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cybering
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Thanks to Michal, Cybering has an uncensored content-friendly, affordable host. After fumbling around with ftp (ftping to the wrong folder, etc.), it's wonderful to see the site come up. Upsetting to see it's languished for almost a year. Then heartening to surf through the pages and see how much work and thought I did put into it. Then wincingly "arrghhh"ish to confess that two months ago my email storage file got corrupted and I lost several articles that people had sent me. So, it's kind of like one of those kids' books "good news/bad news".
Hard to believe that website hosts get away with the shoddy service and frequent server shifts (hi! to better serve your needs, we're changing everything! just re-upload your entire site and reconfigure your blogger settings!") that I've experienced this past year. My site was more down than up, and yet I paid set-up fees and monthly fees to two different companies. Live and learn.
posted by nixie
Saturday, October 14, 2000
Mea Maxima Culpa.
First, I'd like to apologize to those who have submitted material that is not yet posted. Life and money concerns took priority and I've had a bit of trouble getting back into the webgroove.
It's been a bit of a bleak time on the web for me, which sometimes feels nurturing, fuzzy, and full of human spirit, and other times feels icy cold bleak deserted tundra with neon flashing signs everywhere.
I wrote a long entry on ebay of which I was rather proud. Perhaps too long, because Blogger ate it.
And.. it looks as though Groksoup is down. I hope fervently not for good, just a tech glitch. This is the peril of posting your material anywhere but your own url:: if the host goes down, you lose everything. I worked hard to get my site there listed on weblog portals and search engines; I like my layout, I put a lot of energy into the writing and links, and it's sort of a 'home' for me. When I click into my site, its soothing colors and layout and my detailed neurotic minutiae feel like a safe place for my eyes. I feel upset that my readers don't know what's going on (nor do I) and wearied by the prospect of reconstructing, reconnecting, relinking and all. I spent some time with the useful Google cached pages, trying to reclaim material in case I have to rebuild. Here's a prime argument for archiving and also for saving any of your writing to disk. Imagine if Blogger went down with no warning...
Plus, I had things to write and I miss my forum and reader interactions.
About ebay, in brief, let me just say that both times I've gone on a mini-ebay binge heralded by just a few days a larger personal crisis for which the money I'd just frittered in tens and 20's away could have helped enormously. Not the fault of the site, but for me, it seems to serve as a warning system to which I need to pay more attention.
If anyone knows what the deal is with Groksoup, please email me. And to my readers, as we say on the subways here (in indecipherable, staticky and overamplified invariable irony) 'Thank you for your patience and cooperation.'
posted by nixie
Tuesday, August 29, 2000
So.. Cybering has a new host. Just under the wire. I'm hoping that the change is propogated (!) (whatever that means) so that there's no down-time, and once the site seems intact and happy at its new host, I'll be putting up the new articles kindly contributed to the 'zine. I am no FTP expert, so I'm hoping that the stuff I uploaded links and parses and all that good stuff. there's also the lag with blogger, so that updates to the blog will not show up until everything is propogated (!) (there's that word again).
posted by nixie
Thursday, August 24, 2000
Cybering has had a bit of a lull. I'm slightly discouraged that most of the visitors are searching for cybersex, and by that I mean to have some or how-to. I think it's a rich and fascinating topic, but disappointed that the issues involved are less compelling for people than the salacious appeal. And that is echoed in Cybering losing its host.
To wit::
Date: 8/12/00 9:43:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: support@5dollarhosting.com (5DollarHosting.com Support)
To: artnixie@aol.com
Dear Art Nixie:
As you know, we have moved to new servers. Your site was unable to be moved because of the stricter content restrictions at our new provider, so we left the site at our old location.
Unfortunately, circumstances now dictate that we will be severing our business relationship with our old provider on August 31. This means we will be unable to host your domain after that time. As of August 2000 you will have 7 months remaining on your hosting contract. Because we will be unable to host your domain, we will be refunding your hosting fees in full for the balance of the contract, which amounts to $35.
