Michael Baltaks

Not Piracy

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +1100

Tim Bray:

Piracy is when people use violence, or the threat of it, to transfer your possessions to themselves (after which you no longer have them).

Of all the discussion about SOPA I’ve read, this piece stood out to me.

The way I see it, in order to continue making things, people need a way to get paid for making those things. If the public is choosing to use the things you make without providing any payment, if you can’t work out how to earn money from the things you make, then you have a problem.

But it’s not piracy.

Educating about character

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:24:00 +1100

Educating about character:

And I said: ‘Do you know what does change? You didn’t have a baby attack in front of the other kids, and two weeks ago, you would have.’

Perspective

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:59:00 +1100

Perspective:

John Gruber:

How much then, for one day with what my family has right now? How much? Everything.

I’ve been able to keep this perspective for a lot of the last couple of years, and I intend to keep that going. But reminders are important, for everyone.

Memory Myths

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:13:52 +1100

Memory Myths:

An interesting summary of some areas of human memory.

Australian Exceptionalism

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:53:06 +1100

Australian Exceptionalism:

Never before has there been a nation so completely oblivious to not just their own successes, but the sheer enormity of them, than Australia today.

Statistics can be used to show whatever you like, but I think it’s fair to say that Australia is a great place to live.

The rising importance of Free (as in speech) Software

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:07:00 +1100

The rising importance of Free (as in speech) Software:

Thom Holwerda:

The crux of the matter here is that unlike the days of yore, where repressive regimes needed elaborate networks of secret police and informants to monitor communication, all they need now is control over the software and hardware we use. Our desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and all manner of devices play a role in virtually all of our communication. Think you’re in the clear when communicating face-to-face? Think again. How did you arrange the meet-up? Over the phone? The web? And what do you have in your pocket or bag, always connected to the network?

“Happy Birthday to the ground”. Threw It On The...

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:26:45 +1100

“Happy Birthday to the ground”. Threw It On The Ground (by thelonelyisland)

The Secret History of Kim Jung Il -- written by one of his high school teachers

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:04:56 +1100

The Secret History of Kim Jung Il -- written by one of his high school teachers:

I never returned to North Korea, and I never saw my family again. A few years later, I heard from a well-placed South Korean minister that my family had been sent to a gulag and murdered, the innocent victims of my treasonous crime. To this day, I know nothing of the details of their deaths, or whether they blamed me as they perished.

I ache when I imagine what Kim Jong Il did to my family. So many times, I’ve imagined killing him and then killing myself. Countless days and nights I have pounded my chest with guilt and grief, unable to forgive myself for the ghastly fate that I have brought my beloved wife — my lifelong companion — our daughters and son, their spouses, and even our dear grandchildren.

And he was still able to forgive.