Writings

Is Internet Gossip more reliable than Mainstream News?

Is internet gossip more reliable than mainstream news?

Mainstream journalists often express despair that people "believe everything they read on the internet". The standard wisdom is that news must be sourced reliably. As such, good journalists faithfullly adhere to a code of standards.

But Ronald Reagan's deregulation of the media in the 80's has reduced the evening news to mere entertainment and worse, a tool of propaganda for a few corporations. Likewise the UK media is becoming more and more subject to corporate interests. [node:read-more:link]

Prison Reform

The concept of punishment is philosophically immoral and should be replaced with a more pragmatic philosophy of protection and prevention. We are endlessly complex creatures. We live endlessly complex lives. No two of us share the exact same experiences. This unique set of circumstances makes us unfathomable to each other. We are not Gods. We are only human and limited in our scope. As such no human being is qualified to pass moral judgement upon another. Therefore moral judgments should be replaced with pragmatic judgments. [node:read-more:link]

Horror Stories in Law: Don't Sign Away Your Rights!

I signed a NDE (non-disclosure agreement) with my former record company and regretted it. At the time I was pressured into it by my lawyer who told me it was normal procedure and I had to do it if I wanted to settle. But I regret being unable to warn young musicans of the pitfalls of signing with a record label. I vowed never to sign another one.

Years later after winning my Gearslutz lawsuit, I was presented with another one. This time I refused. The refusal cost me about 10 grand. But I do not regret it. It's a matter of principle. [node:read-more:link]

Cute Reptiles

In a BBC program called the Secret Life of Dogs we learn that the baby-like characteristics of the modern dog is a result of human selection. I reckon in the future all animals on Earth will be sweet and baby-like. It's the only way they'll be able to survive what with us humans bein' control freaks an' all... even the reptiles will be actin' cute. :) [node:read-more:link]

Why Rules of War? - Ban it Altogether!

As a kid the rules of war made no sense to me. If countries can get together and agree upon rules of which bullets to use, or how to treat your prisoners why not just agree to ban war altogether?

Imagine how bizarre to be a fly on the wall during the negotiations for the Hague or Geneva Conventions... Someone must have been in favor of war because otherwise banning it altogether would have been a no brainer. [node:read-more:link]

Let's get rid of Politicians!

Our current system of voting is archaic and needs an overhaul. This change should be imposed from the top down but should instead evolve virally through technology.

We currently have a system where citizens vote for politicians who in turn vote on the issues. This is due to the impracticality of each citizen voting on every little issue. But technology and the internet could change that. Through the use of encryption, a public vote on each issue may now be feasible. [node:read-more:link]

Opt-in Citizenship

Imagine being the citizen of a country which you do not live in but which you chose to be an online member of. Each individual would get the choice of which government to pay taxes to. This would create competition and put pressure on governments to offer a decent level of service with regard schools, police, health,etc. Call it "Opt-in Citizenship". Is this possible? Can anybody see this working? [node:read-more:link]

Corporate Media Breaking Bad - Today USA, Tomorrow the World

Is corporate media destroying the USA? If so, how did it happen?

Though Ronald Reagan is generally seen as one of America's most successful and popular presidents, he has however left a rather questionable legacy. In fact one could argue that many of our current problems are as a result of his policies. [node:read-more:link]

History is NOW!

We usually think of the world in the "olden days" as being something quite distinct and alien from the one we live in today. We see ourselves as modern and sophisticated. But if you think about it, NO one sees themselves as living in the "olden days". ALL people think of themselves as "modern". The Black and White aspect of "old time" photos adds to this sense of otherworldliness. [node:read-more:link]

Decentralize the Internet!

We are a pivotal point in history with a war taking place on the internet. There is on one side a race toward centralized control where the majority of traffic goes to just a small handful of sites owned by the 1%. On the other hand we have a window of opportunity to move away from centralized control and more into peer to peer ownership. [node:read-more:link]

Forget Bitcoin, Embrace Beancoin, a new Royalty for Humanity

Modern life is characterized by an ever growing body of work left behind by the human beings who came before us. Man has displayed creativity, inventiveness, inspiration and achievement in his never ending quest for improvement over the human condition. As such everyone alive today is by rights the natural beneficiary to the collective achievements of our forebears. Everybody has ancestors who contributed to this collective body of work. Why did our predecessors bother to create, build and invent? [node:read-more:link]

Saving the World through open source hardware and software.

There is no doubt that there is a frenzied movement on planet Earth toward the centralization of power and control by those at the top of the human hierarchy. The most recent example of a move toward this totalitarianism is the SOPA bill which will result in the abolition of internet free speech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhwuXNv8fJM [node:read-more:link]

The Relativity Theory of Personality and the Oppressive Nature of Astrology

I believe in astrology, but disagree with the actual use of it because of this fundamental flaw;

Astrology plays down the fluid, dynamic and relative nature of personality and fixes individuals into a stereotype. In doing so, it is oppressive and limiting. [node:read-more:link]

Celebrities Suck

We Human Beanz have always looked toward leaders and as far as evolution was concerned this may have been a good thing...but modern day celebrities are like the junk food of leadership. They look good, but ain't da real deal. When in doubt just follow yo'self!

Anonymity is the New Rock and Roll. [node:read-more:link]

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