I will begin this post by saying that my detailed understanding of US copyright laws is fairly limited. However, from the research I have done and from listening to people who have researched the subject extensively I think it is fair to say that the current incarnation of the copyright laws have strayed away from their original purpose. According to the U.S. constitution copyright was upheld in order "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."
Since 1978 the duration of time that material is considered to be under copyright has been regularly extended. There appears to be no foreseeable change to this trend since copyright reform advocates hold little political clout compared to the large businesses who throw money behind keeping their intellectual property outside of the public domain for as long as possible (*coughDisneycough*)
So what does copyright law have to do with intellectual freedom? Well, with the changing copyright climate toward being very pro business and anti creator or consumer there is a chilling effect on information being created and distributed. Even museums are getting behind this and have begun to ban sketching of works, a long time tradition of art school students to help improve their skills, in order to avoid being sued or because of a misunderstanding of what copyright laws protect.
Personally, I am an armature photographer who occasionally manages to capture an image that could potentially be sold for some extra revenue. Because of this I have thought extensively about how I want copyright to apply to my own works and have decided to use the terms set up by the creative commons (either attribution, share-alike or Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike, depending on the piece). If more creators learned about the protections allowed them under these licenses I believe that many would see that they can both retain their rights while allowing others to build upon their creations and therefore promoting the spread of information.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
IF: Privacy and Google Buzz
I was recently listening to one of my regular podcasts, Geek Nights, and was interested to hear what they had to say about Google Buzz, and for once I have to disagree with them. Their claim was that no one should be upset at Google for making users' contact lists public because 1) people shouldn't have anything to hide and if they do they need to fix it and 2) because people shouldn't have any expectation of privacy on the internet if using a service like Google.
As for #1, I don't know what to say. People have their reasons for wanting to keep aspects of their life private from the rest of the world. Some of these reasons are valid and really aren't a sign of personal troubles. One that comes to mind is if someone is kinky and their mother starts to ask about who MistressSpankums (I made this up, if MistressSpankums exists I apologize) is. Now, most parents are happy not to know certain things about the lives of their adult children and it really isn't the place of the guys at Geek Nights, Google or anyone else to undermine that desire as long as what is going on isn't illegal.
In regards to #2 I think they are missing the point as to why people are upset. Up until this point there was an understanding between Google and its users. That understanding was that the information contained in someone's account, while not 100% under their control, would not be released for everyone to see without notice. There was no notice by Google that they would do this and as far as I am aware no large email provider has ever done that. Basically, Google changed the rules of the game without telling people. Legally did they have the right to do this? Maybe. Phone companies require a subpoena to release phone records. Was it included in the tiny print somewhere? Maybe. Did they have the understanding with their customers that this was something that was okay? No. So yes, people were upset when they were led to believe that their contact list was private and then suddenly, without warning, Google decided that it was not.
So sorry Rym and Scott but I'm going to have to disagree with you on this show. I think your view of privacy is based from living a very privileged life where you have the understanding and ability to set up your own private servers to protect what information gets shared with the rest of the world. Not everyone is so lucky and that doesn't mean that they are any less deserving of privacy than you.
As for #1, I don't know what to say. People have their reasons for wanting to keep aspects of their life private from the rest of the world. Some of these reasons are valid and really aren't a sign of personal troubles. One that comes to mind is if someone is kinky and their mother starts to ask about who MistressSpankums (I made this up, if MistressSpankums exists I apologize) is. Now, most parents are happy not to know certain things about the lives of their adult children and it really isn't the place of the guys at Geek Nights, Google or anyone else to undermine that desire as long as what is going on isn't illegal.
In regards to #2 I think they are missing the point as to why people are upset. Up until this point there was an understanding between Google and its users. That understanding was that the information contained in someone's account, while not 100% under their control, would not be released for everyone to see without notice. There was no notice by Google that they would do this and as far as I am aware no large email provider has ever done that. Basically, Google changed the rules of the game without telling people. Legally did they have the right to do this? Maybe. Phone companies require a subpoena to release phone records. Was it included in the tiny print somewhere? Maybe. Did they have the understanding with their customers that this was something that was okay? No. So yes, people were upset when they were led to believe that their contact list was private and then suddenly, without warning, Google decided that it was not.
