In the meantime of searching for the name of that song from the latest Twilight movie or Facebook stalking that guy or gal you recognize from class but can’t quite put your finger on from where, you might have found that suddenly—oh no, what is this?
In the meantime of searching for the name of that song from the latest Twilight movie or Facebook stalking that guy or gal you recognize from class but can’t quite put your finger on from where, you might have found that suddenly—oh no, what is this?
The page is blocked? Their profile picture has been changed to “S-O-P-A”? In case you’ve lived under a rock in the Internet world called the ‘social network only’ section since October of last year, you may have scanned over an article heading complaining about two recent bills making their way through Congress involving SOPA and PIPA. Both bills allow corporations to shut down any website they have reason to suspect of being guilty of pirating their copywrited material, including any Youtube video, mp3 file, or even a blog post giving the link to a foreign torrenting website.
Uproaring disapproval from waves of Americans sending automated messages to district and state representatives, spreading awareness through blogs and social networks and openly protesting in groups stopped the progression of the bill last Friday, but was SOPA entirely bad? Clearly, the actors, directors, producers, and countless artists of pirated films, songs, and video games are the victims here. With a few mindful clicks amongst ads anyone can instantly download another’s precious work, robbing them of their well-earned riches while the average downloader saves a few bucks and the hassle of renting. There should be a law forbidding such downloading, but to what extent? As for the nonprofit websites such as Wikipedia, which could be instantly shut down if there were even a trace of illegal material such as a link to a downloading website within its millions of pages, they would be shown no mercy. While the creators of such websites have spent countless hours on these projects, Hollywood has lost millions. For the level of that mindless flash game you once could not pass but found the walkthrough for on Youtube, you would be considered a felon, and that scene from American Idol you missed but thankfully found as the most watched video of the day is an equal violation in the bill.
People’s responses to these bills have broken records and proven the fight against piracy will require a lot more give and take while considering how freely people use their at home computers. I’m sure we can all agree to some extent that there is a moral indecency to stocking up on your favorite movies and songs, but challenging the freedom of the internet will forever be a tricky business now that we’ve entered a new realm of globalization. At least now we can see that the starting point is the question of which matters more in the real world of politics: the compilation of an entire open sourced encyclopedia relied upon as the world’s largest means to free knowledge, or a loss of capital in the entertainment business? Money talks, my friend, and from here we will have to brace ourselves for a compromise.
Just Trying to Pass at F&M
This Valentine’s Day marks an important event for me, much more significant than heart-shaped chocolates or candlelit dinners: I’m trying to decide whether to take one of my classes Pass/No Pass, an option I have never before contemplated.
In Celebration of our Much Beloved V-Day
A few controversial moments have happened in the history of women’s oral contraception recently, and what better holiday for the topic?
Meaty Choices
In this article and in the following weeks, I am going to be discussing a topic that is close to most of our hearts: food.
Carpe Diem as Our Time Here Flies
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” as the phrase goes.
THRI Lunch Covers Making a Difference
The Human Rights Initiative, or THRI, hosted a lunch discussion Tuesday in the Bonchek College House Commons on the topic “How to Make a Difference.”
Law Panel Talks on Potential Internships
The Government Club and John Marshall Pre-Law Honors Society co-hosted a panel for students interested in government and law internships last Wednesday. The impressive turnout was composed of both students already involved in internships and those with no previous experience.
Darwin Day Lecture Discusses Skin Tone
Nina G. Jablonski, professor of anthropology at Penn State University, delivered a presentation entitled “The Evolution of Human Skin Pigmentation by Natural Selection” at the 10th annual Darwin Day Lecture and Luncheon Friday in the Booth Ferris room of Steinman College Center.
Apocalypse Now!
General William Sherman famously told us, “War is hell.”
Hanging With Friends vs. hanging with friends
At times, it seems that almost everyone around here has an iPhone.
