YouTube Copyright Issues Taken To The Next Level with Marky Mark Police
[tweetmeme source=”katedickman” only_single=RT @KateDickman YouTube Copyright Issues Taken to the Next Level with Marky Mark Police]
I woke up to receive an email that read like this:
Subject: A Copyright Owner Has Claimed Content In One Of Your Videos
A copyright owner has claimed it owns some or all of the audio content in your video Random Kid Dancing In African Village. The audio content identified in your video is Good Vibrations by Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch. We regret to inform you that your video has been blocked from playback due to a music rights issue.
I understand and respect copyright laws but this just seems a bit excessive. I've had this particular 40 second video up for over a YEAR and never had a problem. This was the most NON-commercial use of a song you could ever imagine. It was footage I took on my trip to Ghana Africa in a small village where a young boy ran out of nowhere and started dancing to the music that was playing. His dance was absolutely hilarious so I decided to put "Good Vibrations" behind it to make it bit more entertaining. Now it's fully removed; all views and all comments because I violated a copyright? I do believe that YouTube didn't personally pull it down on their own but as stated above, the copyright owner did. Come on now? How far are we taking all of this? Pretty soon a child won't be able to do school projects without getting the rights to an image or video clip. This is the most innocent use of audio ever and I wasn't making money off of it. I suppose with the new ads YouTube is putting into place, someone is? Highly doubtful. (Their monetization methods are failing miserably) Either way, I just had to point out how ridiculous these times are getting and how people need to truly cool it with their policing. There seems to be a gray area between what could be considered friendly promotion and copyright infringement.
Well, the African boy's 15 minutes of fame are up! Sorry kiddo.
The Most Frightening Obama/McCain Ad I've Seen in a While
I usually don't pay much attention to these ridiculous ads with dancing Obama's and blinking McCain's but this one caught my eye (and not for a good reason). It's hilariously terrifying actually...
Michelle? Is That You?
While Obama and McCain look pretty much the same as always, their wives look horrendous! SodaHead.com has done a terrific job of making Mrs. Obama look like an deformed cockeyed ogre while Mrs. McCain resembles that of an evil pixie. The question is which one is more likely to cheat? Well, if these photos were true I'm afraid it would be a draw on who would be first. Although I'd have to say that poor Michelle most likely takes the cake as the least aethestically pleasing in this ad.
Perhaps the editing is to celebrate Halloween? Yikes.
I Learned the Hard Way – Gmail Drive = NOT Good
Ugh.
I just got locked out of my Gmail account. How terribly inconvenient. I had seen reviews about Gmail Drive in several places stating how it enables your computer to send your files to your Gmail since each account allows quite a bit of storage. Silly me. I was not aware it apparently violates Gmail's Terms of Service and as a result, have been officially "locked down."
When I try to login, it reads:
Account Lockdown: Unusual Activity Detected
Unusual account activity includes, but is not limited to:
Receiving, deleting, or downloading large amounts of mail via POP in a short period of time.
Sending a large number of undeliverable messages (messages that bounce back).
Using file-sharing or file-storage software, browser extensions, or third party software that automatically logs in to your account.
Leaving multiple instances of your Gmail account open.
Browser-related issues. Please note that if you find your browser continually reloading while attempting to access your Inbox, it’s probably a browser issue, and it may be necessary to clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
If you feel that you have been using your Gmail account according to the Gmail Terms of Use, you can troubleshoot your problem by clicking here.
So an easy way to put it - Do NOT use Gmail Drive... there's no use for it if it can't even back up your files without screwing you.
Customer Loyalty Apparently Means Nothing?
I initially wrote a blog post about my experience with poor customer service and lack of respect towards customer loyalty. To avoid duplicate content issues, I have since had it published on another site. Check it out @ Social Marketing Journal.
Myspace? Yourspace? SPAMspace.
Ok. I must rant. Let off some steam if you will.
I have been a member of MySpace since before it was deemed the "coolest" website online and got all corporate on us. 2003 was the year I first signed on with encouragement from a friend of mine who used the service. At this time, there were not many people on it, but it was a great way to see how the social networking idea worked. Next to Friendster (which sucks now by the way), it was the one of the first sites of it's kind to pull me in.
It became popular rather quickly, pulling in several musicians and more interesting people. I began to learn HTML so that my page could be better than the next person's. I was meeting people from everywhere. I used it for networking and found out about the latest happenings within Manhattan. It was a great tool! I loved it!
