Hypercrit

Michael Becker writes about journalism, new media and digital culture in general.

Month: September, 2007

A New Lawsuit Against Google

A man in Pennsylvania has sued Google for $5 billion in damages, alleging (in a handwritten affidavit) that Google is violating his privacy. He says that the name “Google,” when turned upside down, is a “code” for his Social Security number. If a person can mumble in writing, this guy does, veering onto the subject […]

AHHH!!

LED ZEPPELIN LIVE IN CONCERT…
…IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY EVEN!!!!
I don’t care if I’m the last one in the world to know this. It deserves mention, screaming loud mention, until your lungs bleed kind of screaming.

Free Press

In the wake of the New York Times dropping its paid Times Select service, there is news today that the Wall Street Journal’s Web site may drop its pay wall as well.
Again, the role of liberator is being played by advertising revenue. The WSJ, purchased recently by Rupert Murdoch, a closely monitored development that had many […]

Mr. New York Times, Tear Down that (Pay) Wall!

The New York Times plans to dismantle its Times Select paid service in an effort to drive more readers deeper into their Web site and increase ad revenue, Reuters reports.
The service will shut down on Wednesday after two years of service. Times Select had about 227,000 paid subscribers, who will receive pro-rated refunds when the […]

Protecting Children Online

Virginia has become the first U.S. state to require Internet safety education in public schools, according to a report on National Public Radio today.
Officials at the Virginia Attorney General’s office told NPR that children often don’t realize they are at risk online, and parents don’t know enough to teach their children how to protect themselves online.
However, some […]