Random Thoughts on Various Subjects

1. SC GOP PRIMARY

The race is getting whittled down as Rick Perry threw in the towel and endorsed Newt Gingrich. We know Mitt is in it to win it, so I have to consider who will drop out next. I think Santorum may give it up next. Meanwhile, Newt is surging. Neither one can make it over the long haul. Then, there is Ron Paul who is simply not going to win. If he were a hawk, he would be sailing high. The reality is that neocon foreign policy is the conventional wisdom across the land, and it is virtually unshakable in the minds of the electorate. When Ron Paul was booed at the debate for suggesting a foreign policy golden rule, that pretty much clinched it in my mind that he will not win. This nation wants war. It will want war until it becomes nauseating and abhorrent once more. This is the legacy of 9/11. The secret and unspoken wish of the American people is to see all Muslims dead.

2. ANDROID

I am really fascinated with the Android vs iOS battle going on. Both are similar but also represent different strategies. Plus, Woz says he likes the Android and finds it does some things better than iOS. What is going on here is Open vs. Closed. I haven't drawn any firm conclusions on this stuff, but they are definitely different ways to go. Which is better? At this point, I can't say. I will come out and say that Linux sucks, MacOS rocks, Android rocks, and Google Chrome is pretty sweet for speed and simplicity. In short, in this debate, there are no clear winners. The debate is important to me because it influences how I pursue my own projects. I will see if I can work up an essay on this.

3. SOPA/PIPA

I'm glad this shit was halted in its tracks. I have to wonder why NDAA didn't spark the same reactions, but people care more about YouTube than civil rights for accused terrorists. I don't believe in IP, so I automatically oppose any law protecting IP. Stephan Kinsella deserves credit for changing my mind on this subject. IP stifles innovation. If you doubt this, consider that SOPA/PIPA would essentially destroy the intellectual property of New Media to protect the intellectual property of Old Media. Basically, it would outlaw lightbulbs for the benefit of candlemakers. Ironically, some pro-IP libertarians think I am a socialist for being anti-IP. When I point out how IP stifles creativity and innovation, they say there is simply a problem in enforcement, but they can't tell us how IP should be enforced.

There is no such thing as IP. Property rights only apply to scarce goods. Ideas are not scarce goods. IP is essentially taking away your rights to property and ceding them to others. If it is firmly within the same realm as mercantilist protectionism, unions, licensing, permitting, regulation, and the like. IP is anti-free market. IP is intellectual theft and aggression.

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