Phil's Ramblings

2009-08-25T16:35:00.001Z

Letter to my MP about proposed "2 strikes" legislation
Dear Mr Dudderidge,

I sent the following to the above consultation. Whilst I am aware that you strongly support the industries rightful efforts to reduce copyright breaches, I would like to think that you would take the enclosed points into consideration.

Phil Culmer
(address redacted)

From: Phil Culmer (email redacted)
Sent: 25 August 2009 17:30
To: 'adrian.brazier@bis.gsi.gov.uk'
Subject:

Dear Mr Brazier,

I would like to register my objection to the proposed “two strikes” legislation on several grounds:

1. The proposed legislation is even more extreme than that rejected by previous consultations (as being too extreme), and proposing it is therefore not only in breach, but in defiant opposition to, the government’s consultation guidelines.
2. Whilst technological measures available may identify the protocol in use by a simple scan, the protocols used for illicit file-sharing are also used for entirely legal and innocent file-sharing, and for other applications, such as software distribution, and transmission of internet television. Whilst deep packet inspection may permit identification of the content, it is controversial, being ethically equivalent to phone-tapping or mail interception, both of which require a court to be shown probable cause for authorisation. It can also make no indication of the legal status of an identified file – it cannot tell the difference between a file being illicitly shared and a licensed download.
3. It is an attack on the common carrier status of ISPs. Currently, they make no attempt to regulate the content travelling over their wires, and are not held responsible for the actions of their users. This legislation is equivalent to holding a telephone company responsible for the content of a phone call, or requiring the Royal Mail to inspect all mail to ensure that it is legal. Whether or not it is technically feasible (and currently it would appear not to be), it completely changes the legal position of ISPs; by requiring them to attempt to regulate traffic traversing their network, they become legally responsible for it. At the current state of the art, this would hold them responsible for something which they cannot control – a patent violation of natural justice.
4. This legislation was proposed days after a meeting between Lord Mandelson and representatives of the recording industry, an industry which has become notorious for its abuse of the legal process in pursuit of those which it asserts are stealing its product, whilst showing cavalier disregard whether the individuals accused are guilty. In fact, in several cases, they have been found by the courts to have perjured themselves, with the intent of terrorising those accused into submitting, regardless of guilt or innocence. They are currently under investigation for breaches of the RICO statutes of both US federal law, and those of several states. There is thus a suspicion of improper influence, and of unclean hands on the part of the industry.
5. This legislation risks undermining public support for copyright law. In addition to the above mentioned legal issues in the United States, there is a growing public perception of the recording industry as endeavouring to manipulate the law in order to maximise their own profits, at the expense of both consumers and recording artists. Proposals such as copyright extension, which experts analyse as being for the benefit of the industry and a few major artists, at the expense of the public and of smaller artists, are eroding what support they have left.
6. The proposed legislation smacks of “giving the foxes the key to the hen-house”, and cannot avoid the suspicion of being used by the major labels to damage smaller independent distributers, and/or prevent legitimate non-commercial distribution. The major labels are currently running a major emotive campaign, equating the illicit copying of material with the theft of physical merchandise. This is the latest technological advance which they wail is “destroying” their industry – following such obvious social evils as tape recorders, VCR units, radio stations, and lending libraries, none of which have managed so to do. The reliance on emotive, and blatantly false, scare stories only damages their reputation further. Expert analysis indicates that those who are guilty of illicit file sharing are those who purchase the most music and movies, but the industry is attempting to smother data such as this with rhetoric and hyperbole. In the current age, the easy availability of expert studies shows hyperbole for what it is.
7. The proposed legislation is unnecessary. File sharing is decreasing, most probably due to the availability of legal means of obtaining music, such as Spotify, Last.fm, and similar advertising supported sites. The music industry is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and (despite their attempts to the contrary) is quite able to obtain a sufficient revenue stream from modern technologies. Their attempt to abrogate our constitutional protection from unjustified judicial interference is supported by assertions of a non-existent bogeyman, in order to maintain an artificial scarcity which serves not even them – there is even greater income to be made from ubiquity.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Yours sincerely,

