If nothing else, don't forget what kind of funding AMD got directly from the German Government. It was a lot. If memory serves, something like 35% of the cost of building the plant. I would say that means two things: Germany wants corporations to move in and strengthen capitalism, and that Germany doesn't want to penalize AMD for choosing to build a plant there.
I would caution you not to miss the fact that often times, authors aren't writing just for the purpose of writing extra words, but to include sub-surface meanings. Yes, perhaps the characters go through too many microcosms of the Otherland network during their travels, but each time, it provides more opportunity (which is well used) for Tad Williams to comment on human tendencies, ideals, responsibility, etc. Perhaps next time you could take more time to read all of it, and you might learn something about yourself or the world around you. Reading isn't just for mindless gratification.
Sharky's benchmarks are most likely valid--just remember, the test systems weren't necessarily a valid view of what's available. The athlon system could actually be bought, while the pIII 800 isn't available. Has anyone tried to buy any 128MB PC800 RDRAM? I haven't had any luck, and even if I could, I know it would break the bank. Basically, yes, the PIII 800 is faster than an athlon 750, but it isn't actually available to the public. Not to mention the price premium for a very slightly faster rig is extreme. (well over a thousand dollars)
Biotechnology has many other issues that go beyond its face value. The issue of cross-pollination, and monster genes getting into other crops has been touched on here.
I would like to see genetically engineered crops that do not produce pollen. I would like to see them go a step beyond including genes which kill seeds, and ensure that other strains and clones of plants to not get corrupted through cross-pollination.
Before you work yourself into a hissy about poor farmers being forced to buy new crops every year, hear me out. I would also like to see the biotechnology companies initially sell a crop at a decent price that will compensate them for their R&D, but then in subsequent years, sell the same seeds for a greatly reduced price. Subsequent radical improvements would be bought again, but farmers would be able to use genetically engineered seeds without having to spend exorbitant amounts of money each year.
There needs to be some sort of controls over what happens when some of the more radical crops start being used. I would hate to see widespread ecological damage because an engineer was too busy 'improving' a plant to think about the possible repercussions. Hopefully some sort of 'insurance' in the form of sterile plants can be used, without bankrupting farmers.
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If nothing else, don't forget what kind of funding AMD got directly from the German Government. It was a lot. If memory serves, something like 35% of the cost of building the plant. I would say that means two things: Germany wants corporations to move in and strengthen capitalism, and that Germany doesn't want to penalize AMD for choosing to build a plant there.
I would caution you not to miss the fact that often times, authors aren't writing just for the purpose of writing extra words, but to include sub-surface meanings. Yes, perhaps the characters go through too many microcosms of the Otherland network during their travels, but each time, it provides more opportunity (which is well used) for Tad Williams to comment on human tendencies, ideals, responsibility, etc. Perhaps next time you could take more time to read all of it, and you might learn something about yourself or the world around you. Reading isn't just for mindless gratification.
Sharky's benchmarks are most likely valid--just remember, the test systems weren't necessarily a valid view of what's available. The athlon system could actually be bought, while the pIII 800 isn't available. Has anyone tried to buy any 128MB PC800 RDRAM? I haven't had any luck, and even if I could, I know it would break the bank. Basically, yes, the PIII 800 is faster than an athlon 750, but it isn't actually available to the public. Not to mention the price premium for a very slightly faster rig is extreme. (well over a thousand dollars)
I would like to see genetically engineered crops that do not produce pollen. I would like to see them go a step beyond including genes which kill seeds, and ensure that other strains and clones of plants to not get corrupted through cross-pollination.
Before you work yourself into a hissy about poor farmers being forced to buy new crops every year, hear me out. I would also like to see the biotechnology companies initially sell a crop at a decent price that will compensate them for their R&D, but then in subsequent years, sell the same seeds for a greatly reduced price. Subsequent radical improvements would be bought again, but farmers would be able to use genetically engineered seeds without having to spend exorbitant amounts of money each year.
There needs to be some sort of controls over what happens when some of the more radical crops start being used. I would hate to see widespread ecological damage because an engineer was too busy 'improving' a plant to think about the possible repercussions. Hopefully some sort of 'insurance' in the form of sterile plants can be used, without bankrupting farmers.