DefendTheInter.net: An illustrated guide on why the Internet needs saving. | Hacker News Reader

DefendTheInter.net: An illustrated guide on why the Internet needs saving.

defendtheinter.net

46 pointshalfwayglad14 comments

Am I the only one who finds the symbol of the clenched fist to be a real turn-off for any feeling of support for these kinds of sites?

Why so? It is a common symbol for groups fighting for civil liberties

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raised_fist

I guess because when I was coming up, the sign of the clenched fist was being used primarily by Marxist revolutionaries and race nationalists. It was not a sign of civil liberties http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_liberties in the general sense, more a sign of unified struggle.

Adopting the "worker's revolution" symbolism also seems to downplay the strengths in many cases. Groups like Anonymous or the readership of HN are far from being mobs armed with farm implements, they're the techno-elite.

Personally, I think a better sign might be the extended middle finger. :-)

Yes, you are. The fist symbolizes strength through solidarity and partnership, which is the only strategy that most Americans have for confronting consolidated corporate power.

I suspect you don't actually know what everyone else on the site thinks.

>I suspect you don't actually know what everyone else on the site thinks.

Cool, thanks for that incredibly insightful observation, marshray.

The best part about your original question is that it can be answered provably in only one way — the one you want. So given your patronizing tone and thinly veiled elitism, I'll happily take the side of the argument that you would force me to prove through induction, for the simple satisfaction of calling you out.

The best part about your original question is that it can be answered provably in only one way

That did occur to me after I had asked the question, but I decided that there was still a sufficient spectrum of possible answers that I should keep the wording. For example:

"No you're not, I feel that way too."

"I used to feel that way too, but then it occurred to me... [useful discussion follows]"

"Who knows? But I think you're mistaken because... [useful discussion follows]"

No answers, in which case the number of votes on the question could be significant.

So given your patronizing tone and thinly veiled elitism, I'll happily take the side of the argument that you would force me to prove through induction, for the simple satisfaction of calling you out.

Um, you're welcome?

Thank you for this -- an accessible presentation of the most important facts and numbers on a contemporary, quickly moving issue. We could use more of this from journalistic outlets as well (albeit without the editorializing).

And the 'What the Internet could look like...' scroll down is simple yet truly elegant. Bravo.

Too bad the majority of the internet users only care about one model:

(me)-----------(facebook)

I get that the background image is the "subject" image in the before and after SOPA/PIPA boxes...but I think for most people, it will look like content failed to load. Especially because the two (low contrast) backgrounds don't appear to be substantially different. I had to look it over twice to even notice a difference.

I had exactly the same reaction. I had to go back and forth a few times to see the difference. Perhaps making the transition more obvious with a fade or having the connecting paths be different colors?

That was bothering me too. Looks good now :)

I read your comment before viewing the page and still had a hard time figuring out what I was being shown.

Also, the site linked to for "Call your representative now" (http://fightforthefuture.org/) is either outdated or factually incorrect:

"The Stop Online Piracy Act could pass this week."

IIRC, Congress is in winter recess. Also, it's still in subcommittee: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3261/actions_votes

And of course, its Senate-companion must be voted on, too, before it reaches the President.

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