Phil Culmer
--
This is what we know, when you tell us of your fondest hopes and dreams for us: that your greatest wish is that one day we will cease to be, and strangers you can love will move in behind our faces.
Jim Sinclair, "Don't Mourn for Us", http://autistics.selfip.org/dont_mourn.html

2009-06-22T16:20:00.003Z

My new papercraft astrolabe, courtesy of Keith, at http://www.autodidacts.f2s.com/astro/index.html. This was before I reassembled it correctly - the sights on the alidade should be on the other side of the instrument.

2009-06-22T16:13:00.002Z

Finally got round to posting the pictures from half-term:
Musicroom in Lincoln have Spongebob Flying-V ukeleles!

Collection of Petitions

2009-05-05T10:58:00.001Z

End the criminalisation of photographing police officers: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Photorestrict/

Restore the need for an imprisonable offence to make an arrest: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/PowersofArrest/

End “kettling”, and review policing of peaceful demonstrations: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/kettling/

Require all police officers to be readily identifiable at all times when on duty: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/policeid/

This is what we know, when you tell us of your fondest hopes and dreams for us: that your greatest wish is that one day we will cease to be, and strangers you can love will move in behind our faces.

Jim Sinclair, "Don't Mourn for Us", http://autistics.selfip.org/dont_mourn.html

2009-04-25T18:19:00.000Z

A System for Describing Relationships

This is modelled on the Scandinavian or Dwarvish systems, with extra modifiers to allow for modern relationships styles.
Method : the most direct route from the subject to the relative is traced, and the appropriate term is appended in order. Modifiers are used for previous relationships, depending whether they were ended by death or by the breakup of the relationship. An s may optionally be included to make the word scan better.

People:
Mar Mother
Far Father
Sor Sister
Bror Brother
Dottir Daughter
Sen Son
In Wife / female civil partner
En Husband / male civil partner
Ux Girlfriend / female partner / common law wife
Ex Boyfriend / male partner / common law husband

Modifiers for past relationships:
For Relationship broke up
Ter Partner died

Examples:
Farbror Paternal uncle
Marbrorsdottir Female first cousin by maternal uncle
Farmarsorsensdottir Female second cousin, by paternal grandmother’s sister
Terinsen Stepson, through deceased wife
Uxdottir Stepdaughter, through current common law wife
Marenforin Stepfather’s former wife
Foreninsen Ex husband’s stepson
Marfarmarbrorsensen Cousin Bill (3rd cousin once removed)
Farfarsorsensdottirsen Me to Cousin Bill

2009-04-08T20:18:00.001Z

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2009/apr/07/g20-police-assault-video

Yet again, police on duty at a protest act like occupying forces, attacking and killing an uninvolved passer-by.

Why is it that, with the overwhelming majority of police officers being decent, law-abiding men and women, thugs like this are so confident that they will pull a stunt like this in broad daylight, and then lie in the face of clear evidence of their guilt?

This is why the "lower classes" hate and fear the police, instead of respecting them and the principles of law and justice which they are meant to represent and espouse. With the increasing use of the police to suppress dissent, and the abandonment by the executive of the rule of law, resentment and alienation can only grow. Is this, perhaps, the government's intention, to provoke greater and greater civil unrest, to give them an excuse for greater and greater intrusiveness and oppression?

Robert A Heinlein wrote "when a society is crowded enough to require ID cards then it's time to leave". The UK is now a global byword for surveillance and oppression of it's "citizens".

Time to go?

2009-03-06T13:41:00.000Z

I've now linked my Redbubble account to culmer.co.uk - have a look at my photos and t-shirts.

