I stopped using the Google search from the "command line" almost immediately as I noticed that each time I used it, the status information in the lower left showed that my computer was using a redirect through Netscape to get to Google.
Not big news, not a surprise if you are observant.
Sure, my actions in the public sphere can be observed by any casual observer. However, I don't expect those observers to all get together and write down all of my actions in a centralized database. It's like gossip on a grand scale -- "you wouldn't believe what I saw him do today." "well, when I was at the store, he bought a pack of condoms." "But I overheard him making plans with his brother for tonight." etc.
"Officials at Solutia Inc., the name given to Monsanto's chemical operations after they were spun off into a separate company in 1997, acknowledge that Monsanto made mistakes."
Reading this line immediately made me wonder whether Monsanto is absolved (even partially) of liability in this matter because the operations are now under the ownership of a different company.
I'd like to think that Monsanto is still liable. Does anyone know how this works?
Clause 8: [The Congress shall have Power] To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries
It seems to me that copyright is no longer promoting the progress of science. In fact, copyright is being used to hamstring technical innovation. This is just plain stupid. Moreover, it does not seem to me that the megacorporations are promoting progress of the arts with their Teen Pop Idols. The current interpretation of the Clause now appears to be:
Clause 8: [Megacorporations shall have Power] To promote Their Business Models by securing forever to Such Macorporations the exclusive Right to their respective Lackey Authors' and Inventors' Writings and Discoveries, with the Godly Mandate that Arts shall Trump the Sciences
Actually, if you do a little digging at Google, you will find that the FTC has, in fact, initiated several suits regarding price fixing in the music industry. Several of these suits have been successful.
Unfortunately, I don't think it's made much difference in the local music stores (although it would be tough for me to tell since I really don't buy music any more - no, I'm not downloading, I'm just not listening).
Slashdot Mirror
I stopped using the Google search from the "command line" almost immediately as I noticed that each time I used it, the status information in the lower left showed that my computer was using a redirect through Netscape to get to Google.
Not big news, not a surprise if you are observant.
Sure, my actions in the public sphere can be observed by any casual observer. However, I don't expect those observers to all get together and write down all of my actions in a centralized database. It's like gossip on a grand scale -- "you wouldn't believe what I saw him do today." "well, when I was at the store, he bought a pack of condoms." "But I overheard him making plans with his brother for tonight." etc.
Unfortunately, I don't think it's made much difference in the local music stores (although it would be tough for me to tell since I really don't buy music any more - no, I'm not downloading, I'm just not listening).