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Dylan Pattyn, who is currently writing an article for Time Magazine on the issue, has official confirmation from sources within Bell Canada and is interviewing a marketing representative from TELUS who confirms the story and states that TELUS has already started blocking all websites that aren’t in the subscription package for mobile Internet access. They could not confirm whether it would happen in 2012 because both stated it may actually happen sooner (as early as 2010). Interviews with these sources, more confirmation from other sources and more in-depth information on the issue is set to be published in Time Magazine soon. 

[via I Power]

I was under the impression that net neutrality had been taken care of after legislation in the States rejected the major American ISPs plans to shift their business model similar to that of TV. In doing so, ISPs would basically have total control over what sites or services you access on “their” Internet. 

However, here comes news that that win for net neutrality was nothing more than a tiny success in a much larger worldwide battle. It sounds a little out there, but it’s not hard to believe that the major ISPs across the world are planning to collectively restrict the Internet, as we know it, by 2012. What’s absolutely disgusting though is hearing that it’s not Verizon, AT&T, or Comcast leading this transition - it’s Telus and Bell! Of course, Canada already has some of the world’s worst traffic shaping done by Rogers, Bell, and Shaw, so it’s not all that surprising that they want more control over the traffic that’s running through the tubes. And with the Conservatives in power, I seriously doubt that the government will step in and do anything. 

I do believe though that the Internet has been so successful precisely because it is a Wild west - content access or control is regulated by collective consciousness of all users worldwide. We the people will not take lightly to any efforts to restrict the web. 

Speaking of flashmobs…

[via Open Thinking and Digital Pedogagy]

Combining two of my favourite loves - “Thriller” and rail transit. Sure, we may have SkyTrain parties, but nothing can beat this flashmob.

[via SpacingToronto]

If you have no clue about this teen, watch the video below.

Despite the typical ageism the rather young host shows, the kid definitely did not deserve anything better.

He held a party with over 500 teens, destroyed the neighbourhood, and retaliated against police when they arrived to crash the situation.

This story definitely shows the power of the internet. The party itself blew up it’s attendance due to MySpace, and since the aftermath has become a worldwide phenomenon within the past week, the kid has now been offered a job with a club to host parties. Ironic enough that the $20,000 bill will be easily paid by hosting more parties.

The kid is the epitome of unresponsible teenagers. All things considered, maybe youth laws should be tightened up to ensure that, in these types of situations, kids face the consequences.

To me, it’s not so much a story of hosting a 500 person party, but a more typical situation where the partiers wrecked havoc on the neighbours. This follows my whole libertarian philosophy that you, as a free person in a free country, should be allowed to do anything you wish, as long as it does not have negative effects on any other person. Quite a broad overarching view, but such a “golden rule” is quite clearly broken here.

If they had just stuck to themselves and had their party, there wouldn’t be a huge fuss right now and I probably wouldn’t think Corey is a prick.

But hey, Corey has at least gotten his 15 seconds of fame as either the ultimate teenage asswipe or the prodigal party host. I think it’s quite clear which point of view I’m siding with.

I don’t want to jump the gun before any real details are released. Besides, as Keith Baldrey says in his report below, there hasn’t been any leaks so to speak - he’s more… connecting the dots. Have more tomorrow on this.

UPDATE: The announcement is at 10:30 AM. Check back here shortly after for full details and analysis.

I’m beginning a five part series today, which a new post each day this week. The latest articles will each eclipse the one it proceeded, and will shift from providing interesting information to enabling discussion. The topic: how the digital information revolution we are currently living in will dramatically reshape the world in the coming years - perhaps far faster and remarkable than anyone can imagine.

Just to start us all off, here’s an 8 minute slideshow, “Shift Happens”. This video was originally produced for a school board in America, thus explaining the minor focus on education towards the end, and ended up going viral late last year. They recently updated the video with the latest stats and it’s truly some very fascinating data giving us all a sense of the huge societal shifts that are beginning to occur in this world, thanks to the internet.