So sorry Rym and Scott but I'm going to have to disagree with you on this show. I think your view of privacy is based from living a very privileged life where you have the understanding and ability to set up your own private servers to protect what information gets shared with the rest of the world. Not everyone is so lucky and that doesn't mean that they are any less deserving of privacy than you.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
IF: Book challenges
It makes me sad to realize how many book challenges revolve around material that portrays homosexuality in a positive or normal manner. My focus this quarter has been on GLBTQ friendly literature and issues and have tied projects for all three of my class into this theme.
It's hard for me to understand the mindset of these individuals, but at the same time I know that once I begin working as a librarian I will have to deal with their complaints in a respectful manner and will probably have to comply with carrying ex-gay or anti-homosexual books. This actually came up in my recent interview with the Garfield High School Gay/Straight Alliance. One of the ways they suggested that I make the library a more comfortable environment for GLBTQ youth was to show that intolerance isn't accepted. However, I had to tell them that, no matter how much I might disagree with what they have to say, I will have to carry opposing viewpoints since they have as much right to free speech as everyone else under the Constitution.
Jamie LaRue posted an amazing response to a complaint about a children's book that portrays homosexuality in a normal manner and I found it inspiring to, to say the least.
I'm not exactly sure where I was going with this post. I guess it's more of an acknowledgment that this is going to be a difficult thing for me to do. I hadn't really thought in a very real way before that I would have to defend the right of people to say hateful things in my work environment. But, I believe in the first amendment with all of my being and support everyone's right to access information whether I agree with it or not. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to address this issue but hope that I will be able to handle it as well as LaRue.
It's hard for me to understand the mindset of these individuals, but at the same time I know that once I begin working as a librarian I will have to deal with their complaints in a respectful manner and will probably have to comply with carrying ex-gay or anti-homosexual books. This actually came up in my recent interview with the Garfield High School Gay/Straight Alliance. One of the ways they suggested that I make the library a more comfortable environment for GLBTQ youth was to show that intolerance isn't accepted. However, I had to tell them that, no matter how much I might disagree with what they have to say, I will have to carry opposing viewpoints since they have as much right to free speech as everyone else under the Constitution.
Jamie LaRue posted an amazing response to a complaint about a children's book that portrays homosexuality in a normal manner and I found it inspiring to, to say the least.
I'm not exactly sure where I was going with this post. I guess it's more of an acknowledgment that this is going to be a difficult thing for me to do. I hadn't really thought in a very real way before that I would have to defend the right of people to say hateful things in my work environment. But, I believe in the first amendment with all of my being and support everyone's right to access information whether I agree with it or not. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to address this issue but hope that I will be able to handle it as well as LaRue.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Intellectual Freedom: Banning the Dictionary
So one of my online friends turned me on to this article about the Menifee School District in California which has pulled dictionaries from the shelves due to a parental complaint about the definition of the phrase "oral sex" claiming it was too explicit and was not age appropriate.
For starters, here is the definition from Miriam Webster Online:
Main Entry: oral sex
Function: noun
Date: 1973
: oral stimulation of the genitals : cunnilingus, fellatio
Yup, that's about right. I'm not sure how much more of a dry, clinical explanation of this phrase this parent wants, but it seems pretty spot on to me.
So here's my beef.... beefs with this whole thing. No one parent gets to decide what is appropriate for all students, ESPECIALLY when we are talking about an important reference material like the dictionary. If she wants to keep her child ignorant that things like oral-genital contact might exist, that's her responsibility, not the school district's. The job of the school district is to promote learning and the spread of information. I even agree that schools should try to prevent access to pornography and explicit sexual content, which this definition is not.
Also, if parents would just give their kids good, age appropriate information about sex this wouldn't be an issue. I, for one, remember looking up "dirty" words in the dictionary just because I wanted to know what they were. The knowledge didn't make me sexually active at a young age and won't for other kids.
So, I encourage people to contact the Menifee School District and let them know that this kind of censorship is just plain silly. This parent is setting too broad of a definition on what isn't age appropriate, which will have a detrimental effect on the quality of education in this district.
For starters, here is the definition from Miriam Webster Online:
Main Entry: oral sex
Function: noun
Date: 1973
: oral stimulation of the genitals : cunnilingus, fellatio
Yup, that's about right. I'm not sure how much more of a dry, clinical explanation of this phrase this parent wants, but it seems pretty spot on to me.
