SOPA / Protect IP

I'll be posting links to videos where they apply. First one, right here, watch it before you read the blog post. (I'll be writing about it as well in case you can't play the video.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjrPuYLAIkk&feature=player_embedded

So, a few days ago I heard about a bill being rushed through the American Senate called Protect IP. Being Canadian, there's not much I can do, but what I can do is let you know what the bill is, and why America wants to pass it, and why it wouldn't be a good thing. (This is certainly biased, but not too many people are happy, so I'm clearly not the only one with this opinion.)

Essentially, SOPA / Protect IP is a bill that searches the entire internet for infringing stuff, like links to sites that have infringing content, sharing music, movies, books, games, even reviews of movies and books. And once it finds infringing content, it will block the site, or the owner of the site could be sued for the so-called "infringing content." And it won't just be in America, it'll be all over the world. It'll apply to any site ending in .com or .net, so you could just be happily typing away on your computer in Italy, or England, or even Germany, and all of a sudden you'd get an email saying your site, which probably has nothing to do with the conviction in question, has been shut down.

Not only is this tinkering with the core elements of the internet, but it could potentially destroy lives. People make money by reviewing products, linking to where you can buy them, whether it's good or bad. If this bill passes, you won't be able to get these reviews anymore, and therefore, a lot of people who make a living on being well-known (writers, actors, musicians, bloggers, etc), will have nothing to ground their work on. Sure, there are official advertisements, but let's be really honest here people - how many commercials do you actually pay any attention to?

For sure, America doesn't have control over all the web sites, like .co.uk, or .ws (English and German sites), but most sites up on the internet are registered in .com and .net. While America is busy assuming innocent people guilty and shutting them down for no reason, other countries in the world will be assuming control of the internet, and essentially taking the internet economy away. I know a lot of people would either visit Canadian sites, or just move here altogether. Personally, I wouldn't stay in America as long as I couldn't use the internet freely (it's also why I don't like China, and how they're monopolizing our manufacturing and trade industry).

So not only are American Senators shooting themselves in the foot by handing over their internet economy to other countries, but they're also going to lose billions of dollars worth in advertisements and promotions of their products, and they're going to lose thousands of jobs for their fellow Americans.

Come on, America. Why would you hand everything over to the entertainment industry? Some of those entertainers want people to promote and link to their stuff. Stop helping, you're going to destroy your own economy if you hand all control over to the recreational industry, because they will have about 70% less promotion than they used to, all from reviews and recommendations from other consumers. It'll be ten times harder to get rich, and it'll be ten times harder to keep from being poor, given that around 30% of jobs around America is purely recreational. A list of jobs that could be affected I came up with on the fly, in three minutes flat:

Radio show hosts
Talk show hosts
Actors
Writers
Bloggers
Artists (In the drawing sense)
Music Composers
Directors
Singers
Photographers
Wedding Planners
Chefs (This is a HUGE one, and I'll cover it in a second, I'm not done.)
Car Dealers
Theatres
TV shows
Antique Stores
Jewellers
Video Game Producers
Cell Phone Providers
Real Estate Agents

And that's just a small list. There are many more jobs that could be affected, and all of the jobs up there have something in common - they are all advertised on the internet, everywhere, by everyone. And for certain, they're all really important jobs (who doesn't enjoy buying their first car, or buying their first house, or getting married?), but the most important one I think on this list is the chef, and if chefs can't be promoted, they can't provide their tasty dishes to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_QOzc79Uc

Chefs are a big one of this list because of the food industry everywhere around the world, and if they can't be promoted, they can't help fix the problem of obesity. Like Jamie Oliver, he's trying to get people to eat healthy. And he's using the internet to his advantage, and like he says in the video, "America is the most influential country in the world. I believe if America reforms the way they eat, other countries will follow."

So, I think I've made my point. Virtually everyone will be affected, mostly in a bad way (unless you don't use the internet, then it doesn't matter).

What do you think about the bill? Why would/wouldn't it work for you, and for your loved ones? Comments below.

P.S. If you feel like me and you don't want it to happen, I'll link to some petitions for the big call-in on Tuesday, and one of the Senators is going to filibsuter the Congress.

http://americancensorship.org/index.html#infographic

http://stopcensorship.org/?source=fb

http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/artists/

Music and Romance

So today, I realized something while writing a few chapters in my book. Music is a big part of the magic system in the book, and I got to thinking, if it can work in a book, why not real life?

It's no special surprise that music has had an impact on our culture and the way we experience things. Our movies wouldn't be the same without a good soundtrack. Even stage plays wouldn't be the same without some sort of background music. And often, you hear soft music in the background of a romantic resturaunt. I add sound effects to my Dungeons & Dragons games to enhance the emotional, tear-jerking effect my events have on players (I made my mum cry once, and she's a pretty tough gal).

We enjoy music of all types. Pop, rock and roll, heavy metal, country, hip-hop, comtemporary, etc. I personally prefer Irish bands (or the Star Wars Imperial March). But recently, I came across a CD, entirely made up of potentially romantic, non-lyrical songs. I wish I could remember what the cover looked like. But I got to listen to a sample of it, and I was totally blown away by the quality and potential swooning this could bring to a date, even just the typical movie and dinner date.

