June 20, 2005

Lessig at it again: Free culture in Brazil

An excellent, excellent article by Lawrence Lessig was post in Technology Review recently. It is a good primer for people unfamiliar with the issues behind copyright (and why it matters) or digital rights management (DRM). But it is worth reading because it shows how these issues do matter to people and how they can affect the very substrate of our cultural life and identity. The scene at the conclusion of the article makes me jealous and (even more) disappointed with US democracy.
Posted by Nutrimentia at 02:42 PM

Excellent argument in opposition of a anti-flag burning amendment

Couldn't have said it better myself. This includes both constitutional as well as institutional arguments against such an amendment, essentially pointing out that limiting the expression of political views by banning flag burning is an even greater disservice to the the ideals the flag represents. Indeed.
Posted by Nutrimentia at 12:38 PM

June 08, 2005

Surf the sky

It looks like we'll soon be able surf the net on United Airlines. I wonder how it works over the ocean. Must be a satellite feed. They'll have to start installing plugins for laptops in economy now too. Hopefully costs drop to free soon, but considering the dire financial status of the airlines (free flights to non-employees on some airlines aside), that is unlikely to happen soon. Personally, I enjoy not having access in the air. It's good to get away.

Posted by Nutrimentia at 06:50 PM

June 03, 2005

Democracy in Action: Parents stymie military recruiters.

The New York Times is reporting that parents are counseling their kids not to enlist. It's about time that the American public is standing up to this war, considering that they let themselves get mislead during the buildup to it and then didn't have the balls to vote Bush out last fall. The US needs to get out of Iraq and a weakened military might be the only way to force them to get other countries to pick up the slack. Iraq obviously still needs help, but the US presence is more of an irritant than a healing factor.

Edit: I just had to add this quote.

"They don't realize that they have a role in helping make the all-volunteer force successful," said Col. Slotwinski, who retired in 2004. "If you don't, you're faced with the alternative, and the alternative is what they were opposed to the most, mandatory service."

I see, sir. Opposing my child's recruitment is going to end up getting everyone drafted, so I should shut up, eh? Sir! Yes! Sir!

Posted by Nutrimentia at 12:11 PM

June 02, 2005

First Post from an external Editor

Purely a test post. MarsEdit rules.
Posted by Nutrimentia at 01:28 PM