The SSSCA and Silicon Valley: The computing industry stands up for consumer rights against media corporations

[smp]

i totally agree dude (with everything you have said, and with all others with similar ideas), i registered on this forum just to let you and others know that i agree, i came here from a link from hardocp.com

Thanks. I actually expected a lot of name calling and belittling when I opened my mouth in the first place. The SSSCA is not one thing, it is just a part of the oppresive system that we live in. There are many bills that have been passed that we aren't talking about that are just as bad, only we've been living with them and we're used to it.


I'de like to point out another thing about entertainment. Take a look at the target audience for much of what is on TV and in advertising. The media targets youth culture the most. Youth culture is the next generation of power. The youth have to be indoctrinated into this system and they are the ones who are targetted the most by advertising and the media. Take a look at pop culture.
Britney Spears: Everyone knows she sucks, why is she so popular? Sexual stereotype, this is what a girl is supposed to be, boys, this is what you are supposed to be attracted to.
N'stink: Everyone knows they suck, but their ideas of what a relationship is, (male/female roles) is status quo garbage and they are a bunch of pretty boys.
There is no real dissidence ANYWHERE. Everything that we are exposed to is garbage. The only subversive types of music that the youth generation can get exposure to nowadays is Slipknot or Limp Bizkit. Slipknot and Limp Bizkit have nothing to say, AT ALL. They think they are rebels, but they are just puppets to the corporate scheme, it's ridiculous, and the kids that grow up listening to that garbage and thinking that they are rebels are all confused, they think that being a loudmouth punk with no respect == rebellion. Man, rebellion is freeing your mind, and thinking for yourself, not being prone to social pressures. That is rebellion, from there on in mental doors just keep opening.

 

[socketman]

Several points need to be emphasized.

1. SIGN THE DAMN PETITION --- sure its not worth much, but its a start

2. Read the fine print - if the industry doesnt come up with a standard then the government will. We all know the government can screw up anything. They know nothing about computers and will apply a board-sword approach to solving piracy. THey will sink the entire ship just to save one compartment.

3. WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN - several persons have pointed out that letters speak louder than emails. Might I suggest someone come up with a decent form letter we can ALL send to our congressman. Something explaining how this bill will undermine the entire PC market. They are fond of giving us form letters, so lets flood them with form letters.

4. Tell EVERYONE about this - this bill has a slim chance, but thats not the point at all. We dont want half-a$$ legislation that infringes on our rights as computer hobbiest and unltimately can harm the high-tech market as a whole.

*** Thanks to many for all the informative links. I went to them all, read them all. This thread is an example of what the internet should be. Informed persons, sharing information and taking stands on important issues.

 

[smp]

*** Thanks to many for all the informative links. I went to them all, read them all. This thread is an example of what the internet should be. Informed persons, sharing information and taking stands on important issues.

www.indymedia.org

 

[Centre]

This requires a response similar to the actions taken against DIVX and more.

1. Boycott the creator and supporter of this BILL.

2. De-vest ourselves from the corporate sponsors of the BILL.

3. Denying all technical support for the actions necessary to implement the technology this BILL purposes to use. After all without the technical community they cannot build, run or maintain this DIGITAL AXIS OF EVIL without our cooperation.

4. Providing technology and financial to whatever candidates runs against Senator Hollings and the co-writers of this BILL (these guys undoubtedly need new occupations)

5. We need to publicize, tell that standard consumer how this will affect him with clear examples like ? want to tape your favorite TV show to watch later, that will be $1.00 to record the program, $.50 for each viewing and $2.00 for each transfer to another media (CD, DVD, Digit Tape, Hard Drive, etc). Of course these prices are subject to change without prior notice.

6. Publicize, Publicize and Publicize. I think together we have put out more web pages, poster and banners that they can create 30 seconds spots.

 

[lostinabubble]

So this could never happen in europe? I beg to differ, after all can you see any hardware manufacturer making a compliant US version, & a non compliant rest of the world version, I think not.

Then look at the UKs RIP communications interception laws, just imagine if you will private key disclosure & "secure" hardware, anyone want to make a bet on hardware tagging becoming part of the spec for these rules?

