SOPA 'shelved' until consensus is found : Othor Games

» Sun May 13, 2012 7:23 am

That wouldn't have nearly the same effect, though. Under SOPA (or similar legislation), just about any wiki could be taken down. By going offline, Wikipedia is demonstrating exactly what that would mean to the world and the availability of information. Personally, I think the message they've put up should be clearer on that, but that's their choice :shrug:

.

Oh yeah, a simple banner just isn't going to cut it...

A list of potentially blocked websites :

Youtube? Nope, sorry.
Wiki's? No.
Facebook? Nope.
Social media in general? Nossir.
Yahoo? Nope, have to disable comments.
Any search provider? No way.
Forums? No more links gentlemen, goodbye forums.

The appaling lack of people that are even aware of SOPA/PIPA is utterly disgusting, and the ramifications for the internet?

Instead of being an active, vibrant place where we watch kittens doing stupid crap and exchange ideas...

Well, it essentially makes the internet an echo chamber.

Piracy be damned, this legislation will annihilate the internet.

People need to be aware of it, regardless of how inconvenienced you are...

» Sun May 13, 2012 7:13 am

This. That is how American government works. They propose a terrible idea, we say "no", they table it for awhile, then they bundle it with something about saving kittens and pass it into law. We call it a Republic, but its more like a delayed despotism.

^This

» Sun May 13, 2012 2:17 am

Piracy be damned, this legislation will annihilate the internet.

It'll annihilate it in the US (and countries whose politicians are too sycophantic, so probably here in the UK, too) but I imagine it'll probably prove very profitable for countries that find themselves the beneficiaries of hastily relocating companies (though I'm not sure exactly how the logistics would work.)

» Sun May 13, 2012 10:55 am

It'll annihilate it in the US (and countries whose politicians are too sycophantic, so probably here in the UK, too) but I imagine it'll probably prove very profitable for countries that find themselves the beneficiaries of hastily relocating companies (though I'm not sure exactly how the logistics would work.)

It'll strike a blow elsewhere too. Maybe not financially or anything, but it'll still have an effect. Think of the number of major websites that are headquartered in the US. Youtube, Google, even this site. Bam. Done. Gone.

» Sat May 12, 2012 9:54 pm

It'll strike a blow elsewhere too. Think of the number of major websites that are headquartered in the US. Youtube, Google, even this site. Bam. Done. Gone.

That's my point: a lot of them will, where possible, headquarter themselves somewhere less problematic. I guess losing their US market is less bad than losing both their US and worldwide markets. I'd imagine some countries who are likely to find themselves the target of inward investment are probably rubbing their hands in glee at the possibility of SOPA being enacted.

» Sat May 12, 2012 9:07 pm

That's my point: a lot of them will, where possible, headquarter themselves somewhere less problematic. I guess losing their US market is less bad than losing both their US and worldwide markets. I'd imagine some countries who are likely to find themselves the target of inward investment are probably rubbing their hands in glee at the possibility of SOPA being enacted.

The problem is, it doesn't even begin to stop the problem. Advertisers would likely focus thier efforts to these safe havens, but there would no doubt be sanctions taken up against any country violating the sacred American precedent. That's what this is really about, putting a sock in the mouth of the World Wide Web...

*Denmark has tried this, it doesn't work. Do politicians learn? Hell no. Once the cat is out the bag, you're gonna have hell putting it back in. The Digital Age is reminscent of the Prohibition Era in so many ways.

Digital isolationism, unrealistic and completely idiotic.

*edit*

*Denmark or Sweden, my memory is apparently protesting as well. :dry:

» Sun May 13, 2012 8:00 am

well, I'll just inform you guys, Wikipedia is doing this with a javascript, so disabling javascript for wikipedia.org will allow you to browse it normally (I was wondering why I wasn't having an issue with it up to now

)

» Sun May 13, 2012 7:47 am

well, I'll just inform you guys, Wikipedia is doing this with a javascript, so disabling javascript for wikipedia.org will allow you to browse it normally (I was wondering why I wasn't having an issue with it up to now :tongue:

)

Are you sure? I just tried disabling noscript for Wikipedia and it's still working for me.

EDIT: Nevermind, two pages in and I got the message.

EDIT #2: Interesting, they even tell you how to bypass the blackout on the FAQ they link you to.

