2highbehind

Innovation VS SOPA

One of the concerns voiced in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act is that it will hinder entrepreneurs. Today, we keep SOPA week moving by getting input from Martijn Tjho, CEO at Independent IP (IIP) BV, the company behind FUGA. As an entrepreneur and one who works within the music industry, it’s hard to get much closer to the issue than Martijn.

The Internet drives innovation just as did the invention of electricity, the steam-engine etc. But lawmakers are always one or two steps behind innovation in creating new laws that regulate the new reality. With SOPA, it’s a typical case of good intentions, but shooting from the hip, with the risk innocent bystanders get hurt. This is often what happens when you try to protect the status quo too much. Rest of article on Tattletech

The real crisis Europe is dealing with

Over the last decade a new kind of politician came to parlements all over Europe. Geert Wilders came to the Dutch elite and is now investigating if the Euro should be replaced by the good old guilder. First he tells everybody Greece should be kicked out of the EU and now he thinks it's better to get our old currency back. A strong partnership of European countries will protect our peace for the decades to come. To let publically let go of this, just because of cash is stupid, ignorant and the worst thing you can do. Like asking for a divorce when your wife comes home and spend all money on a new purse. This short term thinking and lack of loyalty is what is hurting our unity way more, then a member country running out of money. In fact all European countries are broke and have been broke for a long time. Bringing back the old currency will kill our export and cost us way more then trying to reform the union with measures that weld a more strong structure. One tax system, no protectionism and a European government that rules over the major issues. Economy, infrastructure, Defense, Safety. We get rid of all small local decision making and simplify the political landscape. By doing that we save tons of money. Reform and stricing for a stronger unity between members of the EU. Let's not forget to apologize to Turkey and welcome them as a member. This we do publically! Then we vote for new rules with regards to what we allow of our politicians. No discrimination, when you do preach hate, you are taken of the political game and put where you belong. Community service, jail would be too easy. I am again ashamed for my country and the ease my politicians betray our partners. Shame on those who do this. 

Guest post on Digital Music News

While participating in a Panel Discussion during ADE [Amsterdam Dance Event] this year, seated next to Stuart Knight from Toolroom Records (a customer of FUGA).  We discussed services like Spotify and praised them for their growth.  Anticipating the 'label' business would grow at the same pace.  However, over the last couple of weeks, I've seen a shift indicating it could be more complicated, causing me to re-evaluate my position on the subject or at least do more research.

 

Geacht CDA, Excellentie

Geacht CDA,

De heer Leers is namens uw partij ons gehele volk aan het vertegenwoordigen op "Immigratie en Asiel".

Ik ben geen CDA, VVD, PVV, PVDA kiezer, nooit geweest en zal het ook nooit worden. Zeker als dit het beleid is wat gevoerd wordt. Dit bericht is dan ook bedoeld voor minister Leers.

Excellentie,

Met alle respect voor de onmogelijke positie waarin u zich bevind, wil ik u verzoeken nogmaals diep na te denken over de situatie waarin u en uw partij terecht zijn gekomen. Ditmaal met in het achterhoofd "Beter ten halve gekeerd, dan ten hele gedwaald".

Uw pakt met de PVV en uw overige partners is een dwaling, ingegeven door angst en goede bedoelingen voor ons mooie Nederland. In mijn bescheiden mening. Tot op heden heb ik er weinig gevoel of betrokkenheid bij gehad, maar of ik het leuk vind of niet, U vertegenwoordigd ook mij in deze. Met in deze doel ik op Mauro. Deze jongen wordt nu de dupe van een duivels pakt en dat kan en wil ik niet stilletjes aan mij voorbij laten gaan.

U, het CDA (op een enkeling na) moet zich schamen voor wat er hier gebeurd en onmiddelijk zorgen dat deze jonge man verder kan gaan met leven, leren en genieten in ons mooie Nederland.

Ik zie u worstelen in de media met dit dossier en u wringt zich in allerlei bochten. Regels zijn regels.. Wie heeft dat ooit bedacht? Het gaat hier toch niet om de regels, maar over een jong mens!

Wat mij betreft laat u het kabinet klappen op dit verhaal. Zo verder zou ook voor u en de uwen geen optie mogen zijn.

Ik hoop dat dit schrijven u bereikt en dat u mededogen toont aan die het verdient en uw tanden laat zien aan diegene die een beleid voorstaan, dat zo asociaal is dat onze beschaving er aan ten onder gaat.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martijn Tjho

Why we have lost our civilization to politicians

For almost a decade and 18 year ol boy from Angola lived, loved, studied, made mistakes, laughed in the Netherlands. Now he is 18 he needs to go back to his country of origin. We invested for almost a decade in his Dutch language skills, he made friends, yearns for a prosperous future and knows nothing about life back in Angola. Rules are rules and we don't want to give the wrong signal to illegal people.

A civilized country would have done the oposit. We invested in this young man, he loves our great country, worked hard and has a future. This is the signal we should give to immigrants. Learn Dutch, Work hard, be nice and you are welcome!

 

 

Why banks should be scared

 

Wall Street must be scared shitless because of the protests that are going on right now. A lame attempt by NYC mayor failed because within 24hours + 300.000 people signed a petition. The same group that is organizing these protests also tells people to take their money out of big banks and put it in small banks. When the next disaster becomes public, its just a matter of time, not if, but when, this will cause a major meltdown of the existing system. BOARIP

Steve, if you do get in trouble, you can always work with us... Great piece!

Every business should be happy to have this kind of thinkers on board. Maybe not great to put it all out there, but he probably tried internally already, got frustrated and honest. Now for sure it's on the agenda. Some lame managers will probably use this as an excuse why the + service isn't working out ;-) It made me think about my own involvement and how my people perceive me when it comes down to the way I treat them. I have no clue to be honest, but one thing I know, I love honesty. Go check this out!

http://www.artbelow.org.uk/ab/SitePages.action?ShowPage&key=about.us

Public transport

Our national train transportation company "NS" introduced a new train, without a toilet. So I wonder what made the management decide to do this? How expensive can it pee to put a toilet in? I think the NS should open up their trains for services created by others. A paid toilet in trains that charge 1 euro (2theloo) or something similar, not NS. Free WIFI (This portal gives you info on your journey, access to vending machines, tells you where you are in the train etc. etc.(paid by NS)). Vending machines for magazines, newspapers, candy, fruit, drinks etc. (Pay with pay-pal, credit card, debit card etc). The train offers silent wagons, public space etc. A moving village, fair etc.) = train = -----1st class-------[Public space wagon]---------2nd class--------- etc.

If you want people to use public transport you need IMHO in this order:

1. Be on time/Be fast/Be safe/Be everywhere/Be clean

2. Be affordable

3. Nice and beautiful

4. fun

Our NS does almost all of this wrong. Why? Beats me. Maybe we should have the PVV on board then we have [Public space wagon]-----1st Class NL only---------2nd Class------------

Asking a human to pee in a bag and assume people don't shit, is the smartest thing I have ever seen being ASSumed. ;-)

 

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. Thank You Steve Jobs for making this world a better place.

My thoughts are with Mr. Jobs his close family and friends. It must be empty and overwelming. The internet now says it all. He was the greatest man in technology for the past decades and changed the way we work, buy music, call, interact, entertain ourselves and so forth. R.I.P