What if the artist doesn't *want* to live 8 months out of the year out of the back of a Dodge Caravan, eating at shitty fast food joints because there's no other real choice for his time schedules, playing for indifferent, if not hostile audiences for peanuts?
"Well, that's what he gets for not being good!"
Bollocks. EVERY self-respecting band has faced that sort of reality when starting up. Other than the "insta-hits" boy/girl bands, every major band you can think of started out playing this way. Many great bands just couldn't hack the initial tour shock and end up going away. Others make a living at it (The ever touring Fugazi, plus "music travel shows" like Phish and Widespread Panic here in the south). It takes a rare kind of dedication and, a lot of times, money (green stuff, usually by working a lot of OT at the shit job they just quit before they go on tour) that many people can't have. So, they go into the recording studio, release a CD and hope that someone out there gives a shit and buys it. But that's besides the point...
"Well, if they can't hack it, they should get the fuck out of the music industry..."
Yeah, and how many Open Source developers code on the side for *free*? How many get paid? They get burned out, too, just check out a lot of the shit on Sourceforge that never got/gets beyond alpha stage. Maybe they should just not even think about starting up a project in the beginning. The fact is people who make music do it for the love of making music. It'd be nice if they could get paid and there are *many* strategies they can employ in pursuit of doing it. Do I have to give up my FullTime job at night just so I can make your life easier by driving to YOUR town so you have the "privilege" of seeing me live? Or maybe you can buy my CD, instead, and be happy when I finally get up enough money (hopefully through CD sales) to actually get out and tour?
Wow, I lost myself already. I hate posting on 3 hours of sleep.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is technology should be an *enabler*. Artists should get paid, and if they want to release a CD, the least you can do is buy it if you like them. The current licensing and the current "power group" makes it difficult to do so, and if I were a musician (and I am), I'd do my damndest to stay "indie" or start my own label. At least I'd make my own money. I might not have a billion dollar corporation behind me, but then again, how many bands that sign with major labels get pushed, or are horribly mismanaged (goo goo dolls, sonic youth, jawbox, etc)? It's a matter of perspective.
Hell, why are we even talking about this with the RIAA?? Why aren't we talking to the MUSICIANS about this? It seems that the problem is that many musicians think that getting signed to a major is the only way to go.
Actually, it wouldn't require huge amounts of water.
The Egyptians at the time of Moses were heavily reliant upon chariots: large, heavy, horse drawn vehicles. Chariots + Swamps = ain't gonna cross it. Lightly loaded people crossed rather easily. So yes, it is quite feasible that the "dramatic" escape wasn't as dramatic as it is commonly viewed as. In fact, it was the same swampy region that is believed to have the limiting factor in the Egyptian expansion in the height of it's power. Their "heavy cavalry", so to speak, could not cross the swamps.
All of the calculus books my university used are geared towards using TI calculators. And I hear it's like that all over the country. talk about product placement/sponsership.
The odd thing is, back in 1991-1992, TI's were *mandatory* for class. However, by the time most of my engineering peers got to the higher level engineering courses, they'd switched over to HP's. They said the learning curve was a bit steeper, but it was ten times the calculator the TI was and wished that *everyone* in the department would use them.
Small, fanatic minority group, facing the "monolithic" giant.. Hrm.. Sound like linux to anyone?
which is why I strongly recommend iMacs to computer newbies. The Mac interface is close to dumbproof as they come (there are exceptions to this, I know), internet connectivity through the "stock" option is relatively brainless, and with USB, connector frustration is no longer an issue.
Personally, I don't have a Mac or have ever owned a Mac for various reasons, but if I had to sell everything, I'd grab an iMac in a hurry...
Anyone remember the story with MS whining about how security people should just shut their cake-hole and not "reveal" exploits? I wonder if they'll take the same stance on this one.
"Well, it wouldn't have been too much of a problem until those meddling kids at Apache showed up..."
No, the point is that AMERICAN corporations choose to buy their products FROM these "slave states." As American entities, they represent the US, whether we like it or not, and you'd think that at the very least they'd "just say no" to slave labor. Unfortunately, cheap labor adds to the bottom line and THAT is what keeps the shareholders happy.