No I have nothing to hide, but I do want the right to not have the powers that be not to have me in front of a judge because i unwittingly quoted a line from an obscure song in an instant message to my girlfriend. Lets face it even with todays systems thats only unfeasable, not impossible. My cpu, graphics card, nic & mobo all have unique IDs that can be read remotely & nothing in this box is newer than a year old!

 

[Agent004]

Well, if this law goes through, then it will apply through out the whole world. Let not forgot the giant companies that are behind it, and how much power (policatical, social media and etc ) they have.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

JellyBaby said:


<< Unfortunately guys like this are the norm now. Hey I'm no Ralph Nader but government by the people, for the people is becoming a thing of the past. At least there are options available. The Libertarian party looks somewhat promising. >>



/me hugs JellyBaby!

I've always said most people just don't realize they're Liberterian, so... look into it folks. Of course their official website isn't the best representation of the party either, since it is pretty radical. However, the bulk of the party's supporters is rapidly becoming less radical.

 

[bokalot]

in regards to your music notes: dissidence is a state of mind that begets a state of being. there is good music out there, but rebellion thru music can only arise if there is an openess to change. too many kids parrot the things they hear without trying to get under the radar of the music. the times when a true liberal arts education were valued have long since disappeared. now, one is expected to do something rather than experience something. but, that requires thinking. as a former teacher i tried to get my students not merely to know factoids- but how to think; how to look at something with an eye towared understanding it. i would always tell them that the only way to grow one's mind was to read, read, and read. read anything: cereal boxes, comic books, who cares.
what is being fed to us by the media moguls is not, inherently, evil unless you swallow it whole and leave no room for other ideas. the funny thing is, i find it hard to imagine someone growing up and wanting to control the 'truth'. what aspect of one's life allows one to become so sure of him/herself that s/he would KNOW what we need to know?
the scary part about all of this is that so few people recognize the problem. when i ask 'why?' in a given situation, i am usually looked at as a troublemaker. i calmly try to tell people that all i am seeking is an exploration of the idea; i am not so much interested in the 'right' answer as i am interested in how you got there. but when you push people, generally, to defend their position, they cannot. i don't watch much tv anymore not because i am on the internet as there is not much that moves me. i really miss that old bbc show 'connections' with that wacky british guy. everytime i watched that show i felt so stupid, but then i tried to think about what was shown and felt empowered.
anyway, i just want to say that this is the first time that i actually felt compelled to reply or involve myself in this kind of on-line discussion. the people who have been replying to this thread are interesting. thanks.

 

[KrispyKremer]

Think this can't happen in America? Take a look at the Communist Manifesto and see how many of them are now in effect in the US.
This topic goes far beyond the scope of Anandtech's computer expertise. Look into the history and actions of the UN. Look into all the laws being passed to make it more and more difficult to own arms - what many argue to be the people's last "line in the sand" to defend against a tyrannical government.

Look into the PATRIOT Act. Did you know most, if not ALL, those who voted on it hadn't even read it?! Under the guise of the war on terrorism and homeland security, more and more of our rights are being trampled on. Even speaking out against the government can brand you a terrorist. They don't need warrants, they won't give you a trial, and what rights you thought you had will have disappeared.

Think I'm paranoid or over-reacting?

Makes you realize there's more to life than getting the latest and greatest piece of hardware. While you're so occupied with all of this, the government is working hard to enslave you all the more.

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

This is such crap... I HOPE it doesnt pass, but you never know...

 

[manxkat]

The ghouls of the Corporon sect are attempting to strike again, eh.... (should I say still???)

Here's a snippet of something I wrote years ago....



Warriors of the night


Wingtipped warriors of the night
Barbarians - social blight
Redefining wrong and right
Warriors of the night

Corporation mother's scum
lizard like
neath plastic suns
All bob and weave
yet bow to none
warriors of the night

Vampirism they embrace
draining us
to win their race
they'll bleed you dead
to get ahead
warriors of the night


The love of money is INDEED the root of all kinds of evil.

I have signed the above petition and am writing my reps.

