At the 2009 Webby Awards, recipients were asked to give a five word speech.
Internet founder, Sir Tim Berners-Lee said “Free. Open. Keep one Web.”
A sentiment and attitude shared by many like minded individuals who use the web regularly.
The World Wide Web is no longer just a military tool or something that geeks use to chat to one another about role playing games. The internet is a daily, mainstream, form of media and communication on a global scale, without borders.
Web-surfers become part of a global village, with cheap and easy access freely available. Attitudes towards this medium are changing. With ever advancing development in technology, in particular social media, there was always going to be rules to govern behavior on the ‘net’.
Just look at Facebook’s ever evolving privacy rules and regulations that constantly have users in a flutter about what’s what. It’s becoming far more legal on the “let’s cover our ass” scale of things and less about “just let me use this thing” kind of lax attitude.
More and more, on public platforms and forums, incidents are occurring as a result of someone’s actions in using the internet, because it is such a powerful tool. People who get upset, and do not get anticipated reactions from using these platforms, will often seek answers for this. If the answers they receive are not satisfactory to them, they seek retribution, which almost always comes down to legalities.
Yes people, the internet has laws.
Most people will not think of this little fact when they jump on an openly public forum like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or any website forum. Not until an incident occurs, that they deem unacceptable. An incident that they feel goes beyond common sense, courtesy or morals and into a very grey area, of cause and affect.
Take case in point, with Megan Meir. Megan committed suicide, after what her mother, Tina Meir claims was cyber-bullying on behalf of her so called, MySpace friend – Josh. Josh as it turned out was a fictional, orchestrated, character, invented by several adults lead by Lori Drew.
Tina took Lori Drew, the mother who created “Josh”, to court to account for her daughter’s death under the premise that Lori Drew had created a fake MySpace account and violated the website’s terms and conditions. What couldn’t be proven however, was that Lori Drew’s “Myspace Josh” character, and his cyber-bullying was the cause of Megan’s death.
Defamation laws in Australia, still appear to vary slightly, even though in 2005 the Federal Government tried to get a uniform law across all states and territories.
The EFA (Electronic Frontiers Australia) states on what is defamation: “A defamatory statement is one that is likely to cause ordinary, reasonable people to think less of the person about whom the words or images are published” and “is the publication of words or images to a person that damages the reputation of another”.
The EFA also states that users who post on the internet can be sued as well as ISP (internet service providers) and ICH (internet content hosts).
In other words, whether you own the website or not, you could be sued if you post something defamatory on the internet. But you can relax in the knowledge that you may not be found liable in a court of law.
That has to be proven.
Sources:
http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Censor/defamation.html
http://www.webbyawards.com/press/speeches.php
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/lori-drew-cleared-of-myspace-cyberbullying-20090703-d6s0.html
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Sheriff of Nothing, Part 1.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince premiere tonight in Melbourne!
Above: Daniel Radcliffe at 2007 December boys
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Billie Jean vs MJ
We made love in a mad embrace
Now you say you don't know my face
Superstar
You know just who you are
You tell the world, you don't even know me
A contradiction to the love you show
Superstar
You know just who you are
(CHORUS):
I'm Billie Jean and I'm mad as hell
I'm a woman with a story to tell
Superstar
You know just who you are
(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
You can't love a woman and push her aside
'Cause she got feelings, just like you do
A woman's got her pride
I don't want nothing from you
It's not what I'm about
But you've been lying, there's no denying
Hey-hey, hey-hey
(CHORUS)
Late one night, you rang my phone
You called to make sure that I was all alone
You said you were feeling down
And couldn't be seen around
One thing led to another
You became my lover, you said
'Let's keep it secret, let's not spread it around'
You send me flowers and diamonds
And said that you were in love
You said you never met a girl
That you thought so much of
Superstar
You know just who you are
(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
And then all of a sudden
You just stopped coming by
You never called on the phone
And I didn't know why
Too many fellas nowadays
Push their girl aside
First they get what they want
Then they run off and hide
But baby, time went by
I was not upset
And then much to my surprise
One day to my regret
Well the doctor said that
There will soon be two
And there's a little one coming
There's a man in you
I was in shock
I thought I'd faint
And I was petrified
First I laughed 'cause I was happy
Then I started to cry
And when the baby was born
I sent you a telegram
But it came back saying
You don't know who I am
Superstar
You know just who you are
(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
I saw you in a club one night
And I did not intend to start a fight
But when you said who am I
You don't know my face
I went off, I made a scene
I really wrecked the place
And I know you might be a big superstar
And the whole wide world knows who you are
But the next time we meet
If you don't want a scene
Tip your hat with respect
'Cause I am Billie Jean
Superstar
You know just who you are
(Who you are, who you are, who you are)
(CHORUS)
I'm Billie Jean, I'm mad as hell
I'm Billie Jean, I'm mad as hell
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Michael Jackson's public memorial
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Monday, July 06, 2009
The aftermath of Michael
