2 bits of tech news

The cat fight between youtube and MTV (aka Google vs. Viacom) has come to a decision: Google has to disclose the viewing habits of EVERY YouTube user. If this decision stands, it's a huge blow to any notion of privacy, not that people should expect much on the internets.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7488009.stm


Also, one of the greatest, most groundbreaking films of all time (according to experts, not just my opinion), Metropolis by Fritz Lang, has been restored:

http://www.zeit.de/online/2008/27/metropolis-vorab-englisch

VISA!!!!!

After months of wrangling and worrying and forms and networking and waiting, I have a 30 day visa for Uzbekistan!!!!!!

Wooooo!

sharia in the UK

Here's an update on the statement by UK judges that Sharia (Muslim moral/legal code) could have a role in the UK justice system:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7488790.stm

Basically it clarifies that Sharia could be used for the basis of alternative mediation, which seems like an appropriate and culturally sensitive application of it. It certainly doesn't mean that the UK would enforce the Sharia for all its citizens, just that it would provide another option.