What are you talking about? We will reach a balance. When the scales tip, humans will die. We can't take more than exists, but we can take everything up to that point. We will leave a trail of life in our path, not a trail of destruction. Humanity has made life worth living on the planet. It is called progress.
The Universe is so incomprehensibly huge it is foolish to ever think that we could consume enough resources to even put a dent in it. The point of life is to live and survive that is the way every species works. Hug your tree, I will aim for the stars.
Regardless, building favoritism toward open source solutions into legislation makes just as little sense as building in favoritism towards closed source solutions.
Not true. The goverment should spend the tax dollars in a way that benefits the people the most. Open source software ensures that everyone can benefit from the money expended by the government.
I may be an evangelist, but I know that the government is supposed to exist for the people and Open Source Software fits perfectly in line with that idea.
There is plenty of room in the world for both closed and open source software, but I prefer the government spend my money of things that benefit society at large. I don't prefer my tax dollars subsidize MS stock when it could be put to use to provide for the people. If you put the amount of money that the government pays for software licenses into the development of open source software then consumers and developers would be better off.
Governments exist for the people, so they should be doing what is best for the people.
Recently governments in the US have begun working only for people who make the most campaign donations and not doing what is best for all. If the government were to invest its vast resources into supporting OSS instead of closed solutions, then all of the people would reap the benefits of their investment and not just a select few. I agree the government should be pragmatic in determining what to spend tax dollars on, but OSS is as capable or better than most of the same closed form solutions.
OSS also promotes transparency which always an improvement for government. The ideals that F/OSS promotes are beneficial enough for the government to spend a little extra money on implementation (if it is more expensive).
I work for the government and I know there are many cases when the government doesn't choose the cheapest option for reasons that are far less important.
DRM is only referenced in the summary. The cartoon does not say that DRM is bad. It notes the aspects of the PERFORM law that infringe on fair use rights and how they can be used against consumers. What the EFF is trying to do is make sure that (more) laws aren't made that take rights aways from the unsuspecting public.
I sure as hell wish the EFF was around during all those stupidass copyright extensions.
In the late 1700s there were people who didn't really care that much about taxation without representation and all that. Although, there were some others who were able to foresee the downsides to having a distant king controlling everything they could do. Naturally, the small minority of those who had some understanding did their best to mobilize the people to start a revolution. If you want to see propaganda, read Common Sense by Thomas Paine. But that was one of the tickets that informed the people and started the revolution.
Don't look down on people because they are not tech savvy and don't spend their time babysitting their senator. Public representatives are supposed to be people we can trust and some people still believe they can trust them.
If you really care about this issue then educate people about it (like the EFF is trying to do) and make them care about it too.
I watched the cartoon and it doesn't say anything about DRM. It talks specifically about the law being pushed through congress that infringes on fair use rights.
The real problem is that it is almost impossible to constrain piracy while not infringing on fair use. These same types of things were brought up with the advent of VCRs and there has been no companies that have gone bankrupt (to my knowledge) because of VCRs. In my opinion, DRM is not necessary, and companies could make even more profit without it if they gave the consumers more options to get what they want, how they want it. Take a tip from Burger King, "Your way, right away."
This could help in purifying water that will be separated into hydrogen for use in fuel cells etc. A reduction in purification costs is one step closer. I know, I know, there are lots of other challenges, but its a baby step.
Where are these US water shortages? Broadband in the US may suck but I wasn't aware of any water rationing.
Also, this micro fluid dynamics intrigues me. Increased flow rate at reduced diameters. Very cool. Sounds like a possible research field for the old PhD.
Also, don't forget about the laws against hardcore pornography and tattoos. I don't think the bordertowns in KS, TX and AR mind having the laws in place because they capitalize on it.
I am tired of companies insisting that there is nothing they can do. When a company in the US wants a US law changed, they spare no expense.
I am also tired of the bullshit claim that businesses are soulless entities that have no responsibility to the public and only to their shareholders. Businesses are made up of individuals who make the decisions (e.g., to sell out Chinese journalists) which have real life effects on people. It is possible for businesses to make decisions that are not based only on the bottom line. Oscar Schindler owned a business and he found a way to help people.
Maybe Yahoo should stop crying "poor me there is nothing I can do" and start lobbying to improve the situation in China.
Hopefully this boycott and all the negative publicity that Yahoo will receive because of it will help them pull their head out of their ass and start doing the right thing.
Embryonic stem cells are harvested from left over in-vitro fertilization eggs. The IVF eggs would be thrown away otherwise.
Some people (most notably the catholic church) are against In-Vitro fertilization because of the "waste" of fertilized eggs, although society has deemed it acceptable. The same should be done for embryonic stem cell research.
Listen closely and tell your friends, "Embryonic stem cells do not come from aborted fetuses."
I consider that fact to be the beauty of the online system.
Maybe the Public library association could pay an exhorbitant amount for a copy of a work. Maybe $100000 and just put it up on a torrent. Seems to be an amicable/reasonable solution which means no one will be interested. Oh well, more money for the lawyers.
