Why are ‘Nerds’ and engineers against SOPA and PIP? The following is not a list of reasons why we are against these acts.

• We are pirates and never want to pay for anything. Arrrr!
• We are barefoot, longhaired hippies and never want to pay for anything.
• We are communists never want to pay for anything.
• We hate “the establishment” never want to pay for anything.
• (Starting to see a theme, here?)

Here is why I am against these acts

• These bills are written by people who have, at best, a Wikipedian summary knowledge of the technologies they are talking about.
• The proposed actions stand to fundamentally break the way humans interact with the Internet.
• Enforcement of these acts will cost millions of taxpayer dollars. PIP is said to cost upwards of $40,000,000 (40 Million) over 4 years.
• Laws like these establish precedent that can become the basis for other, scarier overarching laws.
• The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the RIAA and MPAA have continued to show their ineptitude with respect to Fair Use and rights afforded to copyright holders under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), as aptly demonstrated with the whole dajaz1 debacle from earlier this month. Not to mention the ongoing Universal Media Group’s (UMG) tiff with Megaupload and Youtube.
• In a Legis Memo written by Harvard Law Professor Laurence H. Tribe, the professor argues that policies put forth by SOPA may violate the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.
• The MPAA and the RIAA have yet to prove that piracy is hurting their business. Sure, it can be argued that there is no accurate way to show numbers, but is anyone not able to put food on the table because of piracy? If not, how is Congress going to justify $10,000,000/year to stop piracy to the taxpayers?
• Even the proponents of the bills know they are shoveling BS and calling it gold. House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Berman of California asked his colleagues to “pay attention to our intentions, not what we actually wrote in the bill.” The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Laws are not, and should not be based on intent. Laws should not be purposely ambiguous. Laws should be clear in intent, language, and purpose.
• DNS based filtering is easily subverted by using international DNS servers, proxies, or by intrinsically knowing that 74.125.113.147 is Google.com. In fact, there is already a Firefox Plug-in, DeSopa, which actively bypasses the proposed DNS poisoning proposed by SOPA and PIP. Existing proxy tunneling technologies like Tor will also bypass DNS poisoning.

The fundamental problem with SOPA is that they are using technology to solve an economic issue. SOPA and PIP aim to block access to top-level domains (TLD) hosted outside of the United States. These proposed laws state that current US laws don’t provide a reliable medium to takedown suspected infringing content from servers hosted outside of the US. No one is disputing that. What we are disputing is the proposed means to solve this issue. Instead of finding a way to remove that content, SOPA and PIP aim to block US Internet users from accessing those sites.

The best analogy for DNS is the Yellow Pages. Given a person or business’s name, the Yellow Pages tell you their street address. So, as an example, business ‘XYZ’ maps to 525 East 35th street. SOPA and PIP want to actively poison the records so that consumers will no longer be able to find the street address of business ‘XYZ’ if they are suspected of copyright infringement.

What is worse is that many websites are hosted within the same domain. Community forums, or free websites like the now defunct geocities and anglefire are all part of the same domain. In our example, xyz.geocities.com abc.geocities.com all share the same address of 525 East 35th street. When SOPA or PIP poison the DNS record when XYZ is suspected of infringing on copy protected material, ABC also becomes inaccessible, along with all other sites on that domain. It is equivalent of saying that because your neighbor might have stolen something, no one can find out your address, even though you have not done anything wrong.

The international community needs to come together and establish legal and economic ways for copyright holders to pursue actions against infringing parties. Us nerds need to be part of the decision making process to prevent stupid laws like SOPA and PIP from even being conceived. But to also to provide insight on how to use exiting technologies to facilitate a proper mechanism for content producers to provide access to their property, and to pursue infringers in a way that accurately targets the infringing media, without collateral damage.

What can you do?

• Sign the Official White House Petition.
• Contact your congressmen.
• Educate your less tech savvy friends and family as to why PIP and SOPA will fundamentally break the way humans interact with the internet.
• Educate yourself, and form your own opinions and solutions to this problem.

The process is this:
Any public post to my Google+ page will be read in through sebstein’s wordpress google+ crosspost plugin. This combined with alexking.org’s Twitter Tools plugin bridges the gap to twitter.

The downside is that twitter links back to my page, instead of the link directly. I may have to roll my own plug-in to get it to work the way I think it should. If I do find the time to develop it, I’ll post it here for anyone to use.