So here's my beef.... beefs with this whole thing. No one parent gets to decide what is appropriate for all students, ESPECIALLY when we are talking about an important reference material like the dictionary. If she wants to keep her child ignorant that things like oral-genital contact might exist, that's her responsibility, not the school district's. The job of the school district is to promote learning and the spread of information. I even agree that schools should try to prevent access to pornography and explicit sexual content, which this definition is not.
Also, if parents would just give their kids good, age appropriate information about sex this wouldn't be an issue. I, for one, remember looking up "dirty" words in the dictionary just because I wanted to know what they were. The knowledge didn't make me sexually active at a young age and won't for other kids.
So, I encourage people to contact the Menifee School District and let them know that this kind of censorship is just plain silly. This parent is setting too broad of a definition on what isn't age appropriate, which will have a detrimental effect on the quality of education in this district.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Book Review: The Color of Earth
The Color of Earth by Kim, Dong Hwa
New York : First Second, 2009
This book was assigned to me as part of my LIS 566 Young Adult Materials: Evaluation and Use readings. First, this book was a pain in the butt to find. I went to 5 book stores in my area and called a few more before giving up and driving over to the University Book Store. I'm going to request that my small, local bookstore order these for me since I'd prefer to give them my money, but may end up having to go through Amazon.
The Color of Earth is not a book that I would have picked up on my own accord, despite being a graphic novel, a genre that I know and love. However, I'm glad I did. The artwork is a combination of classical Korean landscapes and modern Japanese anime style artwork and is quite lovely, though not a style I generally seek out. The story is of a young girl, Ehwa, living with her widowed mother in rural Korea and follows her as she begins her journey towards womanhood, discovers love and begins to recognize her mother as an individual with her own wants and needs.
The main focus of this story is the relationship between Ehwa and her mother, and it is a beautiful thing. The story does not shy away from sex and sexuality but instead addresses it in a very honest yet poetic manner. The imagery used is lovely and approachable and the lack of shame and negative feelings makes me think that this would be an excellent book for young women approaching menarche. I also think that this is a good book for mother's of young girls to read as Ehwa's mother gives a good example how to approach a young woman's sexuality with grace not fear.
I give this book four stars only because I probably won't read it again. Though there is little real action the story is engaging (I read it in under 3 hours) and keeps you turning the pages. I can't wait to get the other two books to find out about the rest of Ehwa's life.
New York : First Second, 2009
This book was assigned to me as part of my LIS 566 Young Adult Materials: Evaluation and Use readings. First, this book was a pain in the butt to find. I went to 5 book stores in my area and called a few more before giving up and driving over to the University Book Store. I'm going to request that my small, local bookstore order these for me since I'd prefer to give them my money, but may end up having to go through Amazon.
The Color of Earth is not a book that I would have picked up on my own accord, despite being a graphic novel, a genre that I know and love. However, I'm glad I did. The artwork is a combination of classical Korean landscapes and modern Japanese anime style artwork and is quite lovely, though not a style I generally seek out. The story is of a young girl, Ehwa, living with her widowed mother in rural Korea and follows her as she begins her journey towards womanhood, discovers love and begins to recognize her mother as an individual with her own wants and needs.
The main focus of this story is the relationship between Ehwa and her mother, and it is a beautiful thing. The story does not shy away from sex and sexuality but instead addresses it in a very honest yet poetic manner. The imagery used is lovely and approachable and the lack of shame and negative feelings makes me think that this would be an excellent book for young women approaching menarche. I also think that this is a good book for mother's of young girls to read as Ehwa's mother gives a good example how to approach a young woman's sexuality with grace not fear.
I give this book four stars only because I probably won't read it again. Though there is little real action the story is engaging (I read it in under 3 hours) and keeps you turning the pages. I can't wait to get the other two books to find out about the rest of Ehwa's life.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Book Review: When You Reach Me
When you reach me by Stead, Rebecca.
New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2009.
I was introduced to this book by a number of classmates in my Storytelling Class last quarter. They all raved about what an amazing book it was, but I had a lot on my plate so it went under my radar until winter break. I then picked it up at audible.com read by Cynthia Holloway for bus listening since trying to read down the bumpy roads makes my tummy less than happy.
