The DNS control mechanism of implementing SOPA and/or PIPA policies needs to get some more full explanation to Joe Public. Everything that the Content groups, the MPAAs and RIAAs etc. have done has been fatally flawed in that it can at best delay casual piracy, and usually even that is circumvented almost instantaneously. From what I can see, policing DNS would do no better than their other historical efforts in that regard.

This guy mentions that you can still type in an IP address and get to an infringing site. Maybe I am wrong or don't understand the full situation, but I would go a step further and say that this practice would simply result in US-based DNS servers being immediately replaced by DNS providers in other nations that fail to tow the SOPA/PIPA line. Joe User would get a quick walkthrough of changing his DNS provider through router or software settings, everybody would scramble for a brief period of time, and then the "sanctions" could be fairly safely ignored.

When the *AA's realize that the legislation they purchased with massive "campaign contributions" has no teeth, they would probably push (as in, push more dollars into the hands of lobbyists) for legal penalties to infringing sites beyond being de-listed from (US-based) DNS. If *that* were to actually happen also, it would simply chase ALL internet hosting outside of the US. The US could threaten trade sanctions or whatever against countries that turn a blind eye to infringing, but there would be so much of it going on that everyone could just balk at it and we'd be blowing a whole lot of hot air with jack behind it.

I think that the mainstream media needs a somebody with the balls to stand up and say that the cat is out of the bag on "protecting" Intellectual Property. For better or worse, it just isn't going to happen. The first group that accepts that and moves towards some new model is going to be way ahead of the curve in comparison to these dinosaurs that are trying to stitch a broken balloon together with needle and thread.

@ponceleon

Yeah the problem with that is the budget for education keeps getting cut more and more every year.

Take my state for example. Our governor, in all of his wisdom, decided to cut another $300 MILLION dollars from k-12 spending. You know, b/c so many teachers and administrators are driving around Porches.

The reality is that most teachers spend a good hunk of their own money buying supplies. When's the last time the military had to have a bake sale to buy a tank? And speaking of which, did you hear about the equipment they're leaving behind in Iraq?

And you're probably saying "Well times are tough, everyone needs cuts, etc." But at the end of the fiscal year of 2010, after some time to look at the books, Indiana ended up with a $1.2 billion dollar surplus. "OH AWESOME I DON'T HAVE TO BUY MY OWN MARKERS ANYMORE!" -Random Teacher.

Hold on there Random Teacher who thinks he's going to have to stop buying his own supplies. That money did NOT get returned to the social services from which it was cut. Instead, 24,000 state workers got a bonus check with that money to, you know, buy more Xboxes and McDonalds and such.

It's a sad fucking state of affairs and people are not going to start valuing education until we stop idiotic policies like this.

>> ^quantumushroom:

As far as I know, these invocations (aka prayers) are not always given by Christians but other faiths as well. Per Matthu's wikiquote, the phrase "separation of church and state" ain't in the Constitution.

"Today (separation) means the abolition of any kind of Christian expression within the public arena. In Washington's time, it meant the establishment of a national or state church funded by taxpayer dollars like the Anglican church in England, or the Lutheran church in Germany. This is why the first Amendment reads the way it does."
This incident certainly could have been handled better. Yet it's equally tiring having atheist poop-disturbers foisting their beliefs on the rest of us based on hazy quarter-truths about the Constitution.
/former Atheist
/non-Christian


Yeah, it's much better to have Christian beliefs based on a book written by man, not God, backed by absolutely NO FACTS constantly forced down everyone's throat at every given opportunity.

As far as I know, these invocations (aka prayers) are not always given by Christians but other faiths as well. Per Matthu's wikiquote, the phrase "separation of church and state" ain't in the Constitution.


"Today (separation) means the abolition of any kind of Christian expression within the public arena. In Washington's time, it meant the establishment of a national or state church funded by taxpayer dollars like the Anglican church in England, or the Lutheran church in Germany. This is why the first Amendment reads the way it does."

This incident certainly could have been handled better. Yet it's equally tiring having atheist poop-disturbers foisting their beliefs on the rest of us based on hazy quarter-truths about the Constitution.

/former Atheist
/non-Christian

JoeDirt wrote:

You don't think Christianity called for killing? You ever read any history? Or are you limiting your awesome view of western superiority to the last 400 years?

