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January 30, 2006
Google gagged update
My last post on Google elicited some good questions about the policy of censorship in China... now I have some news and updates on the topic.
1. Google pulls its 'we don't censor' statement from its FAQ
2. Google stock has fallen and its image is irreparably damaged
3. Some radical parties are now launching divestment action for Google shares
4. Even Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit fame has noted the Google backlash of BlogAds and Google AdWords boycotts.
The suffering continues.
Posted by jj at 2:15 AM | Comments (2)
January 29, 2006
Rationalising The Wrong Choice
It is extraordinarily easy to rationalise an act which goes against your own beliefs. Personal reasons, legal reasons, or even cultural reasons can be blamed for such breaches of faith, and most of us do it at some point or another in our lives, whether it be against our political beliefs, our religious or cultural beliefs, or even to control or modify personal relationships. We use voodoo logic to rationalise something that seems to go against every principle we have ever claimed to support, and we end up believing our own spin, or that of another person/group/organisation/government, even if we disagree with it - because (we attest) it's "easier" to make change incrementally, rather than revolutionise a system.
Of course, it's not easier to make changes from the inside, and as a mole in a larger system, we end up reinforcing a culture rather than systematically breaking it down. We become hypocrites.
There are many examples of rationalising the wrong choice that I can see around me today. But probably the best example of this is the decision by Google to work effectively in China, by agreeing to censor results in line with Chinese government policy. Read the blog post rationalising the decision to prioritise functionality over freedom of speech.
Once you've read this apparently logical and reasonable post, then read the November 2005 letter from Vint Cerf to the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the US House of Representatives on draft telecommunications legislation ... The ideological conflict between the two statements is profound.
Those rationalising the wrong choice would argue that the two statements cover very different topics, but that just isn't the point. When you take a stand and argue for net neutrality, openness and freedom of speech, and then even reluctantly act in accordance with the policies of censorship and restricted access, you are being hypocritical. That is the point.
And I am positive that Google will suffer from this act.
Posted by jj at 6:39 AM | Comments (3)
January 27, 2006
And on top of everything else...
... I must have been bitten by some horrid insect last night as I have a lump on my thigh the size of a golf ball, with surrounding tissue bruised red-black. A smaller lump (probably 1.2cm in diameter) has also appeared on my back, and the bruising is the same.
This week just hasn't been my week.
Posted by jj at 4:46 PM | Comments (1)
Late night links
Due to the fact that I simply cannot sleep, I have decided to make use of my time and actually find some decent reading. Here's what I have found:
- The latest Pew Internet Research Project study, The Strength of Internet Ties, confirms the view of social software advocates, that the internet plays a major role in sustaining social networks among users, and the majority of users consult the internet to assist in making major life decisions;
- Google has released the results of their quantitative study on Web Authoring, conducted in December 2005. The findings are probably not wildly ground-breaking, but it's worth a 5 minute scan;
- There's a nice piece in Wired News on the relative influence of Steve Jobs versus Bill Gates in terms of philanthropy. Jobs comes off looking a tad self-obsessed;
- SixApart has a new version of its Movable Type blogging software out... must upgrade soon;
- Many of you know I'm convinced RSS is decidedly undervalued as a tool... As I keep my eye on the Technorati RSS tag watcher, I see a slow but steady growth in discussion. I'm positive this will continue;
- Those suffering from the heatwave hitting the southern states at the moment probably won't be surprised that on a global scale, 2005 is officially the hottest year on record. 2006 is forecast to be hotter still;
- On a lighter note, Business 2.0's 101 Dumbest moments in business for 2005 explores some of the extraordinary events that have affected world markets in the past year;
- And finally, I'm sure everyone has seen this by now, but I'm still curious about the Google Earth discovery recorded in The Register, pertaining to an apparently flying car in Perth.
I should sleep, but I probably won't. I'm going to try anyway.
Posted by jj at 2:39 AM | Comments (1)
January 24, 2006
A big thankyou...
...to my friends, Kelina, Liz, Kerry, Kara, Tonya and Rob. You all rock. Thanks so much for your kindness, and your support.
Posted by jj at 7:51 PM | Comments (1)
January 21, 2006
An update, of sorts
It's been a week. It's been a couple of weeks, actually. Or three weeks I suppose. Weird really. In this time I have achieved a great deal and been frustrated by nearly as much. There's been positives, negatives and general stocktaking of things in general, but each individual item has seemed too simple, too silly or too personal to post about... hence the blog silence. But probably collectively it's a good time to post about most of them.
