I try to always keep an open mind and my wits about me. Other than that, anything goes! Makes for some unpredictable adventures out there in the real world. I've worked in the publishing industry for 10+ years and have been a member of the FSWA for 5+ years. Go Steelers!
Website URL: http://www.drinkfive.com
A Brief History of Piracy
We have an interesting perspective, having been born in the early 80’s when the personal computer industry was just starting to bloom and grown up in the 90’s and 2000’s when piracy began to become widespread among computer users. Before then, though, people would still pirate software and music alike.
Software has always been a common target for piracy, and before it was available online in such easily accessed forms as torrents or even just as downloadable files via email or web browser, it was available on BBSes as far back as the 1980’s. The reason that most people were not aware of this at the time was that access to the required technology and skill to use it was not very commonplace. As BBSes gave way to more user friendly software like AOL and eventually to the World Wide Web that we know today, more advanced computing power, faster internet speeds and more robust storage made it as easy as a few mouse clicks to pirate software as well as helping to distribute it to others.
(Listen in to the Retrospectical Podcast Episode 08: Online Piracy: Is Illegal File Sharing Stealing?)
Music has a similar story: people began copying vinyl records (although the process was far from perfect at the time) back in the 60’s, but really started gaining steam with the invention of the cassette tape. The issue there, though, was that the audio quality would degrade every time an additional copy was made. Still better than nothing, right? Soon after, CDs came out and with the advent of CD-burning technology, you could finally copy audio quickly, and with the same quality. At this point we also had digital rips from CDs to various audio formats that ranged in quality. It almost seemed like a step down since people were distributing music that sounded more similar to cassette tapes than a high quality audio source. Again, as compression algorithms were improved and the speed and power of computers and the internet increased, we’ve now gotten to the point where very high quality audio (as well as video including television and movies) are almost immediately available.
Peer-to-Peer
- In quite a few cases in the 90’s and 2000’s, people who had downloaded illegal files were sued by specific organizations: the RIAA or MPAA, for example. You hear less and less about this now because people are downloading in ways that are more difficult to track. By decentralizing the way that these files are distributed, applications like Napster (originally) and now BitTorrent and its siblings can make it much for difficult for people to be traced to their actions.
- Although we don’t hear much about lawsuits these days, ISPs are still keeping fairly good track of what you’re doing out there on the web and will often send copyright infringement notices via email or snail mail that let you know they have eyes on your activities online. At some point in the future, these same ISPs could cut off internet access for those people who are infringing their terms of service by participating in such activities.
Is File Sharing Stealing?
- Let’s assume that all people who are using illegal file sharing are not just thieves. Why would someone who wouldn’t steal a physical item feel comfortable stealing something digital? What is the moral/ethical difference between those two things?
- Wouldn’t stealing mean that one party has taken something from another party, meaning that the original person no longer has the item in question? Downloading a file from the internet does not actually remove it from the possession of someone else. Of course, the internet is not a tangible thing either; could it be shown that the item being stolen in some cases is actually a piece of the original party’s livelihood?
- A common argument is that downloading something to ‘try it out’ or that you would never have purchased otherwise isn’t ethically wrong. Is there any truth to this? What if a person finds that they really do like or use something that they had downloaded illegally? They should then purchase the item in question, right?
- In general, music, software and other media like television shows and/or movies are not really being sold – that is, if you purchase them you don’t own them outright, but rather a license to use them. It’s redistributing them that is illegal according to the agreement. Is there any way around this line of thinking to someone that ‘steals’ that intellectual property?
- These days there are many places from which you can play music, or watch TV and the IP owners still get a piece (however small) of the pie. Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, Hulu, etc are all places where you can consume media for free while still supporting their creators. If this is the case, why are so many people still downloading files illegally?
What About The Little Guy?
- It’s true that if I pirate a copy of a big budget movie, that will not affect in any substantial way the profits that the movie will make, or how many sequels will come from its success. But what about the little producers? For them, the margin involved when people are not paying for the product that they are producing is in some cases too large to ignore.
