Jimmy Pan

In days past, I had a conversation with a couple friends. We were talking about music pirating, and I mentioned that

I don’t pirate…out of principle

at which point a friend quips

I pirate, out of principle

I understand the feeling behind this, but lately I’ve felt a dilemma, especially when it comes to music:

The artists I like to listen to, I should not pirate from. The artists I should pirate from, I do not want to listen to.

I would really like to listen to the new Animal Collective album, but something tells me they’re not exactly rolling in money, nor is their record label a bunch of millionaire bigwigs (though I may be wrong). However, I find it hard to part with $10 for a CD, when there are so many better uses.
On the other hand, I have no qualms about pilfering from major labels like Sony or Universal who pay their shitty artists shitty royalties anyways; the only problem is that I’d have to find an artist I actually appreciated.

Well, my solution thus far is to listen to Creative-Commons licensed (a much less restrictive version of copyrights) music at sites like Jamendo or Magnatune.

Jamendo is a goldmine of music from artists that have opened up their musical endeavors to all ears; all music is guilt-free, often innovative, and the artists are probably not douchebags.

Magnatune is a record label, but all music is under the Commons license, and purchase price is pretty much up to the consumer. In turn the label treats its artists to a very generous 50% of revenue. The music is pretty high quality, and everything is free to listen online. As a tip: Ehren Starks is somebody you want to tune into.

Well I’ve blathered enough. Go enjoy some free quality music from quality artists, and let me know if you find some gems.

 Edit: I feel like I may not have explained my underlying philosophy enough. To elaborate on why I believe a free-model of music is better, we have to address why music is made. Some artists do it for a career: unfortunately, as most of you know, to be commercially successful in the music business means pandering to as large of a base as you can, essentially alienating your niche crowd. This sort of music is usually, though not always, unoriginal, bland, and undistinguished.

The other type of artists makes music mainly to make music. Money is rarely plentiful, but they pursue music for its own sake, and may have to take up a 9-5 on the side. They have a hard time making it “big” in the music world, mainly because of the high entrance barrier. Releasing free music independently allows them to maintain high musical integrity and share their aural adventures to anyone with a computer. It also gets their name out there, and helps sell tickets for shows, the real moneymaker in the music biz. Instead of making dimes per CD, they keep their soul, spread their art, and may come out financially ahead in the long run.

Of course, I’m no veteran of the industry.

Nabbed off the Digg front-page, this video explains how politicians cope with not having enough bathroom breaks: by casting illegal votes! I guarantee you, it is a Must-See. Roll in your graves, dead idealists, roll in your graves real hard.

Favorite Comedies of All Time

1. The Office (US)
2. Family Guy
3. The Simpsons

I had to cut it to three because I just didn’t feel right putting in Friends or Futurama. Obviously I haven’t watched a wealth of comedies. If I could only watch one other comedy series this year, what should it be?

So I was looking over the new citizenship test today, and I’ve got to admit that if I had taken it I’m not sure that I could have gotten 80% or higher. While I’m sure one can study for the test, I can imagine how much harder it must be for someone that did not grow up as a native speaker and did not take all those years of American History. If you can past this test, you probably already know more about American history than most citizens, I’m sure.

By the way, if you want to test your civics mettle against mine, take this quiz offered by the Intercollegiate Study Institute. I’ll post my score up later.

I’m going to plug Freedom From Hunger day tomorrow, which happens this Friday at  freedomfromhunger.org

The idea is that they are showcasing various videos about their work all around the world, and their experts will be on hand to talk about their various experiences fighting poverty. Even if you are not in Public Health, you will get the chance to chat online with people who are out changing the world, and you might get ideas on how you can help in your own way. If you have the time, please take a few minutes tomorrow to participate!

Thanks!

Everything is starting to fall into place. Everyone finally moved in yesterday in the Fort; they’re all super nice and intelligent people, I look forward to lots of great talks and house happenings. I’m going to try to get as much swimming in as I can before cold rolls in.

