And that's the key! If we can get these things to grow near the groin and with the proper orientation they could be really popular...
Seriously: I'd like to be able to regrown my foreskin. This seems like a step in that direction, even if vaguely. Great joke, but this is something that pains me daily. Every time I see my penis, which is 10 or so times a day (I drink a lot of water). Sure, I could use some counseling; but mutilating a child should be illegal.
The human brain is always developing. A 30 year old will look back bewildered at decisions he made at age 20. Ten years later, he'll shake his head at decisions he made when he was 30. Ten years after that... you get the idea.
I completely agree. I am one of the smartest people I know -- and I am constantly looking back at past decisions, asking myself, "How could I have been so stupid!"
But parents can't be aware of what their children are doing 100% of the time. It's a LOT easier to control distribution at the point of sale, rather than at the point of consumption.
So, on NPR today I heard that a Muslim country (sorry I forgot which) just banned sports bars, right before the World Cup started, because kids were skipping school to attend, and (the argument given to support the ban), the kids were being exposed to (boogyman) pornography!
So, to use an example from my childhood: "if other kids are jumping off a bridge, would you follow?" Well, what if I had answered yes? So, if other kids are jumping off a bridge and some kids start to follow, does that mean we should blow up the bridge and destroy economic progress in order to keep the little fuckers safe?
No! The correct response by the authorities should be to keep a closer eye on the children, so that they cannot skip out to see whatever the new distraction of the day is. Not to destroy an entire industry; besides, tomorrow there will be a new economic distraction for the authorities to destroy, instead of properly education the children.
But, then, I'm not a Muslim, and I tend not to apply self-deception.
I find it amusing that you did not mention Offtopic, and that's what your post got. In fact, I don't find it amusing or Funny, I actually find it somewhat Insightful -- into the minds of the mods.
Emulating the hardware is interesting and would provide value. I see a wider use case though: emulate the floppy disk itself. It could have some sort of non-volatile memory (a tiny flash drive, or perhaps a large one that can be partitioned into multiple "floppy images"), and/or a cable coming out of the thin top edge, like the cassettes that allow you to connect another device like a CD player in your car (analogy). And there would be a motor sensor in the middle, so it would know how fast it's "spinning", and the read window would be updated to match the data that would appear if it were really an actual floppy.
The one reason I thought of this is for the embedded floppy in my old electronic keyboard that's in storage; I forget the make and model, from a search it might have been the Yamaha PSR-420. I'm not sure how easy it would be to replace the drive in there; might be custom moldings etc that would be difficult to work around/adjust, so being able to "fool" it into using a completely electronic floppy might be the easier approach (from the user's perspective, that is).
With it connected to a cable, it could even store the floppy image on the other side of that cable -- making it possible to "network" that old keyboard as well.
The ISPs aren't going to just bump the speed of their entire network because the content industry says so.
Very true. Especially when combined with the data that the government paid them to light up the dark fiber back in the 90s, so we could all have such speeds, and that fiber is still dark.
Their airtime does not directly challenge one's ability to breathe. In fact, their airtime is important in a society that values freedom of speech. Having to change one's creative output on the basis of death threats, though, is not useful to society.
I don't know any cops who don't break the law regularly. The attitude I've witnessed seems to be that they are above the law, at least to some extent. Since they all break the law they all worry some citizen will get them fired because of it, so they can all sympathize when one of them is accused. They try to cover one another's backs and give one another the benefit of the doubt instead of objectively looking into it.
The issue is systemic; the cause is we have too many laws, which is great for the authorities as they can bring anyone in at any time for any reason. And it's great for the politicians, who can eliminate their upcoming opponents via the same mechanism (although this is rarely used, just as the current president almost never seeks justice for criminal actions of the previous president, in the hopes that this pattern of turning a blind eye will continue into the next administration).
However, it's not so good for the police who are charged with enforcing the laws, because as you said, they are themselves citizens and therefore always criminals due to the laws the legislation has already passed. So if we try police the same way we try citizens, pretty soon we'll be out of police.
So yes, I understand how they can grow a culture of "the blue wall", but it's still wrong. Not the wall itself, but the actual need for it. It would be so cool to have a "Constitutional Reset"; I mean, Sherlock Holmes took cocaine.
Perhaps a better way to state it is that we are careening toward a police state. A greater percentage of our population is in prison now than 100 years ago, and it is becoming harder and harder to be a law abiding citizen. More and more activities are not only being made illegal, but being declared criminal (in the legal sense).
The result seems pretty obvious: the police will be able to legally arrest and imprison anyone, even people who are not doing any harm to anyone at all (even themselves).