I LOVED this book. It's a great read for young adults and I'd go anywhere from a mature 8 or 9 year old (if being read to) to a mid teen or older on the group who would be interested in it. I especially recommend this book for kids who like A Wrinkle in Time as that book is referenced a number of times and When You Reach me has a very similar feel.
The plot is interesting and revolves around Miranda, a 6th grader who has recently parted ways with her best friend, Sal. She begins to receive mysterious notes from someone who claims to be coming to save her friend, but needs her help. On top of having to worry about a stranger who can somehow predict the future Miranda must learn about growing up, making new friends and seeing the world through the eyes of others.
In a time where teen fiction seems to be focusing on vampires and girls falling in love When You Reach Me is a refreshing break focusing on friendship and a different kind of fantastic.
Rating: ***** I would recommend this to anyone and will probably read it again
New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2009.
I was introduced to this book by a number of classmates in my Storytelling Class last quarter. They all raved about what an amazing book it was, but I had a lot on my plate so it went under my radar until winter break. I then picked it up at audible.com read by Cynthia Holloway for bus listening since trying to read down the bumpy roads makes my tummy less than happy.
I LOVED this book. It's a great read for young adults and I'd go anywhere from a mature 8 or 9 year old (if being read to) to a mid teen or older on the group who would be interested in it. I especially recommend this book for kids who like A Wrinkle in Time as that book is referenced a number of times and When You Reach me has a very similar feel.
The plot is interesting and revolves around Miranda, a 6th grader who has recently parted ways with her best friend, Sal. She begins to receive mysterious notes from someone who claims to be coming to save her friend, but needs her help. On top of having to worry about a stranger who can somehow predict the future Miranda must learn about growing up, making new friends and seeing the world through the eyes of others.
In a time where teen fiction seems to be focusing on vampires and girls falling in love When You Reach Me is a refreshing break focusing on friendship and a different kind of fantastic.
Rating: ***** I would recommend this to anyone and will probably read it again
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Intellectual Freedom: Digital Rights Management
I'm ashamed to admit that I don't really know the ins and outs of DRM as well as I feel that I should. However, I do know that, the more I learn about it, the bigger issue I am having and am becoming more likely to change my buying habits.
In a discussion I've been having with classmates in LIS 520 about electronic books I really started thinking about how DRM is affecting the process of this technology being adopted. I have heard from a few people that, like me, they are unwilling to get an ebook reader like the Kindle as it doesn't allow you to share books with your friends. Basically you are paying the same price as you would for a paperback, on top of an expensive reader but don't have the rights of first-sale doctrine, which has been upheld by the US Supreme Court for over 100 years. So basically you are renting for the cost of buying.
There is also the issue that when you are buying media with DRM you actually aren't buying the item as much as a license to use it. A license which can be revoked. There is always the option of hacking to remove the DRM but most people don't have the know-how or even the knowledge that it CAN be done. This license also prevents you from sharing material with friends and as someone who loans books out on a weekly basis I find this limitation unacceptable.
I'm not sure what the future of DRM and ebooks will be. In some ways ebooks could give people access to more information than ever before. I just think that publishers unwillingness to relinquish control by removing DRM is hindering the acceptance of ebooks by the general population. Removing that barrier would be another step toward this new technology taking hold.
In a discussion I've been having with classmates in LIS 520 about electronic books I really started thinking about how DRM is affecting the process of this technology being adopted. I have heard from a few people that, like me, they are unwilling to get an ebook reader like the Kindle as it doesn't allow you to share books with your friends. Basically you are paying the same price as you would for a paperback, on top of an expensive reader but don't have the rights of first-sale doctrine, which has been upheld by the US Supreme Court for over 100 years. So basically you are renting for the cost of buying.
There is also the issue that when you are buying media with DRM you actually aren't buying the item as much as a license to use it. A license which can be revoked. There is always the option of hacking to remove the DRM but most people don't have the know-how or even the knowledge that it CAN be done. This license also prevents you from sharing material with friends and as someone who loans books out on a weekly basis I find this limitation unacceptable.
I'm not sure what the future of DRM and ebooks will be. In some ways ebooks could give people access to more information than ever before. I just think that publishers unwillingness to relinquish control by removing DRM is hindering the acceptance of ebooks by the general population. Removing that barrier would be another step toward this new technology taking hold.
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