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Aardvark Daily

New Zealand's longest-running online daily news and commentary publication, now in its 14th year. The opinion pieces presented here are not purported to be fact but reasonable effort is made to ensure accuracy.

Content copyright © 1995 - 2012 to Bruce Simpson (aka Aardvark), the logo was kindly created for Aardvark Daily by the folks at aardvark.co.uk



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SkyNet just around the corner?

27 January 2012

Hands up all those who remember the attempt to create "Sealand", an independent sovereign cybercountry which was to be physically located on a dis-used sea fort in the North Sea, some 10 miles off the coast of England.

The whole rational behind Sealand was to create a totally independent sovereign state where internet servers and services could be hosted without fear of falling under the control and regulation of existing nations.

In theory, it was a great idea and would have effectively sidestepped many of the problems that have since plagued the thorny issue of legislating to control the Net.

However, I suspect that even if it had received the support it deserved, this tiny hub of internet freedom would have already been stormed by crack US Navy Seals and its inhabitants spirited away to some clandestine prison.

Read more...

 

Freedom, a commodity in short supply

We pride ourselves on living in a nation that has one of the lowest levels of corruption in the world and in which our press enjoys the kinds of freedoms that are essential in a modern democracy.

Unfortunately -- if you believe that, you're living in the past.

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Recent reports indicate that the freedom of the NZ press has taken a real knock of late, causing us to slip out of the "top 10" group for press freedom.

The exposure of nasty, self-interested activities conducted by our politicians and other officials also gives our "corruption-free" reputation a hammering.

But NZ is not alone... both the USA and the UK have also slid down the rankings of press freedom.

What on earth is going on here?

Surely, as we become a more enlightened society, press freedoms ought to be increased or at least maintained -- not curtailed.

And is there a connection between the rising levels of official corruption and the falling levels of press freedom? You'd have to be naive if you didn't join the dots here.

The bottom line would have to be that as our politicians find themselves with more to hide, it's only natural that they're going to seek to place greater restrictions on the activities of the press -- so as to protect themselves from public scrutiny.

And could there also be a link to the sudden and dramatic increase in efforts to restrict, control and censor the internet?

I think it's time we started asking questions.

Have your say in the Aardvark Forums.

Forums Are UP!

Woohoo.. better late than never (I hope).

I'm afraid you'll have to re-register and there are bound to be issues but at last we can get the discussions going again. Remember the word "aardvarkrox" when you go sign up.

The Aardvark forums.

And yes... the Sci-Tech headlines links are updated again today with some great stories!

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Previous Columns

Life on Venus - pictures prove it?
I've had enough of stories about piracy, digital rights and the USA's attempts to exert its legal muscle in areas that ought to be outside its jurisdiction...

All online business beware
Last week, NZ police raided the home (the media keep saying "mansion") of Kim Dotcom and arrested several people on a number of charges, including copyright infringement plus aiding and abetting copyright infringement...

Safety in (small) numbers?
If you use Windows on your laptop or PC then you're probably aware that it's not a bad idea to install some anti-virus and anti-malware protection...

SOPA/PIPA - do unto others?
SOPA and PIPA are all about giving corporations and governments the right to control what *YOU* can access in the online world...

Who turned out the lights?
Apparently, black is the new black -- at least whenever you're looking to make a point in the online world...

Electronics, a dying hobby/job?
Ever since I can remember, I have been addicted to science and technology...

Grumpy old Murdoch whinging again
The SOPA bill in the USA is still trundling along on the path to becoming a full blown law but at least the Obama administration is starting to show signs of hessitance in the face of growing public opposition...

Why the end may well be nigh
Now as regular readers know, I'm an atheist -- but today I'm going to play devil's advocate and see if I can't perhaps identify some contemporary signs that "the end is nigh"...

Climate change, hard to deny now
What about this weather?...

It's the Net, we don't need to provide service!
One of the great things about shopping online is that there are bargains galore -- and you can save a heap of money without ever leaving the comfort of your home...