We are sorry to see you go, but unfortunately don't have much of a choice in the matter. By giving you this much notice, you should be able to find a suitable host and move your domain name in plenty of time. If we can assist you in any way with this transition, we're happy to help.
Thank you again for your past business. We wish you success in your web endeavors.
Sincerely,
Craig Mayers
5DollarHosting.com
_ ______________
As you might recall, Craig promised that they would continue to host me indefinitely. They had vetted the site originally and found no problem with the content. I'm angry as it's both an unneeded hassle and expense.
In terms of finding a new server: Subj: Re: moving my site to you
Subj: moving my site to you
Date: 8/23/00 10:33:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: artnixie@aol.com
To: support@5dollar95hosting.com
Dear Support,
I have to move my site quickly. It's a small e-zine. www.cybering.com
I'd like to use your server. I need you to evaluate the content...
this is a nonprofit e-zine about cybersociology. Some articles deal with
adult content in terms of addressing its availability and importance
online. However, I sell nothing, no images or downloads; this is
commentary and theory.
Please let me know ASAP if you'll agree to host my site.
artnixie
www.cybering.com
REPLY
Hi, we looked at your site and we considder it "adult" content and we do
not host your site.
best regards
support@5dollar95hosting.com
_______________
So.. if ANYONE out there knows of a cheap and uncensored, friendly and reliable hosting service.... please let me know. I only have a few days.
posted by nixie
Saturday, July 15, 2000
"as...with a hundred "modern improvements": there is an illusion about them; there is not always a positive advance. The devil goes on exacting compound interest to the last for his early share and numerous succeeding investments in them. Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, and end which it was already but too easy to arrive at; as railroads lead to Boston or new York. We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telelgraph from maine to texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate."
"I have received no more than one or two letters in my life that were worth the postage."
Henry David Thoreau
posted by nixie
Friday, July 14, 2000
Spark, an ezine 'exploring electronic consciousness,' is broader and glitzier than this site, with a variety of authors and topic categories. Found it listed on Trace's nice ezine list (on the links page here), and not at Astounding Websites, also useful.
Jeffrey Young is a journalist who runs a blog on journalism in/about cyberspace, and also wrote this interesting article on Katie.com, a book by a young woman who at 14 befriended a man online and then met him at a hotel. He was arrested.
posted by nixie
Tuesday, July 11, 2000
This IRC log, circa 96, is very time capsule meta. Most of the content is people playing with commands, renaming the mode, being confused about what's going on, and speculating about other channels.
excerpts:
*yoyopro* Stang, I'd like to see if you could dcc me your Netscape "bookmark.htm" file ....? I've been making a collection
P-Lil> Stang: So far this seems to be a pretty TYPICAL misuse of IRC.
Stang> I keep getting these weird RINGING noises. I AIN'T ANSWERING
P-Lil> Stang: I think that's the sound of people leaving. If you're using
IRCle, it'll do that.
Modemac> Wait another three years, and CU-SeeMe technology should reach the
point where we can do this via video and voice
dode> I don't have a mac but I do have a light brown anorak
DynaSoar> Modemac, in another 3 years the MWOWM terminals will either
transport you or recreate reailty around you.
RevNoah> P-Lil: Well, on the Mac at least, you somehow tell the irc client
where the file is. Then, whenever someone with a certain nick logs on, a face
is associated with them.
*** strings has changed the topic on channel #SubGenius to Your face is on
fire, and I ain't talkin
Modemac> RevNoah: Interesting. That must be how they designed those stupid
"Internet chat rooms" in the movie "The Net."
P-Lil> RevNoah: Are these taken from GIFs or JPEGs? Or are we talking about a
predefined library?
Modemac> I guess Metronet got its news server working again
RevNoah> Modemac: I didn't see that movie
Modemac> RevNoah: You're not missing much. Wannabe Hitchcock imitation that
is only noteworthy because the term "The Internet" is used all over the place.
*** yoyopro has changed the topic on channel #SubGenius to I'll tell you when your face is smouldering
P-Lil> RevNoah: I do have a Mac, but last time I admitted such I got so much
crap I had to clean out my hard drive, twice.