» Sun May 13, 2012 3:21 am

This decision is a precedent of the beginning of a slippery slope, and I'm not about to explain exactly what I mean by that...except to say something of the possibilities of unintended consequences.

*restrain_resist_restrain*
Yes, Khajiit can do this...yess. :ph34r:

» Sun May 13, 2012 7:52 am

EDIT #2: Interesting, they even tell you how to bypass the blackout on the FAQ they link you to.

Huh, so they do. And now the people who are complaining about how this is going to negatively effect people have nothing to complain about

» Sun May 13, 2012 10:12 am

Except over 99% of America will not be able to figure how to disable it.

» Sat May 12, 2012 7:53 pm

This decision is a precedent of the beginning of a slippery slope, and I'm not about to explain exactly what I mean by that...except to say something of the possibilities of unintended consequences.

*restrain_resist_restrain*
Yes, Khajiit can do this...yess. :ph34r:

The protest or the legislation?

» Sat May 12, 2012 9:19 pm

Well I sure hope that every USA citizen here has called their representative....

several times from pre paid phones.

» Sun May 13, 2012 10:07 am

M'aiq says there are some mysteries not to be made so obvious. M'aiq is tired now.

» Sun May 13, 2012 4:59 am

Except over 99% of America will not be able to figure how to disable it. :tongue:

They also aren't putting the blackout up on smartphones and other mobile devices (also listed on the further information page for how to access wikipedia), so they can just use those :shrug:

» Sun May 13, 2012 6:28 am

M'aiq says there are some mysteries not to be made so obvious. M'aiq is tired now.

Touche...

I did read an article saying almost precisely what you wrote, but saying the protest is a slippery slope. Complete strawman argument though.

I'll just assume you meant the legislation for obvious reasons.

» Sun May 13, 2012 7:17 am

If the country wants to fight back at our government, then shutting down the USE of the internet is the most effective way to do it. It'll inconvience me definitly, but I'll be full support of it. Legislation needs to stop with the bad ideas here and now.

» Sun May 13, 2012 9:44 am

If the country wants to fight back at our government, then shutting down the USE of the internet is the most effective way to do it. It'll inconvience me definitly, but I'll be full support of it. Legislation needs to stop with the bad ideas here and now.

As the legislation shows, I doubt the government cares if people don't use the net.
If anything, thats exactly what they want, the net is used for shady things so they want to shut it down.

» Sat May 12, 2012 10:22 pm

Oh! There goes the Wiki....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more

» Sun May 13, 2012 3:22 am

Hence why congress should convien 1 month per year MAX

If they think they have the power to control the internet...their too old to understand the internet...

» Sun May 13, 2012 11:20 am

It's supposed to be.

Also, http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/sopa-markup-resume-february/ Shelving certainly not a victory.

These specific politicians sure are being adamant about getting this passed despite the obvious criticism and protest -- the PAC money must be overflowing. Oh how I wish some mighty horrendous things upon Congress. Sorry. I do.

» Sat May 12, 2012 11:08 pm

"Why is it that when Republicans and Democrats need to solve the budget and the deficit, there's deadlock, but when Hollywood lobbyists pay them $94 million dollars to write legislation, people from both sides of the aisle line up to co-sponsor it?"

- Reddit Founder Alexis Ohanian

» Sun May 13, 2012 3:44 am

Hence why congress should convien 1 month per year MAX :tongue:

If they think they have the power to control the internet...their too old to understand the internet...

I would support a system where all legislation has to be reviewed before a set time (which would be in the nation's constitution or equivalent) or automatically be revoked. I think that would make them more cautious about introducing rubbish :shifty:

, and would also prevent Welshman-shooting* laws hanging around for centuries.

*As justified as it may be, shooting Welsh people with crossbows is no longer culturally acceptable

.

» Sat May 12, 2012 9:13 pm

...

» Sun May 13, 2012 2:52 am

"Why is it that when Republicans and Democrats need to solve the budget and the deficit, there's deadlock, but when Hollywood lobbyists pay them $94 million dollars to write legislation, people from both sides of the aisle line up to co-sponsor it?"

- Reddit Founder Alexis Ohanian

I know it's rhetorical, but since I feel like answering.. politicians don't care about their constituents. So what are they doing getting voted in?