Interesting Facts about Online Piracy
A Quick History of Bacon
Pigs weren’t always the domesticated and farm-raised animals that we are familiar with today; modern pigs all originally came from several different populations of wild pigs in Europe and Asia. People hunted wild boar and their meat became very sought after but dangerous to obtain because of their teeth and tusks. At around the same time in Asia and Europe, people began to tame pigs and use salt to cure the meat (including the pork belly) so that it could last longer and this cured pork could arguably be referred to as the foundation for what we call bacon today.
Another early variation of bacon came from Ancient Rome and was called “petaso”. Petaso was made by boiling the pork with figs and then searing it in a fire and seasoning it with a pepper sauce. A great pairing.. there are still quite a few ‘pig and fig’ dishes out there that I’ve had at restaurants and gastropubs.
Let’s jump to the Middle Ages in England. Lots of food historians believe that farmers raising pigs in this period of time may have begun to notice that some pigs had meatier sides than others. They would have bred these pigs to continue that trend because there have been accounts of a cut of pork belly and pork loin that was cured and eaten (the closest resemblance yet to modern day bacon) by the people at that time. This ends up being more like what we call ‘back bacon’. This is a leaner cut, wet or dry cured, that is not smoked and is still quite popular today in England.
(Listen to the Retrospectical Podcast Episode 06 all about bacon, including an interview with Baconfest Chicago co-founder, Seth Zurer)
A few hundred years afterward, peasants in Europe began to smoke the bacon, roughly following the same set of preparations that we do today. After acquiring some good quality cured pork bellies, they must be dried completely so that a pellicle (coating of proteins) forms over the meat. This is so the meat will absorb the smoke better and not dry out the insides. Then the pork bellies are smoked – generally for a long period of time at a relatively low temperature. At this point, they can be sliced to whatever thickness is preferred and cooked.
Back in the 17th and 18th centuries in England, nearly everyone owned pigs and had their own secret recipes for bacon (city dwellers were even allowed to keep pigs in their basements for those purposes until that was made illegal in the 1930’s). Obviously more of the bacon came from local farms and butchers but regardless, this explosion of such a variety of different kinds of bacon, sausage and other pork products must have been something to behold.
Toward the end of the 18th century, a bacontrepeneur named John Harris pioneered a new way of curing pork bellies in a brine that proved to be both quicker and more cost-effective. This started the bacon revolution full force, with hundreds of companies forming thereafter using his techniques or similar to get low-cost bacon out to the masses. This should be looked at as a compromise, however, as it is more than likely that the ‘craft’ dry-cured bacon that was previously being made by the people was much tastier and also higher quality product.
What Different Kinds of Bacon Are There?
Side bacon, or streaky bacon, comes from pork belly. It is very fatty with long layers of fat running parallel to the rind. This is the most common form of bacon in the United States. Pancetta is Italian streaky bacon, smoked or un-smoked, with a strong flavor. It is generally rolled up into cylinders after curing.
Middle bacon, from the side of the animal, is intermediate in cost, fat content, and flavor between streaky bacon and back bacon.
Back bacon (rashers, or, in the United States, Canadian bacon) comes from the loin in the middle of the back of the pig. It is a very lean, meaty cut of bacon, with less fat compared to other cuts. It has a ham-like texture. Most bacon consumed in the UK is back bacon.
Cottage bacon is thinly sliced lean pork meat from a shoulder cut that is typically oval shaped and meaty. It is cured and then sliced into round pieces for baking or frying.
Jowl bacon is cured and smoked cheeks of pork.
Slab bacon is side bacon that is not sliced. It generally has the rind still intact, and usually has a medium to very high fraction of fat. It is made from the belly and side cuts, and from fatback. Slab bacon is not to be confused with salt pork, which is prepared from the same cuts, but is not cured.
(Click on the picture for a full-size version that you can actually read!)
