Douglas Adams Continuum (DAC)

Not to be taken as a sign of revolution or anything, just a reaction to something I saw in some article.
The issue seems to be all these fora, the myspace, twitter, blogs, you name it. One should probably be very careful and selective as regards topics etc if using the net to state an opinion. It seems to be evolving in the orwellian direction of big brother sees all, or so it would appear if judging by the aforementioned article (to which I misplaced the link, but it should be easy to find by way of google). Evidently some people have lost their jobs due to things discussed and even face criminal charges, if I understood it right. The point seems to be that as it's so widespread if discussed on a forum or a blog, it becomes slander instead of voicing an opinion. In some cases, hypothetical, I might understand this position, but are we now supposed not to dare say (or write) what we believe, or else being collected by the 'word police' in the middle of the night?
Where is the border? Must we be afraid? I just read a novel - 'For herr Bachmann's brochure' - By Vallgren, it's a satirical rant directed at the swedish society, the way shallow nonsense and plastic mediocrity replaces culture and seriousness in the realm of the political sphere. It ridicules the besserwisser mentality of many members of the nation, especially under the influence of the gargleblaster. I quite agree on most of the incredible work, and started thinking what if this had been an online essay, I mean, almost any swede would immediately recognize persons and topics. Would he be charged by the secret police, or just silently collected by men in black at night? Judging by the article he could well be facing serious trouble. Are we to be afraid and prefer not to state our opinion, in case it disturb some status quo or upsets some hidden force behind the scenes? When is the secret line crossed? Is it when the author states a political standpoint other than that of the 'inner circle'? Is journalism ok just as far as it doesn't disturb? Are we to be silent? Ignorant of the world outside the aquarium?
Or am I just being stupid?
Oh, yes, here's the link to the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101123/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_twitter_trouble

Yup

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Ophelia was a preference, not humanly accessible, not as such.

it´s a good article and a very interesting and complex matter. the main point of this being, for me, that you have to be a very aware user of these modern media. because the point is (and this is what people tend to forget): if you post something where (literally) the whole world can read it, it´s no longer private. it just isn´t. does it mean a harmless joke should legally be treated as a threat? hell no. but people really have to realize that the net is. not. a. private. place, no matter what some of the people making money with it want you to believe. bottom line #2 for me: as a web user, you have responsibility, and you owe it to yourself to be careful.

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Oh, and by freak incidentally yours truly tonight on channel 2, at 10.45, 'Brazil' - the movie by which all other movies are judged - will illustrate this lugubriously.

Peace
&
Cold black coffee...

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Ophelia was a preference, not humanly accessible, not as such.

and also the dangers of rogue plumbing!

_________________
"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)