Personal Tech – New York Mulls iPod Ban on City Streets
A New York state senator has proposed the idea of making it a crime to use electronic gadgets like iPods and Blackberry phones while crossing the street. He seems to think that fining people will somehow stop them from doing stupid things like walking in front of a bus. While the intention of protecting the public is commendable, I doubt this will work. There’s a reason pedestrians have the right of way…
Moyers on America . The Net @ Risk | PBS
If you missed this show on PBS last night, please find a couple of free hours and watch it online. The show focuses on Net Neutrality, but also touches on the effects telecommunications deregulation has had on our society. If you ever wondered why reporting doesn’t seem as good as it used to be, or why fiber-to-the-curb mostly hasn’t happened, this program will open your eyes to the reasons behind it. Through interviews and research Bill Moyers shows how the FCC has continually worked in favor of corporate america instead of looking out for the interests of the public.
This article makes an interesting comparison between Roman history and the post 9/11 history of the U.S. The author draws a number of parallels highlighting the effects of citizens ceding their rights to the government when panic ensues after an event such as a terrorist attack. The similarities are striking. The author makes a good point about the “Law of unintended consequences.” We would all do well to remember the lessons of Rome so that we don’t make the same mistakes.