I’ve noticed several bloggers lately stating that they don’t want any part of anything on their blog to be quoted anywhere else without their express permission. Is that allowed? What right do they have to make such a claim? I mean, yeah, it’s their words… but even people that are paid for their words aren’t allowed to make that kind limitations on them.

I mean, come on, this is the world wide web. Why are you posting on it if you don’t want anyone to comment on what you have to say?

Or maybe it’s just that they want to know when and where people are commenting about what they’ve said. Well, I’ll grant that all bloggers are interested in that. We always want to know who is talking about what we’ve said, and all that. But… is it really allowed to say that nobody can talk about it without your permission?

I mean… I’m practically breaking the rules now, aren’t I? I can squeak through the loophole that I haven’t mentioned any names (even though that hasn’t stopped people from being offended in the past).

And, for the record, I know that I’m legally in the clear. But are we really bound by social consideration to obey these requests? Would it be bad manners for me to quote someone that requested I gain permission before quoting them?

So, you see a picture of a real hottie, and think, man, that’s unreal! Well, yes, you’re absolutely right.

That link is to a series of photographs that have been retouched in photoshop. They’re mostly of women in bikini’s, so be aware. But… it’s actually pretty gross the things that we seem to think make a person attractive. Many of them end up looking like cartoons.

And that’s suppose to be beautiful?

link via Tom