Probably worth looking at

Policing the ‘Net

Tarun — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:02:29 +0000

Kapil Sibal’s latest demand that Social Media screen content has stirred that proverbial hornet’s nest of the mishmashed discussion of the most contentious Internet buzzwords – “values”, freedom of speech, privacy, policing , “censorship” – and all the jingo-ism that goes with them.

A pragmatic way to look at it would be to talk about would be to talk about the architecture of a system, the hierarchy that is implicit in that system, and the value decisions that architecture and hierarchy implies.

We all crow about the architecture of the internet – about its flatness, its freedom. However, if we think about it, this flatness/freedom is just on the surface. We must remember, there are very few Wikipedias. Most “platforms” for interaction or information are owned and run by the private sector who have shareholder/balance sheet imperatives.

For their part these private sector players can only function under the large superstructure of the political economy. There are certain rules and laws defined by the superstructure of that political economy. Those rules must be followed – and we are often thankful for them.

When it comes to the enduser’s discussion on freedom/privacy must be predicated by the knowledge that, as long as the “providers” of this freedom are in themselves governed upon, our freedom/privacy is also a function of the decision of that superstructure.

*Side-Note* – At the same time, this whole talk about privacy is completely skewed – how can we talk about privacy for what we have essentially put up for public display?How can we talk about privacy when all our data is used by these platforms to sell to advertisers? *end-note*

The architecture of the internet in itself is value neutral. In other words there is nothing inherent on the internet which stops you from doing this for example. However we depend on the the political economy to afford certain guidelines which it deems are against a defined moral value. Pedophilia and child p0rn for example. the only reason they dont exist (or are “hard to find”) is because they are illegal and this guideline must be followed in all cases. or Does banning childporn form an outrageous “fascist” indicator of Big Brotherly Censorship?

Or take the case of National Security – if google maps shows the indian army barracks positions on our borders – would the government be right in asking for its removal, citing national security?

There is obviously a problem that comes in with this of course which is – where does the government draw the line. And once the line is drawn how is it implemented? should a wikipidia-esque self policing for example, become a norm?

The more overarching question is the question of true freedom. Even if the internet is able to miraculously self-regulate, it still exists within a a political/economic superstructure, and will be defined by that hierarchy – how can the internet be made free of that?

That will be the discussion of another post – for now id like to leave you with some food for thought -

- Was the “usage of social media” “right” during the jasmine spring? how about during the london riots? was it “right” then? WHats the difference between the two?

- How do you define Freedom of Speech. Is anything but complete freedom of speech acceptable to you?

Who Wins the Pig?

Tarun — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:11:49 +0000

@roycinD and @Rootkanal have both submitted a poem on the topic “I AM A PIG” to win the pig in the #angrybirdgiveaway. here are the 2 – could you vote and tell me who’s you prefer?

Here’s Roycins - ”I’m a Pig who loves just meat. If its meat imma toss and eat.”

ANd heres RootKanals - dukkar ne kiya andon ka apharan, bird bola ab main karunga tera cheerharan, marunga tujhe itne dande, kya tere paas ki dukan mein nahin ande?

VOTE PEOPLE! A PIG IS AT STAKE!

View This Poll

of Onir, mumbai mirror and drawing a line.

Tarun — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 07:00:36 +0000

*** hot off the presses onir’s reaction (via Twitter ***)

“ I am ANGRY and Traumatised . How can someone use my trust and get away with cheap publicity by spreading vile lies in the media.”

“ I want to tell you all i am not going to use this for publicity but I am going to fight this legally.”

“ I will nor let anyone get away by damaging my dignity and integrity

Please guys #supportonir

look at us. look at all of us. and before i throw stones, look at ME. whats my response to the dumbification of my world? to the whoring of our souls for media inches? an outraged blogpost. that’s all. Shame on me.

Today the Mumbai Mirror’s Front page story was sensational, something so voyeuristic and twisted, that for me it really seems to be the last straw.

First an argument on the facts

1. I know onir personally for more than 5 years. i have worked with him, very closely on My Brother Nikhil, and now on I Am. That man wouldnt molest a mouse! He’s so friggin, for lack of a better word, CUTE! tell him a slightly racy story and he starts blushing! this man? a MOLESTER? Hardly.

2. Onir is also 5 foot nothing. Honestly, how does a 5 foot nothing molest a 6 footer? really? i mean, i know there’s that whole power funda, but refer to point 1! have you SEEN the other guy? hes one of those gym working-out struggler types! noone molests HIM!