2009-02-27T11:33:00.000Z

Zen-like Spam Filling

I found this is the filter fooler junk on the end of a junk email:

"Another carpet tack trembles, and a photon inside a fire hydrant pours freezing cold water on another secretly financial dust bunny. A stovepipe around a formless void underhandedly figures out a sandwich defined by an earring. Most people believe that the statesmanlike apartment building knows the squid, but they need to remember how greedily a blithe spirit ceases to exist. When you see another polygon, it means that some photon around a ski lodge starts reminiscing about lost glory. A Eurasian squid steals pencils from a knowingly mean-spirited blood clot."

Has a certain charm, don't you think?

2009-02-19T18:17:00.002Z

Ok, my blog is blacked out: Stand up against "Guilt Upon Accusation" for New Zealand http://creativefreedom.org.nz/blackout.html

18122008447

2008-12-18T20:52:00.001Z

17122008438

2008-12-17T15:57:00.001Z

2008-12-17T13:12:00.003Z

Miss Karen Nunn and Mr Phil Culmer are proud to announce the birth of Matthew Kenneth Philip Nunn at Southend University Hospital. Matthew was born by caesarian section at 11.53 this morning, and weighed 7lb 1oz. Karen and Matthew are both doing well, and hope to be home at the weekend.

2008-12-17T06:56:00.002Z

Got up at o dark hundred this morning - we're due at the hospital at dawn, so the alarm went off at 6.15. I'm not sure human beings are designed to be conscious at this hour - still, plenty of people manage it.

Will hopefully upload pictures of Matthew as soon as I can safely turn my phone on.

Stop the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the United States

2008-11-29T21:07:00.000Z

Stop the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the United States

2008-11-05T10:37:00.002Z

2008-09-15T10:00:00.000Z

Today was JJ's first day at school - I'm getting old.

Unlike all his visits, where he was grumpy until he got there, this time he was fine until he saw his teacher, and then got grumpy and wanted to come home. He was fine after we left though, and now looks forward to it.

I suppose that makes up for us having to get up at 7 in the morning.

2008-08-07T16:20:00.003Z

As I get immense pleasure from listening to them, here's a plug for my favourite podcast, and some related ones.

If science fiction is your bag, check out Escape Pod, a mixture of new and classic short stories - I loved this weeks story: "How I Mounted Goldie, Saved My Partner Lori, and Sniffed Out The People’s Justice", by Sulley Dog.

Escape Artists also do Podcastle, for fantasy stories, and Pseudopod for horror - and it's not kid's stuff; only listen to this last if you like to be disturbed.

Also just started, and plugged after this week's Escape Pod, is Crimewav.com, the return of short crime fiction, now on episode 5.

2007-08-28T11:53:00.001Z

I now own the Tenebrae system.

2007-05-08T18:38:00.000Z

Well, if the AACS can own a number, then so can I.

I now own the number CB EF D7 3F FD EB 46 37 0E EF 55 92 CF F0 98 11.

See http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/?p=1155 for an explanation.

2007-05-03T22:05:00.000Z

2007-04-09T12:19:00.000Z

I must update this thing more often...
I decided to try out for the team for University Challenge, and ended up as Captain.
That'll teach me.

2007-01-27T17:32:00.000Z

New domains.
I now own culmer.org.uk and culmer. co.uk
for the moment, they redirect to here.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-02T23:20:00.000Z

Merry Christmas

2006-12-02T23:16:00.000Z

Merry Christmas

2006-12-02T23:15:00.000Z

Merry christmas

2006-12-02T23:12:00.000Z

2006-09-06T14:25:00.000Z

2006-09-06T13:44:00.000Z

2006-09-04T15:00:00.000Z

2006-09-04T14:05:00.000Z

2006-09-03T21:19:00.000Z

Philip Charles Culmer's Aliases

Your movie star name: Chocolate Walter

Your fashion designer name is Philip Bern

Your socialite name is Farmer Barlimow London

Your fly girl / guy name is P Cul

Your detective name is Cat Red Hill

Your barfly name is Chips Bourbon

Your soap opera name is Charles Trinity Avenue

Your rock star name is Chocolate Rocket

Your Star Wars name is Phidoo Culmel

Your punk rock band name is The Blank Quarrel

The Amazing Meganame Generator

2006-09-03T20:24:00.000Z

If You Were Born in 2893...