Christianity didn't call for killing, flawed human beings did. Compared to the forever-climbing death toll of islam, Christianity shines. And I write this not as a Christian, merely as an observer.

Oh, and your mulleted freedom of speech minus a scimitar on your neck indicates Western Civilization is indeed superior to sharia (f)law.

Explain the Oklahoma City bombing.

An angry loner killed federal employees to avenge a bungling ATF attack on innocent civilians. He did not kill in the name of Christ.

So, if you can't comprehend some small faction of extremists that were funded by CIA, Papa Bush and US-based Saudi corporations and US federal dollars and weapons dumped on the Saudis, you really are the biggest ostrich that ever wrapped themselves in the stars and stripes.

The global situation has always been screwed up and likely always will be. Once upon a time we funded taliban-types in Afghanistan to thwart the greater evil of communism (which liberals deny to this day was a threat despite 100 million murdered by communism worldwide). We helped saddam in the 80s to keep the new Carter-created ayatollah from seizing more power.

The left can't see the forest for the trees.

QM, you little coward... You don't think Christianity called for killing? You ever read any history? Or are you limiting your awesome view of western superiority to the last 400 years?

Explain the Oklahoma City bombing you little baby.

I can't believe you can watch this video and not realize the only people who have attacked America was funded by US dollars and trained by US intelligence (ie. CIA). That would be the Saudi people like the bin Ladens who are funded through their US corporations, who also happen to be family friends of the Bush dynasty.. Did I mention the same bin Laden family bailed out little George W and gave him a company to run into the ground? Did I mention that Papa Bush happened to have been in charge of ... I dunno the CIA? Also the president for awhile back when Saudis were funneled million of dollars.

Funny story, even Saddam was ... guess what? funded and given arms by the US.. and omg, trained by.. guess who? the CIA. The same group that Papa Bush was head of.

So, if you can't comprehend some small faction of extremists that were funded by CIA, Papa Bush and US-based Saudi corporations and US federal dollars and weapons dumped on the Saudis, you really are the biggest ostrich that ever wrapped themselves in the stars and stripes.

I had to downvote this because of your fucking stupid video comment.

Not only is BP no longer a british company (since long before the spill), but i'd like to point out that the deepwater horizon rig was owned by transocean LEASED to BP. That means that probably the only thing on that rig that had an affiliation to BP was some stickers, a few posters and 2 blokes in a suit who said "send the oil rigs over there."

Briefly check who transocean are and you'll find that though its offices move from time to time to take advantage of tax, it's historically an american company, merged with other companies (some of them yet again US based) buti'll stop short of being as ignorant as you and suggest it may have international shareholders too, and as far as i'm concerned the accident was 60% their fault and 40% BP's stupid fault for not fixing and properly equipping the shit-shoddy equipment they leased.

A friend of mine from arkansas insisted to me when the accident happened that he had some insider info having worked in the business, and when i said i was pretty ashamed an ex-british company could get so crap, he said, "You're pretty naive, that whole damn rig was run by americans and staffed by americans."

Sorry if this was an unecessarily aggressive response to a joke, but i'm pretty sick of hearing that sort of thing. If anyone thinks that the entire crew of people working on that rig were a bunch of careless limeys, the same careless limeys who are failing to do a proper clean up, you need to look a lot closer to home.

Edit:
Bit more to add, a US based company attended the rig to fix a fault and were asked a few questions about the incident as well as cameron international (US based) who made the equipment which failed.

This stunt has been pulled before - and there is always a bunch of idiots around to copy-cat the stunt.
The next time we see it, there will be a fatality - I'm sure of it!
http://videosift.com/video/Burnout-Roundabout

Officers were alerted to the incident in Crawley, West Sussex, after seeing video footage of the prank on a US-based website.

The video shows a spinning motorcycle wheel being placed on the outer edge of the roundabout by two teenage boys. Two girls are crouched in its centre.

Insp Mark Piper said the stunt was similar to a "high-speed road crash".

The roundabout eventually reaches a speed of about 20mph (32km/h) and the girls, believed to be 12 or 13 years old, are flung off violently.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/southern_counties/5236590.stm

I have a feeling you'll like it a lot. Let me know what you think.

In reply to this comment by blankfist:
Wow. Good to know. I played the demo and wasn't sure what to make of it. I think I'll give this one a go.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
Heavy Rain was a great game. It's the first game I've ever played that had narrative on par with a good movie. The twists and turns were excellent and the fact that you can't reload the game if you kill your characters gives the game an intensity like no other. The game also has some very effective sensitive, intimate and emotional moments, which may be a plus or minus depending on whether or not you want that kind of stuff to be a part of your video gaming experience.

