Here is a very interesting article discusing the future of technology and it's impact on jobs. Some of the opinions need to be taken with a grain of salt.
The general belief, supported by many of Putnam’s cited studies, is that people
are less connected or engaged in their communities. The example,
highlighted by Putnam’s title, is that while more people are bowling in America,
fewer belong to bowling leagues. The concern is being less connected may
lead to loneliness and other issues.
DRM as listed by Wikipedia:
Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to try to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices. It is also, sometimes, disparagingly described as Digital Restrictions Management. The term is used to describe any technology which inhibits uses (legitimate or otherwise) of digital content that were not desired or foreseen by the content provider. The term generally doesn't refer to other forms of copy protection which can be circumvented without modifying the file or device, such as serial numbers or keyfiles. It can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices.
The Great White North is "fast gaining a reputation as a haven where technologically sophisticated international piracy organizations can operate with virtual impunity." The country is "virtually alone" in flouting "minimum world standards" for copyright and its rules are "hopelessly outdated." Finally, "no other country is farther behind the curve in combating copyright infringement in cyberspace."
The ability to circumvent DRM in order to make legal uses of the content?
All Laws are subjective on a country to country basis, it's interesting that the Canadian governemnt doesn't view this type of thing as infringement.
It is not at all clear that this is actually the legal position in Canada; back in 2004, judge Konrad von Finckenstein ruled that "the downloading of a song for a person's private use does not constitute infringement." (von Finkenstein is now Canada's top telecoms regulator; his ruling was changed on appeal, though the issue remains murky.)
What really chaps the collective hide of the copyright groups is BitTorrent trackers, though, and the IIPA document refers multiple times to the fact that "4 of the top 10 illicit BitTorrent sites in the world" are in Canada.
This is a Wall Street Journal article from January 12, 2011. It is a refreshing view of teenagers doing something wonderful as we always seem to read of the pitfalls of being a teen. The article references our PEW readings on technology useage by age group.
With thousands of doctors, nurses, and administrators, the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System depends on the latest mobile technologies to streamline its services and deliver better patient care. iPhone and state-of-the-art medical apps like AirStrip OB let Memorial Hermann physicians keep their fingers on patients' pulses even when they can't be at their bedsides.
From Apple Hot News "feed://images.apple.com/main/rss/hotnews/hotnews.rss"
Attempts by Google to digitize out of print books without permission from the authors were challenged in court. Now Google has offered a settlement to authors, which could be further challenged.