5 Interesting Facts About Bacon
This week's retrospectical episode is all about bacon. We start all the way back to the beginning and talk about how bacon was first 'discovered' and used before it became a widespread global phenomenon. We also go in-depth about the different kinds of bacon out there, and how asking for some 'bacon' may net you different results depending on where you are in the world! Check out the full article here: http://www.drinkfive.com/general/item/221-the-history-passion-pursuit-of-bacon
(Retrospectical Podcast Episode 06: The History, Passion & Pursuit of Bacon)
Seth Zurer, co-founder of Baconfest Chicago joins us for a quick interview about the festivities at Baconfest this year - if you're in the Chicago area be sure not to miss it! We're crazy for bacon but everyone we introduce to Baconfest falls in love at first bite.
Update: Badass Candied Bacon. You're welcome.
It's chaos out there in the NFL this off-season. Each new year brings with it updated rosters and surprise acquisitions, but so far this year seems to be up there with the craziest that I've seen. Below you'll find some of the major gains and losses from each NFL team, but since the Patriots took home the title this year I thought I'd start with them and go a little more in-depth with the teams in the AFC East.
AFC East
The 2014 Patriots obtained the highest honor in the NFL by winning the Super Bowl last year. Starting off slowly, they gained momentum throughout the season and carried it right through to a victory in Arizona against the Seahawks. The team looks very similar offensively with the exception of losing Shane Vereen to the Giants and gaining Scott Chandler from the Bills.
Vereen’s loss will hurt, as he was often called upon to play the hurry-up offense and was a great pass-catching back with speed and agility. Stevan Ridley will also not be coming back in 2015 after suffering a torn ACL & MCL early in the 2014 season. Belichick should not have many issues, however, making do with LeGarrette Blount as the power back and James White picking up where Vereen left off as a pass blocker and picking up some short passing routes in the backfield (The Patriots also just acquired Travaris Cadet from the Saints who will be involved in the competition for Vereen's touches).
(Check out our NFL catch-up Podcast from 3/17)
Brandon Bolden and Jonas Gray may also be joining the party in smaller roles, as usual obfuscating the fantasy relevance of the running back position on the Patriots. The acquisition of Scott Chandler provides depth at the tight end position and another redzone threat, but he will likely not see much work unless Gronkowski suffers an injury. Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola will all return as the receiving core in New England.
Surprisingly, Amendola was given a new, 3-year contract this year which may spell out a larger role for him in 2015 if he can remain healthy. Tom Brady remains his usual, snarky self with Jimmy Garoppolo waiting in the wings. May still be a few years, Jimmy. On the defensive side of the ball, The Pats lost key players Vince Wilfork and Darrelle Revis, who will both be nearly impossible to replace. The Patriots still have a strong, young defense that they have been building for a few years now but the absence of those specific players will definitely hurt.
Kyle Orton is retiring again, this time likely for good. The battle for the starting QB spot in Buffalo will rage in 2015 between Matt Cassel (from the Vikings) and E.J. Manuel and I’m honestly not sure who deserves it more but most analysts are penciling in Cassel. One of the biggest offseason acquisitions so far this year was LeSean McCoy (from the Eagles) going to the Bills – he should provide a jumpstart to the offense and will likely pair well with Fred Jackson, both of which are multi-faceted (although Jackson just turned 34.. he doesn’t have much tread remaining on the tires).
Regardless of who is throwing the football this year, they have some good targets in Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin (from the Jets), not to mention Robert Woods who had a couple of great games his rookie year. This could be the youngest receiving core in football with an average age of 23. After tight end Scott Chandler left for the Patriots, the Bills landed former Dolphins’ tight end Charles Clay (they acquired Jordan Cameron from the Browns). The defense in Buffalo was good last year and looks to keep rolling in 2015. Success for this team depends on the maturity of the receiving core and the ability of the signal caller.
Ryan Tannehill is an obvious choice for a quarterback that will be chucking the football around for a long time in this league. So far in his 3-year career in the NFL he has improved his stats each year and in 2014 enjoyed a top 5 completion percentage, at 66.4%. He found success last year with rookie Jarvis Landry and was able to use deep threat Mike Wallace to a good degree but Wallace clashed with Dolphins’ staff and was handed off to the Vikings this off-season.
