anythings.org

By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard of the writer’s strike. Personally, I stand with the writers. The internet is not too new. The television and film industry has an opportunity to do something huge with these contracts, something that the major record labels never did. The major labels reacted to the internet with fear by utilizing DRM technology and basically saying they don’t trust their customers. The record industry committed suicide. The television and film industries, however, in their [hopefully] upcoming deals with writers will realize the internet’s potential and harness the power of unlimited opportunities.

Everywhere I turn, there are websites (even CNN) asking readers to submit their thoughts on how the writer’s strike will impact them. These websites are asking their readers “how will you survive without TV? What will you do instead of watching TV?” Is this really a question we need to be asking?

In a culture of burgeoning waistlines and increasing cholesterol levels, do we really need to encourage the masses to sit on their butts and watch TV? I’m sure Blockbuster, Netflix and other video rental centers are going to see a huge increase in movie rentals when everyone’s favorite programs start going into reruns. Maybe - just maybe - instead of relying on the various forms of entertainment provided by the Idiot Box, you should consider something a little less sedentary. Walk the dog, you probably have one. Play with your kids, clean your house, wash the car. Get your house ready for the winter. Or, if you’re into knowledge, read a book. While it may not get you off the couch, it’ll get your brain working a way that television just doesn’t.

Beyond that, there’s the actual sides of the debate that are more important than the fact that people are going to have to live “without TV” for an undetermined amount of time. The big wigs are saying that the internet is “too new” and it’s future is undetermined, therefore, it’s impossible to negotiate media used on the internet into new contracts. I laughed when I heard this. Yes, the future of the internet may be undetermined… but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t negotiate for what exists now, and leave room in the contracts for vague options. It really is about money: not for the writers, but for the big corporations, and just how much they can keep from the writers.