Your Name Would Be: Isu Neyr

And You Would Be: A Space Pirate

If You Were Born in 2893

2006-09-03T20:10:00.000Z

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are a warm hearted and open minded person. It's easy for you to forgive and forget.

You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds.

You believe that people see you for how you are, not how you look. But deep down, you know that's not exactly true.

Your near future is a lot like the present, and as far as you're concerned, that's a very good thing.

For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

2006-09-03T20:05:00.000Z

I took a wierdness test.
This is what I got.

You Are 80% Weird

You're more than quirky, you're downright strange.But you're also strangely compelling, like a cult leader.

How Weird Are You?

Me and my boy

2006-09-03T18:00:00.000Z

He's a bit grumpy

2006-09-03T15:52:00.000Z

Pic1

2006-09-03T13:12:00.000Z

Fire Fart

2006-08-09T17:35:00.000Z


Light a candle by lighting ass gas on fire

2005-07-07T12:53:00.000Z

London Blasts: a Quick Redhillian update.
I'm intact, having arrived a Liverpool Street just in time to get evacuated. Ive spoken to Rob Cester, who is ok, and he tells me that Dave Moth is ok.

Updates on other old boys in London as I find out.
Long life and peace to all: please pray for us in London.
Phil.

2005-06-14T10:33:00.000Z

Petals around the Rose.
I am now a Potentate of the Rose, and a member of the Fraternity of Petals Around the Rose.

See http://www.borrett.id.au/computing/petals-j.htm

2005-05-13T13:38:00.000Z

The Cogno Centre.
I've set up a forum for the exchange of ideas & info, research, etc.
it's at http://cognocentre.11.forumer.com.

2005-04-12T12:49:00.000Z

Court Sentence: 7th April 2005
The legal case against Karen and I has finally been concluded.

The Judge, having seen all the evidence, and various pleadings, came to the conclusion that there was nothing outstanding enough in the circumstances of the offence for him to suspend our sentence. He pointed out to us that drug dealers are wicked people, who go to prison for a lot of years. He also pointed out that people who help drug dealers go to prison, even if they are vulnerable people whom the drug dealers have used. This is because deterrance is the only way that society can influence them not to help.

Having convinced us that we were going to prison, he then said that our mitigation was outstanding and unusual; he could see the way we had been used, the oportunities we had in front of us now, and the fact that imprisonment would be the destruction of us.

He therefore made a 24 month community rehabilitation order (what used to be called probation), and directed that we should attend appropriate courses that we could learn to be used in future.

All in all, I think that we were bloody lucky to get such a light sentence.

Many thanks to Mike, Bryan and team at TMK, Natalie and Michelle at ABC, and to our baristers for all their sterling work.

2005-02-26T13:01:00.000Z

Long time no update - ok, here's the latest:

After lots of consultations, reports, mentions, and hearings, the trial starts 28th February. Karen and I have both wound up have to cop pleas, but if we're really, really, lucky, we may escape prison. I've got a very good report about my AS, and am doing some training with the National Autism Society, and that might help if I'm lucky.

As a result of this training, I am looking at going to University - at least for BTEC level, preferably to BSc, and maybe even a doctorate. Imperial have a research project in Retinal Prostheses that I'd love to get involved in.

Here's hoping.

Oh, Rob, if you're reading this, thanks for the shower gel - it looks like I may need it.

2004-10-28T15:28:00.000Z

What with all the toing and froing about evidence, and experts, and what have you, I'm still awaiting trial - current guess is some time in December.

Cambridge are coming through quite nicely, so far. I've had an official diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, and I've just had sight of a report for the Disability Living Allowance people saying that I need help in just about every aspect of my life. I'm probably going to meet a consultant next weekend (5-6/11) about a report for the court. I'm not planning a dim cap defence, but it will hopefully explain to the court how my condition affects my decision making skills and judgement.

