November 2006 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

documentary, new media job
by Greg Elmer 13 Nov '06

13 Nov '06

Ryerson University is known for innovative programs built on the integration of theoretical and practically oriented learning. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs are distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum and strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities. Ryerson is also a leader in adult learning, with the largest university-based continuing education school in Canada. SCHOOL OF IMAGE ARTS PROPOSED MFA IN DOCUMENTARY MEDIA Applications are invited for two tenure-track positions, effective August 1, 2007 - one in Documentary Film, Photography and/or New Media; and one in Media Production. DOCUMENTARY FILM, PHOTOGRAPHY AND/OR NEW MEDIA We seek an historian/critical theorist with a specialization in documentary film, photography and/or new media. The successful candidate will be expected to develop curriculum, teach and supervise in a new MFA graduate program in Documentary Media, planned for Fall 2007. A PhD (or equivalent) is required by the time of appointment. Candidates should have a record of research and publication in the area of documentary theory and history. Candidates should also have a strong grounding in the history of film/photography and the historiography of documentary theory. Relevant professional experience will be considered an asset. The successful candidate should also be able to demonstrate a theoretical engagement with emergent media forms relating specifically to questions of authorship, authenticity and the impact of new technologies on the idea of documentary. MEDIA PRODUCTION We seek a practising new media artist with a particular interest in the area of documentary media. The successful candidate will teach and supervise in a new MFA graduate program in Documentary Media, planned for the Fall 2007. The successful candidate may also teach senior undergraduate production classes. It is expected that the candidate will be able to offer production skills necessary to introduce an innovative curriculum in emerging practices and methodologies, applications of digital technologies, and interdisciplinary creation of new forms of documentary. As the School seeks to augment its externally funded research activities, a doctoral degree is preferred, but those with strong industry and/or teaching credentials, including a master's degree or equivalent, will receive full consideration. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in interactive media, current digital forms of delivery and exhibition, and the social and critical role of documentary. Applicants should send their application materials, including a cover letter, CV and samples of recent work or publications, by December 18, 2006, to: Appointments Committee, School of Image Arts, c/o C. Gullo, Program Manager. E-mail: cgullo(a)ryerson.ca. The review of resumes will continue until the positions are filled. Greg Elmer, PhD Bell Globemedia Research Chair Director, Infoscape Research Lab, www.infoscapelab.ca Rogers Communications Centre/School of Radio-TV Arts Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5B 2K3 416-979-5282 _______________________________________________ Co-Editor, Space and Culture: An International Journal of Social Spaces http://www.carleton.ca/space/

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faculty positions in digital media
by David M Silver 13 Nov '06

13 Nov '06

fyi. david *** The Digital Media Studies (http://dms.du.edu/) program and the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism Studies at the University of Denver invite applications for two 9-month, tenure-track assistant professor positions to begin September 1, 2007. 1. Digital Media Theory The successful applicant will demonstrate a substantial commitment to innovative research and scholarship in emerging digital media forms and the cultures that surround them. The successful candidate should combine analytic and creative strengths across several areas, which might include the following: mobile, tactical, social, personal media, media convergence, physical computing, global media and international communication. The successful applicant will be responsible for teaching courses that take critical approaches to digital media while at the same time fostering the applied theory and practical components of the DMS program and the Dept. of Mass Communications, as well as teaching courses for the University's general education requirements. 2. Digital Media Technology Applicants for this position should have a developed background in digital media arts and technology. Along with outstanding applied skills, candidates should demonstrate their potential for research and scholarship in emerging digital media forms. The primary instructional responsibilities of the successful applicant may include teaching courses in interactive multimedia production, computer games, multimedia performance, electronic literature, virtual environments, and related areas. Instructional opportunities also include developing courses taking innovative, critical approaches to digital media and technologies, both for the DMS program and the University's general education requirements. Additional responsibilities for both positions will include supervising graduate theses and projects, as well as undergraduate and graduate student advising. Successful applicants are expected to take an active role in shaping this innovative, interdisciplinary program among the School of Art and Art History, the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Mass Communications. Applicants should be ABD in an appropriate field of media studies, arts, production, or related areas. Preferred candidates will have the terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.F.A.) in an appropriate discipline. All applicants must submit online applications for these positions by going to http://www.dujobs.org. Please submit a letter of application and c.v. as part of this online application process. Teaching evaluations and three letters of recommendation should be mailed separately to Professor Trace Reddell, Search Committee Chair, Digital Media Studies Program, Sturm Hall 216B, 2000 E. Asbury Ave., Denver, CO 80208 (303-871-3874). DU is an EEO/AA Employer and is committed to enhancing its faculty and staff diversity. Applications are particularly encouraged from women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans. For full consideration, applications should be received by January 5, 2007. *** david silver http://silverinsf.blogspot.com

