We are coming up to a watershed moment in the existence of the Internet and very few people seem to care. Right now there are two separate events happening that will have a direct impact on both the Internet we have right now and the one we will have in the future.

While they might seem like two disparate events they are in fact being lead by one industry. Under the guise of copyright infringement and piracy the entertainment as a whole is spearheading the adoption of the Digital Economy Bill in England and the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which would be global in impact.

It is easy to shrug our collective shoulders over the Digital Economy Bill suggesting that it’s strictly a British problem and doesn’t affect the rest of at all. Well one only has to look at the persuasive use of CCTV in Britain and how it became the template for other countries like the U.S. to follow suite to see how foolish that argument is.

When I first wrote about the Digital Economy Bill here back in August of 2009 it was in light of how the original bill was changed after a weekend meeting get-together on the Greek island of Corfu. This little confab consisted of Lord Mandelson, the British business secretary, members of the Rothschild banking dynasty; who paid for the retreat, and David Geffen, an American billionaire record producer.

Prior to this retreat in sunny Corfu the Digital Economy Bill was actually a forward looking document that the British government hoped would take the country into the next millennium. After the trip though it suddenly became a totally different beast all together that saw everyone using the Internet as a criminal.

Now just this past week thanks to Cory Doctorow at Boing Boing we find out that this new Digital Economy Bill that is now before the British Parliament not only will treat web users as criminals but it is also being used to create a process that will see unelected officials able to do just about anything without Parliamentary oversight or control as long as it is done in the name of protecting copyright.

Read the complete post at The Inquisitr

That was before things like blogs, PDF, e-books, Lulu, and FastPencil turned that whole world upside down. No longer is calling oneself an author a title that you only get to use if you have been lucky enough to win a publisher lottery and they deigned to publish your latest tome.

Now you can create your great American novel and within very little time and the with the help of a growing number of publishers who are offering a self-publishing service you can be on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Not to mention any number of services that specialize in selling e-books.

However not everyone in the book industry is happy about this fundamental shift of power and in a post today Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and self-publishing company WestBow Press, talks about this still prevalent attitude.

The part I really found interesting and wanted to share is his point about agents which I am quoting in whole because it is so good.

Self-publishing rips off the authors. I find this surprisingly hypocritical. Where is the public outcry about publishers being ripped off? We have been investing in authors for years. Most of the books we publish don’t make money. A high percentage of projects don’t recoup their royalty advances. No one is coming to our defense. Why? Because this is something we chose to do—and will keep doing.

Why is the author any different? If they want to make an informed investment in their own career (and I realize that the word “informed” is key), why should someone stop them? I get nervous when there are so many people who want to “protect” others from making these decisions. I find this paternal attitude condescending. I believe these people are fully capable of deciding for themselves which model of publishing they want to pursue.

Many would-be authors don’t need a traditional publishing house. That’s the dirty little secret. They already have access to an audience and can reach it without the help of a traditional publisher.

Yes, they can go to a POD supplier and get books cheaper than through a self-publishing or subsidy company. You can also build your own house, make your own clothes, or grow your own food cheaper than having someone else do it. But this is a personal decision, based on your goals and what you want to accomplish. For example, do you want quality packaging, editing, proofreading, and various marketing services? POD by itself doesn’t provide these.

Also, some have questioned our intention (and Harlequin’s) to use our self-publishing imprints as a “farm league.” In fact, some believe it’s a ruse—a carrot that we are holding out to would-be authors, knowing full well that we don’t intend to publish any of them. Time will tell. However, I can tell you that we are actively looking even now at the early submissions. We know for a fact that we miss lots of opportunities. So do agents. This is a way for the cream to float to the top where it can get our attention.

I have to say that it is really refreshing to hear someone in the thick of an industry that is facing incredible challenges being so honest; but then that is one of the reasons that I read Michael’s blog.

image courtesy of Just My Best

At this point Mozilla makes its real money from one company – Google, and to the tune of $50 to $100 million a year. The problem going forward is that Google is becoming increasing involved in developing its own browser, and now an operating system. So one has to wonder at what point will the checks from Google stop coming into the coffers of Mozilla; and when it does what will the Foundation do to make up for that revenue?

My thought when I first started reading Zee’s post was exactly the same that he concluded with (emphasis mine)

With Google now promoting their own browser (and OS), Mozilla needs to get thinking fast and exploring other revenue earning options. Of course, if Microsoft were to step in and offer Mozilla a hefty sum to replace Google as default search engine, then things might just get very interesting indeed.

No kidding things would get interesting.

Of course we both noticed that even with all the linked blogs to the news about ChromeOS neither one of us show up in the list. It’s understandable as to why my story at The Inquisitr doesn’t get listed but I didn’t think that SiliconAngle; which is where Mark’s post is, had been blacklisted would be ignored. Mark assured me that as far as he knows he hasn’t done anything to cause Gabe to blacklist him.

The interesting conversation really has to be near the end when we both turn to talking about some new web based operating system that Google is going to launch in a year. Both of us also think we may have figured out the long term play behind ChromeOS and really if we’re right it could be a really interesting time.

Posts referred to in the show.

