I enjoyed the first couple of seasons... and then suffered through the Xindi stuff... and then just when I was starting to enjoy it again... the fools cancel it.
This is one of the few shows I watch regularly, too. And now, after this "failure" (as it will surely be considered, after such a short run), we probably will not be getting any more Trek series for a while. Well, I guess I can catch up on my rerun-watching. (I was very young when TNG started, so many of those episodes seem new to me.)
I was fortunate enough to have been at The University of Texas at Austin during his last few years there. Unfortunately, I didn't often take advantage of the great opportunity that gave me. I did see him speak twice, during my (and his) last year. The most striking thing about him was the quiet way in which he spoke. We all pressed ourselves as close to the front of the room as we could, and didn't make a sound, lest we miss something. He talked about his life, and how he was a "programmer" in The Netherlands at a time when there was no such thing. He was a very interesting man -- I only wish I had had a chance to actually meet with him, and discuss one of his many fascinating ideas. He has contributed so much to computer science, and he didn't even like using computers. He will be missed.
Rest in peace, Edsger Dijkstra. And may your soul move on to even greater heights in the future.
Well, first of all, there are the many physical consequences that may occur, though certainly the likelihood can be reduced through various means. Teenagers, generally being more impulsive and, for lack of a better term, stupid than most adults, should refrain from such activity, IMO.
But that's not the only reason many of us think it's good to wait -- I don't know how it is for men, but most women, including myself, view sex as a very intimate, special act not to be shared with just anyone. I have on occasion seen informal surveys of women regarding their first sexual experience, and many of them stated it was in their teens, and almost every single one wished it had been later -- many wished they had waited until marriage, or at least until they had a longer-lasting relationship. Men may not feel the same way, but unless you're in that 10%, it doesn't matter.
This post is probably hugely redundant, but I haven't had time to read many of the posts, and I just have to get my 2 cents in.
Overall, I thought it was OK. I thought Scott Bakula did a good job. I especially liked the scene at the end after they transported him when he had that "what the heck just happened" look on his face. They have a real opportunity to take things like transporters which we have come to "take for granted" and make them seem cool again. That requires some good writing/acting however, and how well they are able to accomplish that remains to be seen. They can also still show cool "new" (to us) technology so long as they are careful not to show a civilization more advanced than in the later shows... (actually, they could do that, too, if they did it right). I thought the whole thing with the magnetized compartments forming a large structure was pretty cool, for example. I didn't hear the music (missed the whole first 15 min. or so of the show), so I can't comment on it in particular, but I think powerful instrumentals are more appropriate for ST than songs with lyrics... just doesn't seem right to do it any other way.
I think the Vulcan, being a FULL Vulcan, unlike Spock, should have been much more logical and much less emotional. That's something they need to work on. And I could've done without the gel scene...
I know it was just a coincidence, but I like how the bad guys have a name very similar to "Taliban", hehe.;-)
And lastly, I want to speak up for the 2% of the/. community that thinks the most attractive individual on the show is not the Vulcan lady, but Scott Bakula! mmmmm.:-)
It's S.2037 and H.R.2281. I started from this website (the Thomas search center for Congress 105, which is the one that passed the DMCA) and searched for "digital millennium". Then I chose one of the top links and then chose "bill summary and status file". From here, you can find a wealth of information, including the debate (not that there appeared to have been much "debate" on this one) transcripts from the Congressional Record.
As a side note, once you get to know the system a bit, looking through the congressional record, etc. can be quite interesting. For quick access to roll call votes on some of the more well-known bills, Project Vote Smart and
the C-Span Vote Library can be useful.
Now that's cool. I love reading these little snapshots of the past. Hehe, this reminds of something my AP US History teacher used to say -- "Documents are our windows into the past." He said it so much it was funny, but it's true. I think my favorite phrase from this particular document is "The use of switches to control apparent motion of displayed objects" -- really gives you the feel that this is a new concept.:-)
I'm not sure if you're serious about this or what, but I sure wish I remembered my physics better so I could disprove you. Hopefully someone here does.:)
Something a little more convincing for those who don't know physics well, however, is simply thinking about all the people involved. How do you hide this from all the millions of people who work at NASA and its contractors every day? How do you pass on a huge conspiracy from the 60's through to the 2000's? If you are serious, I'm curious as to who all you think is involved?
Anyway, I, for one, firmly believe in the space program. I know too many people personally involved not to.:)
We shouldn't be in space because of a mistake now and then? Then we shouldn't be driving cars, either, because you know how dangerous THAT is. Heck, I wish they had never invented the wheel.
Come on, surely you don't think that we should stay confined to this earth forever, when we have the ability to explore, just because it involves risks? And the astronauts KNOW the risks, and are willing to take them. And they go through a hell of a lot to prepare. Do you know how many people work to make each mission a success? Do you know the massive amount of simulations, training, software verification, etc., that goes into it? They DO "try and predict everything that can go wrong", and have a backup plan. But you can never know everything. They do the best they can, but they are only human, and mistakes will be made. That doesn't mean we should stop moving forward.
Well, most of NASA's work *is* being done by private companies. The shuttle software, MCC software, etc., is written by employees of a private company. They are buying more stuff "off the shelf", etc.... Even a lot of mission planning, etc., is done privately.