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Obscentiy CFP deadline approaching
by Karla-Tonella＠uiowa.edu 13 Nov '06

13 Nov '06

Call for Papers - Deadline December 1, 2006 for abstracts Obscenity: An Interdisciplinary Discussion 2007 Obermann Center Humanities Symposium The University of Iowa March 1-4, 2007 In 1966, anthropologist Mary Douglas published her groundbreaking study, Purity and Danger: An Analysis of the Concept of Pollution and Taboo, asserting that "dirt" is a "universal theme across human societies." Douglas issued her book during a period of massive liberalization of censorship practices in English-speaking societies that led lawyer Charles Rembar to declare "the end of obscenity." Where Douglas saw a universal cultural theme, Rembar saw a concept that had lost its cultural significance. The proximity of these claims indicates a persistent paradox: while the category of obscenity would appear to be "universal," its meaning is so vague and variable that it is almost impossible to pin down in what this universality consists. The opening of the 21st century is a felicitous time to interrogate the "universality" of obscenity in terms of the globalization of culture and postmodern skepticism in the human sciences. This symposium is intended to enable an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural dialogue that will analyze this notoriously vague yet apparently perennial concept in an historical and global context. Possible topics will include, but will not be limited to, the following: - How do definitions of obscenity vary across cultures and historical periods? - How do identity categories of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and disability inflect or inform issues of obscenity? - What is the relation between verbal and visual instances of obscenity? - To what degree is religion implicated in definitions of obscenity? - How is obscenity inflected or informed by family structures and practices? - How do issues of obscenity vary across institutional locations? - In what ways are attacks on obscenity related to media ownership and the development of new media? - How is obscenity related to cognate concepts such as indecency, pornography, and profanity? Speakers include Nadine Strossen (New York University), Michael Taussig (Columbia University), John D. Peters (University of Iowa), Laura Kipnis (Northwestern University), Linda Williams (UC Berkeley), Judith Krug (American Library Association), and Lamia Karim (University of Oregon). Please submit 300-word abstracts online at <http://www.uiowa.edu/obermann/obscenity>http://www.uiowa.edu/obermann/obscenity by December 1, 2006. Address any questions to Loren Glass at obscenity(a)uiowa.edu

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Re: [Air-l] Tyranny of a minority
by Kris Markman 13 Nov '06