Court Hearing

2004-06-02T17:34:00.000Z

The court hearing was pretty straight forward, just committed and re-bailed.

Finally got the disclosure bundle, and it doesn't look too frightening.

Next up is a trip to London to see my barrister, and the Plea and Directions Hearing, if I'm required to attend it. My solicitor estimates that the case itself will probably be heard in September, which is a bit sooner than we originally thought, but that gets it all over and done with all the quicker.

2004-05-30T22:08:00.000Z

And now for some good news...
Went round to pick up my mail from Karen's today, and got talking to her. She said that she wants me to be involved in Josh's life, and please come round and see him whenever I want. Went back this evening and spent a couple of hours with him - it's even getting less painful being around Karen. Apparently Karen's moving out of the area in a couple of months, but she doesn't want that to stop me seeing him, and suggested that we need to make some sort of formal agreement to that end. Considering how hard it was for her to even put her signature to confirmation that I had access, a month or two back, this seems to be a major improvement in the situation.
Also, my doctor has referred me to the Cambridge Lifespan Aspergers Support Service, and I've filled out their questionnaires. Some online tests in various places, that use a similar basis, gave results fairly indicative of AS or at least ASD, so hopefully CLASS will give me an official diagnosis of AS or something similar. This, hopefully, will enable me to get a bit of life support. Now if I can just focus on the task long enough to get the envelope in the post...

2004-05-27T20:03:00.000Z

Ok, my head's sort of getting back together now: here's an update.

Late August 03: Karen threw me out for a month or so.

10 Jan 04: Got raided. Karen & I were arrested when the bag that I had dumped in the room I kept my stuff in turned out to be drugs that Karen was looking after for a friend's boyfriend (now fiancee).

15 Jan 04: Lost job due to arrest. When the shakes had died down a bit, got sick note for stress and claimed Incapacity Benefit.

30 Jan 04: Joshua-James David Nunn (my little man) was born, after 98 hours of contractions. 72 of that was with induction, and the last 10-12 on a drip. Labour was finally established for the last 6 hours or so, and after all that, Karen had to have an emergency C-Section. Guess who she started yelling for when the drip kicked in? Spent the next two months doing the night feeds, and splitting the rest of his time between me & Karen, who was now spending most of her time round the aforementioned friend's house.

29 Feb 04: Got dumped. Karen said that I could stay in her house as a lodger. Not surprisingly, got somewhat pissed (an increasingly rare event for me). Karen had now effectively moved in with her friend - she had only been coming home to sleep, and stopped this a few days later.

19 Mar 04: As ineligible for housing benefit, and had not had IB payment, running late with rent. Karen gave me one month's notice to quit.

End of Mar 04: Karen decided to look after Josh full time. After letting me look after him when she went out clubbing, came in and accused me of telling another friend that I was planning to take him away from her, and took him home with her. The friend later denied saying anything of the kind, adding that the friend that Karen was living with spent the whole encounter slagging me off, and hardly let her speak to Karen. I then didn't see Josh for a fortnight. Sometime about this point, my doctor said that he wouldn't give me any more sick notes, and that I would have to learn to live with the stress, depression, etc. (I don't think I'd mentioned the suicidal thoughts, but he probably wouldn't have cared anyway). Signed on for JSA.

08 Apr 04: Answered police bail. Spent an hour or so in the cells before being reinterviewed. Charged with posession of a class A drug with intent to supply, probably because I declined to name names. Re-bailed.

19 Apr 04: Moved out.

20 Apr 04: 1st Court hearing. Bailed until 2nd June (committal to Crown Court).

20 May 04: Offered council flat, arranged to view 24/5.

24 May 04: Viewed council flat and accepted. Now awaiting flat's availability to move in. No carpets. Almost no furniture to put there. Nice peaceful street, friendly neighbours, and a pleasant communal garden to take Josh in if Karen lets him come and see me.

