Electronic ESV

I quite like the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible. I first came across it accidentally, shortly after it was released. As a plugin for e-sword I think. I was unfamiliar with the background of the version at the time but was pleased to have a modern and formal version for free.

Crossway who produce the ESV are a not-for-profit organisation. Lane Dennis explains their mission and desire to make the Bible available for free in many electronic applications

All of this is to say, when any significant new technology becomes available, we want to be there with the ESV Bible – free from day one.

We live in a unique moment of history. We live at the beginning of a global communications revolution that will change the world forever, beyond anything we can begin to imagine. For people who are committed to the Gospel and the Truth of God’s Word, this communications revolution provides an unprecedented moment in the history of the world. The amazing thing is that the massive technological infrastructure to accomplish this already exists! Our calling is simply to make the content accessible to everyone, everywhere, at all times, by means of “all technologies.”

In addition to listing several appliciations they have produced they indicate their ongoing intentions

1. the free distribution of millions of ESV evangelistic New Testaments;
2. free sharing of the ESV Bible text and audio on any church or Christian ministry website;
3. free availability of the ESV Bible via “cloud technology,” everywhere in the world on every major form of mobile technology; and
4. free essential Bible teaching resources for churches and individuals everywhere.

Right to internet access?

Finland is looking to make fast internet access a legal requirement and is couching the law in terms of "rights". From Laura Vilkkonen, the legislative counselor for the Ministry of Transport and Communications,

We think it's something you cannot live without in modern society. Like banking services or water or electricity, you need Internet connection,... Universal service is every citizen's subjective right.

There are so many things wrong here.

What does she mean by a "subjective right"? Since when are banking and electricity rights? And how something that has barely existed in the course of history can philosophically be considered a right is preposterous.

Making high speed internet access a right mocks the concept of rights.

And it significantly impinges on the freedom or internet service providers in doing business.

Who is going to pay? If it is the consumer surely he should be free to choose a slower speed/ cheaper option, especially if the higher speed/ dearer option precludes any internet connection (though now a "right" the state will come to the party).

Coming soon to a government near you,

It is a view shared by the United Nations, which is making a big push to deem Internet access a human right.

In June, France's highest court declared such access a human right. But Finland goes a step further by legally mandating speed.

That France legislates such measures is suggestive that such rights do not exist. The fact that the United Nations supports it is confirmation they do not.

Browsing makes workers productive?

Seems too good to be true.

The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not.

...Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days' work, and as a result, increased productivity

But there is a caveat

Coker said the study looked at people who browsed in moderation, or were on the Internet for less than 20 percent of their total time in the office.

"Those who behave with Internet addiction tendencies will have a lower productivity than those without,"

So if I spend an hour an a half on surfing the net every day my boss is getting the most out of me?

Of course workers could be paid according to productivity. Then they can spend as much or as little time online as they wish.