While I'm also not an advocate of big government (indeed, I want government out of my business, just as I want business out of my government), this would be grounds for a Constitutional "pimp slap down" on corporations that willingly choose to source out their production to countries that engage in slave labor/indentured servitude. If Nike were to say "WE're not going to buy any more shoes from you until you fix your labor problems," you bet your sweet ass that the labor problems would be "fixed." Instead, Nike likes to pretend that "oh, they're just subcontractors, we can't do anything about it..." Who's the customer? Who has the money?
It's about time we held corporations to the same standards we hold ourselves to. Then again, the majority of the people in the US watch Jerry Springer and it's ilk, so maybe they *are* holding to the standards of the nation...
I work 40 hours a week, barely scraping by, paying for tuition, eating ramen...
YOu mean if I go kill someone or vandalize their property, the state willl put me in a state facility, give me 3 squares a day, and *give* me the education I'm currently paying for?
Even better, why wear pants at all? Just go to work naked, to expedite searches. And when the guard looks surprised to see you when you walk up, hand him a rubber glove, some KY, and bend over in front of him and spread your checks while shouting
"God Bless America, Sir! Citizen is ready to be searched, SIR!"
Well, the basic premise is basically, to "get out of the house." I go to quite a few live shows these days as compared to many months ago when I would just come home and surf the net or pass out from boredom/exhaustion.
Now, I go to shows, drink a bit, talk to people between bands, etc, and get invited to lots of parties (some good, others, not so good), but invariably end up meeting some different people and even go out on a few dates. We're not talking about barflys..:) I've met quite a few really cool people in RL these days and it's quite comforting to actually talk to someone face to face rather than stuffed behind a keyboard. Your mileage may vary.
On the other hand, you probably already paid for your internet connection and going out requires some cash...
On the Indie movie front, some friends and I were discussing this the other day. Canon GL1: $1600, firewire card: $100. Various software, depends on the source. But, basically, the idea is for less than $5k, you can buy a computer, camera, and video editing software and make your own movies. And with the DVDR drivers dropping in price (I saw one at best buy for like $550, I think), it's getting to where anyone can do just about *anything* these days. I can make my own music (from various synth packages, etc), record my own music and mix it down, I can make my own animated movies, I can make my own radio show (shoutcast and the like), and now I can truly start making my own movies. The world is just getting great and I see tons of potential for grassroots indy-DV movie making (until making movies becomes a crime.. Actually, it is in many cities due to their "film ordinances" *cough*extortion*cough*).
Yes, here's a hearty "FUCK YOU!" to the RIAA and the MPAA.
You know, the antics of the music industry (and the kind of thing that MS is kowtowing to with their DRM scheme) really pisses me off, but also convinces me that there will eventually come something to replace them both.
But, know what? It's their property. If they want to fuck up their distribution channels, fuck em. I can do without "so-called" modern music anyway. I go see live bands locally, get lit, and have a great time and I didn't need to buy a fucking copy-protected by the DMCA CD or cassette or anything. These guys are out there trying to make a living, maybe you should check em out. And if you catch them after the show, you might can convince them that they should distribute their songs on CD's for cheap and ask them (ask them) about how they feel about MP3's and music-sharing in general. Of course, they might not agree with you (or myself), but they have that *right* to do so.
So, I encourage, nay I *challenge* each and every one of you who would boycott MS or the RIAA to pick up a local newspaper and see what's going on in y our town this weekend. Chances are, there's a band or two actually worth checking out, and hey, it's not like you're going to meet chicks sitting behind your monitor.
Oh, and on-topic: Rock on Beale! I'm encouraged to see that grassroots hactivism coming alive!:) (hacker used in "coder" definition) Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight.
A man is on a train, reading his paper, sipping his coffee. A uniformed man with a gun and badge approaches him.
"ID card please."
"Excuse me, sir?"
"Your ID card please," he repeats with an gleam in his eye.
"I..I.. I think it's in my wallet, hold on." Man fumbles with his wallet as the uniformed man caresses the butt of his weapon.
"Ah, yes, this is it." The man hands it over tot he uniformed man, who checks it over.
"Where are you going, sir?"
"Well, I don't see how that's any of your business-"
"EVERYTHING is my business, sir. I'm trying to protect America from terrorists. So, WHERE are you going?"
"Why, that's preposterous! I don't have to answer that! Ever since Black Tuesday, our freedoms have been taken from us! Why, we used to never have to have our ID cards and an approval stamp to travel across the state!"
