Why “free software” is an idea that sends chills through my body.

Computers are terrible things, and I speak as someone who has enjoyed making use of them for thirty years now. The problem, essentially, is not the machines themselves. Nor is it really the software that is used to run them and instruct them in tasks. No. That would be too easy. The real problem is the people who create the softwares (and a lot of the hardware).

Why is this or that band not “bigger”?

Every so often, one hears a friend or neighbour speaking about this or that band. And unless the band is AC/DC or The Beatles or the like, people constantly ask why the band is not “bigger”. Or in other words, not playing to stadiums and making records that go quadruple-platinum all the time and such.

Passivity is robbing me of my will to write.

Writing is a hard job. There are some people, I will not name names, who seem to mistake writing for just being a hobby or not a “real job”. There are also people who have said that writing is the only profession where one can work for hundreds of hours on a project, not get paid, and have it all considered normal.

What we need for the future of media, all media.

It was a few days ago, but after linking to this article on TNL.net, and now this one, I got to thinking a wee bit. During my lifetime, we have seen a massive deregulation spree, the birth of the home computer market, and the acceleration of communications technology to the point where it is now cheaper to “speak” to someone across the world than it can sometimes be to speak to someone across town. But as with all advances in technology such as home viewing, the prospect of improving the Human condition or situation in future is being threatened. Not by an enemy with ill intent, but rather by an element of stupidity, thoughtlessness, or carelessness within our own ranks.

Making things pay for themselves without subverting them?

It is time for another history lesson (yes, you can all groan now).