Internet regulation, Government Intervention of the Internet

Internet regulation, Government Intervention of the Internet During the past decade, our society has become based solely on the ability to move large amounts of information across large distances quickly. Computerization has influenced everyone's life. The natural evolution of computers and this need for ultra-fast communications has caused a global network of interconnected computers to develop. This global net allows a person to send E-mail across the world in mere fractions of a second, and enables even the common person to access information world-wide. With advances such as software that allows users with a sound card to use the Internet as a carrier for long distance voice calls and video conferencing, this network is key to the future of the knowledge society. At present, this net is the epitome of the first amendment: free speech. It is a place where people can speaktheir mind without being reprimanded for what they say, or how they choose to say it.American Civil Liberties UnionThe key to the world-wide success of the Internet is its protection of free speech, not only in America, but in other countries where free speech is not protected by a constitution. To be found on the Internet is a huge collection of obscene graphics, Anarchists' cookbooks and countless other things that offend some people. With over 30 million Internet users in the U.S. alone (only 3 million of which surf the net from home), everything is bound to offend someone. The newest wave of laws floating through law making bodies around the world threatens to stifle this area of spontaneity. Recently, Congress has been considering passing laws that will make it a crime punishable by jail to send 'vulgar' language over the net, and to export encryption software. No matter how small, any attempt at government intervention in the Internet will stifle the greatest communication innovation of...

Rhinotillexis on the Decline

Rhinotillexis on the Decline Rhinotillexis on the Decline Rhinotillexis on the Decline By Maeve Maddox You may be pleased to hear that rhinotillexis is on the downturn, at least in public places. This lovely term means picking ones nose with ones fingers. In an article by Jim Shahin in the February 15, 2008 issue of American Way, I learned that a Harvard study reveals that rhinotillexis is down 70% from the year before. The decline is attributed to the fact that cameras are everywhere and people are becoming more cautious about the activity for fear of showing up on YouTube and grossing out their friends. The element rhino occurs in several English words. The animal (rhinoceros) gets its name from the combination rhino nose and keras horn. People hardly ever use the entire word anymore when speaking of the animal. Certainly calling it a rhino makes forming its plural much easier. A scholarly plural of rhinoceros is rhinocerotes. Ive never heard anyone say that. A more familiar plural is rhinoceroses, but thats hard to say and it sounds comical. A television ad selling a cold product shows a rhinoceros and tells viewers that the source of the common cold is the rhinovirus. Rhino occurs in other medical terms. People dissatisfied with the noses they were born with can opt for rhinoplasty, cosmetic surgery that alters the shape of the nose. Rhinoscopy is a technique for examining the nose and throat. If you are writing in a humorous vein and wish to describe someone who has a big nose, you could use the adjective rhinocerical. Something I didnt know before researching rhino is that it has been used as a slang word for money since 1688. Could be that this use of the word has something to do with the origin of the expression paying through the nose. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How Many Tenses in English?A While vs Awhileâ€Å"Least,† â€Å"Less,† â€Å"More,† and â€Å"Most†