Last Night
The National Jukebox
Like most people, I've never used the Library of Congress (and I grew up in D.C.)
I've certainly always been happy that the LOC is there—and an old high school friend actually works in the photo division. But while it's comforting to know that a comprehensive catalog of our nation's arts and letters and photos and newspapers and movies are all safe and sound, it's more of an existential comfort than a practical one; it's cool to know that two million years from now, when the Venutians unearth Earth, they'll be able to read Jim Carroll, listen to Charlie Parker, and watch The Night of the Living Dead.
But, really, it's never been much of a populist, or user friendly institution. Until now.
The LOC recently introduced the National Jukebox project—putting tens of thousands of music files online.
I dug in last night. They're rolling it out collection by collection, and they kicked things off with the Victrola collection of recordings made between 1902 and 1925. You'll find early jazz records (the Temptation Rag), spooky opera tracks, pop songs, and political speeches including (wow!) a 1908 speech on campaign finance reform by the original populist William Jennings Bryan who was running as the Democratic candidate for president.
I've certainly always been happy that the LOC is there—and an old high school friend actually works in the photo division. But while it's comforting to know that a comprehensive catalog of our nation's arts and letters and photos and newspapers and movies are all safe and sound, it's more of an existential comfort than a practical one; it's cool to know that two million years from now, when the Venutians unearth Earth, they'll be able to read Jim Carroll, listen to Charlie Parker, and watch The Night of the Living Dead.
But, really, it's never been much of a populist, or user friendly institution. Until now.
The LOC recently introduced the National Jukebox project—putting tens of thousands of music files online.
I dug in last night. They're rolling it out collection by collection, and they kicked things off with the Victrola collection of recordings made between 1902 and 1925. You'll find early jazz records (the Temptation Rag), spooky opera tracks, pop songs, and political speeches including (wow!) a 1908 speech on campaign finance reform by the original populist William Jennings Bryan who was running as the Democratic candidate for president.
An election is a public affair. It is held for the benefit of the public and it is the means through which the people select their officials and give directions as to the policies to be adopted. There is no sound reason for secrecy in regard to campaign methods; and publicity will in itself prove a purifying influence in politics. The necessity for publicity has increased with the growth of favor seeking corporations. These combinations of capital have gradually extended their power over the government through contributions to the campaign funds, and the officials elected by them have in return for contributions sold immunity to offenders. Public opinion has at last compelled a reluctant Congress to prohibit contributions from corporations. But in many cases, individual stockholders in the big corporations have so large a personal interest, that they can afford to subscribe the funds necessary for the purchase of an election.
The people ought to know what influences are at work in the campaign, that they may better decide whether either party has so obligated itself to the great corporations as to make it impossible for it to protect the rights of the people. Let there be light, is the demand of the voters, and more and more emphasis is being placed upon this demand. If there are any who love darkness rather than light, the excuse must be found in holy writ -- it is because their deeds are evil.
