A Portrait of the Internet as a Young Man

In brief, the core theory of Jonathan Zittrain’s1 2008 book The Future of the Internet - and How to Stop It is this: good laws, norms, and code are needed to regulate the Internet, to prevent bad laws, norms, and code from compromising its creative capabilities and fettering its fecund flexibility. A far snarkier if less alliterative summary would be “We have to regulate the Internet to preserve its open, unregulated nature.” Zittrain posits that either a substantive series of unfortunate Internet events or one catastrophic one will motivate governments to try to regulate cyberspace in a way that promotes maximum stability, which will inhibit or possibly even preclude future technological innovations that rely on open access to the tools and systems that comprise the Internet. To head this off, he calls for a “transition to a networking infrastructure that is more secure yet roughly as dynamic as the current one,” which will be achieved by collaborative efforts, “a 21st century international Manhattan Project which brings together people of good faith in government, academia, and the private sector for the purpose of shoring up the miraculous information technology grid that is too easy to take for granted and whose seeming self-maintenance has led us into an undue complacence.” Zittrain uses brief, informal accounts of past events to build two main theories that dominate the book. First, he claims that open access, which he calls generativity, is under threat by a trend toward closure, which he refers to as tetheredness, which is counterproductively favored by proprietary entities. Though consumers prefer openness and the autonomy it confers, few take advantage of the opportunities it provides, and therefore undervalue it and too readily cede it in favor of the promise of security that tetheredness brings. Second, he argues that if the Internet is to find salvation it will be by the grace of “true netizens,” volunteers acting collectively in good faith to cultivate positive social norms online. Zittrain is a creative thinker and entertaining speaker, and his book is engaging and informative in much the same ways that his talks are, loaded with pop culture references and allegorical tales about technology and the once and future Internet. Zittrain uses numerous anecdotes to support his dual hypotheses, exhaustively affirming that open innovative tools and systems are essential for online life to flourish, and his contention that the Internet is exceedingly vulnerable to bad actors (a proposition I have never seen another cyberlaw scholar seriously question). But he isn’t very clear about the specific attributes of laws or regulations that could effectively foster enhanced security without impairing dynamism. He also seems to have a discomfitingly elitist view about who should be making policy decisions about the Internet’s future: like-minded, self-appointed, and knowledgeable volunteers with the time, interest, and expertise to successfully maneuver sectors of the Internet into the form or direction he thinks best

Letter from Joanna [Muir Brown] to John Muir, 1885 Nov 7.

(1)Kansas City Mo. Nov. 7. 1885.Dear John: -Yours of Oct 30 came last eve, and Annie’s a few days before, We were rejoiced to hear from you both for we were becoming uneasy and anxious fearing that all was not well. I am so glad that the journey proved so comfortable even though tedious from delay, and glad too that you feel better able to take hold of work again, I hope you may never become quite so weary again. We have read with delight your article on the Yellow Stone Park and feel sure it must be read with great interest by all who have seen for01205(2)themselves and by all who have not seen. I was pleased that the dear little twin flower was there and recd your notice for I love it. What a wonderful place it must be. [Father?] took the clipping to Van Horn of the K.C. Journal for the benefit of the people [here?] He said he knew you well and had visited Muir Glacier, he seemed much pleased. Many here will regret not having seen you, I am sure, but it was doubtless better for you to be let alone. I will take my time to the manuscripts and anticipate a treat – thank you for sending them.01205(3)Annie tells us that you found your family well. Tell Loui that we feel somewhat better acquainted with her now and hope to meet her ere very long and dear little Wanda how much we would all like to see her, Auntie writes that she is a very good little girl as well as pretty, tell her that this is Ethels birthday and she is sleeping [illegible] with a pretty new doll on her arm and a bright picture book on the bed beside her, she is very happy. We too are looking forward hopefully to the future when we shall see you again and again enjoy your company. I am truly thankful for the past visit, it has done me good. Yours with loveJoanna[in margin: I find I have nothing suitable with which to tie the lock of hair which I promised you, so will send it next time.]0120

