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Category Archives: social issues
Access Copyright Charging for Public Domain Material
If this is how those who give pious lectures about respecting the rights and “property” of their clients act with regard to the rights and property of the rest of us, is it any wonder that many people refuse to … Continue reading
The NDP on copyright
Charlie Angus has an article in the Straight.com on copyright reform.
The Return of Captain Copyright?
Michael Geist notes that the CIPO is Launching another campaign “Promoting Respect for IP Rights”. But, as I commented on his post, although respect for the Law is an essential foundation for a safe society, the best way to achieve … Continue reading
Posted in canada, copyright
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Am I wrong on this?
Mr Ahmadinejad has a reputation for having a good eye and ear for the popular mood. So doesn’t the fact that he appears to be distancing himself from the RG and SL (to whom he may have been considered to … Continue reading
A Necessary Job Done Badly
Claudio Lomnitz and Rafael Sánchez have done a poor job of raising some legitimate concerns about possible anti-semitism in the rhetoric of Chavez. I say “poor job” because, although the problem is real, the article reeks of bias and resorts … Continue reading
Stupid ‘stupid’
Obama’s retraction is refreshing, but does leave some questions about his willingness to comment on the basis of incomplete information.
Interesting New Twist in Iran
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iranian leader ‘orders dismissal’
Getting Smarter
This article shares some of my own reaction to the “internet is making us dumber” nonsense, as well as commenting on other possible sources of increasing global intelligence.
More on Religion
Just a couple of items which may be interesting but which I haven’t yet had time to write about: Review by Simon Blackburn in the Guardian of ‘ The Case for God’ by Karen Armstrong – “eloquent and interresting’” he calls … Continue reading
Posted in religion
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The SAC Double Negative Option
Howard Knopf doesn’t like The SAC Double Negative Option Celestial Jukebox, but I have to quarrel with a number of his reasons. Many of these have to do with defending the existing media levy schemes which unfairly extract funds from … Continue reading
Posted in arts and culture, canada, copyright, web
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More Mythical Myths
EXCESS COPYRIGHT: More Myths about Myths about File Sharing
Born on a Blue Day
Coincidentally I read ‘Born on a Blue day’ just yesterday – i.e. one day before zac at squareCircleZ posted his summary review – (having been led to the order the book after watching a video posted – also at SqCZ … Continue reading
Lecturing – stupidest profession?
Donald Clark Plan B: Lecturing – stupidest profession? An uninterruptable lecture is almost as much an abomination as a TV broadcast, but even a replayable recording is no better than a bad lecture – where the only response to a … Continue reading
Mythical Myths about Sustainability
Many of these Top 10 Myths about Sustainability are mythical in the sense that they are just elementary misconceptions that don’t qualify as myths because they are not widely held by intelligent adults, but “Myth 6: Sustainability means lowering our … Continue reading
Posted in sustainability, world
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Yes, There *IS* an Elephant in the Room
AlterNet Article by Chris Hedges Rebuttal by Betsy Hartmann
CRTC Net Neutrality Hearings
Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2008-19, is the CRTC’s notice of proceedings and call for comments re forthcoming hearings on ‘Net Neutrality’.
Homework Help = Cheating ?
In checking out some of the people mentioned in this posting by Seb Schmoller (which I learned of via Stephen Downes), I was led to consider where is the borderline between helping a student to learn and facilitating cheating.
What is 0^0 equal to? – squareCircleZ
This post at squareCircleZ (a very nice enrichment and support website for students and teachers of mathematics) raises the conundrum of how to define 0^0 if all positive x give x^0=1 and 0^x=0.
Open Culture
Open Culture is a website developed by Dan Colman (who moonlights as the director of Stanford’s Continuing Studies program). It focuses on educational video offerings such as the Leonard Susskind Physics Lectures, and includes a page of links to other … Continue reading
David MacKay: Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air
In Sustainable Energy – without the hot air UK physicist David MacKay presents plausible back-of-the-envelope estimates of the scales of action needed under various strategies for reduction of global carbon fuel combustion. The numbers he uses are easily checked and … Continue reading