About
Content
Store
Forum

Rebirth of Reason
War
People
Archives
Objectivism

Post to this threadMark all messages in this thread as readMark all messages in this thread as unread


Post 0

Friday, November 4, 2005 - 5:55pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
In the words of Deep Throat, "Follow the money." 

The problem is "the analog hole," a way for broadcast and reception to escape the digital domain.  The original mode of broadbcast, analog is not amenable to the many forms of coding and control that digital is.  Anyone with a television set can receive so many direct broadcast stations, depending on their locale.  Once TV is totally digital, that goes away.

Also gone is a (very unused) avenue of copying.

On a related note, why is the new US copyright law extended for 75 years?  Because Mickey Mouse was about to expire.  We cannot have that, so, among other things, the intellectual heirs of the intellectual heir of Ayn Rand can continue to own her works for two more generations. 

The point is that the Republicans are not giving free digital converters to consumers (though they are).  What they are doing is closing a loophole for telecom interests that do not want to pay for their own needs.  The cost of the converter should be part of the service, right?  But we cannot have people doing without  because those people will not be "netizens."

See here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6029_7-6301061-1.html
and here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_hole
and here
http://www.eetimes.com/issue/fp/OEG20020920S0062
and here:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004106.php
and a bit farther to the left, read this:
http://bpdg.blogs.eff.org/archives/000113.html

(Edited by Michael E. Marotta on 11/04, 6:00pm)


Post 1

Friday, November 4, 2005 - 10:30pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Huh? The pork barrel's getting awfully big, ain't it?

A chicken in every pot & a digital decoder in every home?

I'm not too sure that's what The Founders meant when the said "to promote the general welfare".

James Madison:

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence,"--including digital decoders--"the money of their constituents".

Ross


(Edited by Ross Elliot
on 11/05, 1:58am)


Post 2

Friday, November 4, 2005 - 11:04pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
The government should treat the electromagnetic spectrum like it treats property-- err I mean like objectivists treat property.

Post 3

Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 3:33amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
Hmm, that reminds me of, ah yes, Germany. We are already a step further into "the right to have TV" and are on the best course for a "right to have internet-access". It is incredible, but a social security receiver has a right to have a TV in order to get all the fabulous knowledge of our media landscape. Of course, this is only for educational purpose and because otherwise it would violate the dignity and humanity of the said SS receiver....

What nice way to define rights, right?

Post 4

Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 8:03amSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
I'd run, but irreligious, long-haired capitalist pigdogs like me are unelectable. Besides, I'm only 27. I'm not qualified for anything but the House at this point.

Post 5

Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 12:45pmSanction this postReply
Bookmark
Link
Edit
I'd vote for ya, Matthew.  Or any other capitalist pigdogs that show up on the ballot!

Post to this thread


User ID Password or create a free account.