Nifty Nate informs me that
Radio Canada, the francophone side of the CBC, is now streaming in ogg:
- Première Chaîne (currently pointing at http://ms2.radio-canada.ca:80/PremiereChaine.ogg)
- Espace musique (currently pointing at http://ms2.radio-canada.ca:80/EspaceMusique.ogg)
48kbps of Free goodness.
I’m glad the francophone side finally caught of with the anglophone side (which has been streaming ogg for a while).
Merci Nate! Mes pensées exactement.
Got 20 minutes? Of course you do. Watch “The Story of Stuff
” and learn about how we’re killing ourselves and each other with corporate power, government subservience to corporate power, unsustainable development, marketing, and the linchpin that keeps it all going: shopping for stuff we really don’t need (and will likely throw away less than a year after we get it).
Free software can play a role here. Annie Leonard talks about her 5-year old computer, a model that looks huge compared to other sleek modern computers. I’m using a 10-year old computer right now to type this message. I’ve been keeping my computer going without forgoing security, software updates, or modern online conveniences by using free software. Sure, I can’t play the latest video games on this computer, it’s too slow for all of the very latest 3D free software games. But that’s a secondary issue; I don’t need games to get work done and there are plenty of free software games I can play.
I can do all the things most people do on their computers: watch movies, read email, surf the web, play music, and chat with my friends. I upgrade small parts of my computer hardware occasionally when things fail such as replacing a hard drive and adding a new DVD burner when my old CD burner stopped burning CDs. I plan to use this computer until it simply won’t run anymore.
The key is changing the priorities of our lives: I spend more time away from my computer now so I can get some exercise. By prioritizing my software freedom above following the latest glitzy trends, I can use less than the latest model of computer. When I can’t run this computer anymore, I’ll spend a little extra money to get a computer that will last another 10 years and keep it going.
The XO-1 is an impressively low-power computer with a monitor that doesn’t contain as much mercury as common LCD monitors. The XO-1 also has some recyclable parts. The XO-1 shows by example that we can make better computers. I hope the technology that goes into innovative machines like the XO-1 make it into popular mainstream computers.
The Story of Stuff is compelling however it took far too long for my ordered copy to arrive. Feedback from the producers indicated that they are overwhelmed by the number of orders for the DVD. The signed slip of paper that came with my copy of the DVD says that I should “Feel free to copy and share it freely for any non-commercial use” so I am.
You can also order a copy for someone else and give StoryOfStuff.com the $10. In any case, enjoy the downloaded version now.
Voting for US President from any county in Illinois except Cook County is mostly a waste of time. Cook County basically dictates where all of Illinois’ electoral votes will go and Cook County favors any Democrat regardless of what that Democrat stands for. So despite Sen. Obama’s sabre-rattling against Iran
[T]he big question is going to be, if Iran is resistant to these pressures [to stop its nuclear program], including economic sanctions, which I hope will be imposed if they do not cooperate, at what point … if any, are we going to take military action?
[L]aunching some missile strikes into Iran is not the optimal position for us to be in” given the ongoing war in Iraq. “On the other hand, having a radical Muslim theocracy in possession of nuclear weapons is worse.
Barack Obama, September 26, 2004 to the Chicago Tribune
Obama will probably do well in Illinois (his hometown appeal probably plays well too). Obama also argued that attacking Pakistan shouldn’t be ruled out if “violent Islamic extremists” were to “take over”.
I just learned that Nader has entered the 2008 race (BBC, MSNBC transcript) so, barring any substantive change in his politics, I now know for whom I’m voting in this race. Nader’s got a great record including being for single-payer universal health care, against the war, and not threatening Iran. I’m sold.
It’s a shame the next major stage of the rigging of the US election will kick in: excluding anyone but Demopublicans from the TV “debates”. It’s a good thing the US airwaves aren’t owned by the American people or we’d really look like chumps.
Related: Chris Hedges on Ralph Nader: what happened in 2000 and 2004