Negatives:
- Very busy week at work with a lot of things not going my way, or otherwise unresolved. Not much I can go in to, but it's tough right now;
- A strong aspect of the issues at work have to do with the frustration of my second negative, that being having my laptop die on me on Wednesday;
- My FOXTEL connection has started to fail at home with the set top box losing the signal every time the picture changes suddenly from dark to light, and electrical equipment is interfering with the signal (although this has a happy ending - see below);
- I seem to be suffering from a bit of asthma at the moment and tend to find myself wheezing a lot, for no clear reason. This is odd as I haven't changed any habits as such. I'm hoping that the usual 7 year allergic reaction change hasn't brought on an increased sensitivity to the environment;
- I'm REALLY tired at the moment. I'm not sleeping in consecutive periods for more than 5-6 hours, but I find I'm extremely lethargic both mornings and at night;
- Bugs are getting to me. There are nasty flying cicadas, large moths and cockroaches that are finding their way in to my stairwell at home. They don't get in to the unit, but I don't like spending long in the stairwell either to my flat or to the street. They all tend to converge on me on ingress or egress. For those who don't know, I suffer from mottephobia, and generally I'm not a fan of insects. It's no use - I know most of them can't hurt me... I still have this completely irrational fear of them.
Postitives:
- Many rather lovely purchases, including a new set of dining room chairs (due to arrive in February), a clothes dryer (mainly for my sheets), a water filter and chiller, and a couple of simple items of clothes at bargain prices;
- A rather fortunate twist of fate to the FOXTEL issue listed above - because I rang FOXTEL with the problem, they're going to upgrade my connection to digital next week;
- Achievements at work... I'm fairly proud of where I am with some of the work I'm doing, but I'm aware my superiors are yet to see evidence of what I am in the process of achieving - and that's the frustrating thing about believing in what you do, when you know that others are still skeptical;
- And this is a biggie: my partner returning from overseas. It's so good to have him back. I haven't even seen him for more than an hour or two since he got back, and I know this isn't as long as any future break we're likely to have from each other, but it was just good to see him again.
There's more, but as you will no doubt imagine, there are things I just don't share online. Life is not a box of chocolates; you don't just keep taking sweets, not knowing what's in store. Life is simply a series of many, many opportunities. The trick is to learn to accept them all as experiences - good, bad or indifferent - and to accept the consequences of the choices you make, with courage, and with grace.
Posted by jj at 9:28 PM | Comments (2)
January 16, 2006
Thanks and all the best to you, Gallop
I'm going to add my thanks and best wishes to resigning West Australian Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, for identifying his illness as depression. This is such a prevalent and misunderstood illness, and as a society we really must learn to acknowledge and properly treat those who suffer from the condition. Rest, empathy and encouragement to discuss the symptoms are all crucial to the recovery process. But so long as society regards depression as a sign of weakness (rather than intellectual complexity and adroitness, as is commonly the case for depression sufferers), then thousands of victims will continue to avoid treatment and unnecessarily waste so much their lives struggling against a positively debilitating condition. We desperately need the leadership of people like Gallop to help raise public awareness of depression. His candour and his courage are very deeply appreciated.
Posted by jj at 7:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2006
In appreciation of cricket
The cricket is just too damn awesome for words, no matter who wins. Today's one-dayer at the GABBA is a fabulous case in point. Okay the top order of the Australian batsmen was a complete disaster but the 7th wicket stand between Hussey and Lee was just fabulous to watch and the South African innings has been entertaining.
I might be tired as all hell at the moment but a watching the cricket is about the only thing keeping me awake at the moment. Great stuff.
EDIT: Even with the loss, this was a great match! And I'm sure the last minute storm that seemed to be localized entirely around the GABBA, with all other skies around Brisbane completely clear, was just God's sense of humour.
Posted by jj at 8:06 PM | Comments (4)
January 13, 2006
Home again. Ah Brisbane!
It's good to be home! That first breath of balmy Brisbane humidity is like a warm embrace. The fact that I flew home on Friday 13th during a full moon, and my partner flew across China on Dodgy Brothers Airlines, seems not to have tempted The Fates, and we are both safe. Thanks be.
In celebration of my return to my lovely home, here are a few tidbits for your enjoyment and edification:
- Google has a rather bizarre way of summarising (reducing?) countries to a series of search terms. Here's a map to illustrate the phenomenon.
- For all you MBAs and Business Planners out there, have a read through Guy Kawasaki's Top 10 Lies of Entrepreneurs. Several truisms are therein, but I think perhap even more importantly the questions that are raised as a result provide food for thought (and possibly some strategy development)
- Macworld has finally accepted the power of blogging with the launch of iWeb, promising blogs for everyone!
- Christmas is just over eleven months away. So it's time to start saving for Jo's Christmas 2006 gift of a Samsung 16Gb flash memory stick
- Controversy rages over stem cell research papers released in the prestigious Science magazine, with the withdrawal of two articles from Korea on the subject
- The British Library's Online Music Catalogue now includes some rare fragments of Mozart compositions - this is where digital works come in to their own; making works viewable that are too precious and too vulnerable to be put on public display
- And for those curious about where I've been for the past week, have a look at the history of Fremantle and the captured beauty of Rottnest Island.