13 Nov '06

At 1:09 PM -0800 11/10/06, air-l-request(a)listserv.aoir.org wrote: >Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 10:48:35 -0800 (PST) >From: Sam Tilden <tildensam(a)yahoo.com> >Subject: [Air-l] Tyranny of a minority >To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org >Message-ID: <20061109184835.21646.qmail(a)web58313.mail.re3.yahoo.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > >Dear Colleagues, > > Several days ago I took exception to a rant by Elijah Wright >(about Tim Beriers-Lee) on this list. As a result, I was flamed by >Jeremy Hunsinger followed shortly by a request from Charles Ess to >prove that I am who I say I am. > > I have been respectful, contributory and have broken no rules >either implicit or explicit. > > Charles, Elijah, and Jeremy are on a hunt to purify the >intellectual integrity of this list. They have accused me of being a >pseudononymous personality and therefore in violation of the rules >set up by the executive board of AOIR. > ><snip> > > The new rules expressed by Matt Allen recently codify the power of >a few people to remove you if you get out of line. They don't even >have to give a reason. Trial by innuendo is the rule not the >exception. This is an anathema to everything I believe is important >in scholarship. <snip> I am responding to this thread as a member of this list and a member of AoIR. I believe these accusations to be unfair and unfounded. I read this list every day, and I see no evidence of a "hunt" nor a "tyranny." I would also like to point out that the requirement to provide evidence of one's identity upon joining this list is not a "new" rule. I joined this list in July 2002, and I still have the email sent to me by then-list manager Charlie Breindahl asking me to inform him briefly about my identity as part of confirming my list subscription. This rule therefore long predates Matthew Allen's tenure as President of AoIR (I believe Steve Jones was President at the time?). Frankly, I did not think it an unreasonable request at the time, and I continue to believe that it is a reasonable expectation to hold for a community of scholars and professionals. -Kris Markman -- ********** ********** ********** ********** Kris M. Markman, Ph.D. Email: krism(a)alumni.utexas.net http://home.earthlink.net/~kmmarkman ********** ********** ********** **********

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CFP: M/C Journal 'mobile' issue
by M/C - Media and Culture 13 Nov '06

13 Nov '06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 13 November 2006 M/C - Media and Culture http://www.media-culture.org.au/ is calling for contributors to the 'mobile' issue of M/C Journal http://journal.media-culture.org.au/ M/C Journal is looking for new contributors. M/C is a crossover journal between the popular and the academic, and a blind- and peer-reviewed journal. In 2007, M/C Journal celebrates its tenth year in publication. To see what M/C Journal is all about, check out our Website, which contains all the issues released so far, at <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/>. To find out how and in what format to contribute your work, visit <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/journal/submission.php>. Call for Papers: 'mobile' Edited by Larissa Hjorth & Olivia Khoo Convergence has become part of burgeoning mobile media. The mobile phone has come of age. As an integral component of visual media cultures, camera phone practices are arguably both extending and creating emerging ways of seeing and representing. In media footage of late, camera phones have been heralded as providing everyday users with the possibility of self- expression and voice in the once unidirectional model of mass media. In addition, the "exchange" and gift-giving economy underpinning mobile phone practices (Taylor and Harper 2003) is further enunciated by the camera phone's ability to "share" moments between intimates (and strangers) through various contextual frameworks and archives from MMS, blogs, virtual community sites to actual face-to-face digital storytelling. This is particularly the case in the Asia-Pacific region, where mobile practices in locations such as Tokyo and Seoul have brought about new forms of media use; for example, mobile phones are increasing being deployed to connect to, among other things, Web 2.0's burgeoning landscape of social software. In much of the rhetoric of current media criticism, users are being interpellated as prosumers (producers plus consumers), but what is the reality behind this so-called agency? Do users really feel empowered by the structures of immediacy connected to user-generated content (UGC)? Are they 'liberated' by the multi-media functions of the mobile phone or is the increasing convergence of mobile media causing more complications than pleasures? This issue of M/C Journal seeks papers exploring the role of convergent mobile technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. The issue aims to explore the socio-cultural particularities of various adaptations of mobile media, from case studies on mobile communication in the Asia Pacific, to cross- cultural analyses of the transborder flows of mobile media production, representation and consumption. Topics may include: - Convergent mobile technologies - The use of mobile technologies in the construction, regulation and upkeep of social software and virtual communities - Pervasive mobile gaming - Mobile communication case studies in the region - The role of co-presence and maintenance of intimacy and community through mobile communication - The "future" of mobile media - Creativity and mobile media; the aesthetics of mobile media - Critiques of prosumer rhetoric in mass media - Emerging forms of techno-nationalism and governmental policies around 'mobility' and digital convergent cultures - The changing role of temporality and spatiality in contemporary case studies of mobile telephony Submit your essays of 3000 words in length to the editors at mobile(a)journal.media-culture.org.au. Article deadline: 17 January 2007 Issue release date: 14 March 2007 M/C Journal was founded (as "M/C - A Journal of Media and Culture") in 1998 as a place of public intellectualism analysing and critiquing the meeting of media and culture. Contributors are directed to past issues of M/C Journal for examples of style and content, and to the submissions page for comprehensive article submission guidelines. M/C Journal articles are blind peer-reviewed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Further M/C Journal issues scheduled for 2007: 'adapt': article deadline 9 March 2007, release date 2 May 2007 'complex': article deadline 4 May 2007, release date 27 June 2007 'home': article deadline 29 June 2007, release date 22 August 2007 'error': article deadline 24 August 2007, release date 17 October 2007 'vote': article deadline 19 October 2007, release date 12 December 2007 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- M/C - Media and Culture is located at <http://www.media-culture.org.au/>. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- M/C Journal is online at <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/>. All past issues of M/C Journal on various topics are available there. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- end Dr Axel Bruns -- General Editor editor(a)media-culture.org.au M/C - Media and Culture http://www.media-culture.org.au/