"That's enough of that!" Uniformed man blows his whistle and pulls out his gun.
"No, people, can't you understand! Help me! Help yourselves! We're being taken over by fascists! Help--"
The man falls limp. The Uniformed man wipes the butt of his weapon ont he man's shirt, after having used it as a club. The other people in the car pretend not to see anything.
"Yes sir, God Bless America. These terrorists are just like Pokemon, gotta catch em all."
Another uniformed man is going through the man's luggage.
"Hey, Joe, look at this. His laptop runs Linux. Yep, he's a terrorist all right."
YEah fuckin' right. I bid on something and it gets disputed, you're going to freeze my "assets"? Oh yeah, fuck my rent, fuck my utilities, you want your goddamned $20 for your goddamned Chasey Lain bootlegs, fuck you!
On a more serious note, no, I don't think "freezing" assets is even remotely an option, unless eBay wants to create a "secured credit card" kind of deal.
One thing that I've noticed, simply by listening to all these ignorant rednecks around here talk about "nuking" the entire middle east, killing terrorists' families and the sort, is that I don't *want* a democracy. If we had a true democracy, 51% of the population would vote to enslave the other 49%.
No, our founders were correct in creating a Constitutional Republic. The theory was we were to be a nation ruled by *laws* not by *man*, which simply means we were to follow some simple guidelines and use reason to figure it out. Rule by man means rule by whim, if you get the gist.
Somewhere along the line this has been thrown out the window.
Only because freeways are a *highly* subsidized entity created by the government to create more demand for automobiles, etc.
Did you know paved streets were originally created to facilitate *bicycle* use?
The problem is, why ship freight via train when you can use the heavily tax-payer subsidized freeway system via trucking? If trucking companies actually had to use "true-cost accounting" (see various Greenie type books like Natural Capitalism), you'd soon see a boon in rail use. (Yes, I'm aware that the rail system is heavily subsidized, as well, but no where to the extent of the freeway system). Then you'd see books stating the obvious, again.
No, really, I'm serious. ARE YOU REALLY SURPRISED?
The government has been shown to come down on the side of "big business" time and time and time again. Even in it's (in)action against Microsoft, it still benefits not you, not me, not Joe consumer, but Oracle, Sun, and Apple. It's getting to the point where *no one* cares. We've become desensitized to the idea of the government belonging to he who has the cash... You read the paper "Government sides yet again with major corporations" and just shrug it off. "What, a politician has been bought? NOOOO!!" Sarcasm will kill us all.
Yes, the government passed the wiretapping bills the other day. Privacy and freedom are disappearing in the name of "defending democracy and freedom". The Onion's story had it right.
It's mightily convenient. Look at Seattle and the Riots of 1999. There's a groundswell of people who are becoming fed up with what's going on. They don't know why, they can't agree on what to replace what we have with. It's akin to the Revolutions of 1838 (?) in Europe. Protestors without a clear and concise goal, they just know we're pissed off.
The new laws will affect the people who are fighting, in vain, to bring awareness to us all. They will now have to be more careful when planning "political action" (marches, protests, etc), else be labeled "terrorists." The corporations we despise now control the means to watch us. The corporations have gotten military sponsership. Adbusters will be equated to El Quaida. LINUX users will be labeled as "potential internet terrorists". You just watch and see. Ever notice how all these little script kiddies being busted are shown to have had "linux" machines? Linux is being equated to badness. They never mention Windows or Macs in that context, do they? Think.
Yes, the DOJ supporting throwing this out comes as no surprise to me.
I hope they throw out the case. If that doesn't wake you, the so-called last bastions of intellect and free market thinking, nothing will. Yes, you whom Jon Katz has labeled as "The world's future", this is your fight and you're about to lose. You're about to find out that you mean nothing to those with money. How does it feel? Maybe the hippies are on to something. Maybe those left-winger idiots are right. Maybe there is something rotten in this country and it's not the free-market. There is no free-market.
The faster they throw out this case, the closer we'll be to the end. Of what, I don't know. It's time for a change.
Me: "Um, no, I left it at home. I don't usually carry my wallet with me when I'm out beach-combing and swimming..."
Officer: "Really, now. You know that's a crime?"
Me: "Swimming?!?"
Officer: "No, boy, not having your national ID badge on you.."
