A Segue ain't just a Scooter
About a month ago my sister Ann tipped me to something I might want to read, a paper by Tim Wu on Wireless Net Neutrality, put out by the New America Foundation. I read the executive summary at the time, but only recently got around to reading through the whole pdf
Wireless Net Neutrality | The New America Foundation . She, I believe, had actually seen him speak at the FTC hearings this paper debuted at. To my non-lawyer being, I came away doubting the wireless telecommunication companies will be able to maintain the monopoly on devices and software that connect to their networks. For one thing as true multifunction devices (like the iPhone) come into play; by one or another network, a push for comparable innovation and functionality will bring in standards and cross platform applications. I think Wu's point is that the involved Federal Agencies ought to make an attempt to get out in front of this now and try to be at least nominally consistent with past regulatory practice. Another of the FCC's affairs better appreciated by lawyers is Comcast vs the FCC
Comcast challenges FCC's ownership limits or is it FCC vs Comcast. In the face of a law suit by Comcast the FCC reiterated a cap that would keep any one cable company from providing service to more than 30% of cable subscribers
FCC may officially reinstate 30 percent cable ownership cap. It was worth it just to see the look on Comcast's face, but now congress will reinsert themselves in the debate
Dingell: FCC Not a 'Legislative Body' - washingtonpost.com. The FCC's campaign against Radio Payola is closer to something I can actually understand. Back when I was a college radio dj one of my friends who we will call G. (although his real name is Gary Stern) had the Big Payola as the name of his show. Like all romantics I think he was actually disappointed that record company execs didn't actually show up on his doorstep with fistfuls of dollars in each hand. Ah Gary! Its not that they weren't trying to corrupt the airwaves, it's just that they knew they couldn't turn you. One upshot of this, according to the Washington Post
Big Radio Settles Payola Charges - washingtonpost.com at least is that the Big Radio chains have promised more air time for local artists and independent record labels.
"I hear the radio is finally gonna play new music, you know, the british invasion. But what about the Minutemen, Flesh Eaters, DOA, Big Boys. And Black Flag? ...Glitter disco synthesizer night school ...I must not think bad thoughts"
Well if Exene won't think bad thoughts I won't either. The unheard music will be heard. Its been years since the rule held: "smooth chords on the car radio, no hard chords on the car radio we set the trash on fire" After all a segue ain't just a scooter, and not all Scooter's are Segways. It is an art: Diana Ross to Amy Winehouse to PJ Harvey; Timberlake to Harry Connick to Ted Leo, not a problem. I have thrown away my Ipod and deleted all my streaming radio on the internets and satellites. I have tuned terrestrial and wait patiently by the radio. And if that doesn't work out, there's always television. Just this evening alone I have heard the Feelies selling me one type of car, Vancouver's New Pornographers coda to the bleeding heart show is pleading with me to take classes at the University of Phoenix. Mark E. Smith of the Fall walking down the street and seeing a poster (Blindness) is concerned that I don't have a Suburu. And Kevin Barnes (Barnes) from Of Montreal believes that for a Wraith Pinned to the Mist - I could use a night out at an Australian steakhouse
Pitchfork: Outback Steakhouse Hearts Of Montreal. None of that stuff ever got played on the Radio before. Why currency now?
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