Michael Jackson has created more than music history and enduring tributes from peers and fans alike since his death on 25th June 2009. He has also created, possibly the biggest mystery of who he was off stage. Since MJ’s death, I have read headlines of vary degrees about everything that could be possibly related to this iconic performer. It started with his death, and the cause, which was at first attributed to a surprise cardiac arrest, and then it became about it his doctor not calling emergency services on time, then it was the doctor had given him some strong pain killers twenty four hours before that possibly bought on Jackson’s fatal heart attack. Then there was his personal nurse who said he had been suffering severe insomnia prior to his death and that this contributed greatly to it. Whilst second autopsy on MJ’s body was being carried out at the request of his family, the media then started in on other elements of MJ’s life. Like what would happen to the already planned and pre-paid for in advance 50 concert dates at London’s 02 Arena. First it was sister Janet Jackson would fill in, then it was the Jackson’s would fill in with a tribute show, with other stars taking place in performing MJ songs, Now it’s Abba and Led Zepplin are stepping up to fill the breach. The constant media reporting on anything Michael Jackson related is cashing in on a big public outpouring for this famous star. But it’s not been done respectfully in his name. Whilst alive, MJ in his later years in life (out of the 1980’s high that he built his name on) was often called “Wacko Jacko” and not in a nice way. He was criticized for his cosmetic surgery, changing appearance, and for his eccentric lifestyle, having a ranch named Neverland after a children’s story, having a zoo full of animals, having vary degrees of relationships with small children. Then there was his attempted marriages to now, clearly stated, surrogate mother to his children, Debbie Rowe. To another king of pop’s royalty - Lisa Marie Presley. His personal antics and life seemed to far overshadow anything he attempted to do musically. Even when he attended a 2002 award ceremony and accidently (if you believe it) said “When I was a little boy growing up in Indiana if someone told me I'd be getting the Artist of the Millennium award, I'd never have believed it." when clearly he was not being given an award, just a show of appreciation from awestruck singer, Britney Spears who said “she thought of him, as the artist of the millennium” and handed him a treble clef statute to help celebrate his 44th birthday. The crowd, showed surprise and shock on their faces, even humor at his expense when camera’s panned around to catch their reaction to Jackson’s slip up. Yet in death, MJ has now been glorified as a genius of Pop. An icon of all time. A sensational performer and somewhat of a humanitarian for the children of the world. In death, he has been given perspective and understanding. Now, whilst media report on his cosmetic surgery and scar ridden body, they add that clearly MJ had body dysmorphia and was unhappy with who he was. They report that he was a closeted gay man. They report on his love for fans and children and seem to neglect the reports that were brought up against him on his inappropriate conduct with children, that some have said verged on pedophilia. They give him humanity when before he was alive, they mocked him. Why could this all not be said while he was alive? Why must death be the answer to gaining this level of respect and tolerance? Why must the person he was now be someone different to who he lived his life as? Where his record sales were declining in later years, now they are topping the British and Australian charts as well as Amazon downloads, completely with his album sales. It seems only now, after he has passed on that his musical ability is truly being appreciated the way it should have been celebrated when Michael lived. Bad things reported in the past about him, are being overlooked as love pours in for him from the public and celebrity fans alike. Tributes are flowing in thick and fast from all generations and shows and memorial services are being held in his honor to accommodate a public need for his passing. Website TMZ brazenly goes ahead reporting on private matters that should by most moral standards, remain private and considerate for Jackson’s family in their bereavement. They obtained an autopsy report, they showed photos of Jackson’s body being airlifted after death, they openly searched for and reported on the birth certificates of his children. Without regard for anyone’s grief or for the feelings of children who are probably already going have identity issues in life, living out of their famous father’s shadow for the rest of their lives, as well as trying to figure out who they are and they’re own place in the Jackson family. Stories continue to pour out about Debbie Rowe saying she will indeed seek custody of Michael’s children. This from a woman who had no previous relationship with the children she helped produce, and has admitted more than once to the media, that she does not love these children, that they were her gift to Michael. That she got paid for. Money motives are still being sought even in Michael’s death. Even with his huge debits to be sorted out, the vultures have been circling from day one. And yet out of this mis-information and contestant stream of inundation, I don’t think anyone has really revealed who Michael Jackson was. It’s like either nobody knew him at all or he was everybody to everyone. Which is probably why there is such an outpouring of grief on a large global scale for this man. He meant different things to different people. The media whilst not letting him rest in any kind of peace, have come to understand one thing about Michael Jackson, and that is, he was a troubled man on various personal levels. But at least for now, in death, Michael has gotten what he seemed to craved his whole life, true love, understanding and embracement for whoever, he was and wanted to be.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Vampire Friday
Ten Vampires Better than Edward Cullen
1. David (The lost boys)
2. Angelus (Angel)
3. Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
4. Blade
5. The Count (Seasme Street)
6. Dracula
7. Mick St. John (Moonlight)
8. Selene (Underworld)
9. Nosferatu
10. Santanico Pandemonium (From Dusk till Dawn)
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