Modemac> And what's more, it just tries to use the old-fashioned Hollywood
plot "Innocent discovers secret, is chased by bad guys who want the secret."
RevNoah> Modemac: yeah, I hate it how you see that word everywhere you
look...movies, the paper, the news...it sucks.
_dad_> I got my faces file in place now. What a dumb gimmick.
Modemac> RevNoah: That's why I refuse to use that idiotic phrase "Surfing the
Net."
P-Lil> Damn, what's going on? *checks her auto-DCC setup*
RevNoah> _dad_ : I thrive on dumb gimmicks
Modemac> I'm sitting here right now in my pajamas, sweating from a long day,
reading alt.sex.stories in one window and IRC in another. And you want ME to
use an idiotic MTV "hip cool" term to describe this? FUCK that! I don't surf
for NOBODY.
_dad_> How could you be reading this with one eye and alt.sex.stories with the
other?
Modemac> _dad_: "Bob" taught me how to do it.
Modemac> Pictures. That reminds me - I've got to find a better picture of
myself to replace that one at SubSite...
P-Lil> Modemac: I mean, you wouldn't want to BROWSE... that's so unsexy, you
know.
_dad_> so is this EFNET irc party any better than this one?
Modemac> I think EFNET crashes more often.
Modemac> Stang: Tell them to log their stuff and post it to alt.slack!
Stang> "Pebbles" is downstairs "FTPing" Bam-Bam.
PeeKat> I was on Internet IRC, not Undernet...
P-Lil> Pee: You mean EFnet? or DALnet? Or... damn, how many IRC networks ARE
there?!?
PeeKat> Stang: Tell Sivet to tell the others (where she is) to join a new
server, like tampa.fl.us.undernet.org
MSakamoto> Ogyr--did that get through? Bugger all, I hate Pipeline...
*** Mode change "+m " on channel #SubGenius by yoyopro
*P-Lil* See the channel window in IRCle, with the switch marked "m"? Switch it
down. Yoyopro's being an idjit.
Stang> LOU has returned. Praise "LOU." Janor knew of "LOU."
*P-Lil* Type in /mode #subgenius +o p-lil
*PeeKat* So we can't type onto the channel...where are we supposed to type to?
*DynaSoar* Will you please do a /mode -m ?
Stang> This is such a beautiful togetherness experience... like Woodstock. TEAR DOWN
THE FENCES!
*P-Lil* I'll explain how to shut off the sound effects if you just OP me.
Nobody can talk because Yoyopro set the channel that way, and I need to undo
it.
*Modemac* What it means is: Yoyopro set the channel to "moderated." Only people
set to "ops" status can talk right now.
*P-Lil* So, PLEASE... "/mode #subgenius +o p-lil"
*DynaSoar* yoyopro has shut us all off
strings> Actually, your going to have to put some thought into how this
channel is going to be handled
Or crazy jerks like me will screw it up for everyone
*P-Lil* You are seeing PRIVATE messages. You can set a channel to be
"moderated", so only channel operators can talk. Yoyopro did this, so only
strings (an op), you (an op), and girloi8 (an op) can talk openly on channel.
*DynaSoar* Pleas type /mode -m
*P-Lil* If you JUST type in "/mode #subgenius +o p-lil" that will make ME an
op, so I can undo this stupidity?
Stang> Thank you everyone for trying to show how many tricks you can play. Now...
can you just let those of us who are not trying to play tricks, PROCEED?
*P-Lil* Let me put this more simply. Strings/Yoyopro has taken the channel
HOSTAGE.
*Modemac* Unfortunately, the person who sabataged the channel left right after
he did it. So someone else will have to fix it.
*ogyr* what's the deal here? why can't we say shit?
PeeKat> About time!
That fucking SUCKED> I seem to be getting private messages from so many people at once that there
is no point in continuing. I can't tell what's private and what's not.
Stang> My computer here was ringing and ringing, and all these strange starred
messages that made no sense at all were flooding in.
girloi8> hey y'all...creamo like, quit IRC but is still here because he has a
575 ping reply
Stang> Makes me feel like an idiot, to tell the truth.
