Sarah's Faves

In case you need a refresher, on January 18, many of us (in fact, a whole hell of a lot) took to the interwebz and were part of the largest protest U.S. history. Who says geeks can’t be productive? We were protesting two bills, SOPA and PIPA that, if passed, would have resulted in a government-controlled web. Yuck!

For now, we can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy lots of stats and one groovy infographic. Thanks to frugaldad for sharing this infographic with me.

Stat highlights:

1. 115,000 websites and more than 13 million internet users participated in Wednesday’s protest
2. 50,000 websites blackedout completely
3. 4 of the top 10 US websites blacked out logos and entire websites (Google, Wikipedia, Craigslist and eBay)
4. 160 million people saw Wikipedia’s blackout
5. Within 16 hours of the blackout 2.4 million SOPA related tweets hit the Twitter stream
6. Petitions were signed by 10 million internet users
7. Tumblr and Mobile Commons contact tools together enabled 400,000 calls to Congress
8. 3 million emails were sent to Congress on SOPA Blackout Day
9. The day after the protest 14 Senators issued statements against the bill

Source: frugaldad.com

This legislation creates an internet open to censorship, insecure and wildly divergent from the internet we know and use every day, which drives global commerce, and which, in the end, powers America’s net job growth. – Make the Call , Stop the Wall

“In 2012, I will only support candidates who stand for Internet freedom and who oppose the PROTECT IP Act and SOPA. I will work against any candidate, of any party, who votes to censor and stifle the Internet.” -Vote for the Net

Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA. – Google

Dear Friend,

I want to make it as easy as possible for you to contact your legislators if you, like me, do not support PIPA/SOPA. If you’re not familiar with either, you can read this and this. If you already know your stuff, then you probably know voting begins January 24–so this message is both timely and urgent. I’m asking my friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and peers to take five minutes and make your voice be heard. Use any of the resources below to quickly make a big difference. When you’re done, you can share your support online with: Stop SOPA and PIPA (or make this your status update — just copy and paste – ███ ███████ ████ ██ ████ ███ ███ █████ ██ ██████. #BlackoutSOPA)

You can reach out to your legislators few ways:

• Call directly from this site (they’ll even find your legislators’ contact information for you): Stop the Wall
• Sign this online petition
• Print out or save this PDF
• Take action via Google
• If you’re outside the United States, petition the State Department
• Use the information directly below to call, email and/or tweet your legislators

I want to help but don’t know what to say

That’s cool. I get nervous too. Here are a few scripts you’re welcome to revise, edit or whatever and use:

• I do not agree with the proposed PIPA/SOPA legislation. You can be sure that if it is passed, or you support it, that I will not vote to re-elect you to office. Too much is at stake – please vote NO on PIPA and SOPA.
• The most effective way to shut down pirate websites is through targeted legislation that cuts off their funding. There’s no need to make American social networks, blogs and search engines censor the Internet or undermine the existing laws that have enabled the Web to thrive, creating millions of U.S. jobs. Too much is at stake – please vote NO on PIPA and SOPA. (h/t Google)
• The censorship regulations written into these bills won’t shut down pirate sites. These sites will just change their addresses and continue their criminal activities, while law-abiding companies will suffer high penalties for breaches they can’t possibly control. Therefore, it makes no sense to pass PIPA and SOPA. Please vote NO on PIPA and SOPA. (h/t Google)
• PIPA will put an undue burden on site managers, app developers and internet entrepreneurs. Please vote NO on PIPA and SOPA. (h/t Stop the Wall)

Thank you internet friends,

Sarah

P.S. I’m sending a link to this post to both of my Senators, so if you agree with me leave a comment or share this via the social buttons to show that we mean business.

“We will force you to hang with celebrities, MLB stars and watch EVERY SINGLE MLB game…oh and we’ll give you housing and pay you a stipend” would be a better title for this contest. Geez. Who would want all that? Uhhh…I would and I’m pretty sure, no I’m positive, my husband would. So I thought you might be interested, too.

“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” – Dodgeball

If you can write 1,000 words of really good stuff, you can enter this contest. Yep, you have to put some effort into it. The online essay is divided into two parts, each requires 500 words. A word of advice, have someone proof read your submission before you send it in. Oh, and write it in Word or another place where you can auto save in case your computer crashes. FYI: Submissions must be received by Friday, January 13, 2012 by 11:59PM ET.

You also need to share additional blog writing samples and a link to your Twitter feed (so get tweeting if you’re not already).

It’s also encouraged to tweet @MLBFanCave (and use hashtag #MLBFC) to show your spirit. If you really want this, and I mean REALLY want this, I’d consider launching an attention-getting social campaign (if you want actual ideas, you know I’m for hire).

Last, they need a current photo of you. Please don’t send this one. Or this. Make sure you send something that reflects your undying devotion to baseball.

Now, if one of you wins, I expect to hear about it (and I’ll send a list of autographs I’d like).

Enter now: http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/application.jsp
The Fan Cave on Facebook: http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/application.jsp?partnerId=ed-5524933-240846364#

Each Winner will:

• Be a passionate baseball fan
• Have strong writing skills
• Have strong verbal communication skills
• Have strong organizational skills with the ability to give attention to multiple things at the same time
• Be comfortable in front of the camera and be able to present a positive public image
• Have a fun and creative personality
• Be highly skilled on social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• Pass a background check to the satisfaction of MLB

Each Winner must:

• Reside in a location provided by MLB in New York City
• Participate in all aspects of MLB Fan Cave duties, including but not limited to, watching every game played of the 2012 MLB season, taking part in media events, interviews, etc.
• Share thoughts regarding games and topics of MLB and pop culture interest via daily blogging, vlogging and through social media platforms
• Adhere to all other policies and procedures as required by MLB
• Grant all rights in all aspects of his/her participation in MLB Fan Cave to MLB for MLB’s use, worldwide, in all media.

Have a fave you think I should feature? Email prsarahevans [at] gmail [dot] com.

h/t to my friend Jennelle Schook.

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UPDATE:
The entry deadline for the @MLBFanCave has been extended to January 31. http://t.co/yMBvhUxL

(h/t @cardinals)