The Tritonian - Notre Dame De La Baie Academy - ACT or SAT: Which Should You Take?

The Tritonian - Notre Dame De La Baie Academy - ACT or SAT: Which Should You Take?

Business Law

Business is described as any engagement under the name of a person or an entity done for profitable ends. The activity dates back in ancestry in form of barter, when ancient people entered into trade by exchanging goods. Later on, it has evolved to include delivery of services to reap a descent income. Business either in the old or present time aims at providing mutual gain on both parties involved. In the same way, business entities provide economic gain being the lifeblood of capital economies. Consequently, there are many types of business in terms of ownership and industry under the ambit of business law.

In a legal sense, commercial law is defined as a branch of civil law that governs all sorts of business as well as commercial pursuits. Most likely, it forms part of the Civil Code employed by every State. Rules on Business Law may also be codified particularly under the Code of Commerce. For instance, the United States of America is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code. This legal faculty commonly includes rules of conduct that regulate the companyҀs internal and external operations. As a result, it involves overall business activities relating to contracts, finance, tax, mergers, takeovers, etc.

Business Law, also known as Commercial Law, deals with an array of business transactions. In effect, it covers both public and private affairs involved in trade. These consist of advertising, banking, collection, marketing, sales, and the consequences thereof such as negotiable instruments, undertaking contracts, and the like. Furthermore, this body of law ranges from national to international settings in case of multinational companies. Such a broad legal scope is inevitable given the global trend that demands unified international laws on commerce. Nonetheless, business laws vary by State by virtue of implied sovereignty. Besides, it is a well known fact that every territory needs distinct set of norms to regulate commerce and trade.

Like any other legal studies, there are many academic options for students. In fact, the academe offers various degree courses relating to commercial law. These are accessible both in graduate and undergraduate schools under bachelorҀs, masterҀs, and doctoral programs. Business Law courses can also be part of many other legal disciplines such as labour law, tax law, corporate law, etc. All these are offered in top law schools found all over the globe such as Harvard University (America), Oxford University (Europe), and National University of Singapore (Asia).

Employment options await graduates of Business Law in various parts of the world. Nations run by capital economies comprise a great career niche to professionals. Every corporate entity is likely to hire its own legal team led by lawyers with specialty in commercial law. Public agencies under the Department of Commerce can also provide job posts to legal specialists. Non-profit groups may hire corporate lawyers in dealing with private companies. Academic institutions can offer teaching posts to competent degree holders who intend to share their expertise in the academe. Given sufficient funding, one may opt to establish a law firm that provides legal services on matters relating to business law.

What to Expect: the Journey Studying Abroad will Bring

Studying abroad these days have been made easier for the present generation. If financial assistance is what you need and you know youҀre good enough, thereҀs a huge amount of scholarship grants being given away every year. Scholarship grants from all over the world, from prestigious schools and even the not-so ones. Of course, they are not just being given away. You really have to ӀdoԀ good to qualify. You donҀt have to be super-extra-mega smart to get it (because if you think you do, trust me, scholarships are a waste of time, universities themselves will be the ones knocking out your front door). Now, I didnҀt mean that as an insult. What I wanted to tell you is, scholarships are being given to those that are not only gifted in the brain but much more also to those that are very determined about what they really want to be in the future. In short, scholarships, not only for the gifted brains but more so likely, determined hearts.

Online guides too are a big help in choosing schools abroad. There are a lot of websites in the internet that has hundreds of connections to universities all over the world. ItҀs where you can choose a country, enter a city, put your desired college course and they would show you a list of universities and colleges that specializes or is available to the said course. They feature scholarships too, what a coincidence! Bottom-line is, they showcase every help you could ever need and if that doesnҀt satisfy you to what you want, I donҀt know what will.

Another one thatҀs made it easier is its widespread occurrence to people. Many have been going around; studying away and you can use their experience as a base to what you can expect to happen when youҀre there.

