Quote:
Originally posted by walktalker
Wanna have a news version of Maxwell's demon ? 
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Sounds
cool! 
Real-life versions of Maxwellian demons (with their entropy lowering effects of course duly balanced by increase of entropy elsewhere) actually occur in living systems, such as the ion pumps that make our nervous systems work, including our minds. Molecular-sized mechanisms are no longer found only in biology however, it's also the subject of the exciting new field of nanotechnology.
So Maxwell's demon is an icon for our times, sitting at the crossroads of information and the physical universe.
Hmmmmm..... yes, that would be a good description of our vigilant newsman!
Quote:
Originally posted by walktalker:
The new "copyspeak"
Hollywood, the music industry, select policy-makers and now the Justice Department have adopted a new "copyspeak" that equates the downloading of files from the Internet with "piracy," "stealing" and "shoplifting." The pervasive theme of copyspeak is that downloading from the Internet is both illegal and immoral. It is neither. No doubt this era's rapid shift to digital technology is changing the rules of the game -- there is little doubt that some use the benefits of technology to make and distribute unauthorized copies for personal financial gain in clear violation of copyright law. But we've been down the road of technological advancement before. How we resolve this latest tension between copyright and technology will define our future ability to communicate, create and share information, education and entertainment. Indeed, if the play button becomes the pay button, our very ability to raise the world's standard of living and education will be jeopardized.
http://news.com.com/2010-1071-959513.html
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An excellent essay, recommended.
- tg