UPDATE
After some thinking, I decided I didn’t want my content to be cross posted 2+ times.
I came to this conclusion after considering many issues, the key being time (and my ability not to have any).
I also realized that I was detracting from the content I wanted to share by link-stealing visitors. No one wants to go to a blog and then to the real source.

So what I have done is started using the Google +1 Share button for that purpose.
I dug through the Google+ API looking for a way to get access to a user’s public +1′s, but I couldn’t find anything (I am assuming they are working on adding a lot of functionality to the API’s).

So, until there is a better way for doing this, I cooked my own way from ideas from two others blogs:
http://blog.varunkumar.me/2010/11/how-to-auto-tweet-your-google-reader.html and
http://mashe.hawksey.info/2011/11/google-plus-ones-to-tweet/

Note: I had to clone Martin’s Yahoo Pipe to exclude links that had no title, as feedburner wouldn’t validate them. As always, your millage will vary – I suggest cloning Martin’s Yahoo Pipe or mine, and modifying it as you see fit (it really isn’t that hard). The added safety/security bonus is that you will be in control of the entire pipeline if you create your own pipe, and not hope Martin or I won’t muck with the pipe, causing your implementation to break (You wouldn’t want someone to redirect all your twitter followers to the back ally of the internet, would you? Fair warning).

The workflow is like this:
“+1″ Web Source (from Apps like Google Currents) -> Screen Scrapping via Yahoo Pipes -> Google Feed Burner -> Post to Twitter.

So now, I can be reading something on Google Reader or Google Currents, and click +1, and it will automatically appear on my Google Plus profile, and then have direct post to the content tweeted. Added bonus – because the Pipe is spitting out an RSS feed, it is readily available to be consumed by the RSS WordPress widget (look to your right—->).

Economy swirling in the sink? Social Security drying up? Massive Oil Spill in the Gulf? No, no, that’s not worth debating. Apparently, the entire United States, all of its media outlets, and politicians are worried about a proposed mosque being built near the site of the former world trade center.

The Cordoba Initiative’s Cordoba House looks to build ” a world-class facility that promotes tolerance, reflecting the rich diversity of New York City.” Clearly, this is something to be concerned about.
I guess the issue that everyone has with this is that the Cordoba House is a Muslim-Led initiative. Part of this world-class facility is a Mosque for Muslim religious services. According to the many members of GOP, anything involving Muslims is bad.

In a poll released by Quinnipiac University, whose results are supported by a Rasmussen survey, the majority of people questioned were against the building of the Cordoba House. Though no one was asked to give their reasons, talking heads like Pamela Geller and Sarah Palin have stepped up to the plate and given their reasons. On an interview/debate/look at us, we are reporting the news segment on CNN, Geller argued that September 11th was an Islamic attack on America. Sarah Palin sees the Cordoba House as a stab in the heart for the victims of 9/11.

Let’s get some facts straight. First, September 11th was a criminal act committed by delusional and misguided individuals who were not following any of the teachings of Islam, and were in direct contradiction to the teachings of the religion.

Second, Islam is a religion – it is singular and cannot be subcategorized. There is no Liberal Islam, militant Islam, nor Conservative Islam . Muslims come in all shapes and sizes, and just like any other religion, there are pious and non pious individuals who call themselves Muslims. The actions of a few Muslims does not, and never will, define Islam.

Third, any Muslim who acts against peace, justice, freedom, or humanity is not following the teachings of Islam. Muslims who follow the teachings of their religion condemn all acts of violence against peace and humanity.

Fourth, American Muslims were also victims of the September 11th attacks, losing loved ones in the Towers, the planes, and at the Pentagon. Following the attacks, Muslims were harassed, and killed in a series of hate crimes.

Fifth, Muslims have been, and are a part of the American Military, giving their lives to defend and support their country.

Finally, Muslims are a part of the ‘fabric’ of America. Muslims are valued members of the American society, contributing their time and effort to make America better. They are part of the workforce, in all occupational fields, including doctors, lawyers, engineers, and congressmen. Many have lived here all of their lives, while others have migrated to achieve their American Dream.

So why am I angry? I am angry at the individuals who are using the memory of lost loved ones as a soap box to continue the spread of intolerance in America. I am angry at the wanna be politicians saying “Hey, if you vote for me, I’ll stop the Mosque at ground zero”. I am angry at the talking heads to continue to spread lies and misinformation about a religion who’s millions of followers around the world are pious, law abiding and upstanding citizens. I am angry that the one thing that is proven to combat intolerance and hate is being opposed by a few to gain popularity points. I am angry that out of all of the other important and noteworthy events that deserve our attention, we are being distracted by a building who’s objective is to foster peace and tolerance.

