The Elan Gale internet hoax sums up all that is rotten about our online lives | Hadley Freeman

When I was a teenager, I thought it would be great to be an adult and be surrounded by people who weren't mean to each other all day. Enter stage left: the world wide webBack in the early 90s, when I was still at school and words such as "friend" and "message" were nouns as opposed to verbs, a particular incident occurred. For a month or so, a book had been circling among my classmates in which we wrote anonymous mean things about each other, and the statements that were deemed the funniest – invariably, the meanest – would get (anonymous) stars of approval. One day someone wrote in the book that a classmate whom I'll call Rose had made out with her cousin. More details about this fascinating make-out session were added to the book daily, and reading about Rose and her cousin became the only reason any of us wanted to come to school in the mornings. Eventually the writer of the story, whom I'll call Charlotte, couldn't resist claiming the attention she felt was duly hers and let her involvement be known.The saga now reached peak hysteria and Rose tearfully went to a teacher. Charlotte was forced to admit that she had made the whole thing up, all because she wanted some stars. (Naturally, the most salacious story a privileged, protected 13-year-old girl could think of was someone making out with their cousin.) All of us stared down at the floor as she confessed, because even though we knew Charlotte had now laid herself open to the most deliciously sharp mockery, hadn't we... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-03 00:00:00 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "The Elan Gale internet hoax sums up all that is rotten about our online lives | Hadley Freeman"


In Tbilisi, Georgia Plans World Book and Copyright Day Online

On April 23, the Georgian Publishers and Booksellers Association expects to stream a busy World Book and Copyright Day program. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson ‘Uniting Our Forces’ n Tbilisi, the Georgian Publishers and Booksellers Association chair Gvantsa Jobava has... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-04-14 04:30:28 UTC ]
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Internet Archive Responds to Senator’s Concern Over National Emergency Library

Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle told U.S. Senator Thom Tillis that the National Emergency Library is meant to provide digital access to students and readers who cannot access print collections during the Covid-19 crisis. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-04-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Dr. Seuss meet Dr. Dre: Online reading gets a new rhythm

Over the cool beats of a rapper's rhythm, Wes Tank is inspiring his YouTube followers with a new twist on children's book classics. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-04-09 17:56:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #children's book #book classics #youtube followers #wes tank #cool beats #online reading


Dr. Seuss meet Dr. Dre: Online reading gets a new rhythm

Over the cool beats of a rapper's rhythm, Wes Tank is inspiring his YouTube followers with a new twist on children's book classics. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-04-09 17:56:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #children's book #book classics #youtube followers #wes tank #cool beats #online reading


Dr. Seuss meet Dr. Dre: Online reading gets a new rhythm

Over the cool beats of a rapper's rhythm, Wes Tank is inspiring his YouTube followers with a new twist on children's book classics. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2020-04-09 17:56:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #children's book #book classics #youtube followers #wes tank #cool beats #online reading


Spanish Author Javier Castillo Meets 60,000 Fans Online During Coronavirus Lockdown

The Snow Girl by bestselling author Javier Castillo came out two days before Spain's coronavirus lockdown. So his publisher Suma took his 30-city book tour online—where thousands of fans were waiting. The post Spanish Author Javier Castillo Meets 60,000 Fans Online During Coronavirus Lockdown... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-04-09 14:00:21 UTC ]
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How is the internet handling increased traffic during the COVID-19 crisis?

With the current COVID-19 pandemic leading to increased demand for online services there have been concerns about the web's ability to cope. New analysis by Fastly of traffic patterns between January and March looks at regional trends for key US states and countries around the globe that are... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2020-04-09 10:31:56 UTC ]
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Libraries Connected launches online services round-up

Charity Libraries Connected has launched Libraries From Home, a page on its website rounding up remote services libraries across the country are delivering during the coronavirus crisis.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-07 01:22:20 UTC ]
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Faber announces online programme for readers

Faber has revealed an online programme designed to "console, entertain and inspire readers", in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-07 00:22:57 UTC ]
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Online Opportunities

How can technological solutions adopted during the coronavirus outbreak foster a greater sense of connectivity in the literary world post-pandemic? Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-03 05:03:51 UTC ]
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Puffin launches online activities in response to school closure

Puffin has launched a series of online activities for children, in response to the national closure of schools. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-03 04:40:39 UTC ]
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Live: Publishers postpone major titles until pandemic is over

In light of the coronavirus outbreak and the government's advice regarding social distancing, many publications are being postponed until the new year, to prevent authors missing out on crucial face-to-face promotion.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-03 00:23:37 UTC ]
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UK's World Book Night celebrations to go ahead online

 The Reading Agency has confirmed the UK's World Book Night celebrations will go ahead on 23rd April, but will be modified due to Covid-19. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-04-02 06:54:47 UTC ]
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‘Lives of Houses’ is a lovely book to savor while you’re stuck at home

This wide-ranging volume celebrates our fascination with the residences of literary figures, artists, composers and politicians Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-04-01 16:03:00 UTC ]
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Online Bookstore for Indies Reaches a New Milestone

Bookshop.org has reached a new milestone in generating revenue for independent bookstores. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-03-31 20:01:01 UTC ]
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An Online Library Is Venturing Into Uncharted Legal Waters

With public libraries closed, the Internet Archive announced an initiative to offer 1.4 million books for free online—reopening a heated copyright debate. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2020-03-30 17:57:54 UTC ]
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Internet Archive accused of using Covid-19 as 'an excuse for piracy'

The ‘National Emergency Library’ has made 1.4m ebooks freely available, many by current bestsellers, and sparked outrage from writers’ organisationsThe Internet Archive has launched a “National Emergency Library”, making 1.4m books available free online – but has been accused of “hitting authors... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-03-30 17:13:20 UTC ]
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Powell's Rehires Some Employees to Handle Online Orders

A surge in online sales at Powell's Books in Portland, Ore., has allowed the bookseller to rehire 49 previously laid off union employees, ILWU Local 5 has confirmed. They are now working alongside more than 50 people in management to fulfill orders. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Internet Archive Responds, Says National Emergency Library Is Legal

After a week of intense criticism, the Internet Archive yesterday posted an FAQ in response to concerns raised by authors over its National Emergency Library. The FAQ claims the initiative has a basis in law, and reiterates that it is being undertaken in response to a national crisis. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-03-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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