This is what I want for my birthday

[lapsedmodernist]

Why do I feel like hoyvenmayven will get a kick out of this one? pnts, you too.

The Fox News Blocker:


Man Sells Device That Blocks Fox News

It's not that Sam Kimery objects to the views expressed on Fox News. The creator of the "Fox Blocker" contends the channel is not news at all. Kimery figures he's sold about 100 of the little silver bits of metal that screw into the back of most televisions, allowing people to filter Fox News from their sets, since its August debut.

The Tulsa, Okla., resident also has received thousands of e-mails, both angry and complimentary — as well as a few death threats.

"Apparently the making of terroristic threats against those who don't share your views is a high art form among a certain core audience," said Kimery, 45.

Kimery's motives go deeper than preventing people from watching the channel, which he acknowledges can be done without the Blocker. But he likens his device to burning a draft card, a tangible example of disagreement.

And he's taking this message to the network's advertisers. After buying the $8.95 device online, would-be blockers are shown a letter that they can send to advertisers via the Fox Blocker site.

"The point is not to block the channel or block free speech but to raise awareness," said Kimery, who works in the tech industry.

Comments

[springheel-jack.livejournal.com]

Seen this? I have one. It really works!

http://www.tvbgone.com/home.php

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

That makes a totally different point. The Fox thing is by a consumer who rejects the product of Fox, rather than the entire paradigm of network Television.

[springheel-jack.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's true. But I still like it.

Rather--!

[landoffools.livejournal.com]

That's a brilliant analogy.

[trochee.livejournal.com]

heh. I wonder what the algorithm is to detect which channel is Fox.

I'm such a geek.

This is a very cool idea, and I'm amused by the following snippet from the foxblocker.com website:
3. I don't care how often Bill O'spankme's staff calls, I am not going on FOX News. Stop calling, I don't want to hear your dirty fantasies.

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

That is so fifth grade and yet I just totally cracked up.

[mjmj.livejournal.com]

if your cell-phone gun isn't making you feel safe enough, here's an mp3 player you might want to get:

mp3 ak-47 (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/weapons/ak47-mp3-player-036012.php)

America: Where 9,000 to 10,000 hand-gun deaths a year isn't even news.

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

Dude. That is awesome. The AK/MP3 I mean, not all the gun deaths.

[mjmj.livejournal.com]

yep, when it comes to guns, "good ol' american know-how" and "yankee ingenuity" appear to be limitless. it wouldn't surprise me to find someone advertising a gun made of soap with plastic bullets, for those who have been traumatized by the shower scene in "psycho," and want to be ready to defend themselves at all times.

[remsaverem.livejournal.com]

Boston Legal tried to use this in for one of their episodes, but ABC didn't like the idea at all (but I do!).

See Larry Lessig's blog for more links:

http://www.lessig.org/blog/archives/002769.shtml

[remsaverem.livejournal.com]

I blame the Japanese language for my very poor use of English at this late hour...

;)

huh? what the what?

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

what poor use of English?

Re: huh? what the what?

[orpheusinhades.livejournal.com]

"use this in for". Took me a second, though.

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

Have you ever seen Boston Legal? Is it any good? Should I bother watching it? Why is every "legal" show set in Boston?

[mjmj.livejournal.com]

my two cents is that B.L. isn't particularly good. if you've seen any david kelley shows, you know what to expect. it's as if "ally mcbeal" and "the practice" had a child before they were axed. on the other hand, what hugh laurie is doing on "house" is very enjoyable. but then, other than stewie, i don't like "family guy" (it's unwatchable), so you might want to factor that in.

[ersatz-life.livejournal.com]

WOW

hehe.... that's so awesome.
if i had a TV, i'd need one.
(i block more than just fox news by not having a TV... and since i've discovered that you can watch all the daily show clips on their website, i really don't need one...)

still.
tee hee