Daily Archives: March 9, 2003

US Spies Target UN in NY

Uncategorized

In an interesting memo apparently leaked to the British newspaper Observer, a senior US NSA official is seen asking British (and, presumably, other) intelligence agencies to spy on U.S. allies to try to bolster the U.S. negotiating position over Iraq. This is seen by many as a Nixon-like dirty tricks.

Understandably, this has created a huge stir in Britain. What is even more surprising is how quiet this has been in the U.S. Has the American press lost all sense of journalistic independence from the government?

The Register has an article analyzing the authenticity of the memo.

Why Information Should Be Free: 2003 Version

Freedom

You just can’t go wrong with an article that starts with Have I ever mentioned that I love Larry Lessig? The SXSW Sunday Afternoon: Lessig article goes on to write: He begins with a sanctimonious quote from Jack Valenti: “Morals, democracy, integrity. All being corrupted by sharing. Sharing has introduced a moral decay.” Lessig, needless to say, disputes the claim. Click above to read the full article from David Weinberger.

Photography at the Edge of Winter

Entertainment / Arts

In a reflective mood at the end of winter? Check out Andy Chen’s winter photography over at Kumquat’s Musings. I’m anxious for the high-res scan to plaster on my desktop.

Photography in unusual lighting conditions like this one is more tricky but well worth the effort. I’ve taken a photo or two in those situations, and almost inevitably end up thinking “Wow, I didn’t notice these detail when I was taking the photo.” The realism of photography is also the most deceiving — a scene that is rushed, loud, noisy, and uncomfortable to the photographer can appear peaceful and serene to the viewer. I can usually tell when I have a good photo if I notice things in the proof that I hadn’t seen when I was physically at the scene.