The south coast and Port Davey, Tasmania

On 13th September, 1875, the late Hon. J. R. Scott read a paper (Scott, P. & P. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1875) before this Society describing Port Davey.The remarks made in the present instance are the outcome of two brief visits to this area. In January, 1926, I visited the South Coast as far as New Harbour in my own yacht Telopea. That the south-west offers scope for development cannot be denied. In the past it has seen two industries-whaling and pining--both of which have ceased owing to the extravagant methods pursued by those in charge of the industries concerned. With the object lesson afforded by those examples before us, the future exploitation of other industries may well be conducted in a far better manner. The south-west region is to-day practically in its natural state. To-day there are prospects of the dawn of a new era of activity. With the advances which have been made concerning the importance of economic zoology, and other branches of nature, it is to be hoped that the future development of the area may be carried out with due regard to the scientific and economic importance of the proper conservation of our natural resources. If this is done, the future history of this wonderland of the west should be far brighter than its records of the last century

From Gestuno Interpreting to International Sign Interpreting: Improved Accessibility?

In order to shape the future of our profession, I believe it is necessary for us to also take a critical look at both past and present practices. With that goal in mind, this commentary presents a case study of the sign language interpreting services provided at the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Congresses held between 1983 and 2019. During the 1980s and 1990s we witnessed both the professionalization of signed language interpreting at international conferences, and improved accessibility for official delegates of various National Associations of the Deaf (NADs) as well as for other participants. Increasing numbers of interpreters worked at the congresses. Additionally, measures were gradually taken to provide all working interpreters with adequate preparation materials, quiet rooms to prepare in, meetings with presenters, easy and quick access to food in breaks, etc. Gradually, however, we have seen a decline in the numbers of NAD-interpreters working into/from their national signed languages at WFD congresses. The so called Gestuno-interpreting has been replaced with International Sign-interpreting (IS-interpreting). This has gradually also lead to increased focus on providing specialized IS-interpreters, and also on providing services for them. Ii is now time for us to step back and take a look at the changes we have seen. Are we convinced that the development we have seen is for the best? Will the increasing use of IS-interpreting at a number of international conferences and meetings ensure deaf people around the globe equal accessibility in a broader sense? Will this focus on interpreting into/from something other than national signed language ensure that the linguistic rights of deaf people are being preserved? Is this what is best for the interpreting profession in the long run

What Kind of Future Will Our Children Inherit?

Over the years, my students, research associates, and I have reviewed the literature of psychology, ethics, ecology, climatology, and other areas of study to consider the direction in which our world is going and what kind of future our children will inherit. Our previous work focused on the nature of good and evil—with concern especially for goodness—through which we have considered good in the world and the application of good to achieve a better world. Our books concerned altruism, kindness, empathy, and moral responsibility for diverse others. In this book we concentrate on the areas of greatest concern regarding our future as a species. Scholars are warning us about the direction we are taking in this interconnected world. Many of these experts view our global situation as a “glass half empty”; their studies reveal a future that is bleak and on the verge of catastrophe. There are, however, other scholars who view the world and humanity’s future in more optimistic terms—those who see the “glass half full.” My own work indicates that goodness, defined as concern for others and for making the world a better place, is on the rise. Making the world a better place is not simply about the glass being half full or half empty; it is both at the same time. With the complexity of global trends comes major challenges, and one cannot say that one perception is correct and the other incorrect. It is much more complicated than that. We have an emergence of those who see the future as promising and perhaps even more harmonious than we have ever imagined, as well as those who believe that we are declining and ruining ourselves. A number of institutions, groups, governments, and individuals have taken these challenges to humanity seriously—have “seen the light”—and are trying to do something about the future state of the world. This book describes two sides to the future our children stand to inherit: the glass half full and the glass half empty of what has been the trajectory of the world, it seems, since the beginning of human history. The arc of human progress has at times taken major leaps forward; at other times it appears to have lain dormant, only to burst forth with a new energy at a later time. In this collection of writings, we have attempted to show both sides of the picture because to do otherwise would leave this endeavor incomplete. Depicting only the negative would lead one to think that there is nothing positive moving us forward; depicting only the positive would suggest that we have no further work to do. What kind of future will our children inherit? It is a future like all futures—it contains both an evolution of our species towards a higher level of consciousness and a resistance to such change. This has been the balancing act throughout human history. It will be incumbent upon our children to make sure that the glass of the future is half full. - Sam Oliner, Founder, Altruistic Behavior Institutehttps://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/monographs/1014/thumbnail.jp

Letter from Joanna [Muir] to John Muir, 1879 May 31.