I normally don't care for quick-time events, but I found the style of implementation in this game to be very compelling. My only complaints would be that the movement mechanics were terrible (but not in a way that punishes you for missteps) and some of the European voice actors (who were very good) would occasionally slip into European accents, taking you out of the US based story.

This is my favorite game of the year so far, and it's also evidence that videogames are capable of telling interesting, sophisticated stories. Highly recommended for people who enjoy thrillers, crime dramas, mysteries or heavy suspense. It would probably also appeal to people who read books.

Wow. Good to know. I played the demo and wasn't sure what to make of it. I think I'll give this one a go.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
Heavy Rain was a great game. It's the first game I've ever played that had narrative on par with a good movie. The twists and turns were excellent and the fact that you can't reload the game if you kill your characters gives the game an intensity like no other. The game also has some very effective sensitive, intimate and emotional moments, which may be a plus or minus depending on whether or not you want that kind of stuff to be a part of your video gaming experience.

I normally don't care for quick-time events, but I found the style of implementation in this game to be very compelling. My only complaints would be that the movement mechanics were terrible (but not in a way that punishes you for missteps) and some of the European voice actors (who were very good) would occasionally slip into European accents, taking you out of the US based story.

This is my favorite game of the year so far, and it's also evidence that videogames are capable of telling interesting, sophisticated stories. Highly recommended for people who enjoy thrillers, crime dramas, mysteries or heavy suspense. It would probably also appeal to people who read books.

Heavy Rain was a great game. It's the first game I've ever played that had narrative on par with a good movie. The twists and turns were excellent and the fact that you can't reload the game if you kill your characters gives the game an intensity like no other. The game also has some very effective sensitive, intimate and emotional moments, which may be a plus or minus depending on whether or not you want that kind of stuff to be a part of your video gaming experience.

I normally don't care for quick-time events, but I found the style of implementation in this game to be very compelling. My only complaints would be that the movement mechanics were terrible (but not in a way that punishes you for missteps) and some of the European voice actors (who were very good) would occasionally slip into European accents, taking you out of the US based story.

This is my favorite game of the year so far, and it's also evidence that videogames are capable of telling interesting, sophisticated stories. Highly recommended for people who enjoy thrillers, crime dramas, mysteries or heavy suspense. It would probably also appeal to people who read books.

In reply to this comment by dag:
Well, here's what I know:

I've contacted our ad networks to see if they had any info about it - neither claim any knowledge and say it's not part of their inventory.

I've used my VPN to become US-based and tried about 40 reloads with Chrome- but can't make it happen.

StatCntr.com seems to be triggering on BoingBoing and TweetMeme as well:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=statcntr.com

Still looking into it- if anybody gets it and manages to snag the source code that is around it- we'd love to have a look.

Thanks

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Things are changing quickly in the 21st century. It doesn't take an oracle to see that the autonomy of the individual is decreasing. Tweet much? Check in your location with four-square? the flip-side of being always connected and location identified is that the network knows where you are and what you're doing too. It's just a small jump to figure that we'll have work doled out to us based on where we are and what we're good at.

We're becoming nodes.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Well, here's what I know:

I've contacted our ad networks to see if they had any info about it - neither claim any knowledge and say it's not part of their inventory.

I've used my VPN to become US-based and tried about 40 reloads with Chrome- but can't make it happen.

StatCntr.com seems to be triggering on BoingBoing and TweetMeme as well:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=statcntr.com

Still looking into it- if anybody gets it and manages to snag the source code that is around it- we'd love to have a look.

Thanks

What does switching two consonants have to do with it?

The fact is, 'aks' is not a standard american english pronunciation. There are many US-based dialects that don't use the pronunciation in the dictionary---New Englanders, folks in the mid-west, Texans, southern rednecks come to mind. Though some call them out on it, its really not seen as a big deal compared to african american deviations. That's why bushie could get elected president while saying 'nucular', among other things.

I, for one, think that the purpose of language is to be understood, and the beauty of the english language is its malleability, as has been proven over time. So, aks away.

This may scare you, but your great-grand children may one day make the opposite correction in annoyance "Say 'aks', not ;ask'".