In the US, any city of appreciable size has a public library that is free of charge (payed for by taxes) and the only money content creators get is the sale of the original. I guess in some coutries, there is the Public Lending Right where content creators get paid for people viewing their work.
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The Universe is so incomprehensibly huge it is foolish to ever think that we could consume enough resources to even put a dent in it. The point of life is to live and survive that is the way every species works. Hug your tree, I will aim for the stars.
Not true. The goverment should spend the tax dollars in a way that benefits the people the most. Open source software ensures that everyone can benefit from the money expended by the government.
I may be an evangelist, but I know that the government is supposed to exist for the people and Open Source Software fits perfectly in line with that idea.
There is plenty of room in the world for both closed and open source software, but I prefer the government spend my money of things that benefit society at large. I don't prefer my tax dollars subsidize MS stock when it could be put to use to provide for the people. If you put the amount of money that the government pays for software licenses into the development of open source software then consumers and developers would be better off.
Recently governments in the US have begun working only for people who make the most campaign donations and not doing what is best for all. If the government were to invest its vast resources into supporting OSS instead of closed solutions, then all of the people would reap the benefits of their investment and not just a select few. I agree the government should be pragmatic in determining what to spend tax dollars on, but OSS is as capable or better than most of the same closed form solutions.
OSS also promotes transparency which always an improvement for government. The ideals that F/OSS promotes are beneficial enough for the government to spend a little extra money on implementation (if it is more expensive).
I work for the government and I know there are many cases when the government doesn't choose the cheapest option for reasons that are far less important.
Oh yeah, Cancer is not a death sentence. Life certainly is, though.
I sure as hell wish the EFF was around during all those stupidass copyright extensions.
Don't look down on people because they are not tech savvy and don't spend their time babysitting their senator. Public representatives are supposed to be people we can trust and some people still believe they can trust them.
If you really care about this issue then educate people about it (like the EFF is trying to do) and make them care about it too.
The real problem is that it is almost impossible to constrain piracy while not infringing on fair use. These same types of things were brought up with the advent of VCRs and there has been no companies that have gone bankrupt (to my knowledge) because of VCRs. In my opinion, DRM is not necessary, and companies could make even more profit without it if they gave the consumers more options to get what they want, how they want it. Take a tip from Burger King, "Your way, right away."
I know some people who owe you big time royalties.
Don't forget about Science Friday and NPR: All Songs Considered.
There is also Car Talk which is not free.
Yeah so is creating a voltage but that hasn't stopped people from using electricity.
Where are these US water shortages? Broadband in the US may suck but I wasn't aware of any water rationing.
Also, this micro fluid dynamics intrigues me. Increased flow rate at reduced diameters. Very cool. Sounds like a possible research field for the old PhD.
True, it's like counting the chickens after someone dropped all the eggs.
Won't anyone think of the ... bordertowns.
Also, don't forget about the laws against hardcore pornography and tattoos. I don't think the bordertowns in KS, TX and AR mind having the laws in place because they capitalize on it.
Who's his wife? Vagina CoastGuard
If I got one I would get a tattoo on my arm that said "I have magnets in my fingers" or "No MRIs".
I just hope it makes Wired when the first person gets it ripped out by an MRI machine. That is an article I will enjoy.
I am tired of companies insisting that there is nothing they can do. When a company in the US wants a US law changed, they spare no expense.
I am also tired of the bullshit claim that businesses are soulless entities that have no responsibility to the public and only to their shareholders. Businesses are made up of individuals who make the decisions (e.g., to sell out Chinese journalists) which have real life effects on people. It is possible for businesses to make decisions that are not based only on the bottom line. Oscar Schindler owned a business and he found a way to help people.
Maybe Yahoo should stop crying "poor me there is nothing I can do" and start lobbying to improve the situation in China.
Hopefully this boycott and all the negative publicity that Yahoo will receive because of it will help them pull their head out of their ass and start doing the right thing.
Obviously because they don't have anything to hide, unlike a terrorist.
My dad makes good money as a plumber and there are plenty who make a lot more than him.
Some people (most notably the catholic church) are against In-Vitro fertilization because of the "waste" of fertilized eggs, although society has deemed it acceptable. The same should be done for embryonic stem cell research.
Listen closely and tell your friends, "Embryonic stem cells do not come from aborted fetuses."
I hope you do better than Roberto Clemente after his 3000th hit. Godspeed.
I could go for a Nintendo DS/Video ipod or maybe play Wii games on my mac mini.
Hopefully they don't keep their files in the My documents folders. Based on their security record, they might.
Maybe the Public library association could pay an exhorbitant amount for a copy of a work. Maybe $100000 and just put it up on a torrent. Seems to be an amicable/reasonable solution which means no one will be interested. Oh well, more money for the lawyers.
In the US, any city of appreciable size has a public library that is free of charge (payed for by taxes) and the only money content creators get is the sale of the original. I guess in some coutries, there is the Public Lending Right where content creators get paid for people viewing their work.