Net Neutrality Update

It will be interesting to see how the FCC deals with net neutrality, given that over 99% of the comments sent in during the open comment period - which, if you'll remember, was extended because so many people had something to say - are pro-net neutrality! Less than 1% of the comments opposed net neutrality; I hope the FCC realizes that most of us want desperately to keep it safe!

And not just users like you and me; not just librarians and teachers, either. Major tech companies - including Mozilla, Reddit, and KickStarter - are planning a "'go slow' day" to protest efforts to create "fast lanes" which actually mean slowing down the Internet for those who can't or aren't willing to pay extra for the access we now enjoy equally. (Related: Top web companies join Internet Slowdown protest for net neutrality and Etsy CEO to Businesses: If Net Neutrality Perishes, We Will Too)

Sept. 10th is the Internet Slowdown - Be part of it!

Links!

• Libraries, Books, & Authors
• Get Infected With Knowledge Brilliant! Related: Bob the Zombie: Get Infected with Knowledge 
• 8 Children's Libraries That Make You Wish You Were A Kid Again 
• Two States Creating State-Wide Library E-book Collections 
• PLA Now Accepting Nominations for Nine Service Awards and Grants 
• When I Think “Fearless,” I Think of Flannery O’Connor She's one of my favorite authors, too. 
• Don't pack George Orwell, visitors to Thailand told I have never wanted to smuggle something so badly before...Also included in their "helpful tips" for tourists - don't wear red shirts (which are associated with the opposing political party) and don't discuss the coup. 
• The Economist just defended slave owners 
• Neil Gaiman's Hansel & Gretel Heading To Screen I hope it's good, I really do!
• Joan Rivers died today. She (and her acerbic wit) will be remembered, and missed.
• Seeking Facts, Justices Settle for What Briefs Tell Them Maybe they need personal librarians to do some fact-checking? 
• Net & Tech
• White House names Google’s Megan Smith the next Chief Technology Officer of the United States 
• Twitter CFO says a Facebook-style filtered feed is coming, whether you like it or not But...I don't like it. I don't like it at all...
• See Jewish Life Before the Holocaust Through a Newly Released Digital Archive 
• Science
• Third American with Ebola named 
• Dengue Fever Vaccine Trial Shows Promise 
• Childhood Health Improves Following Closure of Chinese Coal-Burning Power Plant 
• Scientists Discover Effective Strategy To Switch Off Autoimmunity 
• Extinctions during human era worse than thought 
• 99.999% Certainty Humans Are Driving Global Warming: New Study So, there's that... 
• Ferguson Et Al
• Missouri Governor Declares Ferguson Is No Longer in a State of Emergency 
• Ferguson shooting victim Michael Brown had no felony rap sheet
• Officials: Feds planning to launch probe of Ferguson police department Related: Ferguson Police Chief: 'We Can Be Better and We're Willing to Be' "Jackson said most residents say that 'our relationship with the community is excellent'..." I don't think I'd put it that way, Chief... Also related: What the Feds Might Investigate in Probe of Ferguson Police 
• What I Heard in Ferguson 
• The New World Order Well, that's frightening. Related: Family angry with Illinois police for going silent over gay man’s death during traffic stop 
• Other
• British Activist Andy Hall in Thai Court in Defamation Lawsuit 
• Hot car death: Father charged with toddler's murder 
• Leading Researchers Who Oppose Legal Pot Are Paid by Painkiller Manufacturers 
• This Just In: “Responsible Consumption” is Bogus 
• Why Colleges With a Distinct Focus Have a Hidden Advantage I <3 Berea. 
• Fast Food Workers Strike in 150 Cities to Demand $15 Per Hour Wage Including New Orleans: Fast-food workers strike for list of demands Sadly, related: Thousands of fast-food workers strike; arrests made 
• 5 Ways You're Drinking Coffee Wrong This changes everything. (Okay, not everything...but it has some good ideas...)
• DNA Evidence Clears Two Men in 1983 Murder Related: DNA Exonerations Nationwide 
• Journalist arrested at public event for Georgia Republicans The Republicans are not doing a good job courting women voters - not with stunts like this. Or, well, voters in general. Particularly those who believe in freedom of the press, freedom of information access, etc. 
• New “Food Insecurity” Figures Show Recovery Has Yet to Reach Many 
• Why Stanford Medicine X is Better than Your Conference