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On Afghanistan's Thomas Edison

Posted by simoniker on from the eureka dept.

13.7BillionYears writes "The Institute for War and Peace Reporting details on the exploits of Ghulam Sediq Wardak, a 62 year old semi-literate Afghan with 341 clever inventions to his credit. His first was a radio powered by the low voltage produced by the human body. His most recent is a 1980 Volkswagen rigged to run on solar power. A handful of others are mentioned. Like many a Slashdotter, his parents were once very worried and he eschews patents. 'The main purpose of my inventing is not to earn money,' he says. 'I want to render a service to my countrymen and to all people in the world.'"

5 of 445 comments (clear)

  1. Re:get him first by AgentOJ · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Yes, because we all know that the solar-powered 1980 Volkswagen is the newest fad in terrorist tech. Watch out, at 25km per hour they will make great escape vehicles for terrorists fleeing to the border...

    Oh, and don't forget, with the human-powered radios, nobody will be able to crack teh encryption! /sad attempt at sarcasm

  2. Re:Goal of the successful by strobexii · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Notice how his goal isn't to make money.
    Notice how his salary is $2,400/year.
  3. Re:1980 Volkswagen? by Afrosheen · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Well, that answers the question 'Are SUV drivers as stupid as they appear in traffic'. Answer? Unequivocally, yes. ;)

  4. Re:Edison? Please. by js290 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Franklin help founded a country... this guy is just a turban wearing commie. ;-)

    --
    "Tempers are wearing thin. Let's just hope some robot doesn't kill everybody." --Bender
  5. You cannot persuade by saying nothing by dfenstrate · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I'm making assertations. If you disagree, demonstrate otherwise, or be quiet. You won't persuade me of anything by simply asking open-ended questions. Do you fancy yourself a psychologist or something?

    Isn't it possible that culture has other functions than to contribute to people outside of them?

    Certainly. And quite frankly, I wouldn't give a shit if these cultures in question didn't so often breed fanatics intent on killing us. Since they have our attention, I'm advocating their cultures change, in our self interest.

    Our 'right' to do so comes from the fact that
    A. They've attacked us.
    B. We can.

    I simply hope we have the national will to carry it out, and that if we cannot effect the change of cultures intent on killing us so that they're no longer interested in doing so, we can make them respect our power enough to leave us alone.

    Self preservation, really. simple concept.

    --
    Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be the name of a store, not a government agency.