Manxkat

 

[smp]

in regards to your music notes: dissidence is a state of mind that begets a state of being. there is good music out there, but rebellion thru music can only arise if there is an openess to change. too many kids parrot the things they hear without trying to get under the radar of the music. the times when a true liberal arts education were valued have long since disappeared. now, one is expected to do something rather than experience something. but, that requires thinking. as a former teacher i tried to get my students not merely to know factoids- but how to think; how to look at something with an eye towared understanding it. i would always tell them that the only way to grow one's mind was to read, read, and read. read anything: cereal boxes, comic books, who cares.
what is being fed to us by the media moguls is not, inherently, evil unless you swallow it whole and leave no room for other ideas. the funny thing is, i find it hard to imagine someone growing up and wanting to control the 'truth'. what aspect of one's life allows one to become so sure of him/herself that s/he would KNOW what we need to know?
the scary part about all of this is that so few people recognize the problem. when i ask 'why?' in a given situation, i am usually looked at as a troublemaker. i calmly try to tell people that all i am seeking is an exploration of the idea; i am not so much interested in the 'right' answer as i am interested in how you got there. but when you push people, generally, to defend their position, they cannot. i don't watch much tv anymore not because i am on the internet as there is not much that moves me. i really miss that old bbc show 'connections' with that wacky british guy. everytime i watched that show i felt so stupid, but then i tried to think about what was shown and felt empowered.
anyway, i just want to say that this is the first time that i actually felt compelled to reply or involve myself in this kind of on-line discussion. the people who have been replying to this thread are interesting. thanks.

That show connections was a gem. This is what I'm talking about though. It's like we're told we have so many choices, but do we? There is not one show on television right now that would stimulate me mentally as much as that show did. This is what I'm talking about, why don't we have more programming like that? You'd think that it would only serve to further the human race if people learned a bit about history when they watched the toob. There is still educational programming, but there isn't as much, and the content is not as challenging or inspirational. The internet is where it's at if you want to learn anything (or the library). We need more education!!! Teach the people how to think.

 

[Zlash]

Wow

 

[nortexoid]

it feels good sometimes to live in canada...

joking.

often, canada follows suit - so if the US implements this piece of unconstitutional legislation, canada might follow...this, my friend, i could not stand to see.

in fact, it would either i) turn me into a criminal, or ii) move my ass into another country.

 

[KentState]

<< it feels good sometimes to live in canada... joking. often, canada follows suit - so if the US implements this piece of unconstitutional legislation, canada might follow...this, my friend, i could not stand to see. in fact, it would either i) turn me into a criminal, or ii) move my ass into another country. >>



Unfortunately, the US and Canada would probably have similiar legislation and then Europe would follow suit. Then all we need is the US and Canada to adopt a standard form of currency like the Euro and we'd have to large powers under a strong standard currency and under a large hand governing our media. Scares me that such a large hand could be easily controlled by such a small group of men. This is why I hate intervention by the government on such a large scale. If the recording and movie industry have such a fear of piracy, I wish they could handle it individually instead of leaving it to someone else. Right now we control how much we buy and what we do with what we buy. If something like this where to pass, we would have others telling us what to buy and what we can do with it. You may not even own the content that you create since it will be under the same restrictions. Imagine not being able to make exact dublicate copies of your own movies because the devices do not allow such a thing to happen. Look at it this way, right now if I cut a cd, I can make infinit copies easily on my pc of the exact same thing. Fast forward ten years and we have the ability to cut a (insert technology) , but we do not have the right to make an image of a (insert technology). This is already happening today in a manor of speaking. I can buy or make my own DVD movies, but there is not a single device that allows exact recording for my own use. This isn't because we don't have the technoloy, but rather the major studios fighting the release of such a device. In turn, the studios have direct control over the DVD player manufacturers. Therefore I can never make an exact copy of the original, but I can make a lower quality copy with a device that doesn't have encryption. What ever happened to once you own content, you can do whatever you please with it as long as it's for your own use?

 

[ShadowWolf]

Hello, I'm new to the forums, but I've read them off & on for a while.
This post happened to provoke me to register.