Today: Saw Disability Employment Advisor, who referred me to the "First Steps" course run by Mencap. Seeing their advisor on Tuesday.

2004-04-03T14:50:00.000Z

Well, the shit's hit the fan in my life. More details when I can get my head round posting them...

2003-08-18T17:11:00.000Z

Ok. I've now added a Paypal Button. My customers can pay me here; anyone who fancies giving me money is welcome to. I'll be very grateful either way.

2003-03-28T02:24:00.000Z

Hmmm...
Maybe I ought to add a nice bushy moustache to my picture, to go with that new button.....

2003-03-28T01:22:00.000Z

You can now donate weapons of mass destruction (tm), to aid my plans to take over the world. Simply press this button.

2003-02-08T00:08:00.000Z

A kitchen virgin:
Mis en place done, awaiting
His first order.

The orders fly fast;
As he struggles to keep up,
Sweat soaks his brow.

At last all is done:
Customers fed, kitchen clear.
Virgin no more.

2002-11-21T09:53:00.000Z

Now for some fun playing with the computers. I've tried (and failed) to get PLIP running on the Windows box, but I'm looking at upgrading that to eXtra Problems. I seem to recall that that has some sort of PLIP. If not, I'll have to either boot the linux box in Windows 98 for DCC and Winamp, or (gasp) spend some money, getting network cards.

2002-11-15T01:25:00.000Z

Just about to go to bed now, having finished work at midnight. I've got a split shift tomorrow - 15-odd hours of washing dishes. Lovely. Anyone out there read "Job - a comedy of justice"?

2002-11-11T20:51:00.000Z

The Art of Wanking Brings Lots of Money
"According to the research that was conducted in the United States of America, men with higher education masturbate twice as often in comparison with other men. Consequently, there are a lot of masturbators, who take official positions and have larger income. Who knows, maybe serious positions and good wages do not depend on education?"
On Pravda.RU:Fun via News Is Free

Was There Sex in the USSR or Not?
"If you look a book on the sexual upbringing of the Soviet people, you will have a lot of fun. For example, there was a book published in the USSR in 1959 titled ?The Questions of Sexual Upbringing.? It was generally believed that there was no sex in the USSR. However, the book was published anyway"
On Pravda.RU:Fun via News Is Free

Borowitz Report
"Bush Insists On Tough New Year's Resolutions For Saddam"
On SatireSearch via News Is Free

Rockall Times
"Ancient Expletives Storm London Auction"
On SatireSearch via News Is Free

Home Automation
"Ever wanted to automate your house (yes, geek dreams abound)? What about putting it on-line? What about letting anyone change the lights on you?
Yes, you can help run up this guys electric bill."
On TangentOrg via News Is Free

2002-11-11T20:08:00.000Z

Spectacular meteorite storm set for next week
"A spectacular display of shooting stars not likely to be repeated for 30 years takes place next week."
On Ananova: News via News Is Free

Stonehenge: Alternative Views
"Really strange things occur in Stonehenge"
On Pravda.RU:Main via News Is Free

Urgent: Iraq accepts new UN resolution: TV
On Xinhua News via News Is Free

2002-11-11T13:01:00.000Z

Ok, it seems to be working now. Here's some Shakespearean prose that I came up with whilst reading the Scottish Play.

"One who, perhaps, in craven fear of his own kind, would turn to prayer,and whisper his entreaties soft and low, or emit such whimpering mews as would seek to drive men marrowless to the ground..."

"Or wearing such a visage as would ill befit a child scarce half his age..."

Can't the english language be fun?

2002-11-11T01:20:00.000Z

Ok. How do I start this thing off? Hmmm.. let's see now. I'm a 31 year old kitchen porter, my girlfriend has been asleep for the last (checks clock) 2 hours. and I'm sitting at the computer. Maybe I should avoid the caffeine last thing at night. Oh, and the dog just fumigated the room. Thanks, Danny.