I know that this was said in jest, but it's not that far off from a real solution. Patents and copyrights are gov's way of attempting to introduce scarcity into an area where it wouldn't otherwise exist (ideas). Would people suddenly stop innovating just because someone else might be able to take and expand upon their idea? Would music stop being created or books stop being written just because those authors wouldn't have artificial monopoly on the distribution of their work?
Is there a real, actual justification for the continued existence of copyrights and patents?
We're inciting far more violence against the US by being involved in the business of all these countries than if we were simply to release the picture of a dead guy.
but wouldn't that lead to a system of tyranny of the majority, aka full democracy? That's why we don't have democracy here -- everyone's voice deserves to be represented, no matter how small
I like the concept, but I would look at it from the perspective that everyone's vote is worth "1", but younger people have a multiplier on top to increase their vote's worth. Maybe then politicians wouldn't look so much at only catering to the senior vote.
Let's say I live in MA or NJ and spend the great majority of my commute driving on the local Turnpike. That is essentially a private road to which I'm paying more money to access. Should I still be taxed on mileage driven?
The fact is there's very little chance for a silver bullet to exist and any tax will adjust incentives and therefore behavior.
And what will it take for him to realize that he's not just wrong, but that he's harming the actual stakeholders?
You (incorrectly, IMO), assume that Biden is ignorant and not deliberate in his use of terminology. I would imagine he understands the difference between stakeholder and beneficiary quite well, it's just that he desires to put up a front to the American people that he's doing something to benefit them, when in fact everything he's doing is to harm them (us). Besides, he can get more money from the Content Industry than the American people.
FDA used to be about making sure the drugs didn't kill people, as if that's somehow a successful business model, but now drugs must also pass an effectiveness test.
Also, how many people does the FDA kill by not allowing drugs to the market? Has anyone done any studies on that?
Chertoff, when asked, did say his scanners would probably not have caught the underwear bomber, so he was being quasi-honest... certainly more honest than the people who swore up and down we needed these devices to stop terrorists from boarding our planes
"They will enter the country as "flight students" and then fly hijacked planes into buildings killing thousands."
- They did that one time, and as tragic as that event was, that many people die EACH MONTH from car accidents.
"They will cross the border from Canada as tourists, with a trunk full of explosives."
- And how many people have they killed that way? NONE
When will you wake up and understand that the intent of the terrorists isn't to kill everyone (that's an impossible goal), but to watch our country go bankrupt trying to swat a mosquito off a hippo's ass; They want us to destroy the very fabric of this country in a feeble attempt to prevent a mosquito from biting us again.
The terrorists are winning precisely because we're reacting exactly as they knew we would -- doing exactly what they knew we would, and they're laughing all the way to the bank.
Imagine if we had saved the horsebuggy industry when cars became commonplace?
An industry should save itself through innovation. If it can't, then it should die and those resources be reallocated in a more efficient manner. As usual, any time the gov interferes in the market, it creates huge inefficiencies. That's not what we need.
That's not entirely true. Simply building something that operates in a WordPress environment doesn't mean I have no choice when it comes to what license I distribute my work under. However that's what WordPress wants you to feel - that you have no choice but to comply with what they say. Certainly there's no case law that supports WordPress' stance, even if they found a law firm that agrees with them.
WordPress is taking the supreme overlord approach and saying if you don't do as we say then we'll drag your name through the mud and make your life as difficult as possible. If distributing a theme under the GPL caused harm to WordPress, one would imagine they'd have filed a lawsuit by now.
It wasn't until after the online debate between the 2 of them that the copied code was discovered, so my apologies for lack of clarity. But the behavior by WordPress isn't new. Matt from WordPress and Chris from DIYThemes (Thesis) have been sniping at each other since WordPress took the legally untested stance that all themes should be released GPL 3 years ago.
WordPress exerted tremendous pressure on devs since then to conform or else you'll be publicly bashed at nearly every opportunity.
