Copyright Issues

I heard about the hullabaloo related to the Megaupload raid, and so I read this article to see what all the hype was about.  Honestly, I don't know yet what to think.  When it comes to copyright laws, I think there has to be a balance.  I feel that piracy is a legitimate concern, and copyright holders for music, movies, etc., have a right to pursue adequate protection of their content.  At the same time, however, expecting site owners to be responsible for everything users post on their site can be ridiculous if taken to the extreme.  With debates about SOPA and PIPA fresh in the air, I think we all have adequate fodder for deep thought related to these issues.  In my opinion, there has to be a solution that marries the idea of giving credit to the original authors or producers while still allowing legitimate use of technology.  One of the underlying issues that has to be faced is the personal integrity of individuals in our society.  Regardless of the outcome in the specific case of Megaupload, it will be interesting to see how all of these copyright issues blow over.

Is Technology a Good Thing?

Ever since I was very young, I have been fascinated by technology.  From the glasses I wear to the smartphone I carry in my pocket to help keep me organized, I am an avid user of technology, and am likely to remain so.  I read an article recently about technological change that pointed out some of the negative effects that the development and acceptance of new technologies have had over the years.  While I believe that the author makes some valid points, I am of the opinion that technology as a whole is, or can be, a very good thing in society as long as it is used judiciously.  I think of the blessing it is to me to see clearly, to access information on hundreds of different topics, etc., and I cannot help being grateful for many of the technologies that have shaped our culture.  At the same time, however, I feel that with any great blessing comes an inherent responsibility to use it wisely.  Our society, and my generation in particular, has developed a habit of wasting time on the Internet.  With all of the time that technology can save us, it is important to be wise stewards of the gifts of technology and be cautious that our use of technology does not cause us to forget what is most important in life.