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science ethics in africa
by Jeremy Hunsinger 11 Nov '06

11 Nov '06

This is a bit off topic, but since it deals with ethics, policy, and research, I thought it tied in with the research angle, especially in ways that we appreciate the situation in developing countries as internet-based researchers and internet researchers. The info is primarily at a second level, reading the reports on various ethical issues and ethic agendas. Science ethics in africa http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php- URL_ID=10180&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/file_download.php/ 5fd49fa8d7f6269635463980e534ce4eEnglish+version.pdf jeremy hunsinger Assistant Professor Pratt Institute www.cddc.vt.edu wiki.tmttlt.com www.tmttlt.com () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.stswiki.org/ sts wiki http://cfp.learning-inquiry.info/ Learning Inquiry-the journal http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series

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Fwd: The Patchwork Mandate (fwd) (harnad on self-archiving policies)
by Jeremy Hunsinger 11 Nov '06

11 Nov '06

i thought some of you would be interested in this discussion of self- archiving policies. Begin forwarded message: > From: Stevan Harnad <harnad(a)ECS.SOTON.AC.UK> > Date: November 11, 2006 7:23:48 AM EST > To: VPIEJ-L(a)LISTSERV.VT.EDU > Subject: The Patchwork Mandate (fwd) > Reply-To: Stevan Harnad <harnad(a)ECS.SOTON.AC.UK> > > ** Apologies for Cross-Posting ** > > Below is yet another brilliant and timely stroke from the > Archivangelist > of the Antipodes (who is rapidly gaining worldwide moral hegemony!): > > Arthur Sale is so right: Where the university's senior management are > momentarily immovable, the right target is a promising individual > department or two: The focussed outcome of a departmental mandate > can be > even faster and more dramatic than a university-wide one, serving as > an irresistible stepping stone toward a university-wide mandate. > > And there is supporting evidence: The outcome of the Tasmania CS and > Southampton ECS departmental mandates, there to prove it works (and > both > of them leading to university-wide mandates thereafter): > > http://www.eprints.org/signup/fulllist.php > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:15:25 +1100 > From: Arthur Sale <ahjs(a)OZEMAIL.COM.AU> > To: JISC-REPOSITORIES(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK > Subject: The Patchwork Mandate > > Over the last few months this list has been inundated by people > looking for > policies to adopt for their institutional repositories, and > frustrated by > their management's inability to see that a mandate is required. I > haven't > been very helpful to the enquirers, because all of the > encouragement type > policies are known to be quite inadequate. However, I have done some > thinking and have now put together a short paper (4 pages) on an > option for > repository managers wanting to fill their repositories under unhelpful > conditions - The Patchwork Mandate. > > I encourage you to download the working paper from > http://eprints.utas.edu.au/410/, as it has nice typesetting and > readability [and hyperlinks] in a pdf file. You can even show it to > your > senior managers. However, if you can't or don't want to, I have pasted > the text below. > > Arthur Sale > Professor of Computing (Research) > University of Tasmania > > - > PASTED PAPER BEGINS > > The Patchwork Mandate > Technical Report > Arthur Sale, 11 November 2006 > > Policies for Repository Managers > > This document is written mainly for repository managers who are at > a loss > as to what policies they (or their universities or research > institutions) > ought to deploy. I make no bones about stating that there are only two > "pure" policies: > > * requiring (mandating) researchers to deposit, and > * voluntary (spontaneous) participation. > > The institutional mandate > > The obvious and no-risk solution is for the institution to require > researchers to deposit their publications in the institutional > repository. > There is ample evidence that this is acceptable to over 95% of > researchers, > both in pre-implementation surveys and in post-implementation > evidence. One > Australian university is leading the world in collecting 70% of its > annual > research output and the fraction is rising. This is not surprising, > since > the researcher's world is hemmed in with the requirements to teach, > to ask > for