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The Commons
About digital rights, environmentalism, etc. |
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August 26, 2003 |
As you no doubt know by now, the BBC plans to put its entire radio and television archive online, free of charge. This amounts to an enormous gift to the world, and to history. It's truly a visionary decision for which the British government should be lauded. Danny O'Brien has some interesting observations about the decision.
That got me thinking about the CBC. What's the state of their archives? Could they undertake a similar project? Imagine if all national broadcasters made such a donation to the public domain. I emailed the CBC archives to see what their thoughts on such a project. Obviously it would be tremendously expensive and time-consuming, but I think it's absolutely a project worth doing. And not just because there are several episodes of Beachcombers that I missed.
9:58:06 AM
Canada The Arts The Commons The Long View
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August 18, 2003 |
I've been bemoaning the state of journalism lately, but this piece has nearly single-handedly changed my mind. This long essay in London's Daily Telegraph the best piece of journalism I've read this year (and possibly for several years):
Graham Turner spent five weeks travelling throughout America talking to all sorts of people, members of the administration, presidents of great universities, military commanders, chief executive officers of giant corporations and banks - and a host of ordinary citizens. In this three part series, he reports his findings.
He makes so many extraordinary observations and articulately re-states so many truths about the US and its increasingly imperial world view. It's lengthy (and requires free registration), but is well worth it. I'd be curious to read an American response to this piece.
6:43:47 PM
Politics The Commons
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August 10, 2003 |
This is a study in how a meme works. An idea moves into a population (namely, Vancouverites) through a viral model--through a whole bunch of carriers. I mentioned this flash mob thing last week on Vancouver Webloggers. At the same time, somebody starts a Yahoo group on the subject. Then the Vancouver Province, that reactionary rag, apparently runs a front page story (no link available at the moment).
6:44:29 PM
Internet The Commons Vancouver
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August 3, 2003 |
While attending the mindless but enjoyable American Wedding, I was forced to sit through the latest round of anti-piracy propaganda from the MPAA. It's an ad featuring a bushy-bearded veteran set designer explaining how his career gets hurt by movie piracy. You can watch the load of bollocks here (I know, the interface confused me too).
This was just offensive on all sorts of levels. I almost got up, threw my Junior Mints at the screen and walked out of the theatre right there. It's one thing to have to watch all that advertising before a film, but another to be lectured to by some unionized set jockey. What the hell does he care about piracy? He's been working on feature films since The Big Chill--I'd say his position is pretty secure. And it's not like his wage is going to change because the Studios make a little less (or more) money. He's in a frickin' union! Has the MPAA been living in a cave for the past five years? Have they not watched the RIAA screw up this issue? Apparently all the MPAA has learned is to antagonize its customers. Tomorrow I'm writing to Canada's film distributors and the manager at the Granville cinema to explain the load of crap they're foisting on their customers.
It's notable that the MPAA has not used movie stars to caution viewers, the way the RIAA did. In truth, it's the stars who have more to lose. After all, if the studios have less money, then they're only going to pay Harrison Ford 15 million instead of 20 for his next movie. That's a serious pay cut.
By the way, on the MPAA's fear-mongering respectcopyrights.org, they offer their explanation of copyright. It's striking that (despite the fact they quote the relavent part of the constitution), they don't mention that copyright is only to be applied for 'limited times.'
Slashdot discusses this subject...that's what reminded me of the fiasco.
11:39:18 PM
Movies The Commons
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August 1, 2003 |
My Irish, Liverpool-loving friend John sends me news that the UK is banning the iTrip, the iPod add-on that I recently endorsed:
The iTrip connects to an iPod and transmits songs by FM radio to any radio receiver in the vicinity. While its operation in the US is permitted by the Federal Communications Commission, over here the device contravenes the UK Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949.
Unlike the 2.4GHz band in which 802.11b Wi-Fi operates, or 802.11a's 5HGz band, for example, the 87.7-107.9MHz band used by the iTrip is not licence-exempt spectrum, according to the WTA. As such broadcasters hoping to use that part of the spectrum need the permission of the UK's Radio Agency.
This is all a bit silly. The iTrip's functional range is about ten feet (in the desert, in a vacuum). They should just amend the law to add a free range for extreme-short distance broadcast devices. Slashdot also mentions this.
9:56:06 AM
Technology The Commons
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July 24, 2003 |
Via Slashdot, I learned that the University of Texas has put its Gutenberg Bible online for all to enjoy. From the inevitable CNN article:
The University of Texas has put its entire two-volume Gutenberg Bible on the Internet, making it easier for scholars and the public to browse one of the world's most valuable books.
"Just as Johann Gutenberg made knowledge more accessible with the invention of the printing process, this digitization project continues that legacy," said Richard Oram, head librarian at the university's Harry Ransom Center, one of the world's top cultural archives.
I pity the poor work-study student who had to scan that bad-boy. It's not like you could just sit there mindlessly and flip the pages. I mean, it's one of the most valuable books in the country.
9:58:22 AM
Books Internet The Commons
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July 15, 2003 |
Most of the music that I download from Napster, Kazaa, et al, are obscure, live or bootlegged songs by artists whose CDs I already own. I also occasionally used P2P clients as tasters for new artists. I might read about an artist somewhere, and want to try out their music. Alternately, I might try an artist that I'd been aware of for a long time, but never bothered checking out. Thanks to file-sharing programs, I've discovered:
- Dave Matthews Band
- Anne Sofie Von Otter
- John Mayer
- Jess Klein
- Gemma Hayes
- Gillian Welch
In all of these cases, I've gone on to buy CDs by these artists. Most recently I purchased this Jess Klein album and this John Mayer album, both of which are excellent. They kind of guilt buys, because I've been enjoying their MP3s for a while. Ms. Klein, especially, could probably use the $1.20 that she gets from my purchase.
10:40:29 PM
Music The Commons
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