If you're like me, then music plays a big part of your life, geeky or not. And I would definitely give a guy brownie points for playing romantic music for me, especially at night when everything is quiet, the lights are low, and the atmosphere is just thick with romance. (A girl can dream...)

What do you think about music? Do you think you can woo a girl with some romantic tracks, or does she require the hardcore stuff? Leave your comments below.

Dungeon & Dragons And How It Can Land You Your Big Crush

Anyone who's a geek has probably heard of Dungeons & Dragons. And when it comes to bringing geeks together, it's probably one of the most effective, interactive things to do. But what about non-geeks? Can it be effective for people who don't find electronics and Star Wars fascinating?

I have many experiences with both geeks and non-geeks, including most of my family. Whereas me and my mum are big Dungeons & Dragons fans, my sisters probably couldn't be bothered to play it. So what if you're interested in someone, and they don't like Dungeons & Dragons?

I recently had a game session of Dungeons & Dragons consisting of my parents and my uncle. My dad isn't as interested in Dungeons & Dragons as the rest of us, so I modify the game to accomodate him. Whatever he might be interested in, I include. This method is effective for anyone who has some sort of interest in fantasy, although there is a textbook for including sci-fi, if that's what your players are interested in.

It pays off in the long run to modify your adventures according to player tastes, because it keeps them coming back for more. If your crush is interested in poetry, create some adventures that includes some cool, clean poetry. If he/she is interested in cars, include vehicles in your game (horse wagons, carriages, etc. Maybe go a bit further and include a new invention - a horseless carriage run by magic!)

So the next time you and your buddies are having a D&D game session, muster up some courage and invite your crush to join. If he/she is hesitant, let them know that you'll make it especially to their tastes. If they still say no, try again another time. Be persistant, but keep in mind that maybe some people have already played it and it's not their thing. That's fine, and just as long as you don't keep trying to get them to join a D&D session, you'll still be somewhat favourable in their eyes (although, if they're making fun of you for your D&D obsession you probably shouldn't have a crush on them in the first place).

I know some of the best weekends I spent and will spend will be spent playing D&D. I'm nearly always DM these days, but I also enjoy being a player. I just prefer to watch players enjoy what I've created for them. It's a part of who I am to make people happy. It'll always be a part of me, and it's why I'm writing this blog. To help geeks like you find your happiness, through the way of geeks. You don't have to change yourself for someone else.

So just kick back, relax, get some dice, paper, and pencils, and prepare to set off on the journey of a lifetime, with your companions and your crush (where else would he/she be except next to you, playing the group's new and only cleric bard?). Just watch out, it'll be a bumpy ride!

Electronics and Significant Others - Do They Mix?

When people think of geeks or nerds, they think of the kid with the thick glasses sitting alone with his school books and lunch in the middle school cafeteria, or the kid who spends most of his time playing old school video games. But geeks is, by definition, a broad spectrum of people. People who do well in school, people who have a passion for a particular subject, people who are bullied for the things they do. Or, if you want to stretch it this further and be one of the bullies, people who are hygenically challenged (although let's be honest, who isn't at some point of their life?).

And most of the time, we don't imagine them with boyfriends or girlfriends, typically because as a stereotype, they're socially awkward. I suppose this is because most geeks don't have the confidence of others, and girls just prefer manly confidence; being a girl, I know this to be true. But geeks don't have to be a part of a stereotype. In fact, I very much prefer not to bunch them all together and label them. Every person is different, including geeks. Some geeks fit the stereotype in some way, and some don't. I have a boyfriend who is half and half. He shows passion for video games, acting on stage or in film, or funny things on the internet. Unlike most stereotypes, he's far from socially awkward. In fact, he's probably one of the most sociable people you'll ever meet, while still be calm and collected.


I'm not a typical geek either, but it's also why me and him fit so well together. When he doesn't know what to say, I do. And vice versa. I get excited about every cool new gadget I hear about, even more so if I get my hands on it. I'm not particularly shy, but I am clumsy. I'm probably the bubbliest person you'll ever meet. I rarely ever get into arguments with anyone.

Most nerds would kill to have a girlfriend like me, wouldn't they? Well, despite what you're thinking, I'm not full of myself. In fact, I have no idea why my boyfriend chose me in the first place. Apparently my geekery is sexy to him. And hell, why wouldn't it be, when he's a geek too?

The real question here then, isn't whether the stereotypical geek, with a love of technology, and his girlfriend are a good match for each other, but whether geeks in general CAN, in fact, find their place in the world to geek out all they want, amazing girlfriend and all. And the answer is - YES! Geeks of all shapes and sizes and mentalities certainly can find out what's right for them and determine the best way to get there. They can have sexy, smart girlfriends they get along with, day in and day out. It's just a matter of overcoming a lack of confidence that you can get that. Easier said than done, I'm afraid, but we'll get around to how to build up your own confidence, especially through a stream of rejections.

So join me in this journey of technology and love, and we'll learn a lot on the way. Comments welcome!