so when this speech will be in the public domain - if ever - is unknown.
Of course, if the Constitution had any weight, this speech would be public domain in about 8 years, as (IIRC) the copyright term maxed out at 56 years at the time King gave his speech, and the Constitution gives no authority for copyright law except to promote the useful arts and sciences. Whereas it is difficult to persuade a dead man to give a stirring speech in the past, none of the copyright extensions of previously published works are legal - though, of course, the courts continue to enforce them.
Damn straight!
Notepad doesn't hold a candle to vi.
ZZ:w:wq! damn itZZ
Check out John Taylor Gatto sometime.
He has pointed out that literacy rates were much higher in 1850 (when compulsory schooling was first introduced in Massachusetts) than they are now, despite the complete absence of compulsory education and a general absence of public education.
I have seen similar while traveling overseas. Unschooled kids are not uneducated, and sometimes are better educated than their schooled counterparts.
Are there problems with autodidactism? Yes. But there are also many advantages, especially in creativity, relevance of knowledge, and resistance to widely accepted - but wrong - ideas.
What if you are expected to understand a position that is just bat-shit crazy?
There are some of those in academia.
Didn't have this problem on the GRE, but I know it cost me on an AP History exam I took in high school. I could have gotten college credit if it wasn't for a reviewer who was blinded by their ideology.
Of course, it's not restricted to standardized tests. I probably learned more than most of my peers in college, but you would never suspect it from my grades.