I have now not heard a song the full way through, in glorious stereo, at full volume, without ear plugs in 12 days. In my mind, though the following songs have been raging at top tilt:
1) Stars of track and field - by Belle and Sebastian
2) Sometimes - Noisettes
3) Oops, I did it again - Britney
4) Delilah - Tom Jones
None of which helps me massively, when it has taken all my will power to not just go to the stereo, plug in the latest Rufus Wainwright or Fleet Foxes. On top of this the major labels have had to go and announce the Latitude line up.
At least however this has freed up lots of time for campaign planning - around how to make the lack of parliamentary scrutiny a real election issue. Please send me best wishes, this is a lot harder than it sounds!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Thursday, 8 April 2010
If you're all alone, just pick up the phone, who you're gonna call?
This morning I woke to bright sunshine and news that even worse website censoring is on the way with #debill.
The affront to parliamentary demcocracy with this bill is now clear (and Skeptobot has written an excellent piece). The key question for me now is how we as a movement, as a group of individuals concerned about this outrage, respond.
Our challenge is to not just lash out in haste, fuelled by anger. Instead we need to soberly consider our options, our allies and how best to both entice and overpower our opponents, over the coming months and years. And this will take time.
However continue it will - and continue because we are sad rather than because we are angry.
Brian Fitzgerald , a Campaigner at Greenpeace, has said that campaigning is like judo, it is about using an opponents own body weight against themselves. We now need to understand what the strengths of our opponents are to allow us to rationally defeat this ridiculous law.
While 43 MPs showed real courage yesterday, these MPs (including my own, David Lepper MP) have shown that they are prepared to answer the call of the whip.
As one Tweeter put it yesterday, and apologies for no h/t, "I thought whips were for indiana jones, not parliamentarians" - how true.
That said many, including @tom_watson (Tom Watson MP) spoke out against. Tom, even said on Twitter that this was the first time he had defied the whip and "I feel physically sick".
His principles however are not to be questioned and we thank him for it.
The web is hydra headed and predicated on built in redundancy.
Even when the government attempt to block off one channel, others will appear.
As the peaceful unrest kicks off, I for one am going to:
1) continue my two months, no music protest (i am now on day 8)
2) encourage others to withhold their money
3) ask for help in protecting my activity and privacy online - thoughts welcome
4) use my talent as a campaigner to support others to push this agenda forward - if I can be of assistance committed to overturning #debill, please do drop me a line
Thanks for stopping by.
The affront to parliamentary demcocracy with this bill is now clear (and Skeptobot has written an excellent piece). The key question for me now is how we as a movement, as a group of individuals concerned about this outrage, respond.
Our challenge is to not just lash out in haste, fuelled by anger. Instead we need to soberly consider our options, our allies and how best to both entice and overpower our opponents, over the coming months and years. And this will take time.
However continue it will - and continue because we are sad rather than because we are angry.
Brian Fitzgerald , a Campaigner at Greenpeace, has said that campaigning is like judo, it is about using an opponents own body weight against themselves. We now need to understand what the strengths of our opponents are to allow us to rationally defeat this ridiculous law.
While 43 MPs showed real courage yesterday, these MPs (including my own, David Lepper MP) have shown that they are prepared to answer the call of the whip.
As one Tweeter put it yesterday, and apologies for no h/t, "I thought whips were for indiana jones, not parliamentarians" - how true.
That said many, including @tom_watson (Tom Watson MP) spoke out against. Tom, even said on Twitter that this was the first time he had defied the whip and "I feel physically sick".
His principles however are not to be questioned and we thank him for it.
The web is hydra headed and predicated on built in redundancy.
Even when the government attempt to block off one channel, others will appear.
As the peaceful unrest kicks off, I for one am going to:
1) continue my two months, no music protest (i am now on day 8)
2) encourage others to withhold their money
3) ask for help in protecting my activity and privacy online - thoughts welcome
4) use my talent as a campaigner to support others to push this agenda forward - if I can be of assistance committed to overturning #debill, please do drop me a line
Thanks for stopping by.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
First they laugh at you, then they fear you....
The digital economy bill has just been voted through and I wanted to say that while this is sick making, we will prevail.
When I emailed Jim Killock and Johnny Chatterton over seven months ago, via a charity ebulletin, I knew little about the Digital Economy Bill or the two guys I am proud to have spent such a lot of time with.
As soon as we got talking, I felt that this was a bill that had the potential for lots of unintended consequences and needed to be opposed.