It’s the real first day of school today, which should be exciting. I’ll be TAing my first class in about 1 hour, then I’ve got a very interesting schedule this quarter. I’m taking (stalkers please avert your eyes):

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Public Health Seminar
• Health Economics
• Vector-Borne Diseases

It’s great to see all the freshmen roll in; I can picture all their young minds ready to be inoculated with 4 years of drivel. It’s also great to know that through their experiences at Davis, many of them will become an engine for change in the world; I hope that Aphio this year will produce many of these catalysts. Even in the Fort, nervous minds get ready for their first days, though I’m certain they’ll do great.

In other news, I uninstalled Civilization 4, because it is probably the greatest time-sink ever invented. Goodbye Axemen, goodbye Chariots, goodbye Farms, hello time for more Public Health!

Last night was the anticipated premier of the second season of Heroes! BUT! before I begin let me emphasize that the first season was extremely entertaining (for the most part), and if you haven’t watched yet you are certainly missing out.

HOWEVER. Last night the house gathered round the tube to watch our favorite japanese time-walker and his wacky empowered colleagues. We chuckled a bit at Hiro’s lighthearted misadventures. We gasped a little bit when we saw one of our heroes let himself degenerate with regards to facial hair. But that was about it. Well, not exactly; there were 6 commercials for the Nissan Rogue. The show was rather frustrating to watch: the writers are really stretching things to move the plot along. I wish I could tell you more. I wish there was more to tell.

Anyways, NBC is starting season 4 of the Office tomorrow night. I have high hopes, but I’m praying that it’s not misplaced. BJ Novak, don’t disavow me of my Office love.

Today we had TA training on the main campus, which is why I’m at the Coffee House. We’ve been discussing ways to get students involved and interested in the lectures, as well as how to be non-discriminatory, both verbally and non-verbally. To any students that read this: know that I’m making every conscious effort to make the class enjoyable and worthwhile for you. To any students that have already been through the gauntlet of college education: What did you like about your TAs, what did you not like, and what is the one thing you wish more of your TAs did?

In case you missed the top Digg today,

It’s a nice visual that explains one of the drawbacks to losing Net Neutrality. Keep in mind, it’s only one possibility. The other possiblity is that Comcast and AT&T will offer you $10/month internet.

Today on Huffington Post there was a great article by Kristen Breitweiser about the president of Iran coming to New York

…So, no, I wasn’t angry that Ahmandinejad wanted to visit Ground Zero. I was angry, however, at the “pack mentality” of our leading journalists. I was also dismayed — but not surprised — at the similar mentality of our current crop of political officials and presidential candidates, several of whom provided the same predictable, politically-correct sound-bite: “We are OUTRAGED!”

What I would have preferred was some real statesmanship.

Real statesmanship would be a presidential candidate with the courage to encourage potentially dangerous, misinformed leaders like Ahmandinejad to visit Ground Zero, in the hopes that they might learn something.

Real statesmanship would mean proposing a new dialogue with Ahmandinejad and other Iranian leaders, searching for some common ground between America and Iran while there’s still time to avert disaster.

Real statesmanship would not be intimidated by the O’Reillys and the Ann Coulters of the world. Real statesmanship would not view this kind of diplomacy as weak, but wise. Real statesmanship would not be based on knee-jerk reactions, but on long-term vision.

So far not one presidential candidate has seized the opportunity to do something “out of the box” and important on Iran — like actually meeting Ahmandinejad at Ground Zero and challenging him to a real dialogue.

Can you get the visual? Extending hands like an olive branch — saying to the world that it is high time for Iran and the U.S. to join together to end terrorism, root out rogue extremist groups, and combat the injustice that nurtures them? That would be bold action, not cheap, tough talk. It would show the world that we are strong and confident enough to deal directly and squarely with our enemies, inviting them to join these common battles…

I for one am tired of the “We don’t negotiate with terrorists” mentality. The United States is the world’s drunken uncle, swaggering around the room picking fights with people who he should be embracing. Here’s a quick tip for politicians: We get attacked by our enemies, not by our brothers. So please please please, treat our world neighbors like you would treat your family: with dignity, respect, and compassion.