Sadly, this was foretold more than half a century ago, quite eloquently (if long-windedly -- the book is over 1,000 pages):
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We *want* them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against -- then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted -- and you create a nation of law-breakers -- and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
-- Ayn Rand, _Atlas Shrugged , Ch. III, "White Blackmail"
My understanding is that hitting someone with anything is Battery. Threatening to hit someone is Assault. So, this was thirty drunken goons randomly Assaulting and Battering passers-by. I am sorry you were modded troll, I rather agree with you. I also think the cops should get no different treatment than Martha Stewart -- their initial actions did not break the law; it was their cover-up that did. (Although in this case, the officer did break the law, which he was for some reason not informed of.)
I agree with the increased surveillance, as it helps everyone (when it doesn't get "lost"). I also agree with the next logical step in your line of thinking, which I've been thinking for the past 15 or so years: every elected official[1] should be recorded 24/7 while they serve their office. These should be available to every citizen. This would eliminate "back room deals", and would also make for some lousy political porn, but that's the price a citizen will have to pay in order to serve their country.
[1] -- initially, only elected officials; later, everyone working for the government, whether elected, appointed, or hired. And, even later, everyone, period (thank you, Mr. Brin).
I also like the shorter (or shortcut) version, as seen in someone's sig: "Politicians should serve two terms: the first in office, the second in prison."
I was thinking, while reading the Google story about China today, that Google (or Microsoft, that would be scary!) might decide to create their own country.
I'm sure they're be immediately crushed by a third-world military, because purchasing the weapons they'd need to defend themselves would not be possible immediately, but I liked the little story my brain gave me.:) (I promise to reward you with alcohol. Well, in fact, that might have been the source of the story! "Alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all life's problems." -- Homer)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Etc., etc....
I believe that you misunderstand that particular lesson.
It's more along the lines of that often-quoted passage from Atlas Shrugged about "there's no way to rule a nation of honest men."
There are so many contradictory rules in religion, expressly to prevent the lower classes from rising up against the priestly classes -- "sure we may have fucked you over and stolen your town's money, but, but -- the only people from your town who should think of attacking us are those without these sins that we invented." And, they then escape unscathed.
(And yes, fucking children is a sin Mr. Pope; hoist by your own petard and all that.)
I mean realistically I can't see what he's experienced that has been all that painful (outside of normal run of life's little tragedy's that all of us experience).
I think he was referring to the time in his life when he had RSI, and had to hire someone to type for him. Having a physical issue where you cannot type seems like it would be rather painful.
You are greatly exaggerating. Google explicitly states that it takes down material when, amongst other conditions, it violates local law. Google has to comply as much with local law as you and I - at home and when we are abroad.
Uh, no. I can post whatever I want to thing1.com, and not worry about complying with any outside jurisdictions (when I am not traveling). Why should Google have to worry, if they don't have an office in that outside jurisdiction?
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Seriously: I'd like to be able to regrown my foreskin. This seems like a step in that direction, even if vaguely. Great joke, but this is something that pains me daily. Every time I see my penis, which is 10 or so times a day (I drink a lot of water). Sure, I could use some counseling; but mutilating a child should be illegal.
I completely agree. I am one of the smartest people I know -- and I am constantly looking back at past decisions, asking myself, "How could I have been so stupid!"
So, on NPR today I heard that a Muslim country (sorry I forgot which) just banned sports bars, right before the World Cup started, because kids were skipping school to attend, and (the argument given to support the ban), the kids were being exposed to (boogyman) pornography!
So, to use an example from my childhood: "if other kids are jumping off a bridge, would you follow?" Well, what if I had answered yes? So, if other kids are jumping off a bridge and some kids start to follow, does that mean we should blow up the bridge and destroy economic progress in order to keep the little fuckers safe?
No! The correct response by the authorities should be to keep a closer eye on the children, so that they cannot skip out to see whatever the new distraction of the day is. Not to destroy an entire industry; besides, tomorrow there will be a new economic distraction for the authorities to destroy, instead of properly education the children.
But, then, I'm not a Muslim, and I tend not to apply self-deception.
I find it amusing that you did not mention Offtopic, and that's what your post got. In fact, I don't find it amusing or Funny, I actually find it somewhat Insightful -- into the minds of the mods.
A detonation on the far side of the moon would send it careening into us, would it not?
True that, but at least they didn't emulate the tape drive. :)
"PII" (pronounced pee-eye-eye) is Microsoft's term for "Personally Identifiable Information".
Emulating the hardware is interesting and would provide value. I see a wider use case though: emulate the floppy disk itself. It could have some sort of non-volatile memory (a tiny flash drive, or perhaps a large one that can be partitioned into multiple "floppy images"), and/or a cable coming out of the thin top edge, like the cassettes that allow you to connect another device like a CD player in your car (analogy). And there would be a motor sensor in the middle, so it would know how fast it's "spinning", and the read window would be updated to match the data that would appear if it were really an actual floppy.
