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Comcast: Big Brother *and* Local Monopoly
Yesterday I got a letter in the mail from Comcast. I was surprised, because I’d just paid my most recent bill the day before. I opened the envelope and was created by the title of this letter, “Notice of Action under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.”
Comcast says they got notice from HBO that they found my IP address downloading an episode of “The Wire.” That’s true. It’s just one of the many things I download from the Internet. I download computer applications, music albums, movies, TV shows – you name it, I download it to my computer.
Anyway, as you can see in the above picture of the letter, they got my IP address, name of the file, size of the fil, and even the exact Torrent I was downloading. That’s probably because HBO uploaded a dummy torrent of S01E01 of the Wire to catch “pirates” downloading.
Forgetting the fact that I cancelled that torrent because it was downloading too slow (and that I went on to find a better torrent with the entire first season), Comcast can, quite frankly, suck my balls. They’re the only ISP bowing down to the almighty studios and sending out letters to Internet users via IP address.
Believe me, it’s not my choice to use Comcast. Comcast is virulently anti-union, and they overcharge for Internet to boot (I’m paying $50/month for JUST internet). If I could use RCN, I would; but unfortunately, the only ISP able to serve my building is Comcast.
Going further, Copyright is dead. It is extremely unclear a.) what HBO/TimeWarner hopes to accomplish by uploading dummy torrents to the Pirate Bay, and then identifying those few people who download them, and then send letters to ISPs, and then have those ISPs contact those downloaders. What, do they think that will stop people from downloading their shows. OK. Have fun with that. But b.) what the fuck does Comcast care? There is so much “illegal” activity going on from people using their Internet that it’s impossible to describe. Why do they want to cut off customers who happen to download dummy torrents? I’m going to use the Internet anyway, I’m going to keep paying for their overcharged service, so they should really just save some paper and stop with their petty threats.
I said as much (in <140 characters) to Comcast's Twitter representative, Frank @comcastcares. He replies that he understands my sentiment, which is nice. It doesn’t change the fact that Comcast is enabling HBO’s futile quest to stop a tsunami with an umbrella.
May 8, 07:56 PM / Comment [12]
Polaroids from New Mexico
I spent a week in New Mexico with Lisa and her family in March. While I was there, I took nearly 100 polaroids, using an automatic Polaroid 600 and a “manual” Polaroid Land 100 camera.
I finally uploaded my best photos to Flickr. Here’s a slideshow of my New Mexico polaroids.
Created with flickrSLiDR.
Dirt McGirt Will Campaign for Obama this Weekend
Following up on my last post begging for someone to watch my dog this weekend, I have some good news to report. My friend Courtney is bringing Dirt McGirt up to the Keystone State to campaign for Obama!
I wish I could help GOTV for Obama this weekend, but I’m glad I can live vicariously through my dog. I’m confident her cuteness will win over a few voters, bitter or not. Even better, I’m sure she’ll lick the bitter off voters if need be.
Pictures and more to come, I hope. Thank you Courtney (and Kevin and Catherine)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Want to Watch Dirt McGirt this Weekend?
Hey! I’m trying to go to NYC for the weekend but need someone to watch Dirt McGirt from Friday evening until Sunday morning. You would need to walk and feed her Friday evening, ideally twice but that’s not mandatory. Saturday, she’d need to go out for a walk in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and then once Sunday morning. Alternatively, you can host her at your house if you’re really down for dog-watching! (Especially good for anyone wondering about the wonders of dog ownership.)
She’s really great, but kind of a handful. It’d be a huge favor if you could watch her. If you’re on the fence, let’s talk about any type of compensation – cash, tequila, really anything – to push you over the fence and into the arms of Dirt McGirt, anxiously awaiting you to play with her. No, really, she’s pretty anxious about it.
Let me know – email me, IM me, comment, whatever.
Thank you!
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