One thing to expect is ӀlonelinessԀ. Maybe it is because of language barriers, focused too much on studying (especially the ones with scholarships), no group of friends because of race or gender or just typically really shy. What you need to do is to really go out there and enjoy the moment, talk to anyone, act like you donҀt care at all and be yourself, the friendly-outgoing one. Otherwise, youҀre going to waste the chance thatҀs been given to you and instead of it being a very special journey or phase of your life, it will be like hell everyday living alone.

The last thing you need to remember in choosing a university or college abroad is you have to want and love where youҀre going. YouҀre going to live in there for four years or so and if you donҀt like it there, thatҀs going to be a big problem for you. It doesnҀt have to be the most prestigious university in the world; it doesnҀt have to be Harvard, Juilliard, Princeton or Oxford. It just has to be where your heart is set at and where you feel you deserve to be. That way you can wake-up every morning contented and ready to learn and to be stressed but still sociable and onset.

Studying Abroad is All up to You

The mere vision of leaving can really scare anyone. It is hard to leave things youҀre used to or the things you grew up living with. Making the choice between staying and leaving was never easy. You sure are going to miss ӀeveryoneԀ. YouҀre going to miss your parents, your pets and maybe youҀre best friend who is staying or even a lover perhaps. But do you think it would change a thing between you and your relationships with your loved ones if you leave or stay?

Your parents will always be your parents wherever place you might be at. Well, as for your pets, theyҀre really going to miss you if you live but hey, theyҀll be fine (as long as the one you left them to keeps them alive). I believe your best friend or even friends will always be what they are to you and vice versa. They might find new people to be with, but that certainly doesnҀt erase what youҀve been through together. As for your lover, well, itҀs sort of a test you see. They always said in those WomenҀs Magazines that Ӏlong-distance relationships are hardԀ to deal with. If you really do love each other, youҀll both make things work, if not, and then maybe it wasnҀt really meant to be (like they always say). If youҀre concentrating on one thing in a place faraway from home, itҀs better to cut connections that are distractions in achieving the point of this process you are being through.

What kind of ӀleavingԀ are we really talking about that makes it all so serious anyway? Yes, you guessed it right, studying in abroad!

A lot of people have been going through this: decision making, leaving loved ones, getting ready and just enjoying whatever life might serve them.

But doesnҀt it excite you to be in a place youҀve never been?

Studying well is just the thing you have to be serious about. Rest is bonus. You get to tour the new country youҀre at (oh seriously, you have to), meet new people (staying friends with the ones that has the same race as you wonҀt hurt but being friends with as many people is better, who knows? You might even get nominated for most popular), learning everything this place has to offer you and being one with them. These things are priceless, more than anything else.

Well what change would it make if you study at your local college and study in another country?

It is the same reason why parents send their kids away for college, good quality education (even better perhaps). ItҀs the specialty of the country university you are aiming for. ItҀs the jewel they are so much proud of you wanted to get around with and honestly it will be good for you to experience something like that.

Some countries, they are better in medicine (course). Some in culinary arts like France. Many in the engineering side and the rest are for me to know and you to find out.

You can find good universities anywhere. You can study wherever you want. You can find many good teachers thatҀll teach you not only about the course you are taking but also the way of life. But at the end of the day, it is you thatҀs going to decide. ItҀs still you who has to set your mind to what you want tomorrow to be. ItҀs all up to you.

Good Things about Studying in Abroad

Almost every child in the world dreams of this mad freedom once in a while (especially the well-sheltered ones or those with parents who find it hard letting go). If youҀre old enough or soon attending college, what better way of an excuse for independence than quality education? The only thing parents will never refuse to is for the good future of their children to materialize or come to life. And a personҀs success is not only based intellectually or spiritually but most important of all, experience.

Freedom is just the sugar-coating of the situation. Come to think of it though, itҀs not actually running from who you are or where-you-belong loophole, it is really actually about the Ӏgood futureԀ. Many have tried studying abroad and had an immediate job-landing that suits their expertise very well. Many successful, someŀ very successful!

Now, what is it with studying abroad that really, Ӏmakes-it-happenԀ? ThatҀs a question youҀre going to really think of while you are on that airplane ride to Spain for college (or whichever country based on your college course for that matter).

