So, you're saying, "It's OK because they're white and thus obviously not a threat?"
No, I'm saying absent any contextual information, 140 characters can be widely interpreted as different things by a global audience. An audience who subconsciously fill in the context based upon their own individual culture, background, beliefs, ideas, worldview, etc.
Happens both in Tweets and in Slashdot posts.
'They asked why we wanted to destroy America and we tried to explain it meant to get trashed and party.
Context is very important. Especially when dealing with a different culture, even though they may share a common language
Of course, as these young Brits discovered, this works both ways.
A similar story made the rounds last April. CBS claimed copyright infringement on the "DiagnosticPADD" app for the iPad. Specifically, CBS claimed
“the Application uses the ‘PADD’ trademark and the interface is substantially similar to CBSS’ copyrighted LCARS interface. Your use of the Series’ Properties improperly trades on the goodwill and reputation of CBSS and the Series and is likely to cause confusion among consumers that the Application is affiliated with or licensed by CBSS and/or the Series. CBSS has concluded that such use constitutes trademark infringement, dilution, passing off and misappropriation under the Lanham Act and applicable state laws, as well as copyright infringement under applicable U.S. copyright law and counterpart laws around the world.”
What's confusing to me is they seem to flip back and forth between copyright and trademark infringement. I'm not sure how either would apply here anyway.
I'm writing this from the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, right near the edge of the evacuation zone 'C'. A good portion of the people here in the neighborhood of Dumbo near the water have either followed mandatory evacuation or have opted to leave on their own . Nearby low-lying Fulton Ferry and the much better situated Brooklyn Heights are ready to ride the storm out.
I also happen to have the weekend on-call network emergency duty for a group of offices here in the neighborhood (trade into it weeks ago. Oops). We ran through a checklist today, including testing backup generators and going over contingency plans for flooding. In front of me is a cell phone, radio and keys to everything. Meanwhile, the city is doing a massive amount of prep work on its own. Talked to a number of friends and neighbors today and everyone who will be here is hunkered down.
This is my first hurricane. Not sure how this is going to turn out, but everyone here is ready.
Bring it Irene.
I've seen nearly-identical "deals" for photography packages on Groupon before. To be a successful commercial photographer, you need 1) equipment 2) a measure of skill and talent and 3) enough business smarts to make enough money for your time.
The move to digital has significantly lowered requirement #1, equipment. Until an photographer starts building a portfolio and eliciting feedback from others (preferably experienced photographers), they won't have a clue as to requirement #2, their skill level. That lack of understanding hurts requirement #3, knowing what to charge.
So here's how the scenario above will play out. 300 Groupon users will call and make bookings in the near future. The photographer will accept a handful of them at first, and quickly realize what he/she's gotten him/herself into. The photographer will then try to weasel out of the rest of the coupons; pushing available dates into the distant future, cancellations, attempting to disqualify the coupon, attempting to change the terms, stalling, and finally flat our ignoring them. Groupon users will then complain the Groupon, who will eventually get the money back, and everyone will walk away unhappy.
People will be quick to blame Groupon in this case. But its wholly the photographers fault. If you, as a business owner, overcommit your product, your resources, your services, or yourself, you only have yourself to blame.
Disclosure: I've done some work as a commercial photographer, mostly because I enjoy the occasional change from the usual 9-5 IT work. Feel free to hit up the link in my sig.
Doh. Just realized I wasn't logged in and posted that as Anon. Link in sig is below:
From the article:
Rayotek CEO Bill Raggio: "You can hire some giant squid to come over with a sledgehammer and just start bashing away on that glass sphere. And it won't hurt it."
I'm sold. If there's anything I fear more while in my personal sub than sharks with head-mounted-lasers, it's hired squids wielding sledgehammers.
Also those homeless sperms whales that approach your sub at the intersection and want to squeegee your front porthole for spare change are annoying too.
It's only creepy if you haven't yet welcomed our self-aware software overlords.
I had no idea I was self-aware.
"'Tis true, 'tis pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true." -- Poloniouius, in Willie the Shake's _Hamlet, Prince of Darkness_