This salvo against Islam from the ‘Right’ is nothing new. The same people who demanded American Muslims apologize for the attacks are the same people who implied that there is something wrong with being a Muslim in America and are the same people who assert the Cordoba House is an attack against America.

Again, let’s be clear – to be against the Cordoba House because it is a Muslim led initiative, or because it will include a building of a mosque is intolerance at its worst. Replace Muslim with Jew, Mosque with Synagogue and you would have everyone calling the opposition anti-Semitic.

This Islamaphoic mentality is not isolated to New York. Across the United States, Muslim Communities are facing fierce, often times angry, and violent protests. In Tennessee and in California, locations far, far away from Ground Zero, residents have resorted to degrading, demining and offensive acts like bringing dogs to protest the proposed Mosque. In Texas, residents organized Pig races to purposely offend Muslims and their proposed Mosque.

What does this show about America? About our Politics? About our morality? We are so quick to condemn the drawing of Swastikas, but when it comes to defending the rights of Muslims, we fall silent?
I am amazed that religious activists and their affiliated groups have spoken out against the Cordoba House. Anti-Defamation League? Opposed. Hindu Leaders? Opposed. Southern Baptist Convention? Opposed. Clearly, they want a more tolerant society, so long as it tolerates them, and only them.

At the same time, I am honored and humbled by the people who are supporting the Cordoba House. Friends of mine who lost loved ones on September 11th support the Cordoba Initiative. New York’s Mayor Bloomberg shows he is above the popularity contest and voices his support for the Cordoba House. Fareed Zakaria returned the award he received by Anti-Defamation League because of their statements against the Cordoba House. And, although he haven’t spoken about the Cordoba House directly, I bring up this video of Collin Powell in 2008.

The September 11th attacks were a terrible, criminal act against America. But the only way to stop terrorism is through proper education of what Islam really is, and prevent the likes of Osama Bin Laden from misguiding and brain washing individuals. If the world wants more ‘Peaceful Muslims’, then we must support beacons of education and tolerance like the Cordoba House.

I would hope that a country whose roots involve immigrants fleeing religious persecution stops to think about what they are doing. I would hope that our politicians and law makers consider that what is just, and what is right, do not always see eye to eye with popular opinion. Desegregation was an unpopular decision, one that many people fought tooth and nail, but our lawmakers and leaders did what was right in spite of public opinion.

I would hope that one day, being a Muslim American won’t sound like a contradiction, and Muslims in America won’t have to prove their patriotism. I would hope that one day, America lives up to those famous words that declared our independence from intolerance and persecution. One day, I hope that Americas will “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Above all else, I hope that we can look past this distraction and focus on the issues worth fighting. There are real problems that need real solutions that deserve our attention.

Computer Science – two words that for some inexplicable reason, makes people think I can fix their computer. I can, don’t get me wrong, I can, but that has nothing to do with my major. Edgar Dijkstra said, “Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes”, and he is correct. Mechanical Engineers don’t fix fan belts, Electrical Engineers don’t fix VCR’s, and Computer Scientists don’t fix computers.

Computer Science is not about solving computer problems – that is almost entirely left to the mathematicians, physicists, and the electrical/computer engineers. Computer Science is the science of applying computers to solve real world problems. We use computers, and programming languages to implement algorithms that solve computationally intense problems. I’d argue that there exists no field in which computer science has not changed. Doctors now have the ability to detect tumors and other problem areas in medical images thanks to applications developed by computer scientists. Engineers can build an entire airplane virtually to exact tolerances and run complete analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of the structure. Cars can now detect collisions through many sensors, and can apply collision avoidance measures. All this is possible because a computer scientist wrote code that changed electrical pulses and manipulated bits.

I consider myself an engineer, even my major says so: BS in Computer Science and Engineering. Yet, many people do not consider Computer Science an Engineering Discipline. Professors of other engineering disciplines actually look down on computer scientists. Freshmen year, I had a professor who legitimately was disappointed when I declared my major. According to Wikipedia, “Engineers work to develop economical and safe solutions to practical problems, by applying mathematics and scientific knowledge while considering technical constraints.” This is what Computer Scientists do; this is exactly what we do. This disparity arises when people frame engineering with the industrial revolution mentality. With all due respect, the industrial revolution is dead. We are in a digital revolution, and have been for over a decade. Success is now dependent on the fast exchange of information, and the ability to process and analyze that data quickly. It is in the spirit of efficiency that computer scientists apply their math and critical thinking skills to improve the world around them. To deny computer scientists the title of engineer is equivalent to calling a doctor a nurse.

