I don't see what good that huge military is doing for us. I don't see any planes being flown into buildings in Canada, Sweden or any of those other countries. If you have a huge military, you're not just going to have them sitting on their asses, getting ready to defend the country. You're going to put it to use. And that starts trouble of it's own, with backlashes of it's own. So your need for increased defense is fed by the the tool you use for defense.
Or maybe I'm just wrong. Maybe it's because those other countries have "fewer liberties" then we do (one wonders where you get such facts given the current political climate, new legislation, invasion of civil rights and transformation of media outlets into mouthpieces in the US, [an interesting article that I read today being here actually, while it's not totally related]). Maybe that's why we have to live under the fear of the terrorism level rainbow. Because after all, that's why this all happens. "They hate our freedom", right?
Maybe the best bet would be to judge where your state is going. If it's clear that a candidate like Dean is going to win in your state (Dean or Kerry seem like they're going to win in California and New York, for example), then go ahead and vote for the green party. But if you're in Alabama, vote smart.
Having kids is as about creative as you can get. You create these complex beings, without even using the big head, just using the small one. Amazing. Effortless.
I left a post a while ago mentioning that it would take nothing more than a few years for this system to be used for illegitimate purposes.
But now that I think about it, it's role in a larger mechanism seems to be more fitting and immediate.
A while back the development (they hope to complete it by 2007) of the TIA, or Total Information Awareness program was announced by the DARPA. This coupled with something like CAPS II (a program used to collect information about Americans from their flying habits) would spell bad news for citizens and their privacy. All in all, I don't think we need to imagine a system where this kind of technology would be exploited against the average American citizen. Clearly, the government is providing an image for us.
(And, just an aside: how scary and Orweillian is the Information Awareness Office logo?)
If I had a phone, I can turn it off. I can pay in cash, if I don't want to use my credit card. They're not extreme detours in my plan.
But what about your car being tracked? What should I do now? Walk?
The more disturbing fact here is that credit cards, debit cards, mobile phones and so on aren't meant for surveillance, even though their nature can allow for it if you're not careful. Meanwhile, the urban surveillance system, as if you couldn't tell, is blatantly meant for surveillance. What's left to argue is "what kind of surveillance?" And even the answer you get out of that can change within a few years time.
Whether or not Tanya Grotter existed before, in her current state, it is a derivative of Harry Potter. Even the author admits to it.
In an interview with journalist Steve Gutterman, author Dmitry Yemets called her "a sort of Russian answer to Harry Potter," and described his books as "cultural competition" for the original.
That's taken from the article. At no point does Yemets claim that her Tanya Grotter was an original, or independent from Harry Potter, but rather an answer (which, if I'm not mistaken, coems second to the original) and competition.
I agree with much that's being said about conspiracies, but why has the JFK assasination repeatedly been brought up? I think it's ridiculous to actually believe the cookie-cutter story given, when facts clearly show that there is at least something fishy going on. Check out the movie JFK.
I did read the article. It says that the time that you do win are also something set up by the computers, and are not random. Therefore, you should be able to predict when the computer is going to let you win and leave with your winnings before the computer fucks you.
But if everything with the slot machines in the article is predetermined, so as to mean that nothing is random, then isn't it theoretically possible to predict what's going to come next given the rom rip off they have (however they obtained it)? Or at the very least, if you can't make a clear prediction, make just a few so you can create better odds for yourself?
Without proof of where they got this rom, I have to think that perhaps it's a hoax.
Well, the first paper deals with the concept of the simulation using omission when details aren't needed. To quote from the paper:
"Moreover, a posthuman simulator would have enough computing power to keep track of the detailed belief-states in all human brains at all times. Therefore, when it saw that a human was about to make an observation of the microscopic world, it could fill in sufficent detail in the simulation in the appropriate domain on an as-needed basis. Should any error occur, the director could easily edit the states of any brains that have become aware of an anomaly before it spoils the simulation. Alternatively, the director could skip back a few seconds and rerun the simulation in a way that avoids the problem."
Hence, if an experiment with the lasers, as you gave as an example, was conducted, the director (or directors) could fill in sufficent detail to satisfy those observing, or even allow the observation to be made, only to alter their memories. Also, and this is an idea not touched on in the paper, why couldn't the director changed the AI's perception? If I show you something that is blue, but make you perceive it to be green, it doesn't matter that it's blue.
This isn't news!
on
Ant Farm PC
·
· Score: 0, Funny
How is this news? Microsoft has been helping create systems with bugs in them for well over a decade now! Old news.
"think bout the little kids at the oracles place, they weren't hacking anything:P"
Of course, if the Oracle is part of the Architect's plan (yet to be confirmed, but suspected) with her propagation of the theory of "The One" and the prophecy and so on, then maybe those kids were part of it too.