Most people in the know about cycling have heard about Copenhagen. It’s one of the most world renowned cycling cities. In fact, over 30% of all people in Copenhagen travel by bike. Just check out some of these sites to get a feel for what they’ve accomplished:

• Treehugger: In Copenhagen bikes overtake cars
• C.I.C.L.E.: Why Copenhagen is wonderful for two wheels
• City of Copenhagen: The City of Cyclists

But, Copenhagen doesn’t plan to stop now. I’ve spoken about bold visions before, and it doesn’t get any better than this. The city’s latest goal is to become the world’s unrivaled bike capital by 2015.How do they plan to do this? Well, it may sound amazing, at least compared to the type of funding cycling gets in North America, but Copenhagen already invests $15 million (US) per year into cycling infrastructure. To achieve their latest goal, the city plans to *double* this budget to $30 million per year! Just to compare, Vancouver recently announced a multi-year project, worth around $650,000, to make “best buys” to vastly improve our network. Here, that’s considered quite a feat.

The city of Copenhagen recently held workshops with citizens to do visioning exercises to see what specific improvements that could be made to become the cycling capital of the world. Here’s what they see for the future:

• A Cycling Mekka
  • Cyclists have conquered the streets
  • There are few accidents
  • There is room for both fast and slow cyclists
  • Cyclists get a tax break for riding
  • The main boulevards are now underground tunnels for cars
• Infrastructure
  • Cycle tunnels under and bridges over the harbour
  • Bike paths all the way along the harbour, on both sides
  • Bike motorways straight to the city centre
  • Cycling allowed in all green areas (some parks are bike-free zones)
  • Three lane bike lanes for different speeds
  • Green Wave system on all traffic lights
• Lifestyle
  • Trendsetting bike design
  • Bikes that symbolize who I am
  • Our City Bikes are gorgeously designed
• Experiences
  • Beautiful routes with great views
  • More trees planted along bike routes
  • More bike events
• Service
  • Creation of service stations along bike routes where you can pump tires and charge bike lights
  • The City loans out free bikes
  • Free City Bikes to all Copenhageners
  • Free bike lights
  • Mandatory warning sounds on buses when turning
• Behaviour
  • Cycling courses for locals and tourists
  • A city without bike locks
  • No bikes left behind
  • Everyone checks over their shoulder before turning
  • Cycling training tracks for kids
  • Everyone is friendly and smiles
• Parking
  • Many smart bike racks
  • Fantastically gorgeous bike parking
  • Newly-invented multistory bike parking
  • Bike racks with attached service centres
  • More covered bike racks

You know what I like most about this plan? Copenhagen, one of the most famous cities in the world for cycling, is not resting on their laurels. They are upping the bar, higher and higher each time. They don’t stop.

They are striving for the world’s finest cycling system! By 2015! That’s a hefty goal, made even heftier by a quick timeline.

This city is not doing the lowest common denominator, dragging their feet, doing anything but improving; oh no, not Copenhagen.

And you know, having such a good reputation attracts a certain types of people. Which in turn improves the city even more! It’s like a cycle of progress and improvement.

Can you imagine what our region would be like if we took such bold steps forward, each and every day?

[The Copenhagen Bicycle Culture Blog via CommuterPageBlog]

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More Copenhagen videos:

Check out this deleted scene from Michael Moore’s Sicko.   In the mid to late 90’s, Canada was #1 on the Human Development Index - aka. we were the best country in the world. Yes, we’re still doing pretty good, with a rating of 0.950 at #6. It’s only 0.025 points difference to Norway. In comparison:

• 3. Australia: 0.957
• 8. U.S.: 0.948
• 18. U.K.: 0.940
• 21. Germany: 0.932

As you can see just from the clip, Norway is obviously doing a number of things right. Heck, as most would agree, almost all of Western Europe as some of the best countries around. So, why don’t we learn from them and adopt some of their policies. As the country sways more conservative, isn’t it intriguing we continue to drop on the HDI? We seem to be going backwards. Doesn’t anyone else have a problem with this?

Shocking revelation by General Wesley Clark.

I don’t always agree with Mr. “Hyperbole  Catchphrase” Trump, but he’s got a good take on Bush.