Invaluable news from our beloved Boulder source

I’ve known about it for years. Delved into it every now and then for kicks. But until now, I don’t think I have ever been hooked. 

UNVEIL: The Onion News Network– America’s Finest News Source now in video

The ONN will be generating hilarious content in a ‘serious’ light based on current events yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I was reading the CBS news article on ONN and The Onion’s Pres. Sean Mills who said, "We want as many people to see our news reports as possible … We can work out a deal with YouTube when they’re ready."
This is awesome! More skrag to add to the catapult preparing for the launch of Murdoch Video United [my take on an expected collaboration between media giants to create an online portal for their content]. I would hope, though, that Mills as well as others at The Onion do not take this jump lightly. It is a major move for them, possibly breaking into the ranks of loyal viewers of Jon Stuart and Steven Colbert.

"I think there is a demand for a 24-hour news
network that isn’t a parody like ‘The Daily Show’ … People want to get
the truth with a level of seriousness and integrity that only the Onion
can bring." –Mills says characterizing the show as a serious, traditional network news source. I believe they will go live this coming Tuesday, April 3, 2007.

March 28, 2007 | | No Comments »

Ahh UMaine and the RIAA, draw steel!

The wonderful RIAA is at it again. Sending out subpoenas right and left. This time to students of the UMaine System. The UMaine site reports that the RIAA has sent the school letters to forward to 23 students informing them of their option to settle via online website p2plawsuits.com for an apparently lower cost as opposed to taking it to court. UMaine is not the only school by far. The RIAA has notified hundreds of schools and thousands of students of their intent to pursue those who download copyrighted music with subpoenas and lawsuits. UMaine has stated they will not hand over the names of the students to the RIAA nor will they deliver the notifications to the students. This is AWESOME! It is in their very right to declare such. Student information is protected underneath FERPA [Family Education Rights and Privacy Act]. UMaine has no responsibility to be the RIAA’s messenger. However, looking out for their students, they have made the notifications available for pick up if the students so desire to. Righteous! Good for you, UMaine! Stand your ground, privacy is gold!

In this day and age, BUYING music is close to unheard of [at least in my circles]. You never hear, "HEY, did you buy so-and-so’s new cd?". Its all about, "Have you downloaded such-and-such song?". The implications of downloading music are few and far between. Sure, the artist doesn’t receive that percentage of your sales anymore and the RIAA may try to sue you; but what is wrong with downloading copyrighted music? The artist I would say is in quite the position. Their music which costs them money and effort to produce and create is now being spread freely on the internet. They are not getting paid for what they do. This is clearly a problem. The solution is well, far from perfect. Artists must partner with online music sites to provide downloads for a price. This reduces their profits as well as sufficient information to market their music.

I will leave you all with a simple question for this post. What, if anything, can artists do to gain their source of income back? Should they put an emphasis on merchandise? L-P’s? Marketing? What would be a good base to fall back on [besides getting another job]?

I will continue this post and possibly even start a series, "Subsidize Privacy?"

March 27, 2007 | | 1 Comment »

My frustration with some college professors

So … school all day today, yes, its Tuesday. School, school, school. I had a revelation. My philosophy class is pretty much worthless. We don’t discuss, we don’t debate, we don’t argue, we sit in silence listening to a lecture on EXACTLY what we read the evening before [supposed to have read]. In fact it is quite similar to my economics class… although there is room for discussion there but it is not readily available.

I went to class today, hoping for a discussion. I even bombarded the professor with questions and concerns regarding the material, but to no avail. He still stuck precisely to the words in the book. No relating the substance to current events or modern times.

I am discouraged. I am troubled. I am going to get some food and head to a calculus exam. Later all.

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Relationships of value

Who do we listen to? Good question for all to dwell on. By "all" I mean everyone, you, me, leaders, subordinates.

Myself. I listen to myself. Foremost and primary. Then. . . I turn to friends who don’t live near me. An outside view is VERY important. Family and close friends I tend to leave for last because, even though they are probably looking out for me.

Where then do we decide petty and everyday matters? By ourselves? Yes and no. I implore you to look at each and every thing you acquire throughout a day; decide who or what influenced you to get that thing. I have come to a very concrete conclusion based on all of the things that I acquire throughout my day. I have certain relationships of value with people and things that I do not even know personally. For example, I acquired a burrito from Chipotle Mexican Grille the other day. I thought as I was eating that delicious-football-sized burrito, why hadn’t I tried another burrito chain, Burritoville, down the street? I have a valuable relationship with Chipotle. Valuable to the corporation at least. They have hooked me with their simple, tasty process of acquiring a burrito. The only reasons I would not go there for a burrito are if I am not hungry or if I am low on cash, I will not spend more than I have the means to. I would say that most people in this world form valuable relationships with brands they trust and love. The relationship is what a company should desire and pursue.

I know, I know. Many, many, many people know this and preach this. But … why should I listen to these brands? They are not looking out for me. I am looking our for me. I have been living in contradiction to what I believe about advice. I take advice from myself, friends from afar, and … brands. Ouch! That hurts. I am ashamed of myself. Surely family is more important than brands? My choice, NOW, is to try and put away my notions of brands of value to me and explore what this world has to offer. Who knows what will happen.

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Love them when they’re gone

"Love ‘em when they’re here and love ‘em when they’re gone."

To all my friends in the service and all those fighting for freedom. Thank you and stay strong. Come home soon, we miss you.

March 26, 2007 | | No Comments »
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