student evaluations, to write and mark examinations, to > supervise PhD > students, to publish research, to report to granting bodies, etc. > However > because of the age of senior executives (Rectors, Vice-Chancellors, > Presidents or the Research Vice-Presidents, Pro Vice-Chancellors, > etc) it > may be difficult to convince them that they have been carried into > a new era > of scholarly dissemination while they weren't looking, and that their > attitudes are horribly obsolescent. > > An institutional-wide requirement to deposit in the IR is the > logical and > inevitable end-point. In fact it is exactly what is needed. Once > such a > policy is in place the IR manager's approaches to researchers and > heads of > centers and all the plethora of feel-good activities actually work. > People > who are required to deposit their publications are grateful for > advice. The > occasional chase-up call is not resented. Just about everything > that the > university can put in place (for example publicity for deposits, > awards for > the best author or paper, assistance with self-archiving, download > statistics, etc) will begin to work as it resonates with every > academic in > fulfilling their duty. > > A mandatory policy will approach a capture rate of 100% of current > research > publications, but over a couple of years. Figures of 60-90% can be > expected > in a short time. See > http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue11_10/sale/index.html for > some data > on how mandates actually work. > > Voluntary participation > > The 'everything else' policies are not worth talking about for > long. In the > absence of mandates, every encouragement policy known to Man fails to > convince more than 15% to 20% of researchers to invest the 5 > minutes of time > needed to deposit their publications. The percentage does not grow > with > time. When you look at this closely, all these encouragement policies > (awards to top authors, regular articles in the house magazine, great > feedback, personal approaches, download statistics, seminars, > explanation of > the OA advantages, etc) fail. This is a global experience, but I > have plenty > of Australian examples. The reason is easy to grasp: these > activities appeal > to the converted and the practicing self-archivers, not the > skeptics or the > lazy. In other words they simply pass over the heads of over 80% of > the > potential contributors without engagement with the little grey cells. > > I must emphasize that such policies are known to achieve no greater > deposit > rate of current research than 30% and more usually around 15%. The > evidence > can be produced and is absolutely clear. At such deposit rates, one > wonders > why it is worth bothering having a repository or undertaking the > proselytizing activities, except simply to have a repository in > place (a > yes/no tick). > > It is also useless to look at growth rates of documents in the > repository > without taking their publication and deposit dates into account. The > evidence shows that many 'converted' depositors busy themselves with > mounting all their old papers. This is not to be discouraged and makes > repository managers think they are achieving something, but it is > not a > significant performance indicator. The only important performance > indicator > is 'How much of your institution's annual research output appears > in your > repository by (say) 6 months after year end?' > > The Patchwork Mandate > > So, many repository managers find themselves between a rock and a hard > place. They can't convince the senior executives to bring in a > mandate, and > they know that voluntary deposition does not work. Fortunately > there may be > a middle way or even a transitional way ahead. I call it the patchwork > mandate for reasons that will become obvious. Unfortunately we > don't have > any evidence yet that this policy works on an institutional scale, > though > there are significant pointers to indicate that it will. > > So what is the patchwork mandate? Simply this: > > 1 Knowing that you have been unable to convince the senior > executives, you nevertheless personally commit to having a mandate > across > your institution. > > 2 You aim to pursue a strategy that will achieve an > institutional > mandate in the long term. It is highly recommended that you > register your > intention to do this in ROARMAP so as to encourage other repository > managers > caught in the same dilemma. > > 3 Since you can't get an institutional mandate, you work > towards > getting departmental (school/faculty) mandates one by one. Each > departmental > mandate will rapidly trend towards 100% and needs little activism to > maintain this level. > > Let's look at this a bit more closely. We have solid evidence that > departmental mandates work, and much faster than university-wide > mandates. A > year or so suffices to achieve a substantial acquisition rate of > current > research. This is because there are fewer people involved, and the > researchers tend to trust their leaders more. It is also easier to > achieve > conversion at the departmental level. Two documented examples are > ECS at > Southampton University and the School of Computing at the > University of > Tasmania (mine). Again see > http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue11_10/sale/index.html. > > What is a departmental mandate? A decision by the Head of > Department (or a > Research Director or a democratic staff meeting) that all peer- > reviewed > articles in the department must be deposited in the IR as a > postprint, at > the time of acceptance. See > http://www.eprints.org/openaccess/policysignup/sign.php for a draft > policy > you can adapt. Its effect is immediate, and most members of the > department > comply quite easily. The 'enforcement' of the policy (if any is > needed) is > in the hands of the responsible person of the department, and all > it needs > is to watch what people claim they have published and ask "have you > archived > that yet?" That is enough - no punitive action is required. > > How do you achieve this? Well what you don't do is try a scatter-gun > approach across the institution. Nor only does it waste effort, but > it puts > people's back up. You analyze all your departments and research > centers. You > decide which senior people in them might be amenable to persuasion. > A high > research profile is a good indicator, as is a discipline where > online access > is already widespread. Another pointer is an area where a funding body > mandate is going to affect many people. You know your institution > better > than I do, so choose your own criteria. > > Then you concentrate on the leader of a department and possibly people > around him or her to firstly deposit their own current research, > show them > what they can get out of it (for example download statistics), and > then > persuade them that their whole department should deposit. Give them > the > words to use. Suggest implementation. Provide support. Run > seminars. Provide > monthly deposit data summaries. But all of this strictly targeted > at the > selected department. Once you have a mandate from that department, > keep up > your support, publicize successes across the institution, and move > on to the > next target. Of course you might tackle a few targets at the same > time, but > not too many. Successful departmental mandates are what you are > after.. > > You will end up with an odd collection of mandated departments, and > the rest > being voluntary. Hence the term patchwork mandate, like a calico or > tortoiseshell cat. You won't achieve 100% deposit rates yet, but > you may > begin to escape from the 20% ceiling of voluntary deposit. > > When you as repository manager have (say) 40-50% of the departments > with > departmental mandates, go back and argue with your senior > executives. If > they still don't agree to bring in an institutional mandate, tell > them that > you are going to tackle the remaining more difficult departments, > and that > they (the executives) are now looking like very silly neo-Luddites. > Carry > out your promise if you do say that. > > Conclusion > > I think that the patchwork mandate strategy will probably work. We are > trialing it in Australia. It won't achieve 100% content instantly, > but it is > a clear way to work towards that. You can even explain it to your > senior > executives and they probably won't stop you. They may even > encourage you to > try it. > > Just remember that voluntary persuasion of individuals is known not > to work > beyond a pitiful participation level. Self-archiving needs to be > made part > of the routine academic duty, and this requires a policy > endorsement by > someone. Jeremy Hunsinger School of Library and Information Science Pratt Institute () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.aoir.org The Association of Internet Researchers http://www.stswiki.org/ stswiki http://cfp.learning-inquiry.info/ LI-the journal http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series