Now we fast forward to today - January 16, 2007. What is MySpace? An overcrowded, oversaturated SPAM market. I have honestly thought of deleting even! Every single day...I am bombarded with Bands trying to promote themselves. At first it was cute, but when you have had THOUSANDS try to convince you that they are not like the rest and that you should take a couple minutes out of your day to listen to them....you begin to develop a newly found hatred for "up and coming" bands.
Next we have new social networking websites trying to get your attention. Like I want to be a part of yet ANOTHER site?
I've seen it all....films, books, EVERYTHING on Myspace trying to add me as a friend, or convince me to check them/the product out. It seems I cannot sign on without spam, spam and MORE spam being thrown into my face. Ahhhhh! I want to rip my hair out at times!
Years ago - no Myspace user had to deal with this...they used it for the simple things. They would not have to sign on and look at their bulletins only to see that some trashy ad company had taken hold of people's accounts and spammed via their bulletin boards.
MySpace is oversaturated and so is every other site that becomes big.
Facebook used to be for college students only. You were required to have a verified college email address in order to register. They opened it up to the public so that they could make more money. Now what do we have? Fake profiles and spamming profiles alike. When will it stop?
Social networking has turned into social spamming if you will. One can only wonder how they can turn such a monstrosity around and gear it back towards its initial purpose.
Another potentially good thing - gone sour.
Miss Joke USA
2006/2007 = The years pageants have proved to no longer be a means of showing "empowering women" who have talents that are beyond beauty but also in the community.
We all know that using great "platforms" for these women has always been a cover up for a meat market showing of beautiful women. Isn't it a man's world? There's no Mr. America or Mr. USA. If this is truly about making a difference, then why are today's hottest bachelors not competing for a title while aiming for World Peace?
Without trying to be too harsh, I am laughing. Why?
First we hear about one of Donald Trump's ladies partying in Manhattan. When I say partying - I don't just mean getting drunk like most underage girls do at that age, but also doing lines (of cocaine) and acting absolutely ridiculous for someone who has a national title. She's hooking up with Miss Teen USA, bringing up several men into her little suite that Mr. Trump handed to her all while "upholding" that title of hers.
Next we see Miss Nevada USA who gets busted for having some pretty kinky and wild photos up on the net. Now she says she dreams of being in Playboy and may even have her own spread? What in the hell?
Now we have one more... Miss New Jersey who just got knocked up and is now resigning.
Hmmm I wonder if Miss Hawaii will get in trouble for sleeping with the entire Navy stationed at Pearl Harbor? C'mon now! Get rid of pageants...or make it alot harder for women to get into them. For example: A good friend of mine's best friend used to be roommates with Miss USA. She said that she was a pill popper even years ago and partied hard. She said she never went to the college stated on all of her list of credits. They let just about any hot broad into these competitions these days don't they? The morals are simply too low to be hiding under titles of self empowerment. It is a joke and a mockery of women. Idiots like Donald Trump make it even worse.
Internet Dating – Friend or Foe?
Internet Dating. "Everybody's doing it!"
So Match.com, YahooPersonals.com, EHarmony.com - they're all making a fortune off online consumers. Why? Because most people either
a) Don't have the guts to approach people in a social setting
b) Are sick of the type of people they attract in a social setting
c) They can't get anyone to begin with.
d) Other.
As someone who has personally dated online, I can truly say there are definite pros and cons about the whole fad.
The pros:
You look amazing on paper! You feel good because you can show your true self via the internet without feeling bad about it. You are willing and able to honestly say what you would like in a mate and are able to shop around through a wide array of people.
You are able to get to know someone with the touch of a button. Online we oftentimes feel more compelled to say the things we want without the fear of feeling awkward. This enables us to develop an intellectual closeness that we may otherwise not get if meeting someone at a bar or club.
It saves time! Who wants to spend all night at a bar buying drinks and staying out late only to maybe get one number, when you can simply sit on your own bed and relax while perusing through possible candidates online?
All sound so peachy right?
Let's now go with the cons.
People sometimes are NOT who they say they are. I mean it. It happens. I've seen it myself. Others can put EXTREMELY attractive photos of themselves up. Maybe far away, a little blurry, at just the right angle. They look smokin'! All of a sudden you meet up with them and you slowly want to crawl in a hole and die. Or worse off, they used fake photos which is terrifyingly psychotic altogether.
You suddenly do not have that "connection" you once had via email/im. The words simply don't flow as freely and it's very awkward. Not a great feeling.
You are not attracted to them. That kind of goes with what I said before...but..something about their demeanor just isn't attractive.