Not only was there little or no campaign around this at the time, there was little resource, no structure and what filled the vacuum were the shrill voices of the major record labels shouting for this bill to happen.
Bit by bit, the three of us, as well as other amazing staff and volunteers from Open Rights, 38 Degrees and elsewhere started to work out how we could oppose this bill.
Looking back, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign so far - you have amazed and surprised everyone in this campaign more than you can imagine.
Looking back, we can be extremely proud of the movement we have built.
For what it counts, my view is that our collective biggest achievement is galvanising individuals into a bunch of irate, hyper aware, mobile, guerillas. Building an army of creatives, techies, campaigners, citizens determined to resist this bad law in every way possible.
You look now upon a group of people who will not forgive politicians who slept on the job, or those who paid lip service to corporate lobbyists.
Make no mistake about it, it might take 1 year or 5, but this bill will be defeated. Together we have showed that what unites us, in our belief in the web as a force for good, we cannot be defied.
Yes the politicians might have had their heads turned by record moguls- but ours will be the long term victory.
Winston Churchill said that "when you find yourself in hell, keep going" and this tonight is the small hope I will keep in my head that will endure.
Sleep well my friends, for tomorrow we will need our strength to fight again.
When I emailed Jim Killock and Johnny Chatterton over seven months ago, via a charity ebulletin, I knew little about the Digital Economy Bill or the two guys I am proud to have spent such a lot of time with.
As soon as we got talking, I felt that this was a bill that had the potential for lots of unintended consequences and needed to be opposed.
Not only was there little or no campaign around this at the time, there was little resource, no structure and what filled the vacuum were the shrill voices of the major record labels shouting for this bill to happen.
Bit by bit, the three of us, as well as other amazing staff and volunteers from Open Rights, 38 Degrees and elsewhere started to work out how we could oppose this bill.
Looking back, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign so far - you have amazed and surprised everyone in this campaign more than you can imagine.
Looking back, we can be extremely proud of the movement we have built.
- over 20,000 people emailing their MPs
- Powerful speeches by the amazing @tom_watson, Austin Mitchell, Bill Cash and other MPs mentioning the real worries their constituents have
- Clauses 18 and 43 removed from the bill - meaning no web blocking and no orphan photo law - both amazing results
- £22,000 raised for national print adverts
- £1,000 raised for a YouGov poll - which secured national media coverageAn army of supporters on Twitter (tonight we trended #debill at no 3 worldwide!).
- The amazing high profile demonstration outside of parliament
- The flash mob at UK Music, in London, in Sheffield and elsewhere
- Open Rights Group been cited in the key parliamentary debate tonight on this issue
For what it counts, my view is that our collective biggest achievement is galvanising individuals into a bunch of irate, hyper aware, mobile, guerillas. Building an army of creatives, techies, campaigners, citizens determined to resist this bad law in every way possible.
You look now upon a group of people who will not forgive politicians who slept on the job, or those who paid lip service to corporate lobbyists.
Make no mistake about it, it might take 1 year or 5, but this bill will be defeated. Together we have showed that what unites us, in our belief in the web as a force for good, we cannot be defied.
Yes the politicians might have had their heads turned by record moguls- but ours will be the long term victory.
Winston Churchill said that "when you find yourself in hell, keep going" and this tonight is the small hope I will keep in my head that will endure.
Sleep well my friends, for tomorrow we will need our strength to fight again.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
My email today to my MP
Dear Mr Lepper
(Labour, Brighton Pavilion)
Not sure if you have seen today's Times and Guardian but there are two full page adverts opposing the Digital Economy Bill. These have been funded entirely by members of the public.
As one of your constituents, I am hoping that you will make an effort to speak in today's (Tuesday 6th) second reading of the bill at 1530 and OPPOSE it being pushed through in washup.
Digital Economy is a large and controversial bill that the public do not want without further discussion. I would be extremely grateful for you attending and speaking out against this bill.
Due process and the right to a fair trial are worth protecting - things the Digital Economy Bill will remove.
Please do the right thing today, speak out against the Digital Economy Bill today.
Patrick Olszowski
(Labour, Brighton Pavilion)
Not sure if you have seen today's Times and Guardian but there are two full page adverts opposing the Digital Economy Bill. These have been funded entirely by members of the public.
As one of your constituents, I am hoping that you will make an effort to speak in today's (Tuesday 6th) second reading of the bill at 1530 and OPPOSE it being pushed through in washup.