I have an IRC primer, I just haven't had time to exercise all the fancy
tricks yet.
PeeKat> Stang: Strings basically made it impossible for ANY of us to write
anything! So we had to private message you...
ogyr> about fucking time! private messages are starred.
ljduchez> This reminds me of Usenet, but faster messages with less to say.
DynaSoar> Ivan, at least read up on the /mode commands
PeeKat> First rule of IRC: *never, never, NEVER* use /mode +m
P-Lil> PeeKat: Actually, it has its uses, and misuses. :/
PeeKat> ogry: That depends on your IRC...on mine, private messages are in brakets
PeeKat> Lil: mode +m is just EVIL. ANARCHY RAINS SUPREEM!
P-Lil> PeeKat: Hey, some people CONSENT to moderated channels. They LIKE it.
It comes in handy in limited applications. But let's not debate that.
PeeKat> Moderation in anything, even moderation, is evil.
posted by nixie
Thursday, July 06, 2000
Email and IMs as demonstrating intention or propensity to act in a certain way.. dicey when in the hands of the legal system.
The conviction and subsequent overturning of that conviction of Oliver Jovanovic, for a few months New York's poster boy of the sadistic internet geek archetype, gesture toward the current inability of the legal system to understand or accomodate the unique nature of online communications.
Jovanovic was convicted of kidnap and rape following a prolonged encounter at the first meeting with his online correspondent. The conviction was subsequently overturned when the appeals court ruled that the Rape Shield law precluding evidence showing the victim's prior sexual conduct was misapplied when emails indicating the victim's interest in sadomasochistic play were excluded as evidence in the trial. The appeal.
Media response, including this Psychology Today article, tended to focus on the woman's emails as strong evidence that Jovanovic had grounds for thinking that she was seeking a sadomasochistic encounter as a submissive. The most-quoted (and excluded from the original trial) excerpt was something to the effect "now I'm his slave and its painful, but the fun of telling my friends 'hey, i'm a sadomasochist' more than outweighs the torment." (This alone to me shows that it was the thrill of being seen as out-there by others rather than any true desire that motivated her.. kind of like 'the thrill of saying 'i have tattoos and piecings' is the best part of having given in to mtv-driven images of hipness').
While I agree that the trial would have been fairer had the emails been included, I'm not so convinced that the outcome would have been different. At its best, this trial could have served as either a litmus test or perhaps groundbreaker of our society's ability to deal with email and message communications as an indication of intent.
My own take, and it would have been interesting to see this develop in the trial, is that Jovanovic, 31, whatever his sterling qualities as a scientist and academic, showed poor judgement to the extent of criminality in his encounter with his correspondent. He behaved like a sadist, sure, but a sadist with zero commitment to creating a mutual sm encounter; more like an inexperienced and fantasy driven 'master-teacher' with no boundaries, sensitivity, appropriateness, or limits.
The woman, a 19 year old college student was clearly both inexperienced and full of bravado. Her tough-stance Borroughs-knockoff prose, her shiny-eyed wonder at Janovic's polished and 'superior' dark side references, and her messy personal life should have served as a big red flag to a man 11 years her senior. The media repeated her emailed interest in making a snuff film as some sort of indication of her complicity in debauched behavior.
For anyone with experience online, particularly in AOL chat, where the two met, it seems clear that she was a wannabe.. intrigued, yes, but talking (or typing) way out of her league in a sort of fantasy persona of a dangerous wild woman.
That's what interests me. How will our legal system come to handle, or even acknowledge, the nuances of truth or fantasy in the statements people make about themselves in chat, emails, or on websites. In this case, it's clear to me that this woman wanted to impress Jovanovic, who she saw as experienced and brilliant (in fact, I'd even go as far as to say that the attraction had a solidly old-fashioned dimension in that a lost and needy young woman finds a successful and condescending mentor/lover; I'd also bet that under all her tough talk she kinda wanted him to be her traditional-style boyfriend), and she tailored her advances to suit what she felt he'd find alluring.