They are not attracted to you. Rejection. Crappy feeling.
I say this from ultimate personal experience.
Tips: Put one good photo up and one kinda crappy one.
Don't lie about your weight or height.
Be truthful. Be careful and be cool.
IF you choose to continue internet dating. Most of my friends like it the tradition way...they are simply too afraid and "creeped out" to do the whole "internet thing". Which is better? Which is easier? Which is more effective?
My sister recently got married to a man who is simply perfect for her. Where did she meet him? None other than EHarmony.com!
Friend or foe? Tough call.
You know what they say - "To each his own." 
Britney's Less Than Impressive "Comeback"
So this obviously isn't a "Celebrity Gossip" blog by any means, but I've been glancing at a few of my favorites lately for pure entertainment, and noticing that Britney is doing a very poor job of making a "comeback".
So you made the biggest mistake of your life and married some wigger schmuck who has super sperm powers and accidently got knocked up a couple times. Ok, we forgive you.
You let him suck all of your money up for years while attempting to help promote his horrific lack of musical skills. We forgive you.
I mean love is blind right?
We feel sorry for you that the press is constantly on your back ridiculing you're every move as a mother, we sense that your poor Louisianian arse is merely trapped and that you've got downhill.
You finally dump the idiot and you make your reappearance onto the scene with who???? The worst person to possibly hang out with during this time? None other than Paris effing Hilton?
I really want to know who is Britney's PR rep and who said "I think a great way to get you back into the public eye and have you back on your feet is to hang out with a superficial slore such as Paris whist also allowing the media to get a great glimpse of your butt." Who advises her? Doesn't her southern mannered mother give her some advice? Not only that --- she's dressing like a 2 bit prostitute everywhere she goes. I mean I know she lost weight, but what is she - Mariah Carey now?
I'm quite confused as her lack of proper decision making these days. I mean c'mon. I had pity for her, now I think she' s making herself out to be even worse.
I wonder if she remembers that there's two babies just hanging out at home. I mean I know she needs a break, but do it with shopping, or go hang out with the much less destructive A-lister - Katie Holmes or something. You'd get the same amount of publicity without being wasted and showing your entire business to the world.
Due to the excessive time spent with Paris, she's even finding herself getting in the middle of the Paris/Lindsay fued. Who needs that? You're a soon-to-be divorcee with 2 kids! Let's get with it....
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C:
I'm truly glad that Fed-Ex is out of the picture and she should be celebrating, but not like this.
A mess I'll tell you - a mess. I'm a bit dissapointed in her...Oh Britney, when will you learn?
Happy Slutoween!
Witches! Goblins and Sluts! Oh My!
Well well! Aren't guys lucky bastards on a day like this. Halloween has evolved into a contest of who can dress the sluttiest and look mighty fine while doing it. This seemingly is the only day where girls can dress like complete skanks and not be judged for it the next day. The only thing is, if a girl doesn't dress sexy (providing she is not extremely overweight) she is sometimes looked at rather awkwardly. For example: I went to a party this weekend and this girl dressed up as a scarecrow....no, not a sexy scarecrow with her ass cheeks saying "hi" from under a little skirt, but a full on scarecrow...covered from head to toe. People didn't even know if it was a girl and didn't expect it to be.
Since I'm quite the jokester and have always been known to wear hilariously odd/funny costumes at my school growing up (I went to an all-girl Catholic school)...it is quite disappointing that I can't go out with my girls and dress up as something hilarious without having an awkward moment amongst various others. Let us see.... here are some of the many costumes I would love to wear out to one of the parties we go to:
HOLY SHIT.
TOUGH SHIT.
HOT SHIT.
LOL Those are my type of costumes....The pressure to be a typical "sexy cop, french maid, referee" or some other bullshit costume is exceedingly high. While it's somewhat fun, it also reinforces what we are trying to badly to fight against...the stereotypes that are pushed upon us and the glass ceiling effect in almost everything we do these days.
Tonight I will be going out to a hot club....my costume isn't of the norm. This should be quite interesting.
Also - Please note: Since we see so many sexy costumes, I request that more ab-o-licious men dress up as something revealing/sexy during Halloween..that would balance it out no? LOL --- Like that'll ever happen. It's a man's world.
The "Swan" Debate
So the other day I caught an episode of "The Swan". I remember this show being on Fox a few years ago, and I believe it has since ended. However, I still want to touch down on the subject, based on the increasingly popular image-changing shows that have appeared on what seems to be a monthly basis.