Since we are already talking about Spain, let me tell you briefly why I think it is the country where most of the young-curious minds longs to wander. Besides from Spanish is already usually taught to students in middle-school, the countryҀs culture is very rich! Its landmarks will take you to a different time in place. Whether we go down to discovering their lifestyle, language and arts or just simply taking time to read about their history and conquerors, thereҀs always something thatҀs going to light a fire in you.

Going back to why it seems that it is far better to study away than here or there.

Because there are countries that are concentrated for certain kinds of interest, it really does make it better to study there.

For example, you are an aspiring fashion designer and you really want the best place to hone your ability, what better place it is to be for an alma-matter than New York or Paris, donҀt you think? Besides that they have teachers and mentors that are really the best (I heard that famous designers sometimes drops by to lecture), it is a place where fashion events are held more than birthdays are. Actual and first-hand experience is the best tool in understanding.

Finally, we can talk about Ӏreal-life experienceԀ.

I think it is really admiring when people can speak two or more languages. Not because they are good enough to know them but because you know they have been to places that required speaking differently. Also when you talk to people that just arrived from somewhere else, it is not how it was that you envy in them whenever they start telling stories, but the things that have changed them to who they are today.

Those simple moments not money can buy but those things that are keeping you there, in the same place. ItҀs the people. ItҀs the culture, itҀs the country and itҀs the difference ր difference of the place and the difference of who you are slowly becoming, a more mature and well-rounded person.

Benefits of studying with Linton University, Malaysia

 We are Innovative and relevant in all our ways

With many years of experience of anticipating and responding to change. We pioneered the UK's first degrees and Master courses in computing, Accounting & Finance, Business Management, Engineering, Visual Arts,  Our research contributes to deeper understanding of issues that touch all of us including sustainability.

Each year our students graduate prepared for careers in fields like Nursing, Accounting, architecture, business and Management, Engineering, and fashion Visual Arts.

A leading professional university

In West Malaysia Linton University is considered the leading professional university with up to date teaching equipmentҀs and modern classrooms. Our courses are informed by the latest professional knowledge. Our partners in industry and the professions contribute to course development and teaching.

Our staff combines professional practice with teaching and research activity. Many of our undergraduate courses are accredited by professional and statutory bodies.

Many courses involve work- based learning ր through projects, placements and workshops.

Career-focused

Course delivery and support services help you realise your career aspirations. Project work prepares students for professional life, and career planning provides focus from the start of your course.

Our Careers Service is in regular contact with over best of the best businesses and organisations that post vacancies and attend our events and careers and education fairs. Careers workshops and mentoring, volunteering and entrepreneurship schemes build confidence and experience. You will graduate with a qualification and real-world experience.

Excellence in teaching and support

UK degree courses and the learning experience we offer attract students from over 140 countries. Our courses and academic standards received the highest level of recommendation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Malaysia, University of East London, UK, Edexcel International, UK, Coventry University, UK, Quality Assurance Agency, UK, Chinese Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), China, Republic of Mauritius

Faculties

School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

School of Quantity Surveying & Construction Management

School of Mechanical Engineering

School of Civil Engineering

School of Computer Science & Information Technology

School of Business & Management

School of Accounting & Finance

Academy of Architecture & the Visual Arts (AAVA)

School of Allied Health & Medical Sciences

English Language Centre

 

Outstanding Campus location

The university township is strategically located near Mantin town in Negeri Sembilan, at the crossroads between Kuala Lumpur and Johore Baharu

瀀  50km from Kuala Lumpur  (within 40 minutes)

瀀  Adjacent to Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Bandar Baru Nilai and Seremban and also the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

瀀  Adjacent to Staffield Country Resort, one of MalaysiaҀs best golf courses and also Tuanku Jaafar College, a leading secondary boarding school

瀀  Easy access to public transport. Nearest rail commuter station located only 7 km from campus. Conveniently commute to Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral, Seremban, KLIA, Putrajaya and other destinations.

All three towns are situated within west Malaysia and have their own distinct character. Each offers many cultural and leisure opportunities, with something for everyone.

