Against Technological Inevitability – On 20th Century Critics of Technology
“The myth of technological and political and social inevitability is a powerful tranquilizer of the conscience. Its service is to remove responsibility from the shoulders of everyone who truly believes … Continue reading
Who Listens to the Listeners?
It can be kind of fun to look through the record collections of your friends. Whether this collection consists of actual records, cassette tapes, compact discs, or just a lengthy … Continue reading
Facebook ≠ Democracy
‘Who rules here?’ I asked. They said: ‘The People naturally.’ I said: ‘Naturally the people but who really rules?’ – Erich Fried, “In the Capital.” Mark Zuckerberg would like … Continue reading
“Cover Your Tracks!” – A Critique of the Privacy Project from The New York Times
Whatever you say, don’t say it twice. If you find your idea with somebody else: deny it. He who didn’t sign anything, who didn’t leave an image Who wasn’t there, … Continue reading
While We Were Distracted…CISPA Passed in the House
When the news cycle is focused on tragic events it is all too easy for other important stories to be ignored, particularly stories that might not have garnered much attention … Continue reading
We are the 91% (who think libraries are important)
Librarians have become accustomed to the tragic chorus declaring that libraries must adjust to changing times or woe shall befall them. Well, some have become accustomed; others have become frustrated, … Continue reading
Librarians and Lawsuits – From Persecution to Prosecution, the tale of Edwin Mellen Press
If you were wondering whether Edwin Mellen Press’s lawsuit against librarian Dale Askey (which is still going forward) and its threats of legal action against the Scholarly Kitchen were bizarre … Continue reading
To Save Everything Click Here — by Evgeny Morozov — A Book Review
The modern day evangelicals of technology rarely miss an opportunity to proclaim the ways in which a new device or app will solve all of our problems. Such people stand … Continue reading
Facebook Home is not Your Home Away from Home
The plot of a new horror movie is causing quite the tizzy. Here’s an overview (don’t worry, no spoilers): A group of friends are gathered inside a house. They are … Continue reading
Librarians and Lawsuits – Edwin Mellen Press Threatens to Sue Another Librarian
Imagine for a moment that you are a publisher of academic books. In such a situation it would be likely that your primary market would be libraries, particularly academic libraries. … Continue reading
So, Has Your Information Been Sold to Any Huge Companies Lately?
Part of enjoying a book comes after you finish reading it. Once that last page is read a reader is able to discuss it with their friends, recommend it to … Continue reading
Hit Print and Pull the Trigger
American politics and a segment of American society are currently engaged in that periodic shouting match known as the gun debate. Without intending to be overly cynical or simplistic, the … Continue reading
The Specter of General Ludd at SXSW
The SXSW festival, held annually in Austin, Texas, is something of a bacchanal to the new. While many are familiar with the festival for its music and film components it … Continue reading
Through the Google Glass
Did you know that secretly recording somebody is illegal in California? James O’Keefe, the conservative provocateur behind such doctored classics as “ACORN assists in prostitution,” has recently received a pricy … Continue reading
Facebook knows what you like…because you told it
What does it mean to hit the “like” button for an article that discusses how “liking things on Facebook” reveals much more about you than you think? Earlier in the … Continue reading
Ethics and Buying a Smartphone (with help from Simone and Simon)
Many people have at least a passing concern for where the things they use and consume come from. Was your shirt sewn in a sweatshop? Was your coffee purchased from … Continue reading
The Public, and The Digital Public Library of America
In our increasingly digital age there are many who adopt an attitude of: if it is not on the Internet it must not be anywhere. As a librarian I have … Continue reading
The Used Book Store in the Cloud (probably isn’t heaven)
Do you “own” any of the albums, books, or movies that you have downloaded? You hit the “buy” button, didn’t you? Your bank statement provides you with evidence that you … Continue reading
Douglass Rushkoff Quits Facebook (surprising nobody)
Apropos of my post about the smart phone (here), it is incumbent upon me to mention that if the filing cabinet on you is your smart phone than most of … Continue reading
Today with Big Brother
As you may have heard…yesterday the Supreme Court delivered a 5-4 decision in the case known as Clapper v. Amnesty International USA. The lawsuit had challenged an element of the … Continue reading
Copyright: a Hot Mess
A few weeks ago I was talking with a dear comrade about copyright. He wanted my professional opinion on the website History is a Weapon, and their posting of the … Continue reading
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