Also, very little of the US budget goes to NASA, percentage-wise, and I think it's worth it for the scientific progress. Even if they are not being spent as efficiently as they could be, I would rather lose a few dollars a year to the space program than end it altogether.
Lastly, NASA isn't doing such a bad job, as someone in a post above mentioned. Think about all that has been accomplished, and that which has been lost. The losses have been unfortunate, but the ratio is pretty darn good.
Slashdot Mirror
I enjoyed the first couple of seasons ... and then suffered through the Xindi stuff ... and then just when I was starting to enjoy it again ... the fools cancel it.
This is one of the few shows I watch regularly, too. And now, after this "failure" (as it will surely be considered, after such a short run), we probably will not be getting any more Trek series for a while. Well, I guess I can catch up on my rerun-watching. (I was very young when TNG started, so many of those episodes seem new to me.)
Wow, I had no idea. This is very sad.
I was fortunate enough to have been at The University of Texas at Austin during his last few years there. Unfortunately, I didn't often take advantage of the great opportunity that gave me. I did see him speak twice, during my (and his) last year. The most striking thing about him was the quiet way in which he spoke. We all pressed ourselves as close to the front of the room as we could, and didn't make a sound, lest we miss something. He talked about his life, and how he was a "programmer" in The Netherlands at a time when there was no such thing. He was a very interesting man -- I only wish I had had a chance to actually meet with him, and discuss one of his many fascinating ideas. He has contributed so much to computer science, and he didn't even like using computers. He will be missed.
Rest in peace, Edsger Dijkstra. And may your soul move on to even greater heights in the future.
But that's not the only reason many of us think it's good to wait -- I don't know how it is for men, but most women, including myself, view sex as a very intimate, special act not to be shared with just anyone. I have on occasion seen informal surveys of women regarding their first sexual experience, and many of them stated it was in their teens, and almost every single one wished it had been later -- many wished they had waited until marriage, or at least until they had a longer-lasting relationship. Men may not feel the same way, but unless you're in that 10%, it doesn't matter.
Why the -1? The AC was just trying to make a humorous comment.
Overall, I thought it was OK. I thought Scott Bakula did a good job. I especially liked the scene at the end after they transported him when he had that "what the heck just happened" look on his face. They have a real opportunity to take things like transporters which we have come to "take for granted" and make them seem cool again. That requires some good writing/acting however, and how well they are able to accomplish that remains to be seen. They can also still show cool "new" (to us) technology so long as they are careful not to show a civilization more advanced than in the later shows... (actually, they could do that, too, if they did it right). I thought the whole thing with the magnetized compartments forming a large structure was pretty cool, for example. I didn't hear the music (missed the whole first 15 min. or so of the show), so I can't comment on it in particular, but I think powerful instrumentals are more appropriate for ST than songs with lyrics... just doesn't seem right to do it any other way.
I think the Vulcan, being a FULL Vulcan, unlike Spock, should have been much more logical and much less emotional. That's something they need to work on. And I could've done without the gel scene...
I know it was just a coincidence, but I like how the bad guys have a name very similar to "Taliban", hehe. ;-)
And lastly, I want to speak up for the 2% of the /. community that thinks the most attractive individual on the show is not the Vulcan lady, but Scott Bakula! mmmmm. :-)
As a side note, once you get to know the system a bit, looking through the congressional record, etc. can be quite interesting. For quick access to roll call votes on some of the more well-known bills, Project Vote Smart and the C-Span Vote Library can be useful.
I agree - very useful info. Thanks!
Now that's cool. I love reading these little snapshots of the past. Hehe, this reminds of something my AP US History teacher used to say -- "Documents are our windows into the past." He said it so much it was funny, but it's true. I think my favorite phrase from this particular document is "The use of switches to control apparent motion of displayed objects" -- really gives you the feel that this is a new concept. :-)
Something a little more convincing for those who don't know physics well, however, is simply thinking about all the people involved. How do you hide this from all the millions of people who work at NASA and its contractors every day? How do you pass on a huge conspiracy from the 60's through to the 2000's? If you are serious, I'm curious as to who all you think is involved?
Anyway, I, for one, firmly believe in the space program. I know too many people personally involved not to.
We shouldn't be in space because of a mistake now and then? Then we shouldn't be driving cars, either, because you know how dangerous THAT is. Heck, I wish they had never invented the wheel.
Come on, surely you don't think that we should stay confined to this earth forever, when we have the ability to explore, just because it involves risks? And the astronauts KNOW the risks, and are willing to take them. And they go through a hell of a lot to prepare. Do you know how many people work to make each mission a success? Do you know the massive amount of simulations, training, software verification, etc., that goes into it? They DO "try and predict everything that can go wrong", and have a backup plan. But you can never know everything. They do the best they can, but they are only human, and mistakes will be made. That doesn't mean we should stop moving forward.
Well, most of NASA's work *is* being done by private companies. The shuttle software, MCC software, etc., is written by employees of a private company. They are buying more stuff "off the shelf", etc.... Even a lot of mission planning, etc., is done privately.
Also, very little of the US budget goes to NASA, percentage-wise, and I think it's worth it for the scientific progress. Even if they are not being spent as efficiently as they could be, I would rather lose a few dollars a year to the space program than end it altogether.
Lastly, NASA isn't doing such a bad job, as someone in a post above mentioned. Think about all that has been accomplished, and that which has been lost. The losses have been unfortunate, but the ratio is pretty darn good.