3. The guy sms-ed onir in the morning with a smilie. Yes, that’s what you send to your molester. a ” “

so ok, something happened and it was consensual. someone made a baseless allegation, just to get attention. And what do we do?

we give it to him.

After an alleged “molestation”, this individual goes, not to the cops, but to the media. Fine, perhaps this media crazy world has gone to his head and he’s not thinking straight. but how does the media react?

in the race for a little bit of viewership, it hangs an individual out to dry. It destroys a persons reputation, just for the sake of sensation

It forcefully parades an individual’s sexuality for the voyeuristic pleasure of a gossip hungry public and our voyeuristic minds salivate over it.

some questions i want to ask. Actually, there are SO MANY questions i want to ask, but here are just two

1. Would this have happened if the story wasnt about “homosexuality” – if an unknown girl went to a newspaper saying that someone, say… i dont know, Sanjay dutt, tried to molest her, would the media have given it front page news, or would it have just raised a few cynical eyebrows and no more?

2. Imagine if this happened to you. someone flirts with you, you flirt back, you hit it off, make out a bit, and BAM! the next day that person accuses you of molestation/rape. Your entire moral fibre is put into question in the most horrible of ways, in front of the world, for no fault of yours. Imagine how it will make your MOTHER feel. Just… imagine.

The irony, the sad sad irony of this whole thing is that in onir’s film, Rahul Bose’s character is exorted and blackmailed because of his sexuality just like onir has been in real life. the portrayal in the film is shocking – in real life, its unbelievable.

We really need to draw a line somewhere. At some point we need to do something to stop this wanton, callous attitude of the media.

I really dont know how to react – maybe you can tell me what you think about it?

#Twitterbaba – @abhijitdg’s Contest

Tarun — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:12:39 +0000

After the astounding success of #twitterina heres @abhijitdg’s next poll – #twitterbaba. Because of the number of nominees, please SCROLL DOWN TO POLL, and Vote for your TOP FIVE!

Also, while you’re here, check out other polls below including #hottestgirl, the modern family ads and #funniestboy

Finally, if you’re here and not following me (@probablytrippy) i will point one of my fingers at you – guess which one? Guess na.

Right. SO now you vote. Remember, top 5

View This Poll

#twitterina – @abhijitdg’s poll

Tarun — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:57:22 +0000

he’s a good man abhijit. intelligent, engaged, erudite. i think he work for india today. anyway., he’s doing a #twitterina poll, and these are the nominees…. vote for your top THREE!!! (nb. this is not to increase site views… its just helping him out)

@xabeen

@decloned_itaz

@md610

@desdemona14

@how_i_met_u

@blackrosegal

@raapchick

@ikaveri

@kiranmanral

@raggedtag

@mehmal

@thedailyhoney

@priyankac19

@nimue

@saffrontrail

@archie229

@sangitaSri

@kashanand

@oyemaria

@blabla39

@silverglee

@soulfulSai

@shavangiYadav

@mamatha_m

@limeice

@shradzberry

@heer22

@mehrzee

@iamsuhaa

@baavri

@cute_divya

Sorry for weird image size. this is a rush job and am SO not a coder type at all. so yessss… vote for your top3!!

View This Poll

#bestpromo contest (updated)

Tarun — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:47:34 +0000

If you’re on twitter, you’ve probably heard of some twitterfolk appearing in Starworld promos for Modern Family. What i want is for you to vote for which is your favorite?

UPDATE: THere are 4 new promos for your viewing pleasure!

Here’s the funnychick Aditi, aka, @awryaditi

our Favorite “social experimenter”, shilu, or @shiladitya…

The hidden gem, @darshanp82 – never call him to fix your microwave.

And, yours truly, me, @probablytrippy

Here they are for your viewing pleasure, we start with @vanessa_18

We then follow up with THEtanmay

then who can forget Paddychop, the lovely Padmini

And of course, the always awesome DHarmeshG

And last but not least, Ashish, or as twitter folk know him – stupidusmaximus

So… which is your fave? vote now!

View This Poll

#followmetrippy poll!

Tarun — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:29:33 +0000

the requests are in! it is now up to YOU dear voter to decide who i follow. so…. vote! choose your top 5!

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more #sameguy

Tarun — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:06:54 +0000

Arbaaz khan and roger federer – same guy?

sameguy?

Tarun — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:44:20 +0000

is it just me or do rafa and shahid look eerily similar?

#ultimatefunnyman contest

Tarun — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:27:06 +0000

Who is the funniest man on twitter? VOTE!!!

View This Poll