[LINK] Statement of Principles: Copyright and the FTA

[rchirgwin at ozemail.com.au]

Q: "What's this document?"
A: "It's a statement of principles."
Q: "What is its purpose?"
A: "To set down the beliefs and values of this organisation, in relation 
to this issue."

Even if it were feasible to put a "scientific" rather than a theoretical 
position on economics (which is impossible for reasons I will get to in 
a minute), your objection to a statement of principles is that it's what 
it is, rather than something else. Of course, if it were something else, 
it would no longer be a statement of principles.

I find it odd that you cling to the essentially Marxist notion that 
tries to template a "scientific approach" to soft studies (history, 
economics and so on).

[As to the "science" of economics, while I am happy to accept economics 
as a valid discipline of study, it's hard to treat it as a science - 
because economic predictions tend to happen retrospectively. First, the 
economists look at what happened; then they predict why it happened. As 
the Russian scientist said in Hoyle's "The Black Cloud", "is bloody."

Hoyle's explanation of what constitutes science said it's like hitting a 
golf ball: if you can predict which blade of grass the ball's going to 
land on, before you hit the ball, then you're practising a science. 
Anything else is not science (whatever it might be).]

It's perfectly valid for an organisation, asked by its members to state 
their principles, to do so.

Richard Chirgwin


Deus Ex Machina wrote:

>this is typical of religious arguments, arguing in favor of some
>position based on belief without any supporting facts. I can not find
>any reference to research or fact on the ADA web site. the entire
>thrust is predicated on obscure and unmeasurable ideals like the
>"public good" and the opinion of members.
>
>Vic
>
>Tony Barry [me at tony-barry.emu.id.au] wrote:
>  
>
>>Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>From: Miranda Lee <mlee at nla.gov.au>
>>>Date: 2 March 2004 4:31:55 PM
>>>Subject: Statement of Priniciples: Copyright and the FTA
>>>
>>>Dear Copy-libbers and ADA Friends,
>>>
>>>The Australian Digital Alliance and the Australian Libraries' Copyright
>>>Committee have released a Statement of Principles in relation to the
>>>implementation of copyright provisions in the Australia- United States 
>>>Free
>>>Trade Agreement.
>>>
>>><<Statement of Principles.doc>>  <<MEDIA RELEASE FTA.doc>>
>>>
>>>The Statement of Principles can be accessed through the ADA (
>>>www.digital.org.au ) and ALCC website ( www.digital.org.au/alcc )
>>>
>>>Please distribute freely.
>>>
>>>Miranda
>>>
>>>Miranda Lee,  Copyright Advisor (Law & Policy)
>>>Australian Libraries Copyright Committee
>>>PO Box E202
>>>Kingston ACT 2604
>>>Tel: 02 6262 1273
>>>Fax: 02 6273 2545
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>phone : 02 6241 7659 | mailto:me at Tony-Barry.emu.id.au
>>mobile: 04 1242 0397 | http://tony-barry.emu.id.au
>>
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>>    
>>
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>  
>