The one reason I thought of this is for the embedded floppy in my old electronic keyboard that's in storage; I forget the make and model, from a search it might have been the Yamaha PSR-420. I'm not sure how easy it would be to replace the drive in there; might be custom moldings etc that would be difficult to work around/adjust, so being able to "fool" it into using a completely electronic floppy might be the easier approach (from the user's perspective, that is).
With it connected to a cable, it could even store the floppy image on the other side of that cable -- making it possible to "network" that old keyboard as well.
Very true. Especially when combined with the data that the government paid them to light up the dark fiber back in the 90s, so we could all have such speeds, and that fiber is still dark.
It sounds like you might have a case, if you got those reasons in writing.
Their airtime does not directly challenge one's ability to breathe. In fact, their airtime is important in a society that values freedom of speech. Having to change one's creative output on the basis of death threats, though, is not useful to society.
The issue is systemic; the cause is we have too many laws, which is great for the authorities as they can bring anyone in at any time for any reason. And it's great for the politicians, who can eliminate their upcoming opponents via the same mechanism (although this is rarely used, just as the current president almost never seeks justice for criminal actions of the previous president, in the hopes that this pattern of turning a blind eye will continue into the next administration).
However, it's not so good for the police who are charged with enforcing the laws, because as you said, they are themselves citizens and therefore always criminals due to the laws the legislation has already passed. So if we try police the same way we try citizens, pretty soon we'll be out of police.
So yes, I understand how they can grow a culture of "the blue wall", but it's still wrong. Not the wall itself, but the actual need for it. It would be so cool to have a "Constitutional Reset"; I mean, Sherlock Holmes took cocaine.
Sadly, this was foretold more than half a century ago, quite eloquently (if long-windedly -- the book is over 1,000 pages):
My understanding is that hitting someone with anything is Battery. Threatening to hit someone is Assault. So, this was thirty drunken goons randomly Assaulting and Battering passers-by. I am sorry you were modded troll, I rather agree with you. I also think the cops should get no different treatment than Martha Stewart -- their initial actions did not break the law; it was their cover-up that did. (Although in this case, the officer did break the law, which he was for some reason not informed of.)
No, it's the non-ambiguous version; he is specifically careful not to brag about anal escapades. (The first two letters are read as letters, "I am".)
I agree with the increased surveillance, as it helps everyone (when it doesn't get "lost"). I also agree with the next logical step in your line of thinking, which I've been thinking for the past 15 or so years: every elected official[1] should be recorded 24/7 while they serve their office. These should be available to every citizen. This would eliminate "back room deals", and would also make for some lousy political porn, but that's the price a citizen will have to pay in order to serve their country.
[1] -- initially, only elected officials; later, everyone working for the government, whether elected, appointed, or hired. And, even later, everyone, period (thank you, Mr. Brin).
I also like the shorter (or shortcut) version, as seen in someone's sig: "Politicians should serve two terms: the first in office, the second in prison."
Wow, No Child Left Behind is showing how it made its mark on a daily basis!
Ah, the old "rooting for inefficiency with my dollars" shtick. (The Amish should have patented that.)
Especially around these parts.
I was thinking, while reading the Google story about China today, that Google (or Microsoft, that would be scary!) might decide to create their own country.
I'm sure they're be immediately crushed by a third-world military, because purchasing the weapons they'd need to defend themselves would not be possible immediately, but I liked the little story my brain gave me. :) (I promise to reward you with alcohol. Well, in fact, that might have been the source of the story! "Alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all life's problems." -- Homer)
I believe that you misunderstand that particular lesson.
It's more along the lines of that often-quoted passage from Atlas Shrugged about "there's no way to rule a nation of honest men."
There are so many contradictory rules in religion, expressly to prevent the lower classes from rising up against the priestly classes -- "sure we may have fucked you over and stolen your town's money, but, but -- the only people from your town who should think of attacking us are those without these sins that we invented." And, they then escape unscathed.
(And yes, fucking children is a sin Mr. Pope; hoist by your own petard and all that.)
I think he was referring to the time in his life when he had RSI, and had to hire someone to type for him. Having a physical issue where you cannot type seems like it would be rather painful.
Uh, no. I can post whatever I want to thing1.com, and not worry about complying with any outside jurisdictions (when I am not traveling). Why should Google have to worry, if they don't have an office in that outside jurisdiction?
Huh. Yes, I am in the same minority that our Founding Fathers were in. Weird, innit?
No; send in guns. (Yes, it really only took 9 seconds to type that, Slashdot!)