Digital Economy is a large and controversial bill that the public do not want without further discussion. I would be extremely grateful for you attending and speaking out against this bill.
Due process and the right to a fair trial are worth protecting - things the Digital Economy Bill will remove.
Please do the right thing today, speak out against the Digital Economy Bill today.
Patrick Olszowski
Saturday, 3 April 2010
An admission
I am feeling guilty. Only three days in and despite my best efforts, I have heard music.
Yes, I was in a shop that had previously only had quiet muzak on, yes I was wearing ear plugs and yes, before you ask, everyone looked strangely at me.
That said, I still heard a little music, when buying shoes. Two tracks were played - something by Radiohead and something else by someone with the line "indie, rock and roll to me..." - I am sorry if I have let you down. My two months, no music protest continues however.
If you know anything about me, you will know that shoe shopping is something I work hard to avoid. Unfortunately avoiding music in shops is even harder.
Three days in, I am realising just how pervasive music is.
On talk radio stations, music is played underneath trailers for other shows, in shops they blast out catchy indie numbers to sell more, even on the tube they play music to quell fights.
Music is a social tool used by many organisations for so many different reasons and without an MP3 player to drown out the music all around me, total avoidance would mean me sitting at home, never leaving to buy anything, relying entirely on others to quench my anti music OCD.
I am proud of my effort to date and will endeavour as the two months continue to shop in venues that are not playing music.
The preponderance of mainstream, major artist music in public spaces is however also making me really angry.
Their paymasters have brought us to the brink of a due process chasm with the Digital Economy Bill, where citizens will face disconnection from the internet, purely to protect falling profits as an industry. The falling profits of an industry that thought it could always rely on the comfortable acquiescence of its consumers.
I say no more and others, such as the nascent BPI Boycott agree....
Increasingly I want to see a world whereby WE, the consumers, are trusted to choose what music WE want to listen to. Where labels realise they are only where they are BECAUSE OF US promoting them. And crucially where the major labels don't have to go to war with their own customers.
This lunacy must stop and whether or not the Digital Economy Bill passes in to Washup here in the UK this coming Tuesday, or not, my two months, no music protest continues. Wish me luck and please tell me (@patrickolszo) where can I buy some better ear plugs?
Yes, I was in a shop that had previously only had quiet muzak on, yes I was wearing ear plugs and yes, before you ask, everyone looked strangely at me.
That said, I still heard a little music, when buying shoes. Two tracks were played - something by Radiohead and something else by someone with the line "indie, rock and roll to me..." - I am sorry if I have let you down. My two months, no music protest continues however.
If you know anything about me, you will know that shoe shopping is something I work hard to avoid. Unfortunately avoiding music in shops is even harder.
Three days in, I am realising just how pervasive music is.
On talk radio stations, music is played underneath trailers for other shows, in shops they blast out catchy indie numbers to sell more, even on the tube they play music to quell fights.
Music is a social tool used by many organisations for so many different reasons and without an MP3 player to drown out the music all around me, total avoidance would mean me sitting at home, never leaving to buy anything, relying entirely on others to quench my anti music OCD.
I am proud of my effort to date and will endeavour as the two months continue to shop in venues that are not playing music.
The preponderance of mainstream, major artist music in public spaces is however also making me really angry.
Their paymasters have brought us to the brink of a due process chasm with the Digital Economy Bill, where citizens will face disconnection from the internet, purely to protect falling profits as an industry. The falling profits of an industry that thought it could always rely on the comfortable acquiescence of its consumers.
I say no more and others, such as the nascent BPI Boycott agree....
Increasingly I want to see a world whereby WE, the consumers, are trusted to choose what music WE want to listen to. Where labels realise they are only where they are BECAUSE OF US promoting them. And crucially where the major labels don't have to go to war with their own customers.
This lunacy must stop and whether or not the Digital Economy Bill passes in to Washup here in the UK this coming Tuesday, or not, my two months, no music protest continues. Wish me luck and please tell me (@patrickolszo) where can I buy some better ear plugs?
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Who is the UK music industry?
Today I spent my lunch hour at the offices of UK music
These are the foolish devils (apparently who represent "the collective interests of the music industry" - more later) that have helped bring Britain to the brink of the Digital Economy bill.
My mission today, along with the guys from Open Rights Group, was to deliver a Disconnection Notice for losing good business sense and removing the right to a free trial to UK Music boss - Fergal Sharkey.
