Monday 2002.5.6

Dave Winer seems to be perpetually seeking the definitive answer to "What's the difference between an Amateur and a Professional".. I know the answer to that, I was taught it when I was 17years old. It was the first day of a 3year course which was designed to, at it's end, turn out professional photographers - you had to have a job in the business to get in and be sponsored by your employer.

Anyway the first lesson - day one, the head teacher asks "What's the difference between an Amateur and a Professional". There were a few lame answers like a professional is better etc., after nobody got it, he told us..

"The only difference: A professional has a client and an amateur does not. A professional must please the client, an amateur has the luxury of having only to please him or her self"

Speaking of freedom and justice... | "My release should not be looked at as a major breakthrough for democracy. For all people in Burma to enjoy basic freedom - that would be the major breakthrough," [BBC]

White House turns its back on international court | "The renunciation means the US will not recognise the court's jurisdiction and will not submit to any of its orders... In addition, other officials said, the US will simultaneously assert that it will not be bound by the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, a 1969 pact that outlines the obligations of nations to obey other international treaties." Neil Lewis [SMH]

...I guess you only have to love freedom and justice if it's your own.. I wonder what they've been up to that made them change their mind?