On the post: Disney 'Analyst': My Lack Of Imagination Necessitates Passage Of PROTECT IP
Re:
Is there a real, actual justification for the continued existence of copyrights and patents?
On the post: Details Emerging On Stingray Technology, Allowing Feds To Locate People By Pretending To Be Cell Towers
Re: FCC
On the post: Would We Have Art Without Copyright Law?
Re: Re:
On the post: How Low Has MySpace Sunk? It's About To Be Sold For Less Than $30 Million
On the post: Once Again, The Freedom Of Information Act Is Proving To Be Just That: An Act
Re: Let sleeping dogs lie
On the post: Once Again, The Freedom Of Information Act Is Proving To Be Just That: An Act
Re: What if...? And who?
No, the guilt would be on those who committed the act.
On the post: Should Young People Have Their Votes Count More?
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On the post: Should Young People Have Their Votes Count More?
On the post: Utah Legislators Want Extra Tax For Owners Of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles
Re: Re: Re: Re:
The fact is there's very little chance for a silver bullet to exist and any tax will adjust incentives and therefore behavior.
On the post: The Copyright Industry Is Not A Stakeholder In Copyright Policy, It's A Beneficiary
You (incorrectly, IMO), assume that Biden is ignorant and not deliberate in his use of terminology. I would imagine he understands the difference between stakeholder and beneficiary quite well, it's just that he desires to put up a front to the American people that he's doing something to benefit them, when in fact everything he's doing is to harm them (us). Besides, he can get more money from the Content Industry than the American people.
On the post: Is The FDA Helping Or Hindering Medical Innovation?
Re:
FDA used to be about making sure the drugs didn't kill people, as if that's somehow a successful business model, but now drugs must also pass an effectiveness test.
Also, how many people does the FDA kill by not allowing drugs to the market? Has anyone done any studies on that?
On the post: Armed TSA Agent Gets By Scanners Multiple Times
Re: Re: *hangs head*
On the post: As Expected, House Agrees To Extend Patriot Act With No Discussion, No Oversight
Re: Re:
- They did that one time, and as tragic as that event was, that many people die EACH MONTH from car accidents.
"They will cross the border from Canada as tourists, with a trunk full of explosives."
- And how many people have they killed that way? NONE
When will you wake up and understand that the intent of the terrorists isn't to kill everyone (that's an impossible goal), but to watch our country go bankrupt trying to swat a mosquito off a hippo's ass; They want us to destroy the very fabric of this country in a feeble attempt to prevent a mosquito from biting us again.
The terrorists are winning precisely because we're reacting exactly as they knew we would -- doing exactly what they knew we would, and they're laughing all the way to the bank.
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On the post: Video Game Exec Claims Used Games 'Cheat' Developers
On the post: Sense Of Entitlement? TV Show Creator Wants A Cut Of Hulu IPO Proceeds
Re: Empty jukebox?
On the post: Should We Be Interested In 'Saving' Any Industry?
An industry should save itself through innovation. If it can't, then it should die and those resources be reallocated in a more efficient manner. As usual, any time the gov interferes in the market, it creates huge inefficiencies. That's not what we need.
On the post: Does Checking Your Email On Your BlackBerry Count As Overtime?
Re: If it's *required* by the job, then pay *more*.
On the post: Lawsuit Averted As WordPress and Thesis Settle Differences Over Themes And The GPL
Re: tow the wordpress line
WordPress is taking the supreme overlord approach and saying if you don't do as we say then we'll drag your name through the mud and make your life as difficult as possible. If distributing a theme under the GPL caused harm to WordPress, one would imagine they'd have filed a lawsuit by now.
On the post: Lawsuit Averted As WordPress and Thesis Settle Differences Over Themes And The GPL
Re: Re:
WordPress exerted tremendous pressure on devs since then to conform or else you'll be publicly bashed at nearly every opportunity.