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Microsoft Über Alles
In my younger and more rash
days I used to throw around the word fascist a lot. Anything and everything
that I didn't like or thought was unjust or or unfair would earn the label.
Now that I am older and, hopefully, wiser I see that there is actually
a few fascist threats out there not from the government exclusively but
from the private sector.
The biggest fascist threat we face out there is without a doubt is Bill Gates and his evil empire, Microsoft. Bill's stated claims is that the internet and the computer world in general should all use his software. He does this through immoral and illegal trade practices, stomping out his competition and destroying any chance of a real competion. I know some say that is just someone practicing free trade, but is it really free trade when one competitor ensures that not only is it not free and equal trade, but tries to buy the playing field outright.
What is the result of Microsoft's practices? 1. A majority of computer users are stuck with a buggy, unstable operating system 2. Any chance of true innovation in the software world is completely quashed. If Microsoft had it's way they would own a large piece of every computer and the computer users would be serf's to Lord Bill Gates.
Another threat on the Internet is the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC are looking into monitoring robots that would surf the net for words that would indicate stock scams and tips. If it is put in place how soon would it be before the government would also try something similar (if they haven't already) how long would it be before free speech is curtailed on the net?
Another threat came to me while watching the news the other day. Some self appointed watchdog group released a report that said the violence on TV is at an all time high. The general timber of their report struck me as accusatory towards parents implying that they are not doing their job by controlling their kids' TV habits. My question is who elected the officials of these watchdog groups, who is funding them, and how long before the sheep in Washington takes their recommendations to heart and tries to enact legislation that could seriously curtail our freedoms.
The last example of fascism in our world came to me when I applied for a temporary job at a nationwide retail chain (I won't reveal their name but think Sam's Place). It was a typical cattle call type affair, stood in line for a bit, watched a video about how great it was to work for them, and they handed me a couple of forms. One was the standard application form - no big surprise there, and the other was a test. Now I have taken plenty of tests for jobs before written, performance, math, what have you, but this was different. It was an opinion test, the person handing out the tests said that it was really no big deal just a get to know you test. I smelled a rat.
So like a good little sheep I filled out the application and the test. The people in charge took my forms and led me to another room for an interview. The interview went well and I was told to wait outside for my final interview.
While sitting I watched the process 1. Fill out application/test 2. Get first interview 3. While you wait they take your test and plug it into a computer 4. Get second interview and be given an appointment for a drug test (for a temporary job, sheesh). So I did what I was told an waited for paperwork to be plugged in.
Time came for my second interview the guy asked my about vital info phone and address and then said basically "don't call us we'll call you". I was then summarily dismissed and not given any drug test appointment.
So this got me to thinking "I answered the questions on the test honestly why didn't I get an appointment?"
On the walk home the answer came to me "I didn't fit their profile for reliable employee"
Big surprise the test was the main criteria for hiring not the application., and I failed the test. The questions all dealt with stealing on the job and drug issues and I obviously answered enough wrong to be undesirable.
The extension of this is how far does this profiling go, does it discriminate against certain religion, race, or general people who have differing opinions. The underlying unfairness is that I am pretty good employee, don't do drugs, drink or steal but that doesn't matter because of an arbitrary test.
What can do about these types
of situations? I think our greatest weapon against fascist tyranny is our
voices. Write an e-mail to Bill saying we don't appreciate him and his
company, let self appointed watchdogs know that we don't appreciate them
and to get the hell out of our lives, and next time someone hands you a
test saying that it really doesn't matter what the outcome of the test
is call them on it and throw it back into their face.
