Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Again, sheerly an anti-copyright WEDGE for Mike. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c703 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:51:49 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c703 Never leave home without one! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c238 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:51:07 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c238 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Again, sheerly an anti-copyright WEDGE for Mike. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c691 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:49:38 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c691
the folks on TD who can't stand it when their leader is challenged


Like any blog, this one attracts more than its share of readers whose opinions are aligned with those of its contributors. And like most popular blogs, the writers know their audience, and both consciously and subconsciously write for it.

Yet, for some reason, you envision Techdirt readers as an obedient, unthinking cult, hanging on Masnick's every word and regarding him as their "leader". You regard all the readers - except those agree with you, I bet - as unable to formulate positions and arguments on their own, unwilling to see that his posts are mainly griping and shit-stirring.

Like I said, he knows his audience - he can certainly whip us up into a pissed-off comment frenzy - but we know him, as well. You guys keep trying to point out to us what's really going on, not realizing that we already know, and it doesn't matter, because most of the time, he's not saying anything we don't already agree with.

Mike and his guest bloggers just relay reports of outrageous things that the IP industry is up to, and they often express their opinions about it, and we all chime in with ours. It's as simple as that. He doesn't have us under mind control. He's not our "leader". One misstep and we'll turn on him...for that one post, which is how it should be.

This "leader" fixation is a generational thing. Mike's generation, the Gen Xers, distrust power and leaders in general, starting with their parents. The younger Millennials laugh at would-be leaders and rarely conflate celebrity with authority. But the older generation, the Baby Boomers - good god, they revere and exalt as ideologues anyone who's got anyone's attention, and can't comprehend the idea that everyone must be following someone. Of course there are exceptions to these trends, but I'm guessing you're in this camp, born before the 1970s. Am I right?]]> The article headline? http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c236 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:47:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c236 has credibility?]]> Lop-sided http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c231 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:47:22 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130516/18383623114/your-word-against-ours-how-fbis-no-electronic-recording-policy-rigs-game-destroys-its-credibility.shtml#c231 Re: ^Unprecedented QUAD POSTS! Hooray! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c177 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:43:30 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c177 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c167 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:42:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c167 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c688 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:37:45 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c688 ^Unprecedented QUAD POSTS! Hooray! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c158 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:37:18 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c158 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c674 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:35:54 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c674
They assume that the blind are not their market. Following this, the assumption is that allowing the blind an exemption to copyright is thus, a bad thing.

Am I misreading that?]]> You may be next, Pirate Mike! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c142 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:34:08 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c142
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c140 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:35 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c140 You may be next, Pirate Mike! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c116 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:11 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c116
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c110 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:33:04 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c110 You may be next, Pirate Mike! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c104 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:32:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c104
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> You may be next, Pirate Mike! http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c87 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:31:52 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c87
I'd agree with you on this one except for your constant defense of KNOWN criminals like infringer-millionaire Dotcom of Mega; this is just a minor squawk on your anti-copyright agenda.]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Again, sheerly an anti-copyright WEDGE for Mike. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c651 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:28:33 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c651 He just pulls out that excuse when anyone challenges him to state a concrete position on copyright policy.

Actually, he pulls out that excuse when you've tried to badger him into answering an oversimplified, black-or-white, are-you-for-it-or-against-it question.

His response has never been that he has no opinion. It's that he doesn't have the sort of binary opinion you demand.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c76 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:19:42 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/16464823123/swedish-prosecutor-claims-registrar-se-domains-being-accomplice-infringement-because-pirate-bay-domain.shtml#c76 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Again, sheerly an anti-copyright WEDGE for Mike. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c632 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:17:05 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c632
Well yeah, I mean if I went to the West Boro Baptist church blog and made constant remarks about their Pasture instead of debating their perceptions of reality, I would expect the same kind of treatment.

You're a big boy Joe, you should know that debating on a website that stands on the other side of the spectrum compared to your viewpoint is going to be difficult. Otherwise, why go through the trouble?

"Address the merits of my post if you would: Do you agree that Mike has not even begun to back up his assertion that this is a "ridiculous letter with little basis in fact"? "

Yes, but then there's little information to go on to say how this will affect international copyright in the long run. You can make the assumption it will damage the finances of all the companies Business Europe represents, or you can assume it will barely affect them.

" Do you agree that Mike hasn't shown us the text of the proposal and explained why this response is bullshit?"

He hasn't taken the time to dissect it yet, yes, but the focus of this article isn't that specific document, it's the letter that Business Europe sent out concerning the draft treaty.

"Do you agree that Mike's purpose in writing this article was not to actually advance the debate in a positive way but was instead solely for the purpose of discrediting these people with his usual "they hate the blind!" trope?"

Mike may interpret that these companies hate blind people, but that's absolutely an opinion, which makes this article an "opinion piece." If you are unable to distinguish opinion from reality, then I don't know what I can do for you.

"I feel like I added to the discussion by pointing out how Mike added nothing."

You also made a bunch of accusations and insults...I don't see how that is at all conducive to any kind of discussion. If you really wanted to add to things, you could read the draft treaty here - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CGEQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wipo.int%2Fedocs%2Fmdocs%2Fcopyright%2Fen%2Fsccr_25%2Fsccr_25_2_rev.doc&ei=8FWaUeqlKKrJygGh9YDADg&usg=AFQjCNFH5LfVxJf7y4tRkDYCi89jt_EdnQ&sig2=oIkruGn4R5ZQQ1eUBHswuA&bvm=bv.46751780,d.aWc - and see if it actually woudl cause a disruption in the international copyright structure.

"I'm not familiar enough with the proposals to add much of value on the merits, but apparently neither is Mike. That doesn't stop him from writing this crap though. Why aren't you grilling him if you agree with me in part?"

I don't grill Mike because his opinions don't matter that much to me (I like his ideas though). I come to Techdirt for the information (I mentioned before I usually click the links to see for myself what they say).]]> Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c607 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:16:51 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130517/08324323118/trade-group-representing-many-large-companies-claims-that-exceptions-blind-would-cast-aside-copyright.shtml#c607 Let's see the proposal. Let's see the exact text they are taking issue with. Let's discuss it on the merits.

Never thought I'd see you say that. It's pretty much a staple complaint on Techdirt that the public never gets to see the text of the various treaties and international agreements.

So Joe, here's a question. Are you agreeing with Techdirt and most of its readers and commenters that these agreements should be open and transparent to the public?]]>