Off-topic on the nmap discussion, but on-topic as far the Matrix goes, here is something I just thought of. It's pack full of spoilers for reloaded and speculation about revolutions, so consider that your warning.
SPOILERS AND SPECULATION FOLLOW:
Now, the theory that Zion is really a matrix within a matrix has been floating around and I happen to agree with it. The premise of the movie, I think, is that not only is Neo "The One" from the first layer of the matrix (which was exposed in the first movie), but happens also to be the small percentage that becomes "The One" in the second layer of the matrix, something the machines didn't count on.
As for him having to make a decision between saving Trinity and saving mankind, I don't think he's gotten to the choice yet and that will come in revolutions. The Architect said that the expulsion of humans from the first matrix servered a purpose for the machines, so, theoretically, perhaps Morpheus, Trinity and the rest of them are actually computer programs, to assist moving the dissident population of the first layer of the matrix to the second layer. Of course, there is a possibility they are not aware of their own existance. This would explain Morpheus' adamant belief in "The One" (it's been programmed in him). Of course, Neo's love for Trinity complicates things and I think that will be the choice in the third matrix. He will have to decide between destroying this second layer of the matrix, which would destroy Trinity the computer program too, or preserving it because of his love for her.
Feel free to point out flaws, because I'd really appreciate that.
Many schools don't have advanced placement computer science courses. From someone who took the test last year, I can tell you that it was ridiculously easy. As long as you know your shit, it's not hard to prepare for the examination in a quarter of the time it takes schools to do so. You do not need to be in an AP course to take the test
Push the club as something that will not only be good to list on your college application, but might get you college credits as well as teach you a few things about computers. Play around with coding and perhaps make it unconvential (but not illegal, obviously).
In the end, if you could get a few 4's or 5's out of the members who sign up to take the test, the school might take notice (having kids who do well on the AP exams is what schools are ranked on in some part) and help you out with your endeavor the next year around.
"What if Reloaded is that way? What if there's a couple of cool battle scenes, but it's tied together by a flimsy plot designed to place those characters into that situation?"
What if, instead of actually following any plot line, they do five minutes of one and then, for the rest of the movie, just show Neo and Morpheus competing in a staring contest, which Morpheus loses in the end (sorry for the spoiler)?
What if you just wait for the movie to come out and then see what's up, rather than speculating?
Of course, if you continue to read the TKLAW document they linked to, it explains even the authors incredulous reaction to why exactly the court ruled as such. Parody isn't a laser that can only be concetrated on one thing... making Strawberry Shortcake into a dominatrix and using that to parody American McGee can be a valid form of parody on both accounts. Of course, an interpertation of the comment the parody made, if any, would be left up to the court. Honestly, though I tend to think that the law would side with Tycho and Gabe, realistically, they're fucked. American Greetings, I assume, has enough money to translate into a decent armada of lawyers, which is a resource simply not avalible to two web-artists. Furthermore, you're taking a chance even bringing it to court. I predict Tycho and Gabe won't pursue this past having some dedicated fans e-mail the bitch who gave them the cease-and-desist and trying to get some sort of boycott together, which probably won't do anything.
It's unfortunate, really, but that's our legal system. Perhaps it's time for some changes.
Increase the current method, which is charge through fines. Make it easier for the average person to put an end to spam and get paid if they still get it. It's that easy.
I've been using the NY Do-Not-Call List for a bit and it works pretty well, so far. There are, however, a few loopholes. I don't know about the ones outside the state, but for the NY one the company is allowed to call you if you've already done business with it, are doing business with it or either one of those for a parent company or subdivision. That's pretty broad so a few still get through.
That was such a stupid step to take, unless they were looking for everyone to add just one more thing to the list of the benefits of having a cell phone. Payphones always have had two advantages in my mind:
1: They are wired, hence, no fuzz. 2: Just one shiny thing and you could get a call through.
Now that it's 50 cents, I find myself approaching a payphone and finding that I don't have the right amount of change on me. Who cares that it's unlimited? The three minute limit was just fine by me. I'm not exactly making leisure calls at a pay phone. The trade off is ridiculous and is bound to doom the payphones.
Anyone have any recommendations for books on the current theories and the history of pi? I found comments like:
"Among the most puzzling mysteries: Mathematicians are pretty sure, but still cannot prove conclusively, that the numbers following 3.141592 occur randomly."
interesting and want to be able to read more indepth.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't see what good that huge military is doing for us. I don't see any planes being flown into buildings in Canada, Sweden or any of those other countries. If you have a huge military, you're not just going to have them sitting on their asses, getting ready to defend the country. You're going to put it to use. And that starts trouble of it's own, with backlashes of it's own. So your need for increased defense is fed by the the tool you use for defense.