Our May 2011 admission is just by the corner.  Call us today to book your place.

 email: - daniellegenda22@gmail.com

Announcing Fall 2011 Glimpse Correspondents Program - $600 travel stipend + one on one editorial mentoring

The Glimpse Correspondents program is an opportunity for students, volunteers, teachers, and travelers who will be abroad this year to get their stories and photography published at high-profile publications--and get paid for it.

Powered by Matador, and supported in part by the National Geographic Society, the Glimpse Correspondents Program provides selected writers and photographers with a $600 stipend and one on one editorial training and support in creating a portfolio of published work.

Anyone over 18 is eligible, and writers and photographers of all skill and experience levels are encouraged to apply. The criteria for selecting Correspondents not only include candidates' talents in writing or photography, but also their vision for engaging communities and finding unique stories while abroad, as well as their commitment to developing these stories into polished long-form narratives over the course of the program.

To learn more, visit: http://glimpse.org/the-correspondents-program/

Why Study in MALAYSIA?

The Malaysian Government is determined to make Malaysia a regional and international centre of education excellence by ensuring that the higher educational institutions offer quality education which is the key factor to becoming a centre of educational excellence. These institutions will ensure the high quality and integrity of the programs and courses taught by ascertaining that the content of the programs and courses, especially for technology and science-related subjects, are always up-to-date and relevant to the marketҀs needs.

Malaysia has grown tremendously and has become a more developed country over the years since her independence 51 years ago. It has soared like an eagle, evolving into a high technology nation with her own Silicon Valley and, her many high technology buildings, some of which were built to depict the rich heritage of Malaysia, like the Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia has experienced a steady economic progression and rapid infrastructural development of which Malaysians are truly proud.

Education in Malaysia

The affordable cost of tertiary quality education is one of the good reasons why international students should choose Malaysia to study in. Your education cost is made up of:

• Course fees which include tuition fees and other study fees payable to the institution, depending on what you are studying and the duration of your course/study program
• Other components like the living expenses which will depend on which location you are staying in, your type of accommodation and your lifestyle
• An economically sound and socially safe country, which has a stable government and a low serious crime rate.
• A geographically safe environment, with Malaysia situated in a zone free from most natural disasters.
• A food paradise which has a huge variety of cuisines available including vegetarian, halal, ethnic and western.
• An excellent transportation system, which allows for easy mobility and a huge variety of interesting places to visit for relaxation.
• Twinning degrees & 3+0 degree programmes conducted in Malaysia, which offer a cost-effective route for quality education and qualifications from universities in the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and France.
• Foreign Branch Campus Universities operating in Malaysia, which enable students to acquire their prestigious university qualifications in a country that has lower living expenses.
• Wide usage of English, which makes living and studying easy for students who are proficient in English while at the same time creating an environment for those who want to pick up the language.
• Life in a multicultural society, where Malaysians of different races and religions live in peace and tolerance with each other.

Malaysia is consider one of the cheapest place to stay, it has world-class facilities, including educational facilities, it is a switched-on country when it comes to science and technology, it is racially diverse yet racially peaceful, multilingual yet everybody seems to speak English (even though some might speak a "broken" form of English as the good Hiroshi observed). In short, Malaysia is a bargain for those wanting to study somewhere different. One other good thing has to be mentioned in favor of Malaysia is its location.
The heart of Asia in many ways, Malaysia commands close access to Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and The Philippines. It is quite feasible for a student in Kuala Lumpur to take a cheap weekend vacation to Singapore  or Bangkok. Verdant Sumatra with all its mystery and mischief is just a ferry away. You can fly to India in about three hours. If you love Asia, there is no finer base to base yourself, than Malaysia!

Malaysia is just the right place for you to study.

For more information, contact us now or drop us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Linton University, a member of Legenda Education Group, your prefer University offering Uk degrees and Postgraduate courses in Malaysia.