Though, I believe it is time for Computer Science education to grow up. Computer Science is taught in isolation, with artificial restraints. Computer scientists need to work with other disciplines and bridge the gaps to develop cohesive, all encompassing solutions to the problems that plague our society. There has to be a paradigm shift in institutions. Computer Scientists must be willing to work with other disciplines, and other disciplines must be willing to work with us, and inevitably, someone is going to have to force us to work together.

Most popular show only have the previous 3, maybe 5, episodes available for viewing. Great – just want I wanted, to watch a show that is in mid-season with no idea of what is going on. I guess I’ll have to watch the previous episodes elsewhere.
Ok, so maybe I have been following the show and missed the last episode, let me catch up. Here in lies the second problem – new episodes are released 8 days after original airing date. That means if I miss one episode, I am confined to watching the rest of the season online. I guess I’ll have catch up using other means.

The way that network television makes their money is through advertisers, is it not? It’s the same online, which I have no problem with. However, what I do have a problem with is networks airing the most obnoxious, and annoying advertisements. To make it worse, they have no variety – they play the same commercial again and again. The more times you make me watch the stupid Stride Gum commercial, the less I want to sit through this torture.

The TV industry does not get it. They should be using the Internet to supplement their traditional offerings and drive up viewer ship. I cannot even count the number of times my friends have said this season of show X just got amazing, you have to watch it. Instead of being able to catch up and watch the show on TV, I can’t watch the show in any form, and the network loses a viewer.
I hold the belief that the TV industry is afraid that having their shows on the Internet is going to reduce DVD sales. So what? The TV industry should be making more money using the Internet than they were before – if they aren’t, then they are doing it wrong.
Here’s what the TV industry should be doing:

1. Use better, more diverse advertisements for things that matter. No one cares about what going on the Fox Reality Network.
2. Use statistic-gathering methods to find out what users watch, how often, and what advertisements turn them off.
3. Offer at least the most recent season available in its entirety.
4. Release shows after the last time-zone airs the episode. At most, 1 day. Anymore, and it looses its value.
5. Keep up old shows. Just because its no longer in the air does not mean no wants to watch it. By keeping up old shows, you will gain new viewers, and still make money on ads.
6. Don’t bend arms of service providers like Hulu and boxee – it does not matter if they watch Internet content on a computer screen or on a TV screen, as long as they watch it.
7. Offer higher quality video to drive down the incentive to pirate. Advertisers pay premiums for prime time shows and other high viewership time slots – the same should be applied for Internet TV.

The TV industry still thinks it’s a competition between providing content over the Air/Cable/Satellite and the Internet. The reality is that both need to be leveraged against the real competitors – piracy. The harder the TV industry makes it for viewers to access TV shows, the more likely people will pirate episodes, and piracy has become really simple.

I find it difficult to consistently find topics to write about, mostly due to the fact that I am a fulltime college student who is not pursuing a degree in underwater basket weaving. Further, I feel that the bigger issues are better covered by syndicated blogs, such as the folks over at engadget.com, lifehacker.com, or Om Malik’s blogging network, GigaOm.com.

While I have been searching for direction for the blog, I realized that I often find obscure videos, links, and posts that most people I share with. Yet, I find mindless link forwarding rather pointless unless it fosters some sort of debate.

I found a direction for my blog while watching a rerun of the Family Guy episode “Stewie B. Goode”. During the episode, Peter gets a job at the local news station, and becomes the star host of What Grinds My Gears, a segment in which he rants about things that bother him.

The light switch went off, and I had it. The direction of this blog will be a running commentary of things that don’t align with my view of the world.

If I feel like it, I will offer solutions, but I won’t hold myself to that.

This “My Way or the Highway” approach will not bring the bees, I realize this. However, I do hope that if I complain enough, someone will eventually oil the squeaky wheel.

To close of this celebration of rebirth, I quote one of my all time favorite books, Norton Juster’s “The Phantom Toolbooth”

Expectations is the place you must always go to before you get to where you’re going. Of course, some people never go beyond Expectations, but my job is to hurry them along whether they like it or not.