The Digital Economy Bill

I recently wrote an email to my MP (Alistair Darling) about the Digital Economy Bill (DEB). He wrote back to me requesting more details and so today I sent him this letter. Anyone who wants to send their MP a letter feel free to copy it (this at least is copyright free):

Dear Alistair Darling,

Many thanks for your reply to my email dated Sunday 4th April re: the Digital Economy Bill. I know that the Bill has now come been passed but I want you to understand the serious ramifications and implication that the Bill contains. My main points are below:

1. The bill seems to have been designed to satisfy the requirements of the entertainment industry and victimise the public. The ‘three-strike’ rule is unfair without proof or evidence by trial. The government does not have the right to say who is guilty without recourse to law. £50,000 fines are also too much when it is almost impossible to say who is liable when an internet connection is shared.
2. Making ISPs spy on their customers again in support of the entertainment industry is heinous. They don’t have the right to record what I look at online, just incase. It will also have a detrimental effect upon shops, cafes and restaurants offering open public wifi. The UK Government should be leading us into a Britain where access to the internet is enabled for all, this will seriously stunt any growth in this area.
3. There is nothing in the Bill about stimulating the digital economy. We need everyone connected to the net via cheap, fast broadband. This will stimulate growth and commerce. Also as a new writer trying to build up a public profile I work and create new media stimulated by digital access. Copyright rules can get in the way of this ability to create new things.

I really don’t believe that the Bill has been given due consideration and it was pushed through without rigourous debate. We have a great wealth of tech-savvy creators in this country, individuals who understand the future that the net will give us far better than politicians. I don’t believe you’ve listen to these people enough and have instead merely taken into account the wants of big business.

Sincerely yours,

Adam J. Shardlow

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I'll let you know if he replies.

Busy, busy, busy - Wrong, wrong, wrong

Busy, busy, busy so here's some stuff to look at along with a few quick book reviews.

• A short Dr Who comic from Rob Davis illustrating the appeal of the Time Lord.
• Article about the advances in 3D printing. Soon you'll just fire one of these babies up and produce anything.
• Article about how not to get a dead person through an airport and on to a plane. Sounds like the start of a novel.
• Dialogue and how to keep it natural.
• An art gallery on your computer.
• Free music from Ithaca Trio.
• Free comics Sin Titulo, Power Out, The Guns of Shadow Valley, Bayou.

Right off to write to my MP (Alistair Darling for those interested) about the Digital Economy Bill and how it is wrong, wrong, wrong.

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Comic protests that takes you around the world. Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption is a comic collective who take on some serious projects and present them in a sympathetic way. Some better than others.

A short from Warren Ellis, Aetheric Mechanics feels like one of those ideas he had and dashed of quickly before it vanished from his vast brain. It's short and blunt but as usual clever and well presented.

I love Tomine austere art work in Sleepwalk. Fine lines with deep blacks that remind me Charles Burns. Good story telling as well.

Solipsistic Pop collection no 1. Some good, some not so, but good enough so that I'll buy collection no. 2.

Flinch is another collection this time from Australia. Only a couple were brilliant but some good stuff from Tan as usual.

A dark noir thriller set in the mind. The Manual of Detection is a brilliant idea, cleverly executed by a new author worth looking out for. Think Kafka with Bogart in it. Well presented book as well which is nice to see.

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Read this week:

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption by various

Aetheric Mechanics by Warren Ellis

Sleepwalk and other Stories by Adrian Tomine

Solipsistic Pop by Various

Flinch by various

The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry

Easter Eggs

I've spent the Easter weekend knocking about the 'Juvie' manuscript. I'm making several significant changes, several structural revisions and adding in new scenes. This is going to take some time so I haven't seen much of world this weekend. However here's a list of stuff I recommend:

Dr Who - new series with Matt Smith looks good, really good (which is a relief). Moffat seems to have a good handle on the darker character led stories and Smith looks suitably alien in the role.

Great writing music to download from Ithaca Trio. Ambient and calming when all the world is in uproar. Download their new album Tesla Versus the Night.

If you haven't already make sure you sign up to the Open Rights Group and help stop the Digital Economy Bill. It's not ready yo be released yet and in it's current format it will mean innocent people (such as yourself) being cut off the internet without any trial or recourse. This can't happen. The bill is being voted on tomorrow so you don't have much time. If you can, email your MP.

And if you want a chocolate brownie sent straight to your front door order them from my friend Emily at Sugarmonkey. She kindly sent over some scanned photos of us on holiday. I've barely changed to be honest.

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Finally got around to reading some Philip K. Dick. Everyone knows Bladerunner (and if you don't - be ashamed of yourself) but Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep differs in several ways from the film. Familiar traits still exist but Dick's world is perhaps not so futuristic as dingy and decaying whilst humans just want to get ahead in life on a dying world. Deckard is more of company man than a shrewd detective and the replicants more confused as to why they exist. That said the book is good and feels only slightly dated having been written back in 1968.

Mesmo Delivery is quick read about an ageing Elvis impersonator and a tough delivery guy and what is in their truck. It's violent and funny and has art work to die for. Whilst the story is slight it's the scribbly lines and sepia tints that keep you enthralled. All written and drawn by Rafael Grampa who is going to be big.

Read this week:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

Mesmo Delivery by Rafael Grampa