I'd like to first start by saying that the process for passing this law is:
Bill is initialized ( I think in the Senate this time right? )
Bill is reviewed in commitee, this comitee would be a similar group of people that reviewed the DMCA by the way, supposed Technology Savvy Congressmen.
Bill is voted on in commitee ( in or out ). If fail: Dead
If pass:
Bill is presented to larger comitees & reviewd similarly
Bill is then presented to the large group
Bill is reviewed and voted upon ( can be edited at any point up to here ), passes with MAJORITY ( 50% + 1 )
Repeat for House
Bill is then presented to Prez
Prez can veto or enable it
If fail: Senate can vote 2/3 to pass the vote anyway
If fail: House can vote 2/3 and Senate can vote 2/3
If fail: Bill can be represented AGAIN with minor changes written
If fail: Bill can be tabled until the next session

It's because of those if fail situations that the DMCA passed! The president has NO POWER to keep a bill from passing AT ALL.

Let's remember that ALL of the power is represented in the House & Senate. They can remove Supreme Court members, that's why the DMCA remains THOUGH it is a violation of our rights of free speech.

Ok, beyond that:

smp is right. This is more of Idealology than anything else. The FACT, sheer FACT that the senate would propose such a bill that purposely infriges upon private rights for that of corporations just proves that the system was bought long ago by corpers. Our lives are ran by these people. We have no power, will or force in our own country, and those outside of the US are almost as powerless with their own governments who will allmost always adopt US policy.

But allow me to show you the truth as history shows will happen if this bill passes:

Firstly, corporate power will rise even more. Small businesses will not be able to afford the new technology and many will go under because of it. Reason why: Corporations will now choose what hardware is certified.
Next, corporations will have the ability to dictate what we can use and not use. This is the second part of the DMCA people, it's the part that will DESTROY our rights with technology.
Technology R&D places will sufferr immensely ( same thing happened with cars & stuff ), other countries will adopt the policy and buy out R&D.
Corporations, who now control the technology industry, will now put us in the same situation as we are with Power, Cars, TV's, Lights, Media, and most other technologies where huge corpers own large shares: Stagnant.
Even companies like Intel & AMD will die off for favor of the Software companies who buy them out. Hardware will be bought out by Software because the money is in Software, NOT Hardware ( profit-wise )
Corporations Microsoft will become the next GE or 3M...

This is the truth of things my friends, it happened with almost all other industries. In fact, the EXACT same thing happened with Oil. Take a look. The gains of these corporations ( ie -> politicians ) are beyond reason, as it always is.

Let me go back a bit to who REALLY owns this country.
Examine the previous presidents. Who's the winner? The person with the most money and backing from the RIGHT PEOPLE. We DO NOT elect our presidents. Our presidents are Pre-Elected FOR US by the Electoral f**ing college. Are you aware that your state DOES NOT have to vote for the president the people elect? It happens too, but you never hear about it. Each electoral vote is NOT automatically tallied. you see, Al Gore had no chance of winning in the last election. He actually lost far before it. The Elections are ran by corporations because most people are too stupid to realize their lives are not their own.

As long as government controls the internal workings of the country, we will always be controlled by those who are greedy for power. There's no point in writing letters, such a farce is what they teach you in schools ( The beginning of your life of slavery ). They do DICK for you.

In turn, I leave you with a few quotes:

"What is Crazy? You wake up, go to work, go home, and go to sleep day in and day out only because someone told you it was a good idea. That is crazy."
--Con Air

"The man who refuses to question, refuses to live."
--Anonymous

"..I did the worst thing I could possibly think of: I left them to their own fate."
--Wizard's First Rule ( Zed )

"Your lives are your's to live and your's alone, take them back."
--Faith of the Fallen ( Richard )

"I, Garland, will knock you all down!"
--Final Fantasy

 

[bot2600]

You want to know what is going to happen in five years? You're going to be sharing a cell with a hippie pot smoker, and a first degree murderer. You sold illegal computer hardware, the hippie smoked a joint in public, and the murderer killed five people. The scary thing is, the murderer is going to have the lightest sentence

For the people that think this bill can't pass, remember how close David McOwen came to being the one in that jail cell.:Q

My television broke ~10 years ago, and I have yet to replace it. Probably the best decision I have ever made. For people who don't believe me, search on my previous posts, I have stated the same in other posts, so if nothing else, I am at least consistent. I own a couple cds, but not many, no particular kind, just if I hear something I like, I buy it and load it into my machine(mp3) and put the cd in the closet with the rest so they won't get damaged. Nothing I have done is wrong, so who do these people think they are to make me change all of my computer hardware and software to ensure that I continue to do nothing wrong? This is another one of those innocent until proven guilty things. Except, now they seem to be assuming us guilty and not even allowing us to even CLAIM to be innocent, let alone prove we are innocent. If this kinda of goverment benaviour continues, I hope they soon have a manned mission to Mars. I will be the first to sign up and when we get there, noone on Earth will ever hear from us or our non-compliant hardware again.

