Open Letter on Censorship and Google

[marmar]

from truthdig:


Open Letter on Censorship and Google

Posted on Oct 1, 2014
By Zuade Kaufman


George Orwell was right: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”

Such power isn’t limited to rewriting history. It extends to defining what we hear, what we read, what we say—and ultimately what we think. It affects all of us, especially those who believe in the potential of words to shine a light on hidden agendas, hold the powerful to answer, and express ideas that shape our values.

The threat is both from governments, which feel a need to control their people, and from companies that have an unceasing urge to increase their power and their wealth.

.....(snip).....

Earlier this year Google threatened to block an award-winning UK-based music webzine, Drowned in Sound, for displaying covers of albums by Sigur Rós, a post-rock band from Reykjavik, and Lambchop, an alternative/country band from Nashville. DiS fixed the matter by laying colored squares over the disputed areas. But DiS founder Sean Adams worried out loud that Google was only a small step away from seriously compromising freedom of expression.

For the past 18 months, Truthdig has been engaged in on-and-off battles with Google—and it’s been baffling for us. At best, the rules being imposed are poorly defined. At worst, they are arbitrarily imposed. ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/open_letter_on_censorship_and_google_20141002

[hunter]

1. This?

http://genius.com/albums/Sigur-ros/Me-su-i-eyrum-vi-spilum-endalaust

Developing software that recognizes naked butts would be a real prize on one's resume, no?

A dual use software tool; for finding butts and hiding them.

It's nice to know Google, the NSA, and other mysterious agencies, public and private, are keeping our secrets safe tonight...

[seveneyes]

2. So you think you can tell a smile from a veil

But can you spot the naked lady?