Do Not Hold Justin.TV Accountable for On-Air Suicide
Abraham Biggs, 19, a fellow lifecaster on Justin.TV, committed suicide in front of a live web audience today. According to several reports, the parents are outraged by the lack of effort to prevent his death. I believe it is unfair to place any fault upon Justin.TV for this incident. Justin.TV provides a service — Not a guarantee to save anyone’s life.
Abraham was encouraged by viewers in his room to commit the deadly act. However, there are reports which state that Abraham was bi-polar and had previously threatened to kill himself before. The parents should be outraged not at Justin.TV, but the cruel people of the world whose insatiable appetite for drama pushed this young man to his death. This is the unfortunate reality of a society that’s bombarded by dramatized news and peer pressure created by the consumption of harmful media.
As an early adopter of lifecasting, I too can attest to the pressures of this medium. There are some very cruel, inhumane and hateful people that are attracted to these platforms. However, it’s important to note that it is the lifecaster’s sole responsibility to deal with harassment and other issues. Abraham chose this medium as a way to send a message to those he hurt and loved.
May he now rest in peace.
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What’s In a Name? Aptera Vs. Apptera
Battle for a name?
See the smoke billowing over yonder? I suspect a fight might be brewing between green automaker Aptera Motors and mobile advertising network Apptera. Both companies are in startup mode and attracting healthy rounds of financing. The only difference between their name? One letter, ‘P’. Either company could throw their weight around and accuse the other of distorting their brand.
This is one to watch. Both companies are entitled to a good argument, though I suspect Aptera — The green automaker — Will prevail.
Bailout: Will Ford Become ‘Number One’ Again?
I’m currently having a late-night thinking session where I’ve been thinking about social programming (TV, radio, etc.) and other interesting social concepts. The thought that came from left field was this:
Congress will not grant a bailout package to the automakers. General Motors (GM) would be the first to collapse by January 18, 2009, followed by Chrysler on February 6, 2008. The lone automaker will be non other than Ford. Alan Mulally will then flex his negotiation skills and convince Congress to grant them the $25 Billion bailout on the condition that they purchase the assets of GM and Chrysler, while attempting to save as many jobs possible.
When one considers the hemorrhaging of money in my hometown by the automakers, almost any scenario is possible. This is just one of a few scenarios that might play out should Congress not approve a bailout package for the industry. Consolidation is nothing new to Detroit. There were dozens of automakers in the earlier days. Some failed, some merged and the others collapsed. That’s life.
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Seeking Denver Women for Round Table Discussion on Dating
I have launched an effort locally here in Denver to host an open discussion on dating. My questionnaire leading up to this announcement has been a rousing success and I’m now ready to assemble a group of women for the round table.
I’ve been conducting a survey online that has been well received by the women of Denver. I must admit, I’m taken aback by the number of women who took the time to respond to the questions with great detail and insight. So…
…It’s time for round two of my experiment. I enjoy learning about people, hence my desire to assemble a group of women for a round table discussion. Why do this? I want to intimately learn about how women in Denver approach dating. I want to learn about your fears, issues, hesitations, disappointments, etc.
Why should I care about these things? I want to have a better understanding of modern day women, put to bed any assumptions that might be wrong and maybe inspire a few women to get on board to make dating better for everyone.
If you’re game, drop me a line and I’ll keep you updated about the first meeting. For the first meeting, I will be the only male present. Keep in mind that this isn’t about meeting a mate — It’s a journey to clarity and understanding that we’ll all benefit from going forward.
It’s my own personal mission to tear down the walls which separate men and women from realizing healthy interaction and fulfilling relationships.
Purpose of the round table
Reality: Our society is broken on many levels. For the first few sessions, I will guide the round table with a series of Q&A sessions designed around how women date, their issues, expectations, disappointments, etc. This is a new and unique approach to dating in that we have an open, non-threatening, informative and inspiring platform from which to learn and prosper.
I am incredibly excited about this development. The round table will feature a diverse set of women of all age groups, professions, etc. I am moving quickly to assemble the first meeting (which could occur by early December) so please contact me to add your name to the list!
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Skeptic of Cloud Computing? Don’t Be. Here’s Why It Brings Tears To My Eyes
On October 31, 2007, I embarked on a new journey in technology: I embraced the cloud computing movement. I did so with the clarity of knowing that I was joining a movement that would transform how we access, interact with and utilize computers. It was a risk I did not hesitate to make, even when my financial position wasn’t at its healthiest for most of 2007.
So, why did I risk increasing my monthly expenditures on web services by 73% ($20 to $75 per month) when I didn’t have much money for such increases? It’s pretty simple: Freedom of restriction. In the world of web services, there are contracts, limitations and obstacles. These all get in the way of truly accomplishing a task or realizing a dream (without losing your shirt in the process). In the world of cloud computing, there are no boundaries. No constraints. No limits. The world is truly yours to discover.
Cloud computing is a wonderful shift in technology as we know it today. Now, with a few keystrokes and clicks, one can power any dream online without concern of outrageous fees or unrealistic commitments. You are free to explore your creativity and wild imagination to your heart’s content. There isn’t a phone number to call to add an additional server, module or hard drive. You can now do all of this yourself within minutes for how ever many units you desire.
Looking back on a year of using the Amazon Web Services platform, I can say with full conviction that I made the right choice. I’ve sent all of my telecommunication and web hosting needs to the cloud. 90% of my digital life now resides in the cloud and I am quickly aiming for 100% in 2009. Thanks to Amazon’s extraordinary work in this space, they’ve torn down the digital barriers which previously prevented many from accessing raw computing power as necessary. Their effort has enabled a new generation of developers, entrepreneurs and small businesses with unparalleled access to modern technology that we haven’t seen in the last 25 years.
I am overjoyed about cloud computing. It is the most critical development in technology that we’ve ever witnessed. It’s more important than the Internet and desktop software. It is the foundation which will empower dreamers with the tools to transform societies and the way they use technology on a daily basis. This is bigger than the personal computer or mainframe. This is about enabling humanity to develop new ideas, possibilities and endless realities without fear of financial burden.
It is my desire to share my enthusiasm for cloud computing with the world. It is my mission to engage as many people as possible in this defining moment in technology. This is an exciting time to witness the evolution of modern technology. We are only at the beginning stages of this incredible movement. Imagine what the next five years will bring the world thanks to cloud computing:
- Open source, enterprise-grade telecommunications for individuals and businesses
- Virtual workstations
- Free, global long distance calling
- Data backups for life
- And a lot more
I look forward to helping developers, entrepreneurs, corporations and the entire world realize the cloud computing dream. Let’s make it happen, together.
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