Despite her interest and coy invitingness, I think that the encounter was criminal. Again, this is a gray area not well addressed by our legal system. Until quite recently, rape within marriage was not believed to be possible. And it's difficult for vanilla folk (I won't say 'normal' or 'mainsteam' because I believe that the 'general public' posited by news reports, that conservative, wholesome, shockable, and pursed-lip disapproving mass, is a complete construct, perpetuated as a moral counterbalance to the sensationalized information that the media serves up framed with lip service to their shock).. it's difficult to understand or evaluate how rape can take place within an encounter that has built-in consent to violation. But it certainly can.
Both participants in this scene showed horrible judgement, and titillating emails notwithstanding, had set no ground rules for the limits of their encounter. But Jovanovic transgressed even the outer limits of the bdsm community's behavior. Completely no-limits play, which can then include ignoring the partner's refusal, take place within established relationships (that actually often include a contract).
Allowing herself to be tied up by a stranger in the first meeting showed appalling judgement, but it was Jovanovic who took advantage of that, who kept her against her will for 20 hours (absolutely extreme time for a scene, even for partners experienced with one another and within an ongoing consensual relationship), and who violated her body against her will.
Of course, this is difficult stuff in the sense that.. if her will, in a larger sense, is to be violated when she protests, he would have been within the limits of play. But in this instance, I think she showed nothing more than naiive curiosity overlaid with some baroque goth-speak, and that her real fear and panic and attempts to escape had no history or context within which Janovic would have been justified in disregarding them. She did not consent to having her limits exceeded, and no emails that show that she found the idea appealing justify the real-time encounter that took place. (I would argue that even had they typed such a scene to one another in instant message or chat, that would not serve as consent for those typed actions to play out.)
It will be interesting to see what cases and circumstances bring these distinctions from the factionalized hairsplitting of the bdsm community into our court system, and how facile 'the public' (that solidly normal and disapproving construct from which we are to understand is always drawn our juries) is in dealing with it in criminal cases.
In a strange way, I feel that justice was served despite itself in this instance. The trial was neither fair nor complete. But Jovanovic was granted a punishment that truly fit his crime. He was unjustly imprisoned and tortured in both his media vilification and with hopelessness. Then, like his victim, he was suddenly free, free to be grateful, as she put it in an email subsequent to their encounter "happy to be alive." She, in turn, was spared the public trial of (like rape victims of yore, and if this comes up again in rape trials, at even a deeper level of exposure, since email fantasies and flirtations have both the seeming irrefutability of the written word, and the seeming context of total privacy) having her private sexual fantasies used as ground to justify brutality against her. She might well tell him now, as he did in an email after the encounter; "I don't think you learned as much as you should have." What she had to learn, of course, was quite different from what he felt he had to teach, which she has probably learned all too well.
related articles:: A Tortured Case (zdnet). Rape Shield law misused. (Court TV). Cybersex convition reversed on appeal. (New York law journal).
Excerpts I especially like from the opinion of the one dissenting Appeals Court judge.:: "Justice Mazzarelli agreed with the majority that some of the excluded messages should have been admitted on the question of the student's "state of mind and defendant's perception of her thinking."
What evoked Justice Mazzarelli's ire was the majority's decision to admit statements relating to her relationship with Luke. "Given the complainant's right to sexual self-determination, I would find that the inflammatory nature of the evidence of her prior sexual conduct would, in the eyes of the jury, outweigh the probative value of the evidence. Presenting this information could mislead the jury to conclude that the complainant was more likely to consent to the charged sexual offenses because she had previously consented to similar, violent acts."
Justice Mazzarelli also took issue with the majority's conclusion that the strength of the defense's evidence that the student had initially agreed to a sadomasochistic encounter reflected on whether or not she had subsequently withdrawn that consent.
"I strongly disagree," she wrote. " The encounter should be evaluated on the basis that the complainant, as any person engaging in sexual activities, had a continuing legal right to withdraw her consent to any of the actions taking place in Jovanovic's apartment." "
posted by nixie
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