Me: "But, I'd lose it in the ocean!"
Officer: "That's no excuse, you should've optioned for the implanted ID... But I think we're going to have to haul you in..."
Me: "But, what did I do wrong? I'm just coming home from the beach! I swear, I live right over "
Officer: "That's enough of THAT, boy."
Me: "I swear, I just live.."
Officer: "Ho ho! We have a fighter here! 29 to base, we got a situation here, start a car..."
.....
Anyone else remember when folks put up a stink about SOCIAL SECURITY cards and how congress promised it would ONLY be used for SOCIAL SECURITY tracking? And how fast did they trample on that?
I'm going to try that. I'm going to take a 2 liter of the "opposition" drink into a restaurant and see if I don't get kicked out. If movies can ban external refreshments, then I don't see why Taco Bell, et al can't do the same.
Let's get this straight: I'm not talking about women with some meat on their bones. I'm talking *obese*. As in 5'4", 240 pounds. And, from what I can tell, it's usually not genetic, it's lifestyle.
"All I do is sit around on AOL and watch Jerry Springer and down a dozen donuts all day long..."
Yes, it's not really funny, but hey, I don't make the rules around here. I actually enjoy adbuster's "The Beauty Industry is the Beast" campaign. But, for christ-sakes, don't kid yourself. "Obese" is not beautiful. Barely being able to lift oneself off the couch is not sexy.
I'd buy a CD full of old Amiga Ports, I.E. the entire Bitmap brothers and Team 17 efforts (not to mention others). And you don't even need to update the graphics!
Slashdot Mirror
Whoa. Hold on right there, partner.
What if the artist doesn't *want* to live 8 months out of the year out of the back of a Dodge Caravan, eating at shitty fast food joints because there's no other real choice for his time schedules, playing for indifferent, if not hostile audiences for peanuts?
"Well, that's what he gets for not being good!"
Bollocks. EVERY self-respecting band has faced that sort of reality when starting up. Other than the "insta-hits" boy/girl bands, every major band you can think of started out playing this way. Many great bands just couldn't hack the initial tour shock and end up going away. Others make a living at it (The ever touring Fugazi, plus "music travel shows" like Phish and Widespread Panic here in the south). It takes a rare kind of dedication and, a lot of times, money (green stuff, usually by working a lot of OT at the shit job they just quit before they go on tour) that many people can't have. So, they go into the recording studio, release a CD and hope that someone out there gives a shit and buys it. But that's besides the point...
"Well, if they can't hack it, they should get the fuck out of the music industry..."
Yeah, and how many Open Source developers code on the side for *free*? How many get paid? They get burned out, too, just check out a lot of the shit on Sourceforge that never got/gets beyond alpha stage. Maybe they should just not even think about starting up a project in the beginning. The fact is people who make music do it for the love of making music. It'd be nice if they could get paid and there are *many* strategies they can employ in pursuit of doing it. Do I have to give up my FullTime job at night just so I can make your life easier by driving to YOUR town so you have the "privilege" of seeing me live? Or maybe you can buy my CD, instead, and be happy when I finally get up enough money (hopefully through CD sales) to actually get out and tour?
Wow, I lost myself already. I hate posting on 3 hours of sleep.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is technology should be an *enabler*. Artists should get paid, and if they want to release a CD, the least you can do is buy it if you like them. The current licensing and the current "power group" makes it difficult to do so, and if I were a musician (and I am), I'd do my damndest to stay "indie" or start my own label. At least I'd make my own money. I might not have a billion dollar corporation behind me, but then again, how many bands that sign with major labels get pushed, or are horribly mismanaged (goo goo dolls, sonic youth, jawbox, etc)? It's a matter of perspective.
Hell, why are we even talking about this with the RIAA?? Why aren't we talking to the MUSICIANS about this? It seems that the problem is that many musicians think that getting signed to a major is the only way to go.
Just some thoughts...
Actually, it wouldn't require huge amounts of water.
The Egyptians at the time of Moses were heavily reliant upon chariots: large, heavy, horse drawn vehicles. Chariots + Swamps = ain't gonna cross it. Lightly loaded people crossed rather easily. So yes, it is quite feasible that the "dramatic" escape wasn't as dramatic as it is commonly viewed as. In fact, it was the same swampy region that is believed to have the limiting factor in the Egyptian expansion in the height of it's power. Their "heavy cavalry", so to speak, could not cross the swamps.