Thanks to all those I met and spent time with in WA. Although I'm truly tired, I did enjoy the experience. And now to rest.
Posted by jj at 8:34 PM | Comments (1)
January 7, 2006
*wave from the West*
Just checking in from my hotel room in Fremantle, West Australia. I have... no messages. Still, I have full broadband access from my room, 24 hours a day so I guess the point is that I am well accommodated. Although I do suspect that I am becoming what Anne Tyler called the 'Accidental Tourist'. I have my travelling down to a fine art, of ensuring I pack extremely lightly, whilst also having my full broadband internet connection, my own tea and my own shampoo. Even my Estee Lauder perfume is travel sized (tiny 20ml bottle of Beyond Paradise). I have my usual television (Sky News Australia), my own entertainment packages (Xmas DVDs from home), and wherever I go I buy a large bottle of water to keep in the mini bar. I might as well be at home though - it feels pretty much the same. I suppose I should go and have a swim in the hotel pool but right now it's full of tourists, and I'm not a tourist. I think I will wait till it is quiet tomorrow morning and go and do 20 laps before the hoardes awaken. In the meantime I think I'll just do some work. This is, after all, a business trip.
Posted by jj at 5:08 PM | Comments (2)
January 5, 2006
Admission
Have just dropped my partner off at the airport for his next business trip to China. Am on my own for a fortnight. And I miss him already. I'm going to try and bury myself in work till he gets back.
Posted by jj at 9:50 PM | Comments (1)
Want WEF?
Ever had a secret ambition to be a participant in the World Economic Forum? Well, even if you haven't - and let's face it, most of us haven't - now YOU can be part of the WEF by participating in the blogs, podcasts, webcasts and wiki at the WEF in 2006.
And just to be clear on the issue:
* Davos is a town in Switzerland, and home of the WEF.
* Davros is a character on Doctor Who who invented the Daleks.
I'm almost positive it's not the Davros World Economic Forum.
Posted by jj at 12:13 AM | Comments (0)
January 4, 2006
"Those who control the networks...
... control the world" ... That's how the old saying goes. And if this story from The Guardian is true, then Google is well on its way to controlling access to the Googlplex of technologies. In short, rumour is rife that Google is launching a US$200 computer through Walmart.
All that remains is for Google to have a controlling share in a telco for it to be a phenomenal force in global communications. Stay tuned. I'm sure it's an event that's not so very far away.
EDIT: See? I told you Google is growing in impact.
SECOND EDIT: According to this article in Light Reading News Analysis, the rumour of Google associating with Walmart is false. However, there is still some possibility of Google partnering with hardware companies for PCs. Ah well. Perhaps Google isn't so evil after all? (Thanks to Hamish for the heads up on this matter!)
Posted by jj at 7:21 AM | Comments (1)
January 3, 2006
Another good read
Just as a quick addendum to the previous post, the 10 Web Trends That Should Die in 2006 is a superb collection of web don'ts in terms of design. I think it's a little harsh to say that all companies operating a Web 1.0 interface should all update to Web 2.0 functionality - I think in many cases a good Web 1.0 professional site is sufficient and low cost enough to run, where poor implementation or adoption of Web 2.0 functionality could damage the firm - but I think in principle the ideas in this list are useful. Take the time to look over the search engine predictions for 2006 too.
In other news, I continue to cough and splutter with this headcold. *sigh* Just as well I'm only unofficially back at work this week. I need to rest properly before heading to Perth at the end of the week.
Posted by jj at 11:05 AM | Comments (1)
A few good stories
While I recover my fitness after succumbing to a summer headcold, here are a few interesting tidbits to tide you over:
- Cory Doctorow has quit his job as a Coordinator with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and is dedicating himself to writing
- Coldplay deserve to be throughly flamed for the absurd restrictions they have included in their latest CD release
- PCWorld has released a Top 50 Gadgets of the past 50 years which is a good read, even if I disagree with some of the gadgets. I seriously can't work out why some major computers miss the list (the Mac Classic and Apple IIs as well as the IBM XT and BBC Masterseries Microcomputer are not included) and for gadgets, the digital watch, furby/Teddy Ruxpin and original floppy disk all miss the list. Instead, there are about 6 mobile phones and far too many recent inventions. Oh well. Was always going to be controversial list.
- For those wishing to stretch their minds over summer, check out the Edge Annual Question for 2006 - what is your dangerous idea? Might be worth exploring these at the Ideas Festival next March-April.
- For those wishing to stay up-to-date with fire danger across Australia, keep checking the CSIRO Sentinel Hotspots site
- And finally, for those who very sensibly wish to keep in touch with the scores at the cricket, but have to return to the workforce, you can always get live scores from Australia's Cricinfo site, accessed via http://www.baggygreen.com.au/
Posted by jj at 8:36 AM | Comments (0)