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16 September 2002 
Snap Judgment
Agenda Bender says photography's too easy to be an artform. I agree that photos aren't art (as beautiful as some can be), but I'd cite as the main reason the lack of control the photographer has. With other media, the artist deliberately lays down every brushstroke, word, or note. With photography, the tools are much coarser. Your main tool is a device intended to make an exact copy of what it's aimed at. And indeed, aiming is your main creative input. Film, lighting, and exposure offer some degree of control, but you're essentially tweaking the reality you're given, not creating your own.
09:01 PM |
Stealing Their MoJo
Speaking of Google ads, check out the one that appears when you search for the ultra-leftist Mother Jones magazine. (Screenshot here in case it changes.)
09:00 PM |
Hate Mail
I have to admit I hesitated last week at calling Jean Chrétien a "bastard" for his blame-the-victim comments on 9/11. But I thought the uncharacteristic profanity accurately and concisely conveyed what I felt. Little did I know what the repercussions would be.
Today, I received an email from Google AdWords, where I recently purchased an ad in hopes of generating more website traffic. Some excerpts:
Subject: Changes to your Google Adwords campaignI'm not quite sure what "hate/anti speech" is, but the message is nonetheless clear: if you have a "product" that involves criticism of a person or group, AdWords isn't for you. Or is it that clear? I notice they accept advertising for the Bush-bashing New York Times. Oh well, at least I'm in good company. Opponents of Scientology and Osama bin Laden have apparently had the same fate.
...
Action taken: Suspended - Pending Revision
Issue(s): Unacceptable Product
...
Content: At this time, Google policy does not permit the
advertisement of "hate/anti speech ("Chretien...What an utter bastard")" on our website. We also do not permit sites that sell these products to advertise on Google. As noted in our advertising terms and conditions, we reserve the right to exercise editorial discretion when it comes to the advertising we accept on our site.
A person of a more leftist persuasion might be screaming censorship about now. But as silly and subjective as I find the policy, I have no quarrel with Google's right to run their own service as they choose. The bastards.
07:32 PM |
The Return of Capitalism
Capitalism Magazine is back from a summer hiatus.
06:49 PM |