Bot

 

[Modge]

While Bush is taking out terrorism abroad he should focus some force at home and wipe out the RIAA and MPAA. Talk about destroying individual liberties.

 

[render]

I recommend several books here:

Declarations of Independence : Cross-Examining American Ideology By: Howard Zinn

Manufacturing Consent : The Political Economy of the Mass Media By: Edward S. Herman, Noam Chomsky

Media Control By: Noam Chomsky

 

[microAmp]

<< SIGN THIS IF YOU OPPOSE! GOGOGOGOGO!


Done. >>



Ditto along with an email to several people I know that like computers.....

 

[smp]

Yes!

I recommend several books here:

Declarations of Independence : Cross-Examining American Ideology By: Howard Zinn

Manufacturing Consent : The Political Economy of the Mass Media By: Edward S. Herman, Noam Chomsky

Media Control By: Noam Chomsky

It may sound extreme, but it's the truth;

Let me go back a bit to who REALLY owns this country.
Examine the previous presidents. Who's the winner? The person with the most money and backing from the RIGHT PEOPLE. We DO NOT elect our presidents. Our presidents are Pre-Elected FOR US by the Electoral f**ing college. Are you aware that your state DOES NOT have to vote for the president the people elect? It happens too, but you never hear about it. Each electoral vote is NOT automatically tallied. you see, Al Gore had no chance of winning in the last election. He actually lost far before it. The Elections are ran by corporations because most people are too stupid to realize their lives are not their own.


Your life is your own!

"Your lives are your's to live and your's alone, take them back."
--Faith of the Fallen ( Richard )

 

[Onibroc42]

I think I just figured out why Hollings is supporting this.

He smells a great opportunity to use government spending and tax hikes to buy more votes.

To wit: If (big IF) SSSCA becomes law, all of our computers essentially become illegal to connect to the internet. well, haven't we been hearing from some groups on the left how ther eis now a "digital divide" that various and sundry solutions have been propsed for? They either involve subsidies, or charity. Well, look how nicely the charity angle gets cut out of this -- SSSCA would make it illegal to give a non-compliant computer to someone. Therefore, big daddy government to the rescue! Our taxes go up so Fritz and the other pork-barrel-boys can buy the votes of the "disadvantaged".

Just one more step to us being on a government allowance!

"Thank you sir! May I have another?"

 

[JellyBaby]

<< He smells a great opportunity to use government spending and tax hikes to buy more votes. >>

I bet you money when Hollings isn't re-elected next term he'll easily get a cushy job working for, you guessed it, Hollywood.

Vote these scumbags out and keep them out.

 

[Daovonnaex]

I already wrote my congressman (Rep Mark Kirk, [R-IL] 10th district) and my senators (Sen. Fitzgerald [R] and Sen. Durbin [D]) before this thread appeared. I fully expect Mr. Kirk and Mr. Fitzgerald to vote against it (for those of you not politically active, they're mavericks), though I expect Durbin to vote in favor, as he's an asshole on his voting record. However, I fail to see how this bans self-built computers. It merely means that each and every component would have to be SSSCA certified. Fortunately, corporate interests are in general not favorable to this, and therefore it shall fail.

 

[BlueFlem]

Hmmm.... never thought I would see the day when digital media was going to be THE hot black market item.

I can just see it now, small planes dropping packages of DVD-R's over the Mexican boarder. The ATF would be called the ATFDM and making raids on back-room LAN parties. Hoards of engineers throughout Microsoft, Intel, and Apple will be on the Mafia payroll, providing 'special' hardware and software updates.