JesseJ 's Techdirt Comments

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  • On the post: Why Do We Let Those Who Benefit Most From Monopolies Write The Laws That Grant Them?

    JesseJ ( profile ), 19 Apr, 2011 @ 11:02am

    Why is this any different than any other law?

    Not intending to be too cynical, but in case you've been asleep,most of our laws have strong influence from outside forces.Our congress doesn't actually have time to DO their job. They're too busy campaigning to stay IN their jobs. All those kind, generous outside forces are willing to step up to the plate and do all that awful "beaurocratic" work, like running America. And on top of that, they're willing to make huge campaign contributions to lessen the burden of the incumbent congressmen. Now, I'm not suggesting this is a classic "host-parasite" relationship. In this situation, it's a dual parasite symbiosis where the American public is the host . . . if you get my drift. . .

  • On the post: Sorry, My Brain Accidentally Called You

    JesseJ ( profile ), 13 Apr, 2011 @ 10:50am

    "My Stroke of Insight"

    In Jill Bolte-Taylor's autobiographical book "My Stroke of Insight", the author recalls the morning she had a stroke. She sat next to a phone for a long time, knowing she needed to use it, to get help, but couldn't remember HOW to use it.
    Based on that episode, I have to agree that this solution might work for SOME disabilities, but the number appears to be dwindling . . .

  • On the post: Feds: 4th Amendment Shouldn't Apply To Online Emails Because… That Would Make Us Have To Work Harder

    JesseJ ( profile ), 08 Apr, 2011 @ 11:38am

    Cryptonomicon

    It seems that whenever I comment on these blogs, I make literature references. That said, I recommend reading Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, which is a fiction tale with a subplot about a group of "techies" attempting to establish a "Data Crypt" located in international waters and capable of holding/storing large amounts of info for extended periods of time, and beyond the snooping eyes of any government. A bit like the pirate radio DJ's on abandoned oil drilling platforms off the coast of the UK. It's a great read, but directly concerned with this precise issue!

  • On the post: Economist Explains Why Paying Certain Bribes Should Be Legal

    JesseJ ( profile ), 06 Apr, 2011 @ 11:01am

    Briber or Bribee?

    This could be interesting. I recall reading about the ABSCAM FBI sting when I was younger, but had my memory refreshed when I later read "Charlie Wilson's War". As described, the FBI set up agents/actors who attempted/succeeded to bribe congressmen for political favors. This type of law would have made it perfectly legal for that type of activity, if I get this right, but it might end up also improving the quality of our government! Hard to foresee all the "blowback", but heck, anything might be better than what exists today. IMHO.

  • On the post: Recording Industry To Baidu: Look, We know You Beat Us In Court, But Just Do What We Want Anyway, Mmkay?

    JesseJ ( profile ), 25 Mar, 2011 @ 02:29pm

    Your Mom

    I can't figure out how to forward this blog to your mom. I'm sure she will be shocked! Not by the way you represent her in the description, but that you called her a "tryantess". I'm sure she interpreted that as "tyrantess", but she's upset with your spelling.

    P.S. I did forward it to your brother.

  • On the post: Best Selling Author Turns Down Half A Million Dollar Publishing Contract To Self-Publish

    JesseJ ( profile ), 21 Mar, 2011 @ 10:51am

    Barry Eisler

    I've enjoyed Mr. Eisler's books over the last few years and also respect that he likes jazz and single malt scotch - two of my personal earmarks for a good writer. I hope that he is successful with his future endeavors, and I was always amazed at how much Barry seemed personally committed to the success of his books. He has an extensive blog, where he give "nuts & bolts" advice to other writers, which is good for the community and his audience.

    Personally, I published a single book about 18 years back, and learned a lot about the details of working with a publisher. I wrote a technical book that only sold a few thousand copies, and the publisher was "easy" to work with (good editor support, nice cover art, etc.) The biggest misgiving I had was with respect to marketing. I think the total marketing was to list it in an academic newsletter for a single issue, sprinkle a few copies onto the shelves of Barnes & Noble, and "step back". My discovery that they were out of the book occurred when some of my own students were unable to get copies of the text about 18 months after it was published. They had run out, and never bothered to tell me. Since that time, I've written more, but haven't published. I make more money from teaching courses using my texts, and I just give 'em away. Maybe I'll follow Barry's lead and self-publish! Sounds like fun.

  • On the post: The Secret Contagious Mojo That Makes People Value Stuff Connected To Famous People

    JesseJ ( profile ), 11 Mar, 2011 @ 11:34am

    Suckers

    This discussion reminds me of a quote:

    "Suckers have no business with money, anyway"

    - Canada Bill Jones

  • On the post: Does Re-Imagining Lord Of The Rings From The Perspective Of Mordor Violate Tolkien's Copyrights?

    JesseJ ( profile ), 22 Feb, 2011 @ 11:37am

    Just to toss another one into the mix, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical "Wicked" which is a re-telling of the "Wizard of Oz" from the Wicked Witch's viewpoint. I believe Mr. L. Frank Baum is deceased, and that the title makes direct reference to one of the characters. It also happens to be an adjective, if that's important. I wonder what this work's copyright situation is, and how it would differ from the re-telling of the Lord of the Rings? Just a thought.

  • On the post: Evidence Suggests Major Film Studios Uploading Movie Clips To YouTube… Pretending To Be Pirated

    JesseJ ( profile ), 14 Feb, 2011 @ 03:33pm

    one step further?

    Would it be out of the question that folks that produce films which do not have a high box office return simply park their film on the web, then start suing those who download it, as a business model? Is it a stretch?

  • On the post: Reverse Engineering Lottery Scratch Tickets For Profit (But Not Fame)

    JesseJ ( profile ), 03 Feb, 2011 @ 10:58am

    Lottery

    I agree with the Lehrer article in Wired. Fascinating.
    If this type of thing interests you, I'd recommend a novel
    by David Baldacci called "The Winner", which describes an interesting ploy to produce winning numbers. Good read!

  • On the post: Belle & Sebastian Considers Opening Up A Taqueria

    JesseJ ( profile ), 22 Oct, 2010 @ 11:52am

    Taqueria in Scotland

    I love the "validation" of this. As a young lad, back in 1975 I made my first visit to the U.K. Lots of wonderful things, but it initially surprised me that most of the "English" folks were not in English restaurants. The English restaurants were full of tourists. The English customers were standing in line in the rain to get into the Indonesian restaurants! They were clearly trying to supplement their dining requirements with . . . spice. Being from southern California (at the time), I pondered the idea of setting up Mexican food restaurants in the U.K. to increase the variety. Glad to see someone else had this idea and might act on it! Jolly good.

  • On the post: Who Owns Your Class Notes? Cal State Threatens Students Who Sell Their Notes

    JesseJ ( profile ), 20 Oct, 2010 @ 02:12pm

    Note taking

    I'm thinking it's more like "restraint of trade". I've been away from my college for about 35 years, but I recall seeing where the university offered course notes that you could buy online a couple of years ago. I thought it to be a good idea, at the time, in that some take better notes than others. This seems more like they want a monopoly than a "higher motive". Follow the money . . .

  • On the post: Traders Convicted For Figuring Out Auto Trading Algorithm; How Is That Illegal?

    JesseJ ( profile ), 20 Oct, 2010 @ 11:43am

    Auto-trading algorithm

    In essence, this is no different than card counting in blackjack. Players observe the progression of events and with additional knowledge, make superior bets. So, is thinking now a crime? I would hope that rationality would be encouraged. We don't see enough of it these days. Might ultimately make the market a safer place, if people behaved less "sheep like".

    IMHO
    JJ