Or maybe I'm just wrong. Maybe it's because those other countries have "fewer liberties" then we do (one wonders where you get such facts given the current political climate, new legislation, invasion of civil rights and transformation of media outlets into mouthpieces in the US, [an interesting article that I read today being here actually, while it's not totally related]). Maybe that's why we have to live under the fear of the terrorism level rainbow. Because after all, that's why this all happens. "They hate our freedom", right?
Maybe the best bet would be to judge where your state is going. If it's clear that a candidate like Dean is going to win in your state (Dean or Kerry seem like they're going to win in California and New York, for example), then go ahead and vote for the green party. But if you're in Alabama, vote smart.
Having kids is as about creative as you can get. You create these complex beings, without even using the big head, just using the small one. Amazing. Effortless.
Furlong has a drug problem? Oh, come on, that's such bullshit! I mean, what kind of proof is there for that? Nothing, that's what!
Oh, my apologies. I meant to include a link. Here.
I left a post a while ago mentioning that it would take nothing more than a few years for this system to be used for illegitimate purposes.
But now that I think about it, it's role in a larger mechanism seems to be more fitting and immediate.
A while back the development (they hope to complete it by 2007) of the TIA, or Total Information Awareness program was announced by the DARPA. This coupled with something like CAPS II (a program used to collect information about Americans from their flying habits) would spell bad news for citizens and their privacy. All in all, I don't think we need to imagine a system where this kind of technology would be exploited against the average American citizen. Clearly, the government is providing an image for us.
(And, just an aside: how scary and Orweillian is the Information Awareness Office logo?)
If I had a phone, I can turn it off. I can pay in cash, if I don't want to use my credit card. They're not extreme detours in my plan.
But what about your car being tracked? What should I do now? Walk?
The more disturbing fact here is that credit cards, debit cards, mobile phones and so on aren't meant for surveillance, even though their nature can allow for it if you're not careful. Meanwhile, the urban surveillance system, as if you couldn't tell, is blatantly meant for surveillance. What's left to argue is "what kind of surveillance?" And even the answer you get out of that can change within a few years time.
Whether or not Tanya Grotter existed before, in her current state, it is a derivative of Harry Potter. Even the author admits to it.
In an interview with journalist Steve Gutterman, author Dmitry Yemets called her "a sort of Russian answer to Harry Potter," and described his books as "cultural competition" for the original.
That's taken from the article. At no point does Yemets claim that her Tanya Grotter was an original, or independent from Harry Potter, but rather an answer (which, if I'm not mistaken, coems second to the original) and competition.
I agree with much that's being said about conspiracies, but why has the JFK assasination repeatedly been brought up? I think it's ridiculous to actually believe the cookie-cutter story given, when facts clearly show that there is at least something fishy going on. Check out the movie JFK.
I did read the article. It says that the time that you do win are also something set up by the computers, and are not random. Therefore, you should be able to predict when the computer is going to let you win and leave with your winnings before the computer fucks you.
But if everything with the slot machines in the article is predetermined, so as to mean that nothing is random, then isn't it theoretically possible to predict what's going to come next given the rom rip off they have (however they obtained it)? Or at the very least, if you can't make a clear prediction, make just a few so you can create better odds for yourself?
Without proof of where they got this rom, I have to think that perhaps it's a hoax.
Well, the first paper deals with the concept of the simulation using omission when details aren't needed. To quote from the paper:
"Moreover, a posthuman simulator would have enough computing power to keep track of the detailed belief-states in all human brains at all times. Therefore, when it saw that a human was about to make an observation of the microscopic world, it could fill in sufficent detail in the simulation in the appropriate domain on an as-needed basis. Should any error occur, the director could easily edit the states of any brains that have become aware of an anomaly before it spoils the simulation. Alternatively, the director could skip back a few seconds and rerun the simulation in a way that avoids the problem."
Hence, if an experiment with the lasers, as you gave as an example, was conducted, the director (or directors) could fill in sufficent detail to satisfy those observing, or even allow the observation to be made, only to alter their memories. Also, and this is an idea not touched on in the paper, why couldn't the director changed the AI's perception? If I show you something that is blue, but make you perceive it to be green, it doesn't matter that it's blue.
How is this news? Microsoft has been helping create systems with bugs in them for well over a decade now! Old news.
"think bout the little kids at the oracles place, they weren't hacking anything :P"
Of course, if the Oracle is part of the Architect's plan (yet to be confirmed, but suspected) with her propagation of the theory of "The One" and the prophecy and so on, then maybe those kids were part of it too.