Use 6 Tips to Get Off College Wait Lists - The College Admissions Insider (usnews.com)

Use 6 Tips to Get Off College Wait Lists - The College Admissions Insider (usnews.com)

May intake for Student Admission 2011

Welcome to the latest Legenda Education Group Lagos Admission Office blog, this blog is
designed to keep you informed of the ongoing efforts to bring you qualified students, and of Legenda Group's continued global expansion.

Legenda Group  recognize the importance of working with agents and other third-party student recruitment
professionals and institutes. Over of 75 percent of foreign students consult an agent before applying to an overseas higher education institution,and working directly with these agents and counselors is the most
effective way to ensure that they provide accurate information about your institution.

Still, the vast majority of individuals responsible for counseling foreign students are working without a centralized system of regulations or standards, with little or no penalties for providing incorrect or even intentionally misleading information.

It is for this reason that Legenda Education Group is rallying the higher education community to band together to call for better quality and certification among all individuals involved with international recruitment.

Legenda Education Group next admission is for May 2011, which is marked our second student intake for the year, and ongoing efforts to add new counselors and provide steady training has resulted in clear progress.

Applications are requested from the following countries:

瀀 China
瀀 India
瀀 Cambodia
瀀 Pakitan
瀀 Indonesia
瀀 Ghana
瀀 Uganda
瀀 Nigeria
瀀 Saudi Arabia
瀀 South Korea
瀀 Singapore
瀀 Taiwan
瀀 United Arab Emirates
瀀 Vietnam


For interested International student placement individuals or organisations, Kindly drop us a note and for interested prospective students secure a place with us now

British Exchange Scholarships 2011, Due May 31

BUTEX North American Scholarships 2011/12

BUTEX is now accepting applications for its North American Scholarship Programme 2011/12!

The Scholarship is open to all undergraduate students currently registered at an institution in the USA or Canada. To be eligible to apply you must have been offered a study abroad or exchange place at a UK university which is BUTEX affiliated. Your study abroad or exchange place must be for the academic year 2011/12 and your place must be for a minimum of one semester.

The value of each scholarship is 　500 and will be paid to the winners once they have arrived and registered at their host university.

For further details of how to apply for this scholarship please see www.butex.ac.uk

Fosters.com - Dover NH, Rochester NH, Portsmouth NH, Laconia NH, Sanford ME

Fosters.com - Dover NH, Rochester NH, Portsmouth NH, Laconia NH, Sanford ME

8 Tips for Using Campus Visits to Choose a College - The College Admissions Insider (usnews.com)

8 Tips for Using Campus Visits to Choose a College - The College Admissions Insider (usnews.com)

College Summer Programs for High School Students

As my own college-search winds down, I wanted to share one of the most important experiences outside of high school that got me to where I am today: college summer programs. I hope that sharing my own experiences with these programs will open some new doors for students in the college search. Ultimately, summer programs are an excellent opportunity for students to develop their academic resumes, prepare for the social environment of college, and get a grasp of what sort of college they might like to attend. (I apologize in advance: I'm a sucker for dreamy college view-book photos of library steps, outdoor classes et al.).

Throughout middle school, I attended two week professional conferences in business and law, which essentially proved to be little more than takes on the typical summer camp. Though these give students a decent sense of what certain career paths might offer thems, these programs are still run like summer camps, and students aren't given the academic or social freedom that will prepare them for college. For the summer after my sophomore year, I decided to look into more demanding programs by searching on the internet. Of the few programs I came across that actually offered college credit, Northwestern's College Preparation Program (CPP) program and the University of Chicago Summer Session sounded the most interesting, and I decided to apply. These schools were also close enough to home that I even considered commuting (but decided to live on campus for the full experience, more on this later). The application consisted of a short essay using the Common Application prompts and a preliminary course selection. This got me thinking about what to study, and I had a lot of difficulty making my final choices.

Though I was initially fixated on a dual-credit economics course, I realized that I could just take this course at my high school for free, and I decided to branch out to courses that would be unique opportunities, ultimately choosing "fundamentals of anthropology" and "global history: 1914-1991." This was one of the best decisions I have made, as these courses broadened my horizons dramatically from previously being set on economics and business. The following summer, I went for a very similar program: Harvard Summer School, in which I enrolled in two freshman seminars: "the Holocaust in history, literature, and film" at the divinity school, and "utopia and anti-utopia" in the English department.