For those of you who don't know what this show was, it was a program where very homely females (usually overweight) are chosen to be transformed into the "Swan". These women then compete with eachother in the ultimate beauty pageant after their transformations. Hmm. Sounds pretty tasteless to me.
BEFORE AFTER
The women involved, went through a couple months of physical training, dieting and here's the big part...seemingly endless plastic surgery. We're talking - tummy tucks, nose jobs, breast implants, face lifts, liposuction and much more. If you could have a plastic surgery field day, these women would be the ultimate participants. Isn't it so sad that our society considers watching "ugly ducklings" become totally transformed artificiallyinto someone they're not? Are they that self depricating and depressed that they feel that is the only way to feel beautiful? What every happened to simply taking care of yourself? Diet and exercising? Yes, it's harder than hell (I personally know), but I simply cannotimagine, glancing into the mirror and seeing a totally different human being, whether more beautiful than previously before, or not. God didn't create you that way sweety, so to change everything he gave you just so you can be hotter than Pam Anderson is a bit messed up to say the least.
VIDEO:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7WkVwrRhxc]
I truly commend the other "makeover" shows. You know, the one's on Style Network that simply do your hair, makeup, and put you in some nice clothes. For example: TLC's "10 Years Younger." These guys take women who are worn and ragged, and literally make them look exactly that! I mean, they really do an amazing job on these women without having them go under the knife for even a millisecond. Now that is what I call helping people.
"The Swan" was only on for about 2 years I believe, and I cannot imagine what has happened to these women since. Having that much plastic surgery done, has to be very harmful for the body to some degree, and also most likely has to be maintained. I'm sure if these women did not have the financial means to begin with to even keep their hair done, I highly doubt they will have the funds to maintain such looks and such work. I'm sure it's more than hard to adjust to a completely different look, especially if you're completely socially inept or even just a bit awkward. I wonder how all of them dealt with their new found looks? To once be, the woman that no one paid attention to, to suddenly the woman who could get any man (or woman for that matter) that walks by her, has to be an immense change. I'm sure they have no idea how to deal with it, and although flattering - probably caused them much anxiety to a degree.
This goes back to saying that we as people, no matter how "ugly" or "attractive" society percieves us to be, are able and willing to adapt to who we are as people steadily over the years while growing up. Some go through a bit of depression, but others do something with it, and accept themselves for who they are, or better themselves (and I don't mean surgically). Changing your entire face and body with a knife simply isn't the answer. I can truly understand if someone is severely deformed or even has one lone problem they'd like to fix, but it is beyond sad that these women feel the need to transform entirely; and even sadder that Fox Network capitalized on it.
Looks, looks, looks.
Beauty, beauty, beauty.
That's all it's about lately. TV will continue to thrive with shows that praise and scrutinize looks - Dr. 90210 and America's Next Top Model being one of them.
On a personal note: When I met Tyra, I absolutely adored her. She was kind and funny and so REAL with me. At the end of our meeting and the show, she had told one of the producers to get my information because she wanted me to be on America's Next Top Model. Funny - I'm not thin. At all. Perhaps she wanted me to be one of the "Plus Size" ones, although I'm not large enough for that either. I was so flattered and honored that she had asked me, however I said no. People slap me and ask me why. Why? Because I refuse to be physically criticized for my size or looks on national television simply because I'm not up to Hollywood "standards". Modeling is not and has never been my ultimate dream, therefore I refuse to be another rag doll via television just for the ratings.
There you have it. Personal proof.
Physical beauty is not everything . . . cmon kids, we've been told that since day one.
Believe it.
Kate Dickman
Welcome to my blog which contains various social media discussion items as well as musings that may or may not make sense to you. There's no guarantee that you will become smarter after reading any of this but some of it may in fact be entertaining. Read at your own risk.
Visit BitsofKate.com
My Recent Flickr Shots
|
My Twitter Ramblings
- Disconnecting from FB/Twitter and social life as a whole for the next week in order to meet some intense deadlines. See ya on the flipside. http://www.twitter.com/katedickman
- @AZcomm Hah! Look at you infusing Lindt's brand messaging in your compliment/inquiry. You're smooth! http://www.twitter.com/katedickman
- @BloomAshley Hah! I will have to sing a little song for you then. If I audition, I will use the stage name #CommanderDickman. http://www.twitter.com/katedickman
Beneficial to a Busy Life
Inspiring
Social Media Smarts
- All Facebook
- Read Write Web
- Social Media Today
- Social Schmoozing: Derek Showerman
- What's Next – BL Ochman's Blog