[105214] in Cypherpunks
Re: IP: Crunch Time for Y2K Suppliers (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jim Choate)
Sun Nov 8 18:07:43 1998
From: Jim Choate <ravage@EINSTEIN.ssz.com>
To: cypherpunks@EINSTEIN.ssz.com (Cypherpunks Distributed Remailer)
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1998 16:52:48 -0600 (CST)
Reply-To: Jim Choate <ravage@EINSTEIN.ssz.com>
Forwarded message:
> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 1998 15:36:28 -0700
> From: "William J.Hartwell" <billh@ibag.com>
> Subject: Re: IP: Crunch Time for Y2K Suppliers (fwd)
> How do you propose Declan and the gang at wired "Pay the rent"??
I don't really care what Declan does as a line of work, just don't run
around telling me I have to support it.
> I like Declan's articles (Most of them) and I like wired (most of it). I
> have issue #1 lurking in my closet someplace in a fireproof, y2k secure
> container :-) I would like to see this type of reporting continue and am
> willing to support it by going to the site and reading the articles there
> and visiting a sponsor if its relevant to me. This also helps me avoid
> believing something someone paraphrased and/or butchered (edited) to
> promote their own point of view (This happens here a lot).
Fine. What's your point? Chances are you'll see the article in toto on wired
before it ever shows up here. You're not denied anything.
> If you want to "to foster discussion" related to an article don't you think
> its a good idea that all parties have read the unedited article from the
> original source.
I *fully* believe the source should be read in toto. I don't even want to go
into how you managed to convince yourself otherwise.
> I personally *hate* to get excerpts of an article without a reference to
> the original and place no stock in it and immediately suspect the persons
> motives in sending just that part. I dislike discussions with people who
> make comments on articles that they haven't read in full from the original
> source and think this drastically reduces their credibility as a whole.
Ditto.
> I am glad Declan is able to pay his rent by writing these articles and hope
> it continues. Wouldn't it be sad if we could only get our news from the NY
> times or the WSJ? If people like Declan and others at wired cant make a
> living that may be what's in store.
I suspect their total level of bias is pretty equal. It's simply a question
of where on the fence they happen to be sitting as concerns how it gets
applied in any particular issue.
> You would think cypherpunks would be more than happy to try and support the
> efforts of wired and the like.
I have nothing at all against wired, Declan making a living, Declan being a
reporter, Declan making a living being a reporter. The bottem line is his
right to make a living doesn't outweigh the social good of discussion. And the
current fervor over copyright owner protection at the expence of free
speech, especialy neighborhood - non-commercial speech is reprehensible and
needs stopped.
A parties forwarding of a copyrighted piece to a discussion forum such as
cypherpunks or my private email discussion between other friends is outside
the purvue of that author making a buck. It's a whole nother issue if we are
talking commercial use of that work or claiming it as ones own (for profit
or not). But it's not that issue, it's related to the citizens of this
country decided through informed debate how they desire it to be run.
You'd think if Declan or others were really out to change peoples minds they
would want their work in such venues under heavy discussion. It makes it
much more likely (rather than less) that others will then subscribe and
actualy pay for their own personal copy.
I don't support full copying of copyrighted works unless the work is short
and every sentence carries the discussion. Otherwise only the relevant points
need to be repeated (dependant upon the particular presenters goals). By the
same token a single URL with not so much as a line of description is equaly
worthless. It denies me the option of even deciding if it's interesting *to
me*.
The bottem line, the current copyright law draws the line in the sand in the
wrong place.
____________________________________________________________________
To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.
Confucius
The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate
Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage@ssz.com
www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087
-====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'-
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