A young team on offense, the Dolphins have gambled on another hotshot receiver in Kenny Stills (from the Saints) moving into Mike Wallace’s former position as well as Jordan Cameron (from the Browns) to start at tight end. I mentioned earlier that the Bills may have the youngest receiving core in the NFL, well the Dolphins actually average out to 23 as well so they are both gambling on their young talent.
The only controversy on the Dolphins offense could have been the running back position (with either Lamar Miller or Knowshon Moreno heading up a committee), but the word on the street is that the Dolphins will not be resigning Moreno to a new contract which means that Lamar Miller could be in for a very productive 2015. On defense, the Dolphins signed Ndamukong Suh (from the Lions) to a massive contract (six-years, $114 million) which should give the squad’s rushing defense a kick in the ass. Look for the Dolphins to surprise this year.
The Jets have been busy this off-season, and their new GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles have acquired a great deal of talent, possible transforming the Jets from one of the worst teams in the league to an immediate contender in what will more than likely be a tough AFC East division. They picked up both Darrelle Revis (from the Patriots) and Antonio Cromartie (from the Cardinals) to bolster their secondary (along with a few others) and secured Brandon Marshall (from the Bears) to head up the receiving core.
Although losing Percy Harvin to the Bills recently, that seems to have been in the plan all along for this new regime and the combination of Marshall and Decker should prove more than formidable. The only big issue left was at quarterback, as the Jets had to choose between two less than stellar options in either a Michael Vick past his prime or the inconsistent Geno Smith.
The Jets smartly traded for Ryan Fitzpatrick from Houston to reunite him with his former coach Chan Gailey (who is now the OC in in New York) and Fitzpatrick will have to win the gig but easily projects to have a good fantasy year, if so. The Patriots are going to have more trouble than normal in the East this year. Should be fun to watch!
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
+DeAngelo Williams
-Lance Moore, James Harrison, Brett Keisel, *Troy Polamalu
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)
+Michael Johnson
Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
+Kendrick Lewis
-Torrey Smith
Cleveland Browns (7-9)
+Josh McCown, Brian Hartline, Tramon Williams
-Brian Hoyer, Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
+Frank Gore, Andre Johnson
-Trent Richardson, Reggie Wayne
Houston Texans (9-7)
+Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Cecil Shorts, Vince Wilfork, Rahim Moore
-Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andre Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)
+Julius Thomas, Jared Odrick, Davon House, Dan Skuta
-Cecil Shorts
Tennessee Titans (2-14)
+Harry Douglas, Brian Orakpo, Perrish Cox
-Jake Locker
AFC West
Denver Broncos (12-4)
+Owen Daniels
-Julius Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
+Jeremy Maclin
-Dwayne Bowe
San Diego Chargers (9-7)
+Stevie Johnson, Jacoby Jones
-Ryan Mathews
Oakland Raiders (3-13)
+Trent Richardson, Roy Helu, Christian Ponder, Nate Allen, Rodney Hudson
-Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
+Darren McFadden
-DeMarco Murray
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
+Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews
-Nick Foles, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy
New York Giants (6-10)
+Shane Vereen
Washington Redskins (4-12)
+Chris Culliver
-Roy Helu
NFC North
Green Bay Packers (12-4)
+Bryan Bulaga
-Tramon Williams, AJ Hawk, Brad Jones
Detroit Lions (11-5)
+Haloti Ngata
-Reggie Bush, Ndamukong Suh
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
+Shaun Hill, Mike Wallace
-Greg Jennings
Chicago Bears (5-11)
+Eddie Royal, Pernell McPhee, Antrel Rolle
-Brandon Marshall
NFC South
Carolina Panthers (7-8)
+Ted Ginn
-DeAngelo Williams, Michael Oher
New Orleans Saints (7-9)
+CJ Spiller, Brandon Browner, Max Unger
-Kenny Stills, Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas
Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
+Leonard Hankerson, Brooks Reed
-Steven Jackson, Harry Douglas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)
+Chris Conte, Henry Melton
-Josh McCown
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
+Jimmy Graham
-Max Unger
Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
+Mike Iupati, Lamarr Woodley
San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
+Reggie Bush, Torrey Smith
-Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati, Chris Borland
St. Louis Rams (6-10)
+Nick Foles
-Sam Bradford