Isn't Chris Nolan the guy who directed Batman?

I enjoyed Chris Nolan's presentation on Web searches. I knew most of what he covered, but there were a few interesting tips and tidbits here and there that were relatively new to me. For example, though it seems obvious now, I wouldn't have thought to judge the scholarly quality of a text on the internet by the amount of advertising sharing space with it. I also learned how to limit a search on Google without utilizing the Advanced Search button, which may come in handy. Probably the most helpful thing I learned was about new search engines like the librarian one. 

On a slightly different note, some of the pages I found doing the basic Google search on polar bears led me to several environmental groups that I am now looking at for summer internships, so bonus there! Thanks, Mr. Nolan!

Concerning All Things Disney

What particularly stood out to me about Ms. Graves presentation on Tuesday was not the information about music downloading or the ethics of copyright violation and such topics- I've heard it all before. What struck me was the 1998 Mickey Mouse Protection Act she 

told us about. Forgive me if choosing this topic seems flitty and silly given the wealth of other topics to talk about, but I feel strongly about this, in a strange way.

So: I believe that Mickey Mouse and the Disney characters should be granted a specified long-term copyright that does not affect other copyrighted materials. This is a two-pronged argument, I think. First, as to why the stock Disney characters have more rights than other creations. While to the business world Disney is simply a huge corporation, to millions of children (young and otherwise) it is also a special fantasy world, and it's creations are sacred. Disney knows how to do right by them (certain sequels notwithstanding). These creations should be preserved for future generations in there original forms, and not bandied about by everyone. Furthermore, many of the characters, like Mickey, are synonymous with Disney- a veritable arsenal of trademarks. Losing the copyright to these characters could potentially ruin Disney, and thus render it unable to continue producing childhood fantasies the likes of which I was privileged to grow up with. 

The second part of my argument- that Disney should be held separate from other copyrighted works when it comes to extending the copyright. For the reasons stated above, I be

lieve Disney most certainly should be granted the right to keep their creations out of the public domain. However, I consider these to be "extraordinary circumstances," not to be applied to all and sundry. Rather, I believe the right of Public Domain should be protected in most cases. If it is really important to someone to continue to hold the copyright to their product after 50, 60, 90 years, they should individually take steps necessary to keep the copyright. 

I would compromise by allowing most anything associated with the Disney Channel to go by the wayside, however. 

P.S. I am aware that I have used copyright-protected images here- I strongly assume Disney will grant me Fair Use or at least a blind eye, given the nature of my post. 

Of Facebook and Friends

I personally use Facebook quite a bit, for a variety of things. I of course connect with friends, and I also learn about upcoming events, play games and such with the apps, "Facebook stalk" friends, and generally do what I can to present the most accurate and favorable me to the masses/my peers.One of the big things mentioned in the article "Facebook: A campus fad becomes and campus fact" is the fact that potential employers look at it for harmful information. This does not worry me for a variety of reasons. 

1. I don't really do anything I wouldn't want posted 
2.  I have former teachers and friends' parents friended, so I don't post anything I wouldn't want them to see and 
3.  I have my profile set to private, so potential employers actually couldn't see anything except my profile picture, which is often of my shoes. 
   

I think now that it is so widespread, Facebook is almost essential for college students. When it was smaller, you could stay away an principle and not be too hurt by it. Now, you will have to be the ultimate social butterfly to learn about new events being held, as well as new events in people's lives. I find it is particularly useful when one "goes off" to college, as it makes it infinitely easier to keep in touch with people you weren't the tightest with once everyone is spread all over the country. In addition, it is an easy way to ask for help brainstorming essay ideas, to get clarification on homework instructions, to take surveys for classes where it is necessary to do so, etc. 

To read the above mentioned article, click here.