Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

QOTD

“Man is the lowest-cost, 150-pound, nonlinear, all-purpose computer system which can be mass-produced by unskilled labor.”

— attributed to a 1965 NASA report by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee | Labor in the Second Machine Age. (Spotted via DeLong)

Posted in Robots | Comments Off on QOTD

US Prepared to Elect Social Democrat

In new shock poll, Sanders has landslides over both Trump and Bush. (The Hill)

I’d like to see a poll of Sanders vs. Rubio, Carson, and Cruz next.

And should we stop calling him a socialist? Bernie really is much more of a social democrat (European style) than a democratic socialist.

Still, maybe this is the beginning of the end of the “unelectable” label.

Posted in 2016 Election | 1 Comment

I Was Just Robocalled by Dr. Ben Carson

My first robocall of the ’16 Presidential campaign came about 8:30pm on Nov. 11, 2015.

Dr. Ben Carson offered a recorded update on the state of his campaign — “We’re off to a tremendous start that has shocked political experts …the political class may be surprised but I’m not.” Carson said his campaign is winning because of his positions: “Stop adding to debt” and “deal with terrorism and ISIS” and, of course, “repeal and replace Obamacare so you can make your own health choices.” (A doctor against health care for the poor. Lovely.)

Then came the pitch: “Press 1 to support Dr. Carson’s campaign.” And, “If you do not ant to receive these calls call 1 855 598 2069.” If the call said who paid for it, I missed that part. Maybe if I had held on longer?

Interesting that they are robocalling in Florida already.

Posted in 2016 Election | Comments Off on I Was Just Robocalled by Dr. Ben Carson

Carson/Yale Latest

New evidence: Carson got more details right than you’d suspect — and yet missed the main point?.

Posted in 2016 Election | Comments Off on Carson/Yale Latest

Great Opening

Even if for some reason you don’t buy the merits, you must admit that this motion to dismiss starts with a bang:

A monkey, an animal-rights organization and a primatologist walk into federal court to sue for infringement of the monkey’s claimed copyright. What seems like the setup for a punchline is really happening. It should not be happening. Under Cetacean Community v. Bush, 386 F.3d 1169 (9th Cir. 2004), dismissal of this action is required for lack of standing and failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Monkey see, monkey sue is not good law – at least not in the Ninth Circuit.

For background, and a reproduction of what might be the world’s most famous selfie, see David Post.

Posted in Law: Copyright and DMCA, Law: Practice | 2 Comments

Ironic Part of Dr. Carson’s 2011 Miami Speech

In 2011 Dr. Ben Carson gave the commencement address at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami, on May 14, 2011. It shows off his considerable talents as a speaker (although the religiosity at the end of it is a bit odd given the circumstances). The full video is here. But one little piece, the ten second snippet above, has ironic resonance in light of multipe questions about his biography, not least this one about his supposed award for honesty. (Bonus: this Doonesbury tie-in.)

Hat tip: My #1 Twitter Troll, who gave me the link to the Carson speech at UMiami, apparently thinking that the medical school’s endorsement of Carson’s medical prowess should matter to my views of Carson’s fitness as a candidate or President.

Posted in 2016 Election, U.Miami | Comments Off on Ironic Part of Dr. Carson’s 2011 Miami Speech