All of the calculus books my university used are geared towards using TI calculators. And I hear it's like that all over the country. talk about product placement/sponsership.
The odd thing is, back in 1991-1992, TI's were *mandatory* for class. However, by the time most of my engineering peers got to the higher level engineering courses, they'd switched over to HP's. They said the learning curve was a bit steeper, but it was ten times the calculator the TI was and wished that *everyone* in the department would use them.
Small, fanatic minority group, facing the "monolithic" giant.. Hrm.. Sound like linux to anyone?
which is why I strongly recommend iMacs to computer newbies. The Mac interface is close to dumbproof as they come (there are exceptions to this, I know), internet connectivity through the "stock" option is relatively brainless, and with USB, connector frustration is no longer an issue.
Personally, I don't have a Mac or have ever owned a Mac for various reasons, but if I had to sell everything, I'd grab an iMac in a hurry...
But that's just MHO.
Anyone remember the story with MS whining about how security people should just shut their cake-hole and not "reveal" exploits? I wonder if they'll take the same stance on this one.
"Well, it wouldn't have been too much of a problem until those meddling kids at Apache showed up..."
No, the point is that AMERICAN corporations choose to buy their products FROM these "slave states." As American entities, they represent the US, whether we like it or not, and you'd think that at the very least they'd "just say no" to slave labor. Unfortunately, cheap labor adds to the bottom line and THAT is what keeps the shareholders happy.
While I'm also not an advocate of big government (indeed, I want government out of my business, just as I want business out of my government), this would be grounds for a Constitutional "pimp slap down" on corporations that willingly choose to source out their production to countries that engage in slave labor/indentured servitude. If Nike were to say "WE're not going to buy any more shoes from you until you fix your labor problems," you bet your sweet ass that the labor problems would be "fixed." Instead, Nike likes to pretend that "oh, they're just subcontractors, we can't do anything about it..." Who's the customer? Who has the money?
It's about time we held corporations to the same standards we hold ourselves to. Then again, the majority of the people in the US watch Jerry Springer and it's ilk, so maybe they *are* holding to the standards of the nation...
Why not? We subsidized the entire colonization of the Western States at the expense of the Aboriginal Americans...
I work 40 hours a week, barely scraping by, paying for tuition, eating ramen...
YOu mean if I go kill someone or vandalize their property, the state willl put me in a state facility, give me 3 squares a day, and *give* me the education I'm currently paying for?
Even better, why wear pants at all? Just go to work naked, to expedite searches. And when the guard looks surprised to see you when you walk up, hand him a rubber glove, some KY, and bend over in front of him and spread your checks while shouting
"God Bless America, Sir! Citizen is ready to be searched, SIR!"
Well, the basic premise is basically, to "get out of the house." I go to quite a few live shows these days as compared to many months ago when I would just come home and surf the net or pass out from boredom/exhaustion.
:) I've met quite a few really cool people in RL these days and it's quite comforting to actually talk to someone face to face rather than stuffed behind a keyboard. Your mileage may vary.
Now, I go to shows, drink a bit, talk to people between bands, etc, and get invited to lots of parties (some good, others, not so good), but invariably end up meeting some different people and even go out on a few dates. We're not talking about barflys..
On the other hand, you probably already paid for your internet connection and going out requires some cash...
On the Indie movie front, some friends and I were discussing this the other day. Canon GL1: $1600, firewire card: $100. Various software, depends on the source. But, basically, the idea is for less than $5k, you can buy a computer, camera, and video editing software and make your own movies. And with the DVDR drivers dropping in price (I saw one at best buy for like $550, I think), it's getting to where anyone can do just about *anything* these days. I can make my own music (from various synth packages, etc), record my own music and mix it down, I can make my own animated movies, I can make my own radio show (shoutcast and the like), and now I can truly start making my own movies. The world is just getting great and I see tons of potential for grassroots indy-DV movie making (until making movies becomes a crime.. Actually, it is in many cities due to their "film ordinances" *cough*extortion*cough*).
Yes, here's a hearty "FUCK YOU!" to the RIAA and the MPAA.
You know, the antics of the music industry (and the kind of thing that MS is kowtowing to with their DRM scheme) really pisses me off, but also convinces me that there will eventually come something to replace them both.
