[nycbug-talk] Re: [macosx-unix] Trusted Computing Poll

[Isaac Levy]

Hi All,

Thanks for all who responded to this thread- I appreciate the  
thoughtful and open responses from everyone.

On Aug 1, 2005, at 11:42 PM, George R. wrote:
>
> On Aug 1, 2005, at 6:16 PM, Jared ''Danger'' Earle wrote:
>
>> I hate DRM, but I recognise its validity. You're all in NYC,  
>> right? Do you hate being spot-searched on the subway because it's  
>> a violation of your privacy laws, yet you understand the  
>> necessity ...
>
> Sorry Mr. Danger, but no love of the subway searches or any privacy  
> intrusions here.

Jared, with my sincerest condolences to you in Brittan, I have to  
agree fully with George here on NYC.
I find the subway searches to nothing but violating, and honestly,  
being one of many people who are fascinated/knowledgeable with regard  
to NYC infrastructure, the searches do absolutely nothing to actually  
mitigate risks of terrorism, (except perhaps to placate the fears of  
people who don't ride the subway in the first place).  All of it  
carries the side-effect of stripping more civil liberties away from  
individuals living their lives.

In an example of a fairly base abuse of this new state power being  
exercised in America, my girlfriend was recently in Miami working,  
and when passing through airport security for check-in, the security  
guards took the opportunity to do a full pat-down accompanied by  
inappropriate verbal sexual innuendo, and she was prompted to ask to  
be searched by a female security guard.  With this, they just stopped  
the search and let her move along.
Because of the Patriot Act, I feel less safe as an American in  
America; (I say that after schlepping water and ice by foot into  
ground zero for 3 days after 9/11). I am fully aware of what is at  
stake here, and terrorism isn't what makes me feel unsafe any more  
than being hit by a car.  This is simply one recent example of why.


With all of that stated, in Apple's case, as someone who's filled out  
more than my fair share of Apple dev. bugreports, I'm saddened that  
they are even wasting time in this territory- when they have gaping  
holes in the Apple side of the core OS- I worry that Apple, (or  
whomever is in charge now that Steve Jobs is off running the iTunes- 
music-store etc...), is starting to loose sight of the fundamental  
principles behind why people love Apple- high caliber products.

I see this move being detrimental to their business, insomuch as I've  
seen *many* businesses focus far too much on *protecting* their  
business, and not *running* their business.

I see DRM as a stepping stone to incomprehensible, yet plausible,  
personal violation by larger parties.


--
Secondarily, based on positive personal experiences in life and  
business, I feel that attempting to exert absolute control over  
anyone is a fleeting strategy- if one really wants to do something  
powerful, you have to let go and give it away.  Absolute control  
comes from letting go.
Strategies and moves towards DRM in general, to me, just reflect the  
climate of America right now.  I feel we are becoming a nation of  
reactionary fearful cowards, or perhaps just lazy...

It's a lazy move, IMHO, to cut people off and make them use your  
products, (in a specific way).
It's much more work, to focus on providing products which shine above  
and beyond expectations for the function of the product.
The latter has long-term positive repercussions, and provides long- 
term benefit for all parties.
We are not doing a lot of the latter in America right now, and this  
short-term behavior grieves me.

--
Sorry to rant, but it's just how I feel here.  I've had a very  
positive relationship of trust and support from Apple for many years,  
on many levels, in my various computing pursuits.  I guess all good  
things must come to an end.

Now America, that's another story- one where I'm still figuring out  
how to be proactive and positive based on how I feel about things...

A bit more than a .02? rant for now, I really want to do something  
positive about this...

Best,
.ike