Posted by Whitney on October 03, 1999 at 01:46:01:
In Reply to: First Paper Assignment posted by jordan on September 22, 1999 at 14:53:30:
Jordan:
This is really a question that I should just e-mail you, but I thought
someone else might have the same idea -- so I decided to post it here.
I've been working on this paper and it seems to be heading more in
the direction of describing how the vocalockup impacts and has impacted
"the nature of oral communications in society" in general, not necessarily
any one area. Is this all right? Or is it necessary that I focus in?
Thanks very much.
Whitney
: Copyrights protect art, literature, photography, software, which is
: made "tangible". We have extended it to protect broadcast
: and live performances, and to protect bits flowing across the web.
: What you say aloud is not yet copyrighted. it is set free
: in the air as you vocalize. Right?
: Consider my new invention called a "Vocalockup":
: A recording device worn around the neck which digitizes
: and transcribes everything the wearer says
: (i.e. it renders speech tangible), but filters out
: whatever others say, so as to avoid violating wiretap
: laws. It adds high frequency modulation which
: "watermarks" "copyright ME 1999" over
: the audio signal so that if someone else records it and try to sells
: my "oral creative acts", I can assert that I met the standards of
: the copyright act. I can also prove I said a thing at some time,
: but maybe you can't without a court order!
: Initially, the device is used by wealthy writers, celebrities,
: and politicians who want to keep their speech from the public domain.
: But as the price comes down, it is available to everyone.
: Write a 3-4 page doublespaced essay creatively exploring the impact of
: the vocalockup in changing the nature of oral communications
: in society. Focus, with examples and hypothetical
: stories or lawsuits, on your favorite area of society,
: be it politics, legal affairs, business, religion, education,
: gender relations, or entertainment.