As much as I love using Skype, the poplular VoIP service, I ran into a major problem when I up-graded to version 6.3.0.248. Each time I made a call, everything went fine, that is until I tried to speak - and then nothing.
My biggest gripe was that it took a lot of unnecessary time to figure out what was wrong; that the problem wasn't my system but Skype, itself. Instead of trying to find a work around - unwilling to spend the time - I opted to go back to an earlier version, which I did by downloading one from OldVersions.com.
Unfortunately, this sort of problem isn't unique to Skype but a whole host of popular software programs, who launch very "buggy" versions without really thoroughly testing them first. Part of maintaining customer loyalty, is providing consistent quality of service. In my mind, that means that the basics should work, don't you agree?
Skype, I must tell you. If I wanted to have a one-way conversation, I could just talk to my ex.
Along with literally millions of other people around the world, I'm a wholehearted supporter of boycotting the 2008 Olympics in Beijing this summer because of China's horrible human rights abuses worldwide, such as their brutal occupation of Tibet and their involvement in the genocide horror of Darfur.
The Olympics ought to be more about sport and athletic competition and less about the participating countries' propensity to use it as a vehicle for flaunting a vulgar sense of nationalism. But sadly it's not.
A majority of World Cup sporting events happen every year, or every other year, and give world class athletes and their fans a better, more frequent, and more honest way to compete at their sport. Whereas the Olympics Games which happen once every four years, have become more about staging a gigantic media event and a forum for the media to discuss regional geopolitical events, whether anyone likes it or not; so why not use it for precisely what it is then - a great big political media event?
Boycotting the Summer Olympics in Beijing - by refusing to attend, watch on TV, and actively participate in them, while sharing this opinion with others - is an ideal opportunity to let China know, in no uncertain terms, exactly how millions of people everywhere feel about the way in which China treats her own people and others elsewhere in the world.
Who is against the boycott and why
You will find that most multinational executives and political heads of state - not just in the U.S. but everywhere - generally do not agree with the boycott because they believe it will only serve to upset and irritate China. Upsetting China, of course, is only an issue for them because of China's enormous wealth and power. China happens to be one the few countries on the map that a superpower cannot simply push around or intimidate. No, no.
Nonetheless, their strongest argument against the boycott can be loosely labeled as the "don't rock the boat" concept. "China is going in the right direction and must move at her own pace, they say, so why piss China off by rocking the boat? Besides, there's no need to harass China with uncomfortable human rights issues, they add, and point to the enormous strides China has made since the days of Mao - while they do a very quick end run around Tiananmen Square, naturally."
But regardless how legitimate you feel this point may or may not be, it is important to understand that the argument itself is essentially an equivocation because it fails to directly address the question of how they propose to get China to adopt an acceptable human rights agenda and change what they are doing right now in places like Tibet and Darfur. And if China happens to respond by asking the U.S. what we're doing in Iraq, I say let them. It's a damn good question.
Doing the right thing is really easy
This is where the issue remains. Business and political leaders - whether they sympathize or not - are unlikely to demand that China start treating people better and act like a better global citizen. That leaves it up to the rest of us - the average working Jane and Johan, no matter where you are or what you do.
In reality, though, it's something we can actually do. We're taking about boycotting, here. How hard is that? You don't have to do hardly anything - well, except remember not to do something. But basically that's "do-able" for most of us, right?
Good vs. Evil
Rarely is human conflict ever really black and white, but China's invasion and occupation of Tibet has a clear moral bright line. Even if you're not a Buddhist or even religious, it doesn't matter. Anyone with a conscience has to agree that this act by China is clearly wrong. It's about a group of people who are strict pacifists at heart. Come on, we're talking about Tibetan Buddhist monks here, and the Dalli Lama, for God's sake! They couldn't hurt a fly - literally. Think about it. What other group on the planet do you know that could possible be considered less aggressive or threatening than they are - newborn babies, perhaps?
It's unfortunate, but if we don't stand up for Tibet and Darfur, then who will? And, this boycott is the perfect tool at the perfect time, because it can send a unavoidable message to a giant totalitarian regime with complete impunity and without risking more lives in the process. Now, really, I ask you. How often does that ever happen?
So, I implore you. Please be extra lazy this summer, do something fun instead - like go to the lake with friends, have a picnic, drown the neighbor's cat in the pool (no I'm just kidding!), anything but participate in this years global sports extravaganza centered in Beijing. I thank you, and your conscience thanks you.
Descent from inside China
Beijing Olympic stadium designer, Ai Wei Wei, accuses Chinese political officials of what he sees as a hypocritical representation of his country and wants nothing more to do with the upcoming Olympic games. Watch this Al Jazeera news report posted on YouTube.