Our group comprised 15 people, dressed as "disconnection police" who quizzed UK Music employees whether they had "used the internet today" or "downloaded any illegal music".
Surprisingly they weren't that keen on the public scrutiny. Classically when we asked if we could come in, this was what greeted us.....
As an image, I can't imagine a more powerful symbol of the major labels' attitudes to debate on the Digital Economy Bill than a closed door?
It got me thinking though, is UK music really representative of the whole record industry?
At the protest, I also met the future of the record industry, Stef from Type Records
Chatting with him, he described his as a record boss role less as a marketer and more as a co-creator of beautiful music. As a curator bringing great niche artists to a wider public. Never having met him before, I was seriously impressed by his approach and reminded that perhaps it isn't all about the major labels trying to screw the average punter.
Just for the record, Stef also had excellent patter as a Disconnection Police Officer.
To this end, rather than purely focus on the ills of this bill, I have decided I am also going to use my "two months, no music protest" to find out more about the music industry - both new and old.
So if you work for the major labels and want to put across your view, or if you have a business, a website, a band, a group that loves music for the sake of it - drop me a line via @patrickolszo
As @stef said today "can there be anything more sell out than an ex-punk trying to disconnect you from the internet?"
Day 1 of my "two months, no music protest" is at an end - thanks for all the messages of support.
These are the foolish devils (apparently who represent "the collective interests of the music industry" - more later) that have helped bring Britain to the brink of the Digital Economy bill.
My mission today, along with the guys from Open Rights Group, was to deliver a Disconnection Notice for losing good business sense and removing the right to a free trial to UK Music boss - Fergal Sharkey.
Our group comprised 15 people, dressed as "disconnection police" who quizzed UK Music employees whether they had "used the internet today" or "downloaded any illegal music".
Surprisingly they weren't that keen on the public scrutiny. Classically when we asked if we could come in, this was what greeted us.....
As an image, I can't imagine a more powerful symbol of the major labels' attitudes to debate on the Digital Economy Bill than a closed door?
It got me thinking though, is UK music really representative of the whole record industry?
At the protest, I also met the future of the record industry, Stef from Type Records
Chatting with him, he described his as a record boss role less as a marketer and more as a co-creator of beautiful music. As a curator bringing great niche artists to a wider public. Never having met him before, I was seriously impressed by his approach and reminded that perhaps it isn't all about the major labels trying to screw the average punter.
Just for the record, Stef also had excellent patter as a Disconnection Police Officer.
To this end, rather than purely focus on the ills of this bill, I have decided I am also going to use my "two months, no music protest" to find out more about the music industry - both new and old.
So if you work for the major labels and want to put across your view, or if you have a business, a website, a band, a group that loves music for the sake of it - drop me a line via @patrickolszo
As @stef said today "can there be anything more sell out than an ex-punk trying to disconnect you from the internet?"
Day 1 of my "two months, no music protest" is at an end - thanks for all the messages of support.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Press release I am issuing on my protest
Music fan starts “two months, no music” protest
For Sussex based music fan Patrick Olszowski the next two months are going to be a lot quieter as he puts away his mp3 player, stays away from gigs and lives without any music, in protest at plans to disconnect music fans from the internet.
As a passionate music fan, Patrick is usually found at the front of a gig or in the local record shop buying new releases.
He will instead now spend the coming 2 months without music, campaigning against plans to have citizens disconnected from the internet when accused of downloading music illegally, (which form part of the Digital Economy Bill currently going through parliament).
“I love music, my local record shop and gig venues. Staying away from these, and putting away my music, is likely to be very tough, particularly when you consider how pervasive music is. I feel I have no option however as the right to a fair trial must be protected."
"That said, I believe musicians should be paid for having their music played online. Unfortunately instead of finding ways to monetise online music plays, the music industry has lobbied hard for those accused of downloading to be disconnected without a day in court.”
“Disconnection is a serious penalty that will affect not just the downloader, but others they live and work with. It is a collective punishment.
“As it is also relatively easy to impersonate someone else online, I believe disconnection should only ever be done after testing evidence in court, rather than on the basis of accusation only.”
"Making the record industry realise that their support for legislation which allows internet disconnection will equal less money from the general public, may make them think again of putting profit before due process.
"The only thing I am worried about with this protest is being best man for my best mate in April - not sure if I will get away with not dancing with the bride.”
You can follow Patrick’s two months without music at www.twomonthsnomusic.blogspot.com
Notes to editors
Patrick is available for interview – email patrickolszowski@yahoo.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
