Day: April 6, 2010

Can Twitter predict the success of a movie? http://bit.ly/blPtoA Probably only major releases, rather than indie films.

Analyzing data is always interesting. While it seems that this algorithm can predict the success of a movie it would seem that:

a) The prediction of success happens way too late in the process to make any real difference; and

b) It seems to only work with big-name “tent-pole” movies – the ‘blockbusters’.

So, while it’s interesting, I don’t see how it’s relevant except as an indicator of what can be derived from large pools of data, and that interests me.

The DMCA may be unconstitutional http://bit.ly/cQtMT7 Would suit me, the process is very open to abuse.

I’m no fan of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act: it extends copyright way longer than the Founding Fathers ever intended (and even then copyright was recognized as a compromise as it stifled free speech) and it is very easy to abuse because ISPs have to act on a DMCA takedown notice or lose their Safe Harbor protections.

There have been way too many cases where someone who does not hold copyright has forced a takedown because they simply didn’t like what was being said about them. If there’s gong to be a DMCA then the penalty for making a false copyright claim must be the same as for infringing copyright, and an automatic fine. Level the playing field.