In the Land of Snow and Hotness
Everyone knows studying abroad is a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience with the uniqueness of snow flakes or Meryl Streep character performances.
The Tibetan Oppression
This past January 23rd and 24th, Tibet was devastated by a number of conflicts between what the Chinese government has identified as “trained separatists” and police forces, the worst dissension since 2008. The conflicts have resulted in a complete communication shut down between Tibet and the outside world.
Panel Discusses Investment, Social Change
This week’s Common Hour focused on socially responsible investment and more importantly, what the College and schools around the country have been doing to ensure the companies they invest in are engaged in socially responsible practices.
Gender Relations in Greek Life and Sports
Friday’s Women’s Center Discussion, entitled “Brotherhood in Greek Life and Sports: Crossing Gender Norms,” focused on the friendships created through Greek life and athletics and how they affect gender relations.
Centralia Silent Hill
Sixty-five year old Barbara Jurgill is wary about speaking to reporters.
Reservoir Dogs
Don’t call yourself a Tarantino fan if you haven’t seen Reservoir Dogs.
The evolution of tennis
Before you read any further, I must warn you that I am going to quote ESPN’s Skip Bayless.
Women's basketball tops Washington, Muhlenberg
With a pair of victories this week, the women’s basketball team improved to 15-6 overall and 12-4 in Centennial Conference action.
Wrestling picks up first victory
This past Saturday the wrestling team earned its first win of the season, 36-15, against Sacred Heart at the Mayser Center.
Fraternities, sororities welcome new members
The end of January and the beginning of February marked the start of fraternity and sorority recruitment.
Franklin Innovation Challenge returns: second annual contest
The Franklin Innovation Challenge, a contest for F&M students with innovative ideas, is preparing for its second annual competition.
Shadek stadium
Laurence Shadek ’72 and the Shadek Family Foundation will donate $5 million to the College to help build a new multi-purpose stadium that will be located on the north end of campus.
Sixers might actually be for real
It was many and many a year ago,
Wrestling focuses on youth, conditioning
This past Friday, the wrestling team fell to Columbia University, 32-12, at home at the Mayser Center.
Jon Salandra loves winning, dunking
“I love dunking,” said Salandra. “I’m not gonna lie. Dunking and winning.”
Squash teams on hot streak
As the days of January wind down, the victories for F&M’s women’s squash team keep on coming.
Swimming makes good use of break
Both the men’s and women’s swim teams have put in a lot of work for the rest of their 2011-2012 seasons.
Women's Basketball wins third straight
Triumph and success are the words to describe the women’s basketball team during the month of December, as teams like McDaniel, Gettysburg, Haverford, Randolph-Macon, and Scranton all lost to F&M.
Occupy Needs to Disperse, Reevaluate Objectives
It’s a scene straight out of Baghdad, Afghanistan, or Pakistan: The American flag, engulfed in flames, surrounded by angry protestors defaming the United States. For those who truly love this country, those images hurt a little.
To Flee From or Find Fruitfulness in Fly-By Fridays
Quite an interesting epidemic is sweeping our campus.
Hertsgaard Talks on Generation Hot
In the presentation of his book, HOT: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth in the Bonchek Common Room on Wednesday, journalist Mark Hertsgaard discussed the current climate crisis, its future impacts, what he sees as the good news, and what actions we can take to combat its effects.
Crown Fried Chicken Provides Southern Comfort
People say that Pennsylvania consists of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Alabama in between. If that’s the case, and we are living in the otherwise called “Pennsyltucky,” then where’s the fried chicken?
Feminism in a Modern Context
The first Women’s Center Discussion of the semester took place last Friday. The topic was “I’m not a feminist, but...” and the participants reflected upon the various meanings associated with being a feminist.
Forni Discusses Civility on Campus
Dr. P.M. Forni, professor of Italian literature and co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project, spoke about the importance of good manners and respect during Common Hour, entitled “Choosing Civility on Campus and in Life.”
