I stick with "Ship of Theseus" (alleged) paradox: If each plank, oar, sail - all components - are gradually replaced over many years, is it still the same ship? In all ways that would matter to me - basically identical structure, functionality, and yes even a bit of romantic belief - I would simply shrug and say "Sure, why not? Close enough".
Yeah I wanna tap muh card - but all of my local retailers have the slide-type only. Half of them are bolted in a fixed position that you can't rotate, and they usually have a riser shelf, or some display mounted right next to the slide! Someone here earlier referred to these as "knucklebusters" - sounds like an apt name.
"Even if alien life evolved in a similar way as us, it's unlikely that they'd use exactly the same amino acids"
Good points, but since we can't know for certain, I would still be concerned. Then there's always mutation & evolutionary processes. In the meantime, I'm not going to worry about it - I'm more concerned about some rogue state/terrorist group developing genetically re-engineered terrestrial-based pathogens*.
To take it back a step: If it's simply a signal, indicating technologically advanced life, I suspect most humans would be elated - especially if the signal could be determined to originate from 50,000 ly distant. As a science fiction reader, I would immediately ponder "I wonder how advanced they are now?". Those who might be scared by a physical contact may be relieved that the distance is so vast, and plug their ears when people like me tell them that the aliens, if not extinct may be about 50,000 years more advanced than us. I would like to know if they went extinct, and if so, why and how, so we could head off future potential threats to our own species. Every technology which we might glean from the signals would be icing on the cake.
Microbes discovered in the Venusian atmosphere? I would be very genuinely concerned about cross-contamination - you know, from those who will argue that it must be brought down to the surface of the earth (in situ and ISS analysis too expensive, vestigial cold war paranoia demands control it, etc.).
Might as well accept this simple reality of our Universe. Whatever this "child proof" algorithm is, children will circumvent it in ten minutes and then go on about their business of emptying your credit card and ruining your life.
Rubber thimble on the finger, press a little harder. Spend the other ten minutes figuring out the numbers game.
That was certainly true a couple of years ago. But is it still true? I haven't heard any horror stories recently. Of course, it could be just that everyone gave up attempting to add things.
I just assume that things become "concretized" as they mature, indicating stability (or ongoing mistakes). If I need greater accuracy, it's fairly common for me to go to an article, simply hit the "end" key, and go to the links/sources. Not that I always fully understand the content of all the sources, but at least they're their, and that's something.
I've heard some far out conspiracy theories, but this one takes the cake! It's even more far out than the crazy people who came out of the woodwork after the JFK assassination.
I don't know, man - codes that could mean anything (including the "truth"); circular confirmations concerning possible people; and a solid foundation of much speculation, spanning decades? Well, I'm sold.
Hobby Lobby is in a different situation as they were not trying to hit the radar. A bunch of people started protesting and making allot of noise even though Hobby Lobby did actually pay for many forms of birth control. Unfortunately with that protest crowd it's give us all for free or you might as well as give us nothing.
I'm angry with Hobby Lobby more due to the fact that they decorated their headquarters with artifacts stolen from Iraq during the Iraq War/ISIS.
If what you say is true, then those artifacts are likely safer at Hobby Lobby than they are in Iraq. Were I an Iraqi who cared about my history, I might even be happy about this.
I'm pretty excited about having hot swappable organs all ready for my old age stored in my lobotomized clone body.
Heh that reminded me that a few years ago, I was piddling around on YouTube, and ran across "The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler", a TV movie I saw back in the 70's. Similar premise, except the brain/intelligence "reduction" was built in at the genetic level.
As I recall, the Curies used a piezocrystal & carefully balanced weight to measure suspected isotope sources/masses-meh look it up, my brain is fuzzy today...: )
So not only is the draining relative, but so is the swamp..
I do see a potential mixed bag:
a) The tariffs aren't in play, and Americans/others see this as a challenge to create a cheaper pv technology, likely by creating a better way to more cheaply produce existing pv technology.
b) The tariffs are in play, and the resulting higher prices in the marketplace provide an economic incentive to us to develop a significantly different, better pv technology.
Yeah, why not put 1 mil into an endowment fund, let it grow by dividend and then when someone finally reaches the moon, moves the required distance & takes photos, they will receive whatever is in the fund.
