Instagram's new rights

Yesterday, Instagram updated is Terms of Use policy and users are abandoning the service in droves.

Rights

1. Instagram does not claim ownership of any Content that you post on or through the Service. Instead, you hereby grant to Instagram a non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to use the Content that you post on or through the Service, except that you can control who can view certain of your Content and activities on the Service as described in the Service's Privacy Policy, available here: http://instagram.com/legal/privacy/.
2. Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.

Hmmm.. so I travel to [insert undefined geographic point], I take the pictures, I apply the filter of my choice, I upload them...using the phone data plan that I pay for...but Instagram can use the pictures for advertising revenue. The last time I checked, taking someone's creative work without their permission is copyright infringement. 

Note: the key words here are "without their permission." If you choose to use Instagram's services, you agree to their terms...which includes providing your permission for the company to do what they please with the pictures you took. Is that wrong? 

No. 

As consumers, we all have a choice in what stores to shop, what services to use and what terms we find amenable. If we don't like it, generally, we have a choice of other providers. Instagram has been hosting these millions of images with no cost to any of its user base. Someone's got to pay the bills for the storage space, electricity and internet connections. How else does any business maintain viability? 

I usually hate stating the obvious, but honestly:

That said, here are your choices:

1. Keep on keeping on, i.e., suck it up and realize that privacy is dead.
2. Keep on keeping on, but maybe reduce the number of self-portraits you post.
3. Download your images and delete your account.
4. Move to another social photo site like Flickr or Picasa.

What do you think about Instagram's move?

Update: In response to the backlash over yesterday's announcement of upcoming changes to Instagram's Terms of Service, co-founder Kevin Systrom wrote "I’m writing this today to let you know we’re listening and to commit to you that we will be doing more to answer your questions, fix any mistakes, and eliminate the confusion. As we review your feedback and stories in the press, we’re going to modify specific parts of the terms to make it more clear what will happen with your photos." Looks like they're listening!

Do You Really Need to Say Thank You?

How would you feel if you complimented someone in person and he just walked away from you without saying anything? Weird, right?

Saying "thank you"—sincerely and with heart—feels good. Not just to the person receiving it, but also to the person offering it. And that's part of work too. It's hard to remember, as we process our hundredth email, that behind each message is a person.

So many of us feel like we work at a thankless job and that people today have a sense of entitlement and don't appreciate anything. I know I've felt put off when a business doesn't thank me for my patronage...as if I'm doing them a favor by shopping/dining/visiting! People get so wrapped up in their own world--it's always "Me! Me! ME!" But the reality is that no one person can do everything. Relationships make the world go 'round...and when we forget to recognize the efforts of others it dehumanizes them, it makes them an object. It degrades from what the world could be.

What if you took the time to thank those with whom you interacted for one week? What would happen if everyone did? Do you think we'd get enough momentum going to change the world? 

Do You Really Need to Say Thank You? - Peter Bregman - Harvard Business Review:

Who Wants to Play Memory with this Kid?

Yeah...me neither!

3 | Strangely Majestic Pictures Of Donated Clothes Show The Industrial Side Of Recycling

3 | Strangely Majestic Pictures Of Donated Clothes Show The Industrial Side Of Recycling | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation: "What happens to the mountains of clothing that even a thrift store can’t sell--the rejects of the rejects? That was the question that fascinated photographer Wesley Law, whose friend was working as a sorter at a Goodwill in St. Louis.

The resulting photo series, Baled: Photographs of America’s Recyclables, documents compressed mounds of stuff--familiar objects from plastic toys to lingerie--suggesting a world of characters and stories that will never be told.

'via Blog this'

People Say They Want Sustainable Consumption, But Do They Mean It?

People Say They Want Sustainable Consumption, But Do They Mean It? | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation: "People Say They Want Sustainable Consumption, But Do They Mean It?
Everyone claims to only want to buy the products that are best for the planet and society, and yet, few people do. But people aren’t just lying to themselves, there are larger forces at work."

A recent study shows that we do want to consume less...but where's the action? What do you do to keep the culture of consumption at bay?

'via Blog this'

A Time to Remember

On Friday, a gunman took the lives of 26 people, 20 of them children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As the US grieved the loss of so many young lives, on the other end of the globe, a man in China stabbed 22 children. Here, a 2-year-old child whose siblings attend the same dance school as my kids is battling a brain tumor. The world is full of uncertainty and horror, unfairness and cruelty. It's hard to keep my head up when faced with these kinds of tragedies at the end of the year. One thing is certain, though, my heart goes out to all of the families who are struggling, who feel lost and betrayed by fate. I am thankful to have my family near to me. I am thankful that I can tell them that I love them. I am thankful for the kindness of strangers. Now, as ever before, the world needs love. As easy as it may feel to give up hope in times of tragedy, the path that the world needs is one of faith in one another. Put down your arms. Put down your violent words. Lay rest to aggressive thoughts. Be peaceful. Be thankful for all that you have.

New year, new blog

After I lost everything as the result of an "all eggs in one basket" approach to my old blog, I've decided to start anew...with a little bit more protection against losing everything this time. Hang tight, more content is forthcoming!