Gee maybe Jerry Yang had it right in the beginning – Shooting at Bubbles
Google Chrome OS – so is it worth all the fuss? (Round-up) – The Inquisitr
Chrome OS Isn’t an Anti-Microsoft, Anti-Apple Play [Gratuitous Backpatting] – SiliconAngle
Google ChromeOS on Techmeme
What ChromeOS Means For Netbooks And Why Microsoft Needs To Be Scared – TechCrunch

Enjoy the show.

ChromeOS a road to free computers, and Techmeme still sucks

I find it interesting that at a point where everything seems to have to do with algorithms being the solution two things are knocking the stuffing out of that idea. First is the larger idea of real-time search through the use of Twitter data being accumulated every second of the day and being parsed by the search engine giants.

Then we have news yesterday that Techmeme has expanded its lineup of human editors with the addition of three more people to bring the total up to six (seven if you count @atul). As Alan Patrick at Broadstuff pointed out

Signals two things:
(i) Pure algorithm aggregation is not efficient enough, it needs an edi…. sorry, "curator" is the New Word.
(ii) This impacts the economic scalability of the electronic aggregation newspaper story (we assume this is to give them 24×7x365 curation coverage rather than just increased story covearge per se).

To which Tom Foremski added:

This is significant because Techmeme shows that human aided algorithms are more effective than just software and server. Techmeme is a microcosm of the rest of the search-enabled world of services, from news aggregators to basic search.

If Techmeme can’t be Techmeme just by using its algorithms, and now needs lots of editors, then that means much larger news aggregators and search companies will likely have to add human editors too.

It would seem that Jerry had it right all those years ago when he was hand creating Yahoo’s famous links.

Corvida Raven

I have known Corvida since almost the beginning of my time following the social media world. She is an incredibly bright young woman who has grown over the time I’ve known her. When it comes to enthusiasm about the subjects she talks about it is hard to keep up with her.

Blog: SheGeeks – http://shegeeks.net/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/corvida

Interview

1. Who is Corvida Raven

I’m a successful Technology blogger that grew up in one of the toughest areas of Miami, FL. I’m on a mission to become one of the greatest bloggers of all time and I’m actively working to build that dream. I grew up surrounded by hip-hop music and discover an instant attraction to technology around 11 or 12. Since then, I’ve been using both to try to make sense of my life.

2. If I recall correctly you seem to burst onto the social media scene in the early days of Twitter. Was this really your first involvement with blogging, social media or were you involved before your “fame” hit and how much?

Not at all. I’d been active around Livejournal, Vox, and other forums and messageboards for quite a few years before bringing SheGeeks to light. I designed my own websites at that time because there were no WordPress platforms around at the time I started, at least none that I could afford. That’s why Livejournal and Vox were so appealing to me back in the day.

3. Given your involvement with social media how has it affected your life in the past couple of years?

Social media has taken me places I’d never thought I’d be. I travel the country, have opportunities to speak outside the country. I’ve met some great people and made a lot more friends and mentors than I could’ve ever imagined. Social media helped me make a difference in not just my life, but others who really need it. It’s humbled me. It’s a terrific honor and position to be in.

4. I know from past conversations you and I have that it hasn’t been an easy road for you to get to this point in your career. Has the attitude of family and friends changed at all regarding the decisions you’ve made about your career path from when you first started?

Some of them have come around to it. Some haven’t. People will be people at the end of the day because you can’t please everyone. What’s become more important for me is making sure I’m doing things that I’m comfortable with, regardless of what others have to say about it. It’s my life, my passion, my work, and my choice.

5. Given that within the social media field there appears to be a larger number of men who are the leading voices in social media, have you found that this inequality to be a a hindrance as you have tried to advance your career?

Not directly. I understand the conversations about sexism in tech, but great men such as yourself, Louis Gray, Marshall Kirkpatrick, and Chris Brogan were some of the first to recognize me and provide me with opportunities to expand my career. I don’t think men are simply leading. I think they just might be louder in certain circles. I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with just as many brilliant women like Sarah Perez, Cathy Brooks, Marsha Collier, Erin Vest, Lynne D Johnson, Angela Benton, Adria Richards, Christina Warren, Sukhjit and many more.

6. Have you found that you are treated differently from other people involved in social media and all the services around it due to your openness about being gay?

My sexuality isn’t a problem for anyone because it shouldn’t be. The communities I participate in and the people I surround myself with wouldn’t have the time to trivialize something like that. It would be a complete waste of an opportunity to connect. On the other hand, I’m not walking around rubbing it in anyone’s face.

7. What is it about social media and services like Twitter, Facebook etc that draws you in the way it does?

Social media draws me in because of the community. If there were no community, I wouldn’t be here. They make it worth it day in and day out. I can find so many people who try to understand technology the way I do or simply know about technology in a way that I don’t. We share ideas and there’s a lot of love to go around. I have fun!

