Save the Freedom of the Internet

June 14th, 2006

The Network Neutrality Act, the first amendment of the Internet, insures that the smallest blog to the largest corporation all have the same access to content, applications, and/or devices. This on-line freedom encourages innovation, economic growth and a healthy diversity of political and religious opinion.

The telecommunication giants see things another way. These behemoth corporations - including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, and Time Warner - are intensely lobbying to be the “gatekeepers” of the Internet. They want to control who can be on the Internet, not just maintaining how. By getting rid of the level playing field, they can reserve the fastest connections for their own products and services or whomever can pay the price. And because only large corporations can afford these astronomical fees, smaller businesses, non-profits and personal sites are left out to dry in slow dial-up speeds if they’re on at all.

On June 8th, ignoring over 800,000 signatures gathered at SaveTheInternet.com, the House passed the “Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006″ or COPE Act. This act offers no protections for net neutrality, but brings us all one step closer to losing control to the telecommunications industry.

It now falls to the Senate to save the free and open Internet. Fortunately, Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Byron Dorgan (R-N.D.) have introduced a bipartisan measure, the “Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2006″ (S. 2917), that would provide meaningful protection for Net Neutrality. This excellent bill may be introduced as an amendment when the Senate takes up its own rewrite of the Telecommunications Act later this summer. The next key hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled for June 20.

Help preserve the freedom of the Internet by signing the petition and adding your blog to their blogroll. We can all make a difference.

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  Welcome to Bloggers Anonymous

June 1st, 2006

I was recently taken aside by my friend and fellow blogger, Burbanked *. He put his hand upon my shoulder and said with a supportive, comforting voice, “I think you have a problem. I know someone who can help.”

I was soon introduced to Bloggers Anonymous. I read the first line of their masthead and I knew that would be OK. “You are not alone.” In the moments that followed, I looked deep within and recognized the signs of Compulsive Bloggers Syndrome (CBS). That realization started my long, painful journey towards Blog Addition Recovery (BAR). I still haven’t been able to get past number one, but I’m trying.

Bloggers Anonymous is a humorous look at obsessive bloggers and their blogging universe. The site is written in a serious yet tongue-and-cheek tone that gives wonderful insight into the millions of bloggers’ psychological “issues”. It’s hard not to find something you have said, thought or done in each and every post. Take, for example, the Panera blogger over this past holiday weekend. If you haven’t done this, I’m sure you’ve thought about it many times.

What are some of your blogging confessions? Get it out in the open. It’ll make you feel better just to talk about it. Well, at least it’ll make me feel better.

* Burbanked is a hilarious, insightful look into movies and the movie industry. Tell him Spectorbrain sent you. With every referral, I get a shiny new quarter.

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  The Power of PONG

April 28th, 2006

There is a part of historical record that goes largely ignored. But the impact on generations of sleepless, unmotivated slackers is apparent. I am referring to the almost god-like status of Mr. Ralph Baer. So, just what did he do that was so important in the course of human evolution? (drum-roll, please)…. Mr. Baer was the inventor of the home video game system. Oh, now I’ve got your attention.

Yes, Ralphy (as I like to call him) spent most of his life around televisions and as early as 1951, knew there was a way to play a game on a TV, not just watch it. “Designing a TV set was an easy task for Ralph, and he wanted to add a new concept that his boss did not understand: playing games on the television set. The video game concept was born, but could not be implemented since the boss refused the idea.”

Who ever that numbnut was that said no to ol’ Ralphy has probably regretted it the last 55 years. I bet you he’s thinking about it right now as he greets customers at his local Wal-Mart. His boss, a 21-year old college dropout, has warned him before about his sudden William Shatner outbursts of “PONG!”

However, there has been some controversy. Willy Higginbotham also claimed that he should have the title of “Home Video Game Awesome Inventor Guy”. Why? I really have no idea. But, my pal Ralphy doesn’t take this assault on his legacy lightly. He fights back with an onslaught of words and sets the record straight. Go, Ralphy, Go.

But, enough about history. How does this affect you? Why are you a better person because of Ralph Baer? Simple. You’re a less motivated, non-athletic person who rarely sees the sun and could have been a lot richer if you just saved those quarters in high school. But your hand-eye coordination is off the charts.

As you ponder this, enjoy some Pong fun that is sure to brighten your day.

• Pizza Pong - Win a game, get a pizza.
• Sore Losers - What really happens when you lose at Pong.
• Presidental Pong - In the political past, but still a good time.

Enjoy. It’s time for Spectorbrain to get back Mario Brothers.

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