:) (hacker used in "coder" definition) Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight.
But, know what? It's their property. If they want to fuck up their distribution channels, fuck em. I can do without "so-called" modern music anyway. I go see live bands locally, get lit, and have a great time and I didn't need to buy a fucking copy-protected by the DMCA CD or cassette or anything. These guys are out there trying to make a living, maybe you should check em out. And if you catch them after the show, you might can convince them that they should distribute their songs on CD's for cheap and ask them (ask them) about how they feel about MP3's and music-sharing in general. Of course, they might not agree with you (or myself), but they have that *right* to do so.
So, I encourage, nay I *challenge* each and every one of you who would boycott MS or the RIAA to pick up a local newspaper and see what's going on in y our town this weekend. Chances are, there's a band or two actually worth checking out, and hey, it's not like you're going to meet chicks sitting behind your monitor.
Oh, and on-topic: Rock on Beale! I'm encouraged to see that grassroots hactivism coming alive!
A man is on a train, reading his paper, sipping his coffee. A uniformed man with a gun and badge approaches him.
"ID card please."
"Excuse me, sir?"
"Your ID card please," he repeats with an gleam in his eye.
"I..I.. I think it's in my wallet, hold on." Man fumbles with his wallet as the uniformed man caresses the butt of his weapon.
"Ah, yes, this is it." The man hands it over tot he uniformed man, who checks it over.
"Where are you going, sir?"
"Well, I don't see how that's any of your business-"
"EVERYTHING is my business, sir. I'm trying to protect America from terrorists. So, WHERE are you going?"
"Why, that's preposterous! I don't have to answer that! Ever since Black Tuesday, our freedoms have been taken from us! Why, we used to never have to have our ID cards and an approval stamp to travel across the state!"
"That's enough of that!" Uniformed man blows his whistle and pulls out his gun.
"No, people, can't you understand! Help me! Help yourselves! We're being taken over by fascists! Help--"
The man falls limp. The Uniformed man wipes the butt of his weapon ont he man's shirt, after having used it as a club. The other people in the car pretend not to see anything.
"Yes sir, God Bless America. These terrorists are just like Pokemon, gotta catch em all."
Another uniformed man is going through the man's luggage.
"Hey, Joe, look at this. His laptop runs Linux. Yep, he's a terrorist all right."
YEah fuckin' right. I bid on something and it gets disputed, you're going to freeze my "assets"? Oh yeah, fuck my rent, fuck my utilities, you want your goddamned $20 for your goddamned Chasey Lain bootlegs, fuck you!
On a more serious note, no, I don't think "freezing" assets is even remotely an option, unless eBay wants to create a "secured credit card" kind of deal.
Airline tickets are cheap and I can find a walmart that sells aluminum baseball bats just about damn near anywhere.
Sometimes, it's time for a good old fashioned ass-whupping.
One thing that I've noticed, simply by listening to all these ignorant rednecks around here talk about "nuking" the entire middle east, killing terrorists' families and the sort, is that I don't *want* a democracy. If we had a true democracy, 51% of the population would vote to enslave the other 49%.
No, our founders were correct in creating a Constitutional Republic. The theory was we were to be a nation ruled by *laws* not by *man*, which simply means we were to follow some simple guidelines and use reason to figure it out. Rule by man means rule by whim, if you get the gist.
Somewhere along the line this has been thrown out the window.
Only because freeways are a *highly* subsidized entity created by the government to create more demand for automobiles, etc.
Did you know paved streets were originally created to facilitate *bicycle* use?
The problem is, why ship freight via train when you can use the heavily tax-payer subsidized freeway system via trucking? If trucking companies actually had to use "true-cost accounting" (see various Greenie type books like Natural Capitalism), you'd soon see a boon in rail use. (Yes, I'm aware that the rail system is heavily subsidized, as well, but no where to the extent of the freeway system). Then you'd see books stating the obvious, again.
yeah, and just about everyone knows what herpes is, as well. You don't see too many people rushing out to get, either.
:)
1848 it is, thanks.
No, really, I'm serious. ARE YOU REALLY SURPRISED?
