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If you thought the blackouts across the East Coast were bad after Hurricane Irene, you ain't seen nothing yet. Starting at 12 a.m., the English Wikipedia and many other websites including Google began to protest SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (PROTECT IP Act) for 24 hours. Yup, the great Wikipedia blackout is in full effect! Run for the hills! Or ... at least the REAL encyclopedia.
I know, it's weird to have to go without a service that so many of us are used to using all the time. While I'm against the notion that these bills could do a good job of regulating free speech on the Interwebs, I have a hunch that this blackout could actually be something good. In fact, I betcha that the Wikipedia blackout will actually make us SMARTER!
Walk with me on this one ...
A world without Wikipedia means that Internet savvy users like you and me are going to have to look toward real, authorized sources for our information. When was the last time you actually checked out a legitimate encyclopedia (remember Britannica, anyone?). Don't get me wrong, I used Wikipedia for quick facts all of the time, many of which are accurate. However, it's easy to forget the site is a collaborative encyclopedia that isn't always on point.
Then there's the notion that now that we're without it for 24 hours, many people will have that much more free time! Come on, you can't tell me you don't surf the site every once in a while just checking out random topics. How could you not?! It's such a wealth of knowledge. Without Wiki, we can explore real things in the real world and, consequently, gain tangible experience.
Without the popular site as a resource, many fans will have to ask real live human beings their questions. I know, it's a tad bit annoying not to be uber self-sufficient. If you're anything like me, you'll have to put aside your pride, stop pretending you know the meaning of every fancy word your coworkers use, and actually ask. I feel smarter already just thinking about it.
Whether or not you're actually concerned about the two bills in question, the Wikipedia Blackout will make us all a bit smarter simply by shoving potential legislation in our faces. I can just see it now, younger boys and girls (OK, and maybe your adult friends) asking their peers what big words like "legislation" and "copyright infringement" mean. Sorry, but you're gonna have to actually look 'em up in the REAL dictionary if you want to be spot on.
Do the SOPA and PIPA bills concern you? Can you imagine a world without Wikipedia?
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Comments (8)
I would hate to lose Wikipedia! It isn't my go-to source for legitimate information but it is extremely helpful for all things pop culture. I was out sick yesterday and watching Days of Our Lives, for the first time in forever, and I spent the whole time using Wikipedia for character information and backstories.
Goggle did not go black. They only put a black strip across their page to support the effort. PLEASE writers of The Stir. Get your facts straight before rushing to be he first to write on a topic. I realize this article is not that big of a deal, but I can't count the number of times I already know a fact is wrong, or feel the need to look up said subject only to find my suspicions of incorrect information verified.
GOOGLE HAS PETITION LINK TO SIGN ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
if you feel strongly about this bill sign the petition today! let congress know how we feel. I do not agree that this will make us smarter having to interact in real life or what ever you did say aboutthat to wordy I guessss and stopped reading lol.
I use it to look stuff up how is it different that a book really its more up to date and because of that can be wrong at times yes but its way more currentthan a book that can not update at all untill you buy another set of and btw they are not cheap.
I love to read don't get me wrong on this issue I just rather read news and facts online than in a book its more current. I loe to read stories and novels on paper so I can read it again and again any time or place i want to.
I have never been a fan of books online I wantto hold the book.
I am against cencorship of the free web its wrong, we are not comunist here notthat I know of but dam it this seems prety dam close to me.
I agree with celiacelia. This goes FAR beyond being able to look up who the actor was that played in that movie and when he was born. It is way more important than that. People who make a living off their websites could be shut down. It will stifle creativity and entrepreneurship. Your internet freedom is on the line here.
Everyone write your congressman/woman, sign petitions, spread the word about these awful bills!
Wikipedia isn't just facts and figures, it's a great place to learn. Created by people, editable by people... it can cause discussions between people not to just learn the facts, but to learn opinions on the facts, or teach you hidden bits of information you never knew about something.
However, I also agree, it is widely aside of the main point. SOPA and PIPA want to allow corporations to be able to shut down, not an individual piece of content, but whole websites, just on their whim.
Imagine, you come here to talk to other moms, get opinions, and chat about what's going on in the world. Many people do.
If only ONE person were to post a stock photo, or, a bit of a quote from a book, or movie, the Whole Website could be shut down. Now, well and good to say, 'That would be ridiculous, why would they do that?', but the point is, they could. Without anyone checking their claims.
It lends itself too easily to an internet police state, and management of public opinion.
Not only that, but the cause and effect would end with people trying to circumvent the world wide web, creating a whole subnetwork that would destroy what safety and integrity the internet has to begin with, as well as encourage people through outrage at being so shockingly rights-raped to learn to hack, and not all of that would be well intentioned.
These bills are the equivalent of a government burning the books it doesn't want you to read, and then carting whole families away never to be seen again should someone talk about the books in question.
They come off as well intentioned, but if you are at all tech-savvy, actually read the bills, and do a bit of research. The legislation is far more dangerous than a few pirates.
I don't agree with pirating, but, a wide-net of legislation is not that way to deal with it, and if they pass these bills, and people let their rights get violated, what will they try for next?
"Now, well and good to say, 'That would be ridiculous, why would they do that?', but the point is, they could. "
Yep. A video I uploaded of my toddler dancing to Moves Like Jagger in the background (it is an unlisted and private video, nobody can see it unless I give them the link) is blocked somehow. I can still view it but nobody I send the link to can because....
"Your video may include content that is owned or administered by this entity: UMG"
If this passes, it's not at all crazy to think you could end up in jail for uploading a video like that.