What Matters To Me And Why

I feel like this is going to be a long one so be prepared.

Network Neutrality
I've had several conversations over the past week or so about the issue of network neutrality. I find the wikipedia article to be a fairly good overview of the issue. You can read it here. I feel quite passionately about the issue. I think it is very important for the FTC to take a stance on the issue. In a June 2007 report they said that the "broadband industry is a relatively young and evolving one," and given no "significant market failure or demonstrated consumer harm from conduct by broadband providers," such regulations "may well have adverse effects on consumer welfare, despite the good intentions of their proponents." I honestly don't get wtf they are talking about other than they do not want to create any legislation that will limit large telecom companies. Pansies.
There are a lot of arguments out there for and against a neutral network, but it really boils down to the following for me: someone/some company/ some corporation shouldn't get to decide what information I see at what speed. They shouldn't put up roadblocks so that competitors information is shown at a slower rate (which will be clicked off by users). Freedom, guys. FREEDOM.




Presidential Candidates' Technology Policies (or lack thereof)
In my last post I linked to the candidates' technology policies and you can clearly see that Obama has one on his site and McCain lacks one. As someone who is currently seeking a master's degree that is focused on online communities, it really gives me great cause for concern when one of the candidates doesn't list an opinion on the industry that I and many of my friends are involved in/seek to be involved in.



My takeaways from Barak Obama's technology policy :
1. open internet (though his site spells internet as Internet and that bothers me. You don't spell television as Television - it is the same shit. Catch up grammar police).
2. Encouragement of diversity of media ownership - Yes. Standing up to The MAN!
3. open government up to citizens (he kind of wants to make the government a blog - "Giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days before signing any non-emergency legislation" - I like the idea of gov't as a forum, but this is just asking for crazies and censorship debates)
4. Government into the 21st century - a CTO [chief technology officer for the knowledge impaired] for the country. (p.s. I love this idea and want to be CTO of America someday).
5. Communication infrastructure investment - widespread next-gen broadband deployment! We are so behind on this compared to a lot of the rest of the world - especially compared to Asia (okay, Japan and South Korea).
6. Education - technology literacy! He talks about preparing youth, which I totally believe in - math, science, technology to stay competitive in 21st century economy. But I'd venture to say that we need to educate a whole lot of people that are currently in the workforce about technology. Productivity suffers because of technology illiteracy.
7. Investment in the sciences - since 1970 our investment has dropped in half in the physical sciences and engineering research. fix this - get competitive, start leading again.
8. Protect American IP abroad and IP at home [IP = intellectual property for the knowledge impaired again]. I don't know that he will be the man to take on the challenge of reforming copyright law, but I like that his is starting this discussion. His section on IP was very short, but I think it is something, as an electorate, we can push to have the candidates talk about. (Lawrence Lessig endorsed Obama, fyi).
For more on Obama's position on the issues go here.




My takeaways from John McCain's technology policy:
1. He wants to go to space. "Let us now embark upon this great journey into the stars to find whatever may await us." NASA!
I don't mean to be a dick about this, but really, he just doesn't have a technology policy.
Why this sucks and I want more from him as a candidate:
Does he have an opinion about any of the following and how will he help America to reach goals in these areas: open internet, broadband deployment, intellectual property rights, technology literacy, education in technology for workers (young and old), funding for the sciences - research level (on this planet), communications technology investment, media ownership.
I'd like some straight talk on that.
For more on McCain's position on the issues go here.

A Study in Contradictions

Manipulative and I don't care.

Obama's Technology Policy
McCain's Technology Policy closest I could find. But more accurately: this is his policy.


and this because it is funny:

Fraud, Papers, and Bitterness

I am on a break from my paper so I thought I'd share some things with you all.

First, in regard to my earlier post - I was on the phone with my bank all morning trying to figure out when I will get notification about my fraud claim being resolved on way or the other. It appears that it will be sometime in mid-April. Devastating. It really feels terrible to be financially crippled. I've been trying to take some positive life steps but it is just so damn hard to do anything with no money in your wallet.

Second, some details on my paper in case you are interested - I am writing about Barak Obama winning the online space. I am making parallels to branding, customer evangelism, and viral marketing. It has been an illuminating experience to research and write this.

Third, I am listening to a playlist that I titled "bitter" I made it sometime during the summer or fall of 2006 which was the time right after Jordan and I happened, which was probably the most depressed I've ever been. That shit sort of ruined me on a deep level. But, really what I am getting at is that the last two songs are titled "Can't Let Go" and "We're Just Friends" respectively and they might be the best song titles ever for the end of this playlist and the way that things have turned out.


well, my break is up and now I must go back to finishing this paper. I will go back to my bitter playlist and try to decide if I've gotten anywhere.

Our Effortless Friendship Fits Perfectly With My Laziness

As many of you know, I keep my life on post its. I have decided to keep them and various other notes that I write to myself in a notebook.

I am still undecided on getting a second piercing in my earlobes. Thoughts?

Super Tuesday is upon us. I think the LA Times put it best articulates what it is about Barak Obama that I find so appealing. He is the change that I think our country needs (btw I totally typed Courtney instead of country the first time).
I find him inspiring. Yes, We Can!

I was browsing through the facebooks as a procrastination tool and I have decided a couple things:
1. you should always proofread.
2. you should know how to use ellipses properly if you are going to include them in your favorite anything.



Jordan and I had a really intense conversation the other night. It had a lot to do with the difference between being asked out to an event that is being put on by an organization that either of us is a part of and going out as friends. I also ended up spilling some of my guts to Foss about how it can be hard to infiltrate the Theta Xi group of friends (much in the same way that Jordan says he doesn't "get" the band). In any case, I think I have figured out some strategies to deal.