The government has been shown to come down on the side of "big business" time and time and time again. Even in it's (in)action against Microsoft, it still benefits not you, not me, not Joe consumer, but Oracle, Sun, and Apple. It's getting to the point where *no one* cares. We've become desensitized to the idea of the government belonging to he who has the cash... You read the paper "Government sides yet again with major corporations" and just shrug it off. "What, a politician has been bought? NOOOO!!" Sarcasm will kill us all.
Yes, the government passed the wiretapping bills the other day. Privacy and freedom are disappearing in the name of "defending democracy and freedom". The Onion's story had it right.
It's mightily convenient. Look at Seattle and the Riots of 1999. There's a groundswell of people who are becoming fed up with what's going on. They don't know why, they can't agree on what to replace what we have with. It's akin to the Revolutions of 1838 (?) in Europe. Protestors without a clear and concise goal, they just know we're pissed off.
The new laws will affect the people who are fighting, in vain, to bring awareness to us all. They will now have to be more careful when planning "political action" (marches, protests, etc), else be labeled "terrorists." The corporations we despise now control the means to watch us. The corporations have gotten military sponsership. Adbusters will be equated to El Quaida. LINUX users will be labeled as "potential internet terrorists". You just watch and see. Ever notice how all these little script kiddies being busted are shown to have had "linux" machines? Linux is being equated to badness. They never mention Windows or Macs in that context, do they? Think.
Yes, the DOJ supporting throwing this out comes as no surprise to me.
I hope they throw out the case. If that doesn't wake you, the so-called last bastions of intellect and free market thinking, nothing will. Yes, you whom Jon Katz has labeled as "The world's future", this is your fight and you're about to lose. You're about to find out that you mean nothing to those with money. How does it feel? Maybe the hippies are on to something. Maybe those left-winger idiots are right. Maybe there is something rotten in this country and it's not the free-market. There is no free-market.
The faster they throw out this case, the closer we'll be to the end. Of what, I don't know. It's time for a change.
Jesus, I need to get off the decaf.
Officer: "What are you doing, boy?"
Me: "I"m coming back from the beach."
Officer: "Oh, really? You got any ID?"
Me: "Um, no, I left it at home. I don't usually carry my wallet with me when I'm out beach-combing and swimming..."
Officer: "Really, now. You know that's a crime?"
Me: "Swimming?!?"
Officer: "No, boy, not having your national ID badge on you.."
Me: "But, I'd lose it in the ocean!"
Officer: "That's no excuse, you should've optioned for the implanted ID... But I think we're going to have to haul you in..."
Me: "But, what did I do wrong? I'm just coming home from the beach! I swear, I live right over "
Officer: "That's enough of THAT, boy."
Me: "I swear, I just live.."
Officer: "Ho ho! We have a fighter here! 29 to base, we got a situation here, start a car..."
.....
Anyone else remember when folks put up a stink about SOCIAL SECURITY cards and how congress promised it would ONLY be used for SOCIAL SECURITY tracking? And how fast did they trample on that?
I'm going to try that. I'm going to take a 2 liter of the "opposition" drink into a restaurant and see if I don't get kicked out. If movies can ban external refreshments, then I don't see why Taco Bell, et al can't do the same.
I'll post when I actually get the time to do it.
I...must....resist.... will... fading....
When Open Source Software is outlawed, only Outlaws Will Use Open Source Software.
Damn! So close...
On another note, I'm finally 100% MS-free in my personal computing. Yes, I want a cookie. But not from doubleclick.
Let's get this straight: I'm not talking about women with some meat on their bones. I'm talking *obese*. As in 5'4", 240 pounds. And, from what I can tell, it's usually not genetic, it's lifestyle.
"All I do is sit around on AOL and watch Jerry Springer and down a dozen donuts all day long..."
Yes, it's not really funny, but hey, I don't make the rules around here. I actually enjoy adbuster's "The Beauty Industry is the Beast" campaign. But, for christ-sakes, don't kid yourself. "Obese" is not beautiful. Barely being able to lift oneself off the couch is not sexy.
Now, go be a good boy(girl) and have a good day.
True that, I was being facetious.. :)
I've had the horror of meeting some of these in person (which is why I have implemented the "I never meet people on the internet" policy).
"oh god, I think she smells.. Please oh god, don't take off your clothes.... OOOO.. BLOWJOB!"
I'd buy a CD full of old Amiga Ports, I.E. the entire Bitmap brothers and Team 17 efforts (not to mention others). And you don't even need to update the graphics!