8. People seem to find niches within social media that are the places they can really shine as a leader or influencer so which niche do you find yourself feeling the most comfortable and the most able to help people

I don’t have a niche because I don’t want to box myself in. I like technology as a whole, but my focuses would be on mobile gadgets and apps, web apps, and social networks. That’s not to say I can’t talk about the latest graphics card to hit the market, or how tech stocks are looking these days. I’d kill myself trying to cover them all. Instead, I focus on what I feel most passionate about.

9. How do you feel about some of the new things that are happening within social media .. like Twitter Lists, Friendfeed getting bought by Facebook and the idea of the real-time web itself

I think it’s crazy. It’s crazy for me to be able to see this happening almost right before my eyes. I love watching how acquisitions play out and how communities react to new features. It’s an amazing story to watch unfold. I don’t give too much thought behind it because I never expect anything to stay the same. I learned that a long time ago when it comes to technology and social media.

10. Where do you see things like Twitter, Facebook and social media in general heading in the next 6 months .. the next year…

I see more connections going offline thanks to all these geo-location services like Brightkite, Whrrl, and Foursquare. I love the thought too. We’ll be building more bridges right in our own backyard and still maintain connections across the sea and on the go. I think the next year for social media will be a huge success on many levels. We just have to wait and watch.

That doesn’t change the fact though that as pure as we in the medium might like to think social media is there is the potential for bad things to be done bad people who will use tools like Twitter to broadcast their intentions or actions.

Posts referred to in the show.

Dinner_guest Twitter Page
Is this a real murderer on Twitter? Or just some twisted soul? [Updated] – The Next Web
Relief. The Twitter ‘murderer’ is fictional. An ‘artist’. – The Next Web
A Quick Interview with @Dinner_Guest. Twitter’s “serial killer”. – The Next Web
A murderer on Twitter? Either one demented person, or a very viral campaign – The Inquisitr
Evil in the Twitter Age – Shooting at Bubbles

Enjoy the show.

Social media, the future hunting ground of evil people

The Twitter account I refer to goes by the name of dinner_guest and this is just a sample of one of their recent batches of messages on Twitter

This was followed by a discussion with my good friend Sean P. Aune on IM about the fact that this is probably some sort of demented marketing campaign hoping to go viral.

But the more I thought about it the more I began to wonder – what if?

After all one has to consider that most heinous crimes are committed by people with huge egos that if done properly social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook would be ideal ways to feed that ego.

Following that train of thought one would wonder how famous, or infamous, murderers of the past would look upon our new world.

Would Jack the Ripper have used BrightKite and Twitter to announce and geolocate his latest kills?

Would Hitler have tweeted when Poland was invaded or to announce the daily totals of the gas chambers?

Would Jeffery Dahmer have used Facebook to find his victims and posted pictures of his freezer contents?

Like I said – what if?

The first one that got both our goats is this idea that social media is creating some kind of new permanent record of any historical worth. Here’s a hint – we’re not and even if there was any real permanence using technology more famous falling down that lasting any length of time nothing that is happening in social media as we know it today is of any real historical value.

As we point out the Dead Sea Scrolls are a permanent historical document. The Declaration of Independence is a permanent historical document. What is passing around Twitter and Facebook is not – even in the slightest – a permanent historical record.

The other topic we got side tracked into was the unadulterated stupidity over where it should be ‘unfriended’ or ‘de-friended’. Some-one page the shark.

Posts referenced in tonight’s show.

An Era of Total Transparency – The Next Web
5 Ways Social Media Will Change Recorded History – Mashable
Flickr Nukes DMU – Thomas Hawk
Unfriending: Are People Online Shedding Friends? (Debate) – ReadWriteWeb

Enjoy the show

Daily Edition: An era of historian wet dreams – get a freakin’ grip

Purpose, you are wondering?

What purpose could there be in encouraging people to not like you. After all isn’t the whole purpose behind social media – creating an ever expanding circle of people who like and respect you. Well that might be the case but damn that get’s boring after awhile doesn’t it?

All those people thinking how nice you are and always agreeing with what you say. Jeezz where’s the life in that?

I bring this up because of a great post by Penelope Trunk where she asks who are you seeking advice from at any given time. She suggests that instead of always going with the easy solution of getting advice from the people who like you perhaps you should look at it from the flip side.

Listen to people who hate you. People ask me all the time how I put up with the level of criticism this blog draws. The interesting thing about taking advice from people who don’t like me is that sometimes, they’ll say things that other people wouldn’t say because it would hurt me. I rely on my gut in terms of whose criticism comes from caring and understanding and whose criticism comes from an obsessive need to take me down, but after I figure that out, I still pay attention to my critics.

You see I have always believed that when you surround yourself with only people who agree with you there is only one loser in the equation of learning – you. There is nothing better than a good discussion of differing viewpoints to get one’s thinking processes working at full tilt.

This is why – if your were to look at my RSS feeds you would find a mix of people who I follow because I agree with what they have to say a lot of the time. At the same time though you will also find a good mix of people who I can sometimes disagree with vehemently.

It’s okay if you don’t like the things I write or the things I say just as it’s okay if I don’t always agree with you in return. In the end though if we can meet on the common ground of conversation we both have the opportunity to learn, and that my friend is one of the best things about being a human being.

So go ahead dislike or disagree – I really won’t mind.