Wired magazine is one of the better sources for info on the politics of the media. This article in particular has some interersting implications. The one thing I find most disturbing about it is this passage:

The bill would also permit people to use technology to skip objectionable content --like a gory or sexually explicit scene -- in films, a right that consumers already have. However, under the proposed language, viewers would not be allowed to use software or devices to skip commericals or promotional announcements "that would otherwise be performed or displayed before, during or after the performance of the motion picture," like the previews on a DVD.

So kiss your mute button good bye. Don't even think about changing the radio station when a commercial comes on. Have to get up to use the bathroom? You'd better hold it if you don't want to have a lawsuit on your hands. And every time you get to the theater late and miss The 20 you could be facing a fine and/or jail time.

In all seriousness, the above passage that I quoted is dangerously close to taking away your rights as a viewer. Freedom of speech doesn't just give us the right to say what we want to say. It also gives us freedom from speech. Not to mention the fact that we're inching closer to a culture where advertisements are unavoidable.

This is a short piece called A Ninja Pays Half My Rent. It's very well done in every aspect. I posted this mainly for entertainment value but I would like the students in the York video classes to watch it a couple times. This is a good example of what you can in a short format piece. Pay attention...you could learn something from this.

I would like to give a special thanks to Steven Shifflett for sending me the link to this video.