All that happens is that give everyone a week off then give everyone a bonus later.
Complete bullshit.
As a GS9, I will simply lose a week of pay. I can't even use my leave to fill in the gap. Like the rest of the GS folks and most of the WG folks i - *WE* will lose a week of pay.
The exception are "mission essential" personnel - and that's not a whole lot of folks.
Kindly don't talk about things you know nothing about.
Yes, as a former state worker, I had to suffer through furloughs, there wasn't any free personal leave, you simply went home for a few days, i.e. LWOP (leave without pay).
I've had Prime since year one, and while I occasionally have purchase spurts - enough to make the subscription worth my while - I occasionally go for a month or two without ordering anything, so...I guess I'm subsidizing you? : )
"it is not like this discussion can lead anywhere useful anyway."
It may inspire some young reader to aim their stubborness at some of the problems talked about here and, in the process eventually become a scientist. That's not too bad a thing.
Drive slower? My grandmother drove fast as hell. She felt that as long as she could come to a halt before a red light that is all that's required. She drove like an NYC cabbie. I don't why, but slow she was not. Much to everyone's concern.
well now, there are physical Casascius bitcoin with cute little holograms on top. They seem to have gone out of business, but I assume the readable code on top is still "good", I dunno.
It is pretty hard to determine that something is unidentified.
I mean, sure, every object will be unidentified by someone, most people would probably not even have seen it.
But a flying object that is unidentified for everyone on Earth? That is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?
Depends on the standards and logic used by the observer(s): Unit1: "It's a bird, most decidedly!" Unit2: It's a toaster, most unambiguously!" I would say, by these statements that the object in question is still unidentified. And that is also an opinion.
Slashdot Mirror
I stick with "Ship of Theseus" (alleged) paradox: If each plank, oar, sail - all components - are gradually replaced over many years, is it still the same ship? In all ways that would matter to me - basically identical structure, functionality, and yes even a bit of romantic belief - I would simply shrug and say "Sure, why not? Close enough".
SFW quote-of-the-day:
"People are f****** stupid".
Yes remembrances belong to the living, and then passed on.
RIP, Dr. Hawking. : (
Yeah I wanna tap muh card - but all of my local retailers have the slide-type only. Half of them are bolted in a fixed position that you can't rotate, and they usually have a riser shelf, or some display mounted right next to the slide! Someone here earlier referred to these as "knucklebusters" - sounds like an apt name.
"Even if alien life evolved in a similar way as us, it's unlikely that they'd use exactly the same amino acids"
Good points, but since we can't know for certain, I would still be concerned. Then there's always mutation & evolutionary processes. In the meantime, I'm not going to worry about it - I'm more concerned about some rogue state/terrorist group developing genetically re-engineered terrestrial-based pathogens*.
*tinfoil hat secured
To take it back a step: If it's simply a signal, indicating technologically advanced life, I suspect most humans would be elated - especially if the signal could be determined to originate from 50,000 ly distant. As a science fiction reader, I would immediately ponder "I wonder how advanced they are now?". Those who might be scared by a physical contact may be relieved that the distance is so vast, and plug their ears when people like me tell them that the aliens, if not extinct may be about 50,000 years more advanced than us. I would like to know if they went extinct, and if so, why and how, so we could head off future potential threats to our own species. Every technology which we might glean from the signals would be icing on the cake.
Microbes discovered in the Venusian atmosphere? I would be very genuinely concerned about cross-contamination - you know, from those who will argue that it must be brought down to the surface of the earth (in situ and ISS analysis too expensive, vestigial cold war paranoia demands control it, etc.).
He's being celebrated because it's now Space junk, instead of Earth junk.
You try strapping several rockets all together and try to make it work out.
Just like Marvin, I expected an Earth-shatterimng Kaboom...
No, it's only a 6% chance of hitting; that means there's a 94% chance of it landing vertically on a barge.
Might as well accept this simple reality of our Universe. Whatever this "child proof" algorithm is, children will circumvent it in ten minutes and then go on about their business of emptying your credit card and ruining your life.
Rubber thimble on the finger, press a little harder. Spend the other ten minutes figuring out the numbers game.