Though Northwestern was a great opportunity and the courses were academically stimulating, the sheer quality of teaching between Harvard and Northwestern was leagues apart. My courses were the same size at each institution, both extremely small (ranging from 5-12), but the format of the classrooms was entirely different. Even though my anthropology class at Northwestern had only 7 students, it was still taught as a lecture by PowerPoint, and discussion was not facilitated. I realized after the program that next time, rather than focusing solely on the content of courses, I had to find courses with the the classroom format I really wanted: small, discussion-based seminars. Harvard provided just that though freshman seminars, which are designed to give incoming students experience in college level courses and are required of all Harvard College freshman. The classroom experience was second to none, with top scholars enthusiastically Ӏre-learningԀ the material with the class and often taking time to meet with us outside of class.

Switching gears, I also wanted to discuss the residential and social components of the summer programs IҀve done. The courses really arenҀt everything, though the programs are pitched as such. The real magic is the coupling of fantastic academic opportunities with a residential program that allows a student to relax and do that amount of work on his or her own schedule (thus my problem with commuting). At Northwestern, I found myself fairly distracted socially and didnҀt quite get the same in depth experience I got at Harvard, where I was much more focused. I think this is due to Northwestern having a very active camp-like program feel, with a check-in meeting every night and an enforced curfew.

Harvard, on the other hand, offered me complete independence, which, though at first overwhelming, really pushed me to branch out socially and figure out my work/life balance (just as one does in college). Where NorthwesternҀs program added a certain social pressure to get out and enjoy the summer, Harvard allowed me the freedom to invest in my courses (for those of you who are curious, thatҀs 21 books in 7 weeks and a 23 page final research paper) while also living the social life I wanted. A weekday consisted of about 8 hours of reading (my only homework, given the nature of my courses), three hours of class, and still always some time in the afternoon to sit outside and read or meet someone for FroYo in Cambridge. At Harvard (as at Northwestern), I also participated in the summer school orchestra, which was an amazing experience in and of itself. The summer school program at Harvard also provided great outside opportunities, from weekly house cookouts, to outings all over New England, to a college fair, to dances, to our own "iron chef" competition.

What Harvard taught me (among other things):
1. What it means to really love learning
2. To find a social-academic balance that worked for me (without external pressures at work)
3. The wonders of a self-imposed (midnight) bedtime on weeknights
4. To build spontaneity into my life while maintaining long term priorities
5. The bigger the library, the better

And IҀm going back for more. Why not (financial aid providing*)? IҀve decided to enroll in Yale UniversityҀs summer session to study philosophy in the courses ӀhappinessԀ and Ӏfree will, good, and evil.Ԁ Living in a residential college should also give me a glimpse of what housing will be like at UChicago next fall, though Iрm admittedly most excited for the once-in-a-lifetime courses that should help me decide if I want to attend divinity school after college.

The best database of summer programs is linked here, complete with student reviews, to help you search for the program right for you. As you will see, almost all highly selective universities (especially the Ivies) offer summer programs open to high school students. I've applied to a good number of programs, so (as always) feel free to message me with any questions!

*A note about cost: these summer programs are prohibitively expensive, just like real college, and I get that. My take on this is that, financial aid, even if just a minor discount, can make the program of a lifetime a real possibility, and it did for me. Keep in mind when you see the tuition costs that  you are paying for actual credit from these institutions, and that credit may transfer to (or at least offer placement at) the college you end up attending.

