.a.bite.of.the.big.apple.
the Marketing Arm
I think this is so fascinating and such a cool way to reward employees for longevity and dedication. It’s very innovative but also personal. And fun!
the weekend.
This weekend was quintessentially a perfect New York City winter weekend.
Per the brief updates in the posts, Friday night I had Lauren over for dinner and then we went to see the writers of HelloGiggles.com perform at the Upright Citizens Brigade (two of my favorite things colliding into one). The show was very funny and cute and just a total chick-fest.
Saturday was very snowy and was spent running errands and being rather productive. That evening Brecklyn and I went to see The Artist, which was absolutely phenomenal. I would highly recommend it, and I think it should ideally be seen in the theater. It would still be good at home but won’t have the same effect. It’s a beautifully made portrayal of the move from silent films to “talkies” set in the 1920s and 30s, done somewhat ironically in silent film form. It was absolutely wonderful.
Yesterday I moved a couch, went to Michaels, went to church, went to the store, and then ran two marathons around Manhattan. Just kidding on the last one, but seriously, it kind of felt like I did. It was an exhausting but wildly productive day, and needless to say, I was spent by the end of it. This was perfect because the 49ers vs. Giants game last night was very entertaining, and I didn’t even feel guilty sitting on the couch and watching it for 3 hours.
Now, onto another week!
Culture is changed most effectively when we seek our highest influence and live there as faithful disciples.
There are two bills in Congress right now - the Protect IP Act (PIPA) and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) - whose outcomes will directly affect you. Please make yourself informed about these bills, and should you feel compelled, take your stance to your Congressional representative. Take advantage of the democracy that we live in, and let your voice be heard!
This vote and the implications of these bills are huge for what we can and can’t do on the internet, what sort of regulations websites like Wikipedia and YouTube operate under, and ultimately they will affect internet-based businesses and websites of all kinds.
While I don’t often given my political opinions on my blog, I’m making an exception for this. I will absolutely be encouraging my congressmen to vote NO to these bills. As someone who blogs, uses countless internet resources, and more, I do not want to see the online community get censored like this. I am completely against piracy - it damages people’s jobs, their creative rights, etc. - but I don’t think that PIPA and SOPA are the answers to stop piracy and copyright infringement in the form that they’re in right now. It’s not adequate legislation for this purpose, and it’s censorship extends beyond just looking out to protect people’s rights.
I am not telling you the opinion to take, you can decide this for yourself, but it is very important to be informed and to voice your opinion, particularly on such huge legislation.
Here are a few articles to check out to learn more:
Forbes - What are SOPA & PIPA and why all the fuss?
PC World - SOPA & PIPA: Just the Facts
CNN - Wikipedia, other websites go dark in anti-piracy bill protest
CNET - How SOPA would affect you: FAQ
GIZMODO - What is SOPA?
Picture Credit: https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” —Dec. 10, 1964, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
Where we have come from as a country since the 1960s is incredible. While we still have steps to go, we have broken down racial barriers, we have give women more equality, and we have truly crossed lines that many expected would never be crossed.
I am thankful for all that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did and the inspiration that he provides for us today.
Happy MLK Day everyone. Let this day inspire you to strive to make a difference like he did.