That was certainly true a couple of years ago. But is it still true? I haven't heard any horror stories recently. Of course, it could be just that everyone gave up attempting to add things.
I just assume that things become "concretized" as they mature, indicating stability (or ongoing mistakes). If I need greater accuracy, it's fairly common for me to go to an article, simply hit the "end" key, and go to the links/sources. Not that I always fully understand the content of all the sources, but at least they're their, and that's something.
Thanks, I had forgotten about that service - same stuff & prices.
I've heard some far out conspiracy theories, but this one takes the cake! It's even more far out than the crazy people who came out of the woodwork after the JFK assassination.
I don't know, man - codes that could mean anything (including the "truth"); circular confirmations concerning possible people; and a solid foundation of much speculation, spanning decades? Well, I'm sold.
; )
How about a drone that pops up out of the roof? Maybe the idea of the anvil for your neighbors dog could come to fruition...
Hobby Lobby is in a different situation as they were not trying to hit the radar. A bunch of people started protesting and making allot of noise even though Hobby Lobby did actually pay for many forms of birth control. Unfortunately with that protest crowd it's give us all for free or you might as well as give us nothing.
I'm angry with Hobby Lobby more due to the fact that they decorated their headquarters with artifacts stolen from Iraq during the Iraq War/ISIS.
If what you say is true, then those artifacts are likely safer at Hobby Lobby than they are in Iraq. Were I an Iraqi who cared about my history, I might even be happy about this.
I'm pretty excited about having hot swappable organs all ready for my old age stored in my lobotomized clone body.
Heh that reminded me that a few years ago, I was piddling around on YouTube, and ran across "The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler", a TV movie I saw back in the 70's. Similar premise, except the brain/intelligence "reduction" was built in at the genetic level.
Well I failed, it never occurred to me to read a Wired article, shame on me.
As I recall, the Curies used a piezocrystal & carefully balanced weight to measure suspected isotope sources/masses-meh look it up, my brain is fuzzy today...: )
I do see a potential mixed bag:
a) The tariffs aren't in play, and Americans/others see this as a challenge to create a cheaper pv technology, likely by creating a better way to more cheaply produce existing pv technology.
b) The tariffs are in play, and the resulting higher prices in the marketplace provide an economic incentive to us to develop a significantly different, better pv technology.
Why is there a deadline at all, anyway?
Yeah, why not put 1 mil into an endowment fund, let it grow by dividend and then when someone finally reaches the moon, moves the required distance & takes photos, they will receive whatever is in the fund.
All that happens is that give everyone a week off then give everyone a bonus later.
Complete bullshit.
As a GS9, I will simply lose a week of pay. I can't even use my leave to fill in the gap. Like the rest of the GS folks and most of the WG folks i - * WE * will lose a week of pay.
The exception are "mission essential" personnel - and that's not a whole lot of folks.
Kindly don't talk about things you know nothing about.
Yes, as a former state worker, I had to suffer through furloughs, there wasn't any free personal leave, you simply went home for a few days, i.e. LWOP (leave without pay).
I've had Prime since year one, and while I occasionally have purchase spurts - enough to make the subscription worth my while - I occasionally go for a month or two without ordering anything, so...I guess I'm subsidizing you? : )
It may inspire some young reader to aim their stubborness at some of the problems talked about here and, in the process eventually become a scientist. That's not too bad a thing.
Drive slower? My grandmother drove fast as hell. She felt that as long as she could come to a halt before a red light that is all that's required. She drove like an NYC cabbie. I don't why, but slow she was not. Much to everyone's concern.
Did she come from Pasadena?
If they pay to launch an empty rocket, that might cost other countries a lot of money searching for nothing! They probably do that.
And that is where most of their black budget money comes from...phantom satellites... : )
well now, there are physical Casascius bitcoin with cute little holograms on top. They seem to have gone out of business, but I assume the readable code on top is still "good", I dunno.
It is pretty hard to determine that something is unidentified. I mean, sure, every object will be unidentified by someone, most people would probably not even have seen it. But a flying object that is unidentified for everyone on Earth? That is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?
Depends on the standards and logic used by the observer(s): Unit1: "It's a bird, most decidedly!" Unit2: It's a toaster, most unambiguously!" I would say, by these statements that the object in question is still unidentified. And that is also an opinion.