Lions, Polar Bears and the Coming Battle: Benkler and Wu Revisited

Having now completed Tim Wu's The Master Switch, I've been trying to think of weaknesses or ambiguities in his narrative that might stop me from buying the story wholesale. Boiled down, Wu argues that the history of information systems in America is a cyclical one where industries move from open organization to closed and back to open:

History shows a typical progression of information technologies: from somebodyҀs hobby to somebodyҀs industry; from jury-rigged contraption to slick production marvel; from a freely accessible channel to one strictly controlled by a single corporation or cartel׀from open to closed system....History also shows that whatever has been closed too long is ripe for ingenuity's assault: in time a closed industry can be opened anew....This oscillation of information industries between open and closed is so typical a phenomenon that I have given it a name:"the cycle" [p. 6 Wu]

While the majority of Wu's book is devoted to history, his intent is ultimately presentist. He's interested in using history to clarify whether the current openness of the Internet is subject to the same cyclical vacillations that have occurred in past evolutions of information networks. In Wu's view the cycle is still at work in the present day. In spite of the fact that an open architecture and philosophy is embedded in the Internet, Wu doesn't think that we've transcended history. This time is no different: we're still subject to the cycle. And what makes matters worse is that the cycle this time around is more consequential than it's ever been before. These arguments shouldnҀt be unfamiliar to people who have read BenklerҀs The Wealth of Networks and his argument that weҀve come to a crossroads where we can choose to protect the virtues of a shared electrical commons or allow the big media conglomerates to divvy it into private spaces. But BenklerҀs argument is buried in a massive tome that isnҀt an easy read. Wu, in contrast, makes the story quite compelling:

At the beginning of the 2010s, as a chasm opened between Google and its allies like Amazon, eBay, and nonprofits like Wikipedia on the one side and Apple, AT&T, and the entertainment conglomerates on the other, it was obvious that what loomed was just the latest iteration of the perennial ideological struggle into which every information industry is eventually swept. It is the old conflict between the concepts of the open system and the closed, between the forces of centralized order and those of dispersed variety. The antagonists assume new forms, the generals change, but essentially the same battles are fought over and over again. It is the very essence of the Cycle, which even a technology as radical and powerful as the Internet seems able at most to moderate but not to abolish.

ŀ.While it may sound fanciful, the contest in question is more like one of polar bears battling lions for domination of the world. Each animal, insuperably dominant in its natural element׀the polar bear on ice and snow, the lion on the open plains׀will undertake a land grab where it has no natural business being. The only practicable strategy will be a campaign of climate change, the polar seeking to cover as much of the world with snow as they can, while the lion tries to coax a savannah from the edges of a tundra. Sounds absurd, but for these mighty predators, itҀs simply the law of nature.[p. 289-290]

No doubt Wu is a good story teller, and if making references to bears and lions seems like a stretched metaphor itҀs still a compelling way to describe the crisis. But like many stories I wonder whether the portrait is a little too starkly drawn. Are we really in a zero sum game? Or is there room for both lions and polar bears?

According to Randal PickerҀs blog (just a quick note that I think itҀs not him speaking so much as a law student whose seminar reflections heҀs posting) there's room for both:

While Professor WuҀs criticisms of AppleҀs closed hardware designs are accurate, in my opinion AppleҀs tight walls predominantly surround just their hardware product and are not aimed at preventing the open interconnection that has allowed for Google and the internet to thrive. In this senseŀ. the habitats are not so mutually exclusive that they must now exist at loggerheads competing for their future corporate existence. In my opinion, AppleҀs business model is not primarily focused on its ability to strike deals with the old conglomerates and monopolists, but instead on moving their proprietary hardware and protecting the brand that allows for the inflated prices at which they sell it. [http://picker.typepad.com/picker_seminar/2011/02/revisiting-polar-bears-and-lions.html ]

Duly noted. Still, one of the comments notes, it's not strictly a question of infrastructure bandwidth so much as the limited attention span of surfers. If we all gravitate toward the polish and sparkle of content on a tethered device like the iPad weҀre moving a step away from the ragged freedom of a wide open world-wide-web. To boot, we may be moving a little closer to abdicating the universityҀs responsibility in arbitrating culture and letting Steve Jobs and his media partners become --as Wu calls them-- our new "cultural surrogates." This isnҀt to say that one canҀt buy and use an iPad in the university (I own more than my share of Apple devices). But itҀs good to know that our consumer choices arenҀt completely without consequence or symbolism.