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Re: [Air-l] i-pol: a portal on Internet and politics
by William Bain 11 Nov '06

11 Nov '06

Wainer, Steve, and Rachel, I've just looked at your site and like it. This is probably too obvious a comment but I wonder if you're also planning a search mechanism. I wanted to run a search on net neutrality given the recent positings on this list. I tried searching the references section in the end, and projects. Just a brief thoughtr on a single aspect I thought might be useful for fine tuning, as I say, undoubtedly already planned. Best regards, William William Bain PhD Student Comparative Literature Department of Spanish Philology Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

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Tyranny of a minority
by Sam Tilden 10 Nov '06

10 Nov '06

Dear Colleagues, Several days ago I took exception to a rant by Elijah Wright (about Tim Beriers-Lee) on this list. As a result, I was flamed by Jeremy Hunsinger followed shortly by a request from Charles Ess to prove that I am who I say I am. I have been respectful, contributory and have broken no rules either implicit or explicit. Charles, Elijah, and Jeremy are on a hunt to purify the intellectual integrity of this list. They have accused me of being a pseudononymous personality and therefore in violation of the rules set up by the executive board of AOIR. As a matter of principal I am refusing to play their game. This is the only organization that I have ever been a part of that has "guilty until proven innocent" as a governance style. There are 1500 people who own this list. AOIR claims ownership but there are autocrats who rule this list as a whim of agreement or diagreement. I am doing a troject on people who have been labeled and pushished by expulsion from this list. The numbers point to the same 4 0r 5 people who are threated by anyone who challenges them. The new rules expressed by Matt Allen recently codify the power of a few people to remove you if you get out of line. They don't even have to give a reason. Trial by innuendo is the rule not the exception. This is an anathema to everything I believe is important in scholarship. The real reason that this is happening is that I have enjoyed an association with Reid Cornwell. http://tcfir.org I have made no secrete that I have been in contact with him. Hunsinger, Wright and Ess revile him because he challenges their authority. For me it is guilt by association. It is about 'power' pure and simple. I abhor tryrany in any form. I believe that this list is controled by intellectual tyrants. They do it with velvet words, but it is tryranny none the less. I have enjoyed my association with most of you. What are they afraid of? I am willing to fall on my sword for freedom of expression. Sam P.S. The written record in the archives is clear - judge for yourselves. Remember, "If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem." None of you are safe from their judgement. --------------------------------- Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

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Fwd: [Asis-l] NCLIS News Release: NCLIS Urges Congress to take all necessary action to ensure Net Neutrality - 11/7/06
by Jeremy Hunsinger 10 Nov '06