[4]really forming their acquaintance is concerned. They are so near us that I can enjoy their company even when I do not feel like walking far. I am moreover recoverring some of my forgotten knowledge of Botany, M. does the reading and I follow along as well as I can. If I ever have the full use of my eyes again I am determined to pursue this study for I love it more than ever. I must not omit mentioning the glorious boatrides while I enjoy nearly every pleasant day. All is well you see and the change is doing me good [1] 00847 [in margin: [illegible] and [illegible]-sist upon my staying here until you come I think that is doubtful however but we are all looking forward to your home coming very eagerly. Farewell, Joanna] Phillips Wis. May 31, 79.Dear John Your good little letter with its dainty moss was forwarded to me here, Letters from you are always refreshing. I’m glad your cold feet season is so nearly closed, I do not wonder that so great a change from pure mountain air to heated rooms[Page 2][2]does not agree with you. I saw the little poem in Scribner, dedicated to you, and wondered if the lady was an ac- quaintance of yours or on ly an admirer of your writings. You are certain ly becoming very famous my brother and who can tell what future you shall unfold. I have not seen the Sec Gordens yet but [underlined: shall] soon. I have been here with Mary and Willis more [3]than a month and am enjoying myself more than I had ever anticipated, for I cannot tell you how precious these wild and [illegible], [illegible] prolific of darling little flowers which I have never seen before, of luxurious mosses and beautiful ferns, are to me, the noble old pines, the hemlocks and the graceful balsms and spruces too, are all new to me so far a

Animal Utopia: Liberal, Communitarian, Libertarian Or…? [Review Essay] Wayne Gabardi. The Next Social Contract: Animals, The Anthropocene, and Biopolitics

It would be difficult to be optimistic in the face of the political challenges that confront us. Globally, we have seen stark intensifications of economic inequalities and social stratifications, coupled with the rise of new nationalist and proto-fascist political movements. The environmental challenges are daunting: we now face a future where anthropogenic climate change will inescapably and deeply impact the earth’s systems. As I write, armed conflict continues to shape human affairs, generating continued misery and displacement; and instabilities have posed the possibility of new global conflicts, including a renewed threat of nuclear war. For non-human animals globally, the picture is also grim. On one hand, we are in the midst of an unprecedented global wave of destruction impacting the animals we share the planet with: ‘our global society has started to destroy species of other organisms at an accelerating rate, initiating a mass extinction episode unparalleled for 65 million years’ (Ceballos et al. 4). On the other hand, and despite growing awareness of the moral status of animals, humans continue to expand utilisation of animals for food, textiles and experimentation. As I have previously argued, our mainstay relationship with animals continues to be characterised by outright hostility, aggression; in other words, ‘war’ (see Wadiwel, The War)

More than 1s and 0s: An Analysis of the State of the Labor Movement in the Tech Industry

Over the last 40-50 years, economic inequality in the United States has dramatically increased at the same time as union density has fallen precipitously. During this period, the high tech industry has seen explosive growth, giving us some of the most valuable companies in the world, as well as several of the richest people in the world. This explosive economic growth in recent decades has fueled the trend of growing inequality in this country, as the drivers, delivery people, and warehouse workers that make the "gig" economy function struggle to get by. In recent years, there have been signs of workers starting to organize for better conditions for all, both those creating the technology and those working "gigs”. This paper seeks to analyze this growing trend of worker actions in the tech industry. First, what is actually happening, and how often? Why is it happening, and how? What is making these actions successful or not? And finally, I will examine the growing prevalence of unions among tech workers, and what all of this could mean for the future of the industry. Through all of this, I hope to produce a fuller and more complete understanding of what is actually happening with workers in the tech industry. Through my findings, I will lay out why working in the tech industry is becoming more precarious and insecure, and how workers are increasingly organizing with their coworkers to change these conditions.Computer Science