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Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

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Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#31

Post by jey »

maxklein wrote: post #18

I don't think this is a good idea. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that many people depend on all over the world. Encyclopedias should not just switch off for political reasons. Books don't turn off. Digital information should not turn on and off either for any reason. A big red banner covering half the page can get the message across without actually making us unable to access the information stored in wikipedia.

I agree. Taking a stand and putting up a banner, or a click-through page, etc is fine. But information services like Google and Wikipedia shouldn't actually be shut off in a way that makes the information inaccessible.

Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#32

Post by larsbot »

To me, the real lesson from SOPA and PIPA is that the tech industry needs to spend a lot more money bribing (oh, excuse me, lobbying) senators and representatives to counter all the money flowing from the entertainment industry.

Also, it's an embarrassment that BOTH of California's senators not only support PIPA, they are listed at co-sponsors.

Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#34

Post by cryptoz »

jey wrote: post #31
maxklein wrote: post #18

I don't think this is a good idea. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that many people depend on all over the world. Encyclopedias should not just switch off for political reasons. Books don't turn off. Digital information should not turn on and off either for any reason. A big red banner covering half the page can get the message across without actually making us unable to access the information stored in wikipedia.

I agree. Taking a stand and putting up a banner, or a click-through page, etc is fine. But information services like Google and Wikipedia shouldn't actually be shut off in a way that makes the information inaccessible.

> But information services like Google and Wikipedia shouldn't actually be shut off in a way that makes the information inaccessible.

And that's exactly what SOPA would do. Permanently. Nobody is preventing you from accessing today's Wikipedia content on your own this Wednesday - go download a copy of their db right now if you're that scared and fearful of a day without it. The point is a strong demonstration of what the world would be like with SOPA/PIPA. It's necessary.

Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#35

Post by 16s »

lpolovets wrote: post #3

I know there's a lot of cynicism about whether SOPA law is really being abandoned, or whether it's just being temporarily shelved, but I'm really excited about how opponents have banded together, and how organizations like Reddit and Wikipedia have been willing to sacrifice page views and revenue to show their support and to increase public awareness. In the future, when someone advocates opposing an unjust law and s…

The politicians will claim it is dead, then name it something else or not name it anything at all and just tack it onto the end of some other legislation and pass it when no one is watching.

In the USA, they're bought and paid for.

Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#37

Post by joell »

lambada wrote: post #29
joell wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

@jimmy_wales : English only, but protest action is global for English.

Thanks, so en.wiki will be gone for the whole world. Not sure how I feel about that as there is nothing non-US citizens can do.

They can complain on Twitter and Facebook which will raise awareness to their American friends who can do something about it.

Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#38

Post by alexyim »

maxklein wrote: post #18

I don't think this is a good idea. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that many people depend on all over the world. Encyclopedias should not just switch off for political reasons. Books don't turn off. Digital information should not turn on and off either for any reason. A big red banner covering half the page can get the message across without actually making us unable to access the information stored in wikipedia.

I disagree. It's unfair to label Wikipedia as simply an encyclopedia. It's much more than that - it's part of the Internet ecosystem.

A 24-hour blackout on only the English version of the site is fairly reasonable to raise awareness of an issue as important as SOPA.

Re: Wikipedia to Shut Down on Wednesday to Protest SOPA

#40

Post by ender7 »

badclient wrote: post #30

So, what happens when I call my Congressman after learning about this on wikipedia and his office says "oh SOPA, that bill has been put on hold already since last week"? Won't many people get pissed at wikipedia? Edit: I actually think they should call it off at the last moment . Save the nuclear option for another time.

I wonder, who does the average American trust more: their Congressman or Wikipedia?

(also: Wikipedia can easily put in a line next to the "Call your rep" section addressing this. I don't know about you, but "on hold" doesn't sound very final to me.)

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