10 Nov '06

for those of you following the net neutrality debate. Begin forwarded message: > From: Kim Miller <kmiller(a)nclis.gov> > Date: November 7, 2006 3:08:51 PM EST > To: "asis-l(a)asis.org" <asis-l(a)asis.org> > Subject: [Asis-l] NCLIS News Release: NCLIS Urges Congress to take > all necessary action to ensure Net Neutrality - 11/7/06 > Reply-To: kmiller(a)nclis.gov > > News Release 11/7/06 can be also be viewed by linking to this URL: > > http://www.nclis.gov/news/pressrelease/pr2006/ > NCLISNetNeutrality-2006-14.pdf > > ******************** > > News Release > Contact: > Information Officer > 1 202 606 9200 > info(a)nclis.gov > > For Immediate Release > > NCLIS Urges Congress to take all > necessary action to ensure Net Neutrality > > Washington, DC. USA November 7, 2006-The U.S. National Commission > on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) today announced its > position on Internet neutrality ("net neutrality"), currently being > debated in the Congress. > > "The current discussion centers on whether content transmission on > the Internet should be subject to a system of prioritization known > as 'tiered service'," said Commission Chairman Beth Fitzsimmons. > "So far, the underlying transmission of information treats all > packets of information equally but this could change unless > Congress acts to prevent a move to a tiered service." > > A tiered system of transmission would permit a substantial shift in > Internet operations, allowing Internet service providers to charge > the content creators. Thus higher fees would make content more > available, since that content would be more accessible, but those > paying lower fees would have access to their content downgraded, as > Dr. Fitzsimmons put it, "to the slow lane of the Internet highway." > > "Content created by organizations with deep pockets would rise to > the top of a search, with the higher fees essentially enabling a > content provider to 'buy' a higher position in a search," Dr. > Fitzsimmons continued. "Content created by organizations with > limited funding for such costs; community groups, schools and other > educational institutions, non-profits, and the scholarly publishing > field, for example, would be greatly restricted in having their > materials available in the early stages of a search." > > With today's announcement, the Commission takes the position that - > with respect to Internet neutrality - Congress should take action > to assure the tiered access is prevented. In fact, according to a > study done under contract for the Commission, the government has > already taken a stand. In 1992, when Congress permitted commercial > traffic on the Internet, the Committee report on the legislation > noted that the change did not alter the "goals or characteristics" > of the network. Congressman Rick Boucher, the Chairman of the House > subcommittee that developed the legislation, explained during a > hearing on the legislation: "It is essential as the network is > structured that all commercial providers of network services > receive equal treatment and that Government policy in managing the > network not favor any provider or set of providers over others." > > It has also been suggested that the Federal Communications > Commission (FCC) handle net neutrality in a regulatory manner, but > a position has been taken by the FCC as well. In August, 2005, the > FCC adopted and published four principles "to encourage broadband > deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected > nature of [the] public Internet." While the principles have no > legal force and have not been codified, the FCC Chairman stated at > the time that these principles will be incorporated into the > policymaking activities of the FCC. The four principles are: > > 1. Consumers are entitled to access the lawful Internet content of > their choice. > > 2. Consumers are entitled to run applications and services of their > choice (subject to the needs of law enforcement). > > 3. Consumers are entitled to connect their choice of legal devices > that do not harm the network. > > 4. Consumes are entitled to competition among network providers, > application and service providers, and content providers. > > "The Commission is in full support of the FCC's principles," Dr. > Fitzsimmons said, "and we as a Commission - with a statutory > responsibility to advise the President and Congress in matters > having to do with libraries and information science - respectfully > encourage Congress to reiterate strongly the position it took when > legislation permitting commercial traffic on the Internet was > developed. Equal treatment of content is important to all > information seekers. " > > ABOUT NCLIS > > The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science > (NCLIS) is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal > government charged by Public Law 91-345 to advise the President and > Congress on national and international library and information > policies, to appraise and assess the adequacies and deficiencies of > library and information resources and services, and to develop > overall plans for meeting national library and information needs. > > ****************************** > > Kim A. Miller > Special Assistant - Technical > U.S. National Commission on Libraries & Information Science > 1800 M Street, N.W.; Suite 350 North Tower > Washington, DC 20036-5841 > 202-606-9200; Fax: 202-606-9203 > www.nclis.gov <http://www.nclis.gov/> > > > > > > ____ > ________________________________________ > Asis-l mailing list > Asis-l(a)asis.org > http://mail.asis.org/mailman/listinfo/asis-l jeremy hunsinger Assistant Professor Pratt Institute www.cddc.vt.edu wiki.tmttlt.com www.tmttlt.com () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments http://www.stswiki.org/ sts wiki http://cfp.learning-inquiry.info/ Learning Inquiry-the journal http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series

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