Copy Rights, Use of education

The discussion on copyrights was somewhat interesting. The conversation that would have been more fun is the conversation about the ethics involved in the modern age. On one side, Sharon's $1,000.00 for a powerpoint presentation. On the other side, the fact that I'm paying two to three time's more for a textbook just because I'm buying it in the US. Could get the same book in UK for 1/3 to 1/2 less. Why? Cause the UK prof's aren't as stupid as US professors. On DVD and CD's, why are we paying up to $50.00 for something that costs less then $1.00 to produce? Artists and the notion of money for intellectual property get caught in the middle. What is a reasonable amount of money? What is a reasonable return for the effort? What are the artists/movie studios getting now? What do the movie studio's get for vhs? Pirating is a function of market place vote - people getting charged way the hell too much for a product find a way around it. EBooks will actually face the same problem. If the cost of the EBOOK isn't significantly lower then a paperback, there will be no incentive to go to EBOOK's. If Hollywood's reaction to modern technology is any indication, then EBOOK's will do their damnest to charge top dollar. With the predictable pirating following right behind.

Another thought about DVD's - If I get a DVD recorder for my TV, I can record a DVD quality copy of any movie that I watch on television. VHS faced the same issue in the early 80's. They resolved the issue by adding a surcharge on VHS tapes (I think it was $1.00) that is divided among artists/studios.

Another thing that struck me from last night's class is that the State and University are working very hard to make sure I know how computers work. Despite that in many school settings, I will not have any ability to use said training because schools do not provide the necessary equipment. I am not aware of any local school district that provide's computer projector's for their teachers. I know some do give lap tops and web space, but no one gives out projectors that I have been able to find. Emerging technologies are nice, but of more immediate use to us students would be how to work in poverty stricken environments. Hmm, I would think that as digital immigrants, that would actually do more to convert people into natives by having them work out how to work in such an environment.