The day after Apple introduced the iPad, Macmillan went to Amazon to negotiate the pricing of their products. Amazon was selling their ebooks at $9.99, when their print versions normally go for between $5.99 and $14.99. Amazon was also taking a huge cut of commission, but Macmillan basically wanted to get the same deal they were getting with Apple. So, as a result, Amazon stopped selling Macmillan books. However, on Sunday, Amazon said it would start reselling Macmillan books because they have a “monopoly over their own titles.” [1]
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Tags: Ethics, Technology
A French parliamentary committee has recommended banning Muslim headcoverings. The committee’s report claims that it “is the symbol of the repression of women, and… of extremist fundamentalism.” [1]
BBC reports that many in the UK also want this ban, claiming that it is “not British.” There is obviously a racist underpinning to such a statement, but I’m not even going to go there for now. What really unnerved me was what the journalist was implying about freedom of religion: “In a country [France] where the separation of state and religion is enshrined in law, a parliamentary committee report ruled the veil as “contrary to the values of the republic’…” [2]
And now begins my rant. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: China, Christianity, Ethics, United Kingdom, USA
I just watched the UK’s most recent episode of Ugly Betty, and I was pretty shocked by it. I know it’s TV and all, and I hope there’ll be a good redemption episode upcoming, but I was pretty appalled by the way people acted in this episode.
1. Betty made a ‘terrible’ mistake in befriending a competing magazine rival. She was betrayed by that person who impersonates her and steals something precious from Betty. Okay, this does unfortunately happen in real life.
2. Betty and colleague go and basically steal that precious thing back and are praised for it by their boss. What’s with that? I know, once again it’s TV and I suppose it’s entertaining but still! I wonder if this would happen in real life.
3. And then all these affairs happening, not exactly affairs and I suppose relationships have all these layers of issues. But this part, I was not as surprised by, which makes it even more sad because now I’m numb from hearing/seeing people basically betraying their loved ones.
Maybe I’ve been a little sensitive today. I’m just sad to find the state of our society’s morals… albeit in the virtual world of the television.
Tags: Entertainment, Ethics
November 4, 2008 was a historic date.
For me, as an American living in the UK, I am pleased with the democratic process that has chosen Barack Hussein Obama to be the next president of the United States, the first black president. I heard on CNN a report that many Iraqis believed Barack would never be voted in since all elections were rigged — I guess they were proven wrong. But more than a race, the voice of America has chosen a replacement of a former administration, demanding a change to the previous regime. Whether or not the change will be substantial enough, only time will tell. But, the people demanded and the people were satisfied.
For me, as a Californian living in the UK, I am pleased with the democratic process that has voted for Proposition 8. Preliminary counts say the result is “Yes”, though millions of absentee ballots still need to be counted — mine included. However, Los Angeles County has already suspended the issue of same-sex marriage licenses. This is due to a California State Constitutional provision that says a proposed amendment “shall be submitted to the electors and if approved by a majority of votes thereon takes effect the day after the election.”* Again, seemingly, the democratic voice has spoken.
But is this the democracy we want?
Tags: Canada, Christianity, Ethics, United Kingdom, USA
I began this morning with my usual routine of reading the latest news through Google Reader (LOVE this product, by the way) and so many articles were stimulating my thoughts. Among them, writings honoring the legacy of Bill Gates, great tidbits about Legos, and a seminary in prison.
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