Date: 06/28/2004 05:48 AM
From: Mark Kindley (mark@5thbusiness.net)
__Subject: Pursuing the Libido's Dark Side __
Rape is not a taboo ("Pursuing the Libido's Dark Side," June 28, 2004). It is a violent crime. The developer of the game seems to have missed this point, as did the writer.
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Date: 06/28/2004 05:33 AM
From: Christopher Lindley (chris@bentwave.com)
Subject: Forget Radio, Tune In to Net
Pick your medium -- 40 crappy FM stations with tired tunes and up to 20 minutes of advertisements per hour (why do you think they call it commercial radio?) -- or several thousand stations, many of them sending out a gorgeous-sounding, uninterrupted 160 Kbps stream ("Forget Radio, Tune In to Net," June 28, 2004)! Devices are available to send this feed directly into your home stereo, and they have the National Association of Broadcasters scared to death. Don't look back.
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Date: 06/28/2004 08:15 AM
From: Philip (pip@ex2.co.uk)
Subject: Huge Gaps in Europe's ITunes
The indies are plain wrong ("Huge Gaps in Europe's ITunes," June 28, 2004). Steve Jobs knows how important it is to define the perception of value in this new market. That's why he's chosen a fixed 99 cents per song and isn't going to change it any time soon.
Given that this new channel has tiny distribution costs, tighter DRM and lower fidelity compared with traditional CD distribution, 79 cents is a generous price. It's easy to buy and cheaper than a cup of coffee.
The indies are stupid, stupid, stupid. As long as they are allowed to sell at the same price to anyone else they want to, and they're getting more than half the cash from each sale, they should take the deal. It puts their distribution on a level playing field with the majors.
Finally Jobs is very black and white -- you're either with him or against him. And you don't want to be against him -- ask Rodime or Nvidia.
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Date: 06/28/2004 07:21 AM
From: adamariah831@hotmail.com
__ Subject: Pursuing the Libido's Dark Side__
This is outrageous. How is it that our society can not see that desensitization is the key reason for violent acts ("Pursuing the Libido's Dark Side," June 28, 2004)? It wouldn't shock us if we have seen, acted in or been acted upon several times. Therefore removing the shock value encourages these acts to occur outside of the game. I find this appalling and, frankly, sad that people can participate in a game of this manner and continue to think it is OK.
Your perception is molded by each and every thing you allow into your focus, therefore marring your perception with a game and then bringing that marred opinion of reality back into our world scares me. In addition, consider people who will be drawn to this game because of psychological instability.
If someone is unable to understand the boundaries of fantasy and reality, and participates in this type of game, it could seriously affect their interpersonal interactions and relation to the real world. Furthermore, what are the conditions set upon children and young adults being allowed to participate in this type of activity, without strong emotional boundaries?
In conclusion, each and every thing we allow into our perceptual field affects us no matter how minimal the stimulation may be, therefore we are encouraging people to act upon foul thoughts and ideation. What will prevent those who do not have a strong and stable mindset from engaging in these activities outside the virtual reality world?
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