Off-topic on the nmap discussion, but on-topic as far the Matrix goes, here is something I just thought of. It's pack full of spoilers for reloaded and speculation about revolutions, so consider that your warning.
SPOILERS AND SPECULATION FOLLOW:
Now, the theory that Zion is really a matrix within a matrix has been floating around and I happen to agree with it. The premise of the movie, I think, is that not only is Neo "The One" from the first layer of the matrix (which was exposed in the first movie), but happens also to be the small percentage that becomes "The One" in the second layer of the matrix, something the machines didn't count on.
As for him having to make a decision between saving Trinity and saving mankind, I don't think he's gotten to the choice yet and that will come in revolutions. The Architect said that the expulsion of humans from the first matrix servered a purpose for the machines, so, theoretically, perhaps Morpheus, Trinity and the rest of them are actually computer programs, to assist moving the dissident population of the first layer of the matrix to the second layer. Of course, there is a possibility they are not aware of their own existance. This would explain Morpheus' adamant belief in "The One" (it's been programmed in him). Of course, Neo's love for Trinity complicates things and I think that will be the choice in the third matrix. He will have to decide between destroying this second layer of the matrix, which would destroy Trinity the computer program too, or preserving it because of his love for her.
Feel free to point out flaws, because I'd really appreciate that.
Many schools don't have advanced placement computer science courses. From someone who took the test last year, I can tell you that it was ridiculously easy. As long as you know your shit, it's not hard to prepare for the examination in a quarter of the time it takes schools to do so. You do not need to be in an AP course to take the test
Push the club as something that will not only be good to list on your college application, but might get you college credits as well as teach you a few things about computers. Play around with coding and perhaps make it unconvential (but not illegal, obviously).
In the end, if you could get a few 4's or 5's out of the members who sign up to take the test, the school might take notice (having kids who do well on the AP exams is what schools are ranked on in some part) and help you out with your endeavor the next year around.
"What if Reloaded is that way? What if there's a couple of cool battle scenes, but it's tied together by a flimsy plot designed to place those characters into that situation?"
What if, instead of actually following any plot line, they do five minutes of one and then, for the rest of the movie, just show Neo and Morpheus competing in a staring contest, which Morpheus loses in the end (sorry for the spoiler)?
What if you just wait for the movie to come out and then see what's up, rather than speculating?
Of course, if you continue to read the TKLAW document they linked to, it explains even the authors incredulous reaction to why exactly the court ruled as such. Parody isn't a laser that can only be concetrated on one thing... making Strawberry Shortcake into a dominatrix and using that to parody American McGee can be a valid form of parody on both accounts. Of course, an interpertation of the comment the parody made, if any, would be left up to the court. Honestly, though I tend to think that the law would side with Tycho and Gabe, realistically, they're fucked. American Greetings, I assume, has enough money to translate into a decent armada of lawyers, which is a resource simply not avalible to two web-artists. Furthermore, you're taking a chance even bringing it to court. I predict Tycho and Gabe won't pursue this past having some dedicated fans e-mail the bitch who gave them the cease-and-desist and trying to get some sort of boycott together, which probably won't do anything.
It's unfortunate, really, but that's our legal system. Perhaps it's time for some changes.
Can you throw out a link to the Warcraft 3 map? Interested to see it and play it.
Article is called "Cracker Gains Access to 2.2 Million Credit Cards".
Cracker...
Get it?
Eh.
Increase the current method, which is charge through fines. Make it easier for the average person to put an end to spam and get paid if they still get it. It's that easy.
"Anonymous Coward"
Anonymous Coward? Or should I call you MR. ANONYMOUS STEVE CASE?
I've been using the NY Do-Not-Call List for a bit and it works pretty well, so far. There are, however, a few loopholes. I don't know about the ones outside the state, but for the NY one the company is allowed to call you if you've already done business with it, are doing business with it or either one of those for a parent company or subdivision. That's pretty broad so a few still get through.
This should be modded up.
That was such a stupid step to take, unless they were looking for everyone to add just one more thing to the list of the benefits of having a cell phone. Payphones always have had two advantages in my mind:
1: They are wired, hence, no fuzz.
2: Just one shiny thing and you could get a call through.
Now that it's 50 cents, I find myself approaching a payphone and finding that I don't have the right amount of change on me. Who cares that it's unlimited? The three minute limit was just fine by me. I'm not exactly making leisure calls at a pay phone. The trade off is ridiculous and is bound to doom the payphones.
Anyone have any recommendations for books on the current theories and the history of pi? I found comments like:
"Among the most puzzling mysteries: Mathematicians are pretty sure, but still cannot prove conclusively, that the numbers following 3.141592 occur randomly."
interesting and want to be able to read more indepth.