I wish I had mod points. Some people talk out of their ass. the GP poster is a moron, how it got modded "interesting" only shows those moderators are morons too.
Besides.... THEY'RE COWS. They're stupid. However I'm starting to think they are smarter than certain people.
"reminds of how big corporations treat people like livestock and make them toil for dimes in cramped spaces... a society's mindset reflects on every aspect of life."
Yeah, like the corporations are holding a gun to the heads of the people working in cubes, and the people have no other choice!/sarcasm.
Yeah it is nice to see people RANT against corporations for choices and careers people make. If you don't like working for a Corporation for 78K a year, then don't. Move to Kansas or Missouri where you can have the same lifestyle for half what it costs in LA, NY, SF or Boston.
Quite frankly, I don't care a single whit about the complainers who work in cubes all day, it was their choice for the lifestyle they've chosen.
And I'm not sure why others complain for those locked in a cube. You may not like working in a cube (and why you don't), but that doesn't give you a right to complain for those that do. Again, it is their choice.
Now if you want to complain about working in a coal mine, especially when the corporate overlords are short changing safety for an extra buck, then complain about that. I hope the families of those killed get millions from the operators of the mine.
Kind of puts things into perspective now doesn't it???
"Leaving aside the fact that Oracle has a much stronger revenue stream, more cash on hand to weather downturns, and much higher profit margins, a company with fewer shares will have more volatile prices "
And all of that is irrelevant as well, as they are already taken into consideration in the stock price (at least theoretically). Right?
Short term information is great for making short term decisions. There is much less long term stability in companies as they are primarily optimized for short term markets.
Stock Prices are, exactly the market valuation of all things regarding a company at that moment, nothing more, nothing less. Stock prices aren't based much on reality, but on fiat value.
"These people need to pay for what they have done."
I sure hope you don't ever sit on a jury. In fact, if I was a lawyer, saw this post and knew who you were, I'd use it to exclude you from any and every jury you might ever sit on.
Here's the deal. You've already convicted them and are trying to sentence them in the court of public opinion. Which you ought to know, is not a REAL court.
Now, if you prefaced your statement with "should they be found guilty, " I might actually agree with you. But right now, they aren't even charged with a crime (yet), so jumping to "they're guilty, where's the gallows?" mentality is short sighted and why we have courts in the first place.
Or the fourth option: You say something you shouldn't have and become guilty of a new crime you never even contemplated breaking before they started questioning you.
The Fifth Amendment right is there to protect you from yourself. If I ever get asked a question by police or other law enforcement I'm taking the Fifth on principle, so I don't screw myself mistakenly.
See Martha Stewart and Scooter Libby* for fine examples of opening your mouth when you should have shut up.
*No I'm not saying anything about whatever crimes they may or may not have committed, just that they went to jail for what they said to a law enforcement official during an "investigation" of alleged crimes.
Thats right, we all know that the state has every right to control everything about you, now including forcing you to buy a consumer service or fining you.
"And when Sheriff Joe breaks the law?" -Citation Needed
Throwing an accusation out doesn't indicate any law was broken. If that were the case, then Obama is a Kenyan and not eligible to be president.
And since when does breaking the law stop anyone in elected office from doing things illegal? There is no part of the Constitution that says congress can pass a law requiring people to buy a good or service, and several parts that specifically state the opposite, and yet we now have Obama Care.
What about those running the city of San Francisco, who appear to be actively and aggressively protesting and refusing to enforce Federal Immigration laws?
The problem is, that in one case you probably don't like what the guy is doing, and in the other case you do, which only shows that it is about enforcing (or not) Federal Immigration Laws.
Would you support a County Sheriff that refused to enforce Federal gun laws? How about Federally mandated Health Insurance Fines/Fees and Penalties?
You see, if you want to walk down that road, at least be consistent.
"goddam liberal bleeding hear trial lawyers got them off on a technicality".
That never happens... ever./sarcasm
As for Sheriff Joe, if people break the law (enter the country illegally) shouldn't the law enforcement officials arrest them and detain them? Don't like the law, then elect people to get it changed.
Oh wait, you're probably not one of his constituents so you think it is perfectly okay to comment on something happening in a place where your sense of "fairness" is offended.
Not to mention the idiotic San Francisco "sanctuary city" policy that lets hard criminals go free, because they're illegal aliens, to go on and murder people then say "oops sorry my bad" later.
Of course if you're one of those "Liberal Bleeding hearts", you'll make some stupid excuse as to why illegals are exempt from obeying the laws; probably using the "oppressed" label.
"Why are you so fascinated with other people's sex-lives? Maybe we have an open relationship, maybe we just trust each other, maybe we're wild swingers who spend our nights attending orgies. It's not your concern. "
It is now, thanks to Obama Care.
"It's nobodies business but his and his family's."
Wrong. It affects his contractual agreements. He promotes himself as a role model. I'm not sure if you realize this, but I'm not a big fan of celebrity. However much of our society is and it affects everything we do, including electing a junior senator who never ran anything bigger than a community organization to President of the USA. But hey, what do I know.
"If you're going to just go with criminal behavior... "
Trade Federation guy: Is that legal?
Emperor Palpatin: I will make it legal.
Cute line, but exposes the flaw in "criminal" behavior. What is legal or criminal varies from place to place. What makes your "legal" framework better than other places? And making something legal (or illegal) doesn't make it right (or wrong).
"So your point was that it's easy to invent rules that you intend to be flawed so that you can cleverly point out that there's a flaw in the rules? Wow"
No, that is not my point. My point is that the road to totalitarianism is based on "tweaking the rule". The USA has more laws than any other country. Are we better off, worse off, or running about average?
I'm a libertarian, so I believe that people should rule themselves, while I also realize that some people can't or won't rule themselves (basis for the thread). Some people are social paths and just don't care, other people are just assholes who stay just this side of what is "legal". The only solution is that we need people who can punch the asshole in the face (like the asshole in Walmart who only has a limited vocabulary that he uses the F-Bomb as noun, verb, adverb and a proper name. Asshole, needs to be punched in the nose.
"Oh, you're one of those guys. Everyone in the world is wrong except for you, and to add insult to injury, they're too stupid to realize that you're right and they're all wrong. Got it."
Oh, you're one of those guys. Nobody is wrong unless they upset your view of the world. All views are equal as long as they are compatible with yours. Got it.
See I can do it too.
"What has any of that got to do with your point about "Christian Values", or my original point that mental illness is not easily cured?"
It all depends on what you call mental illness doesn't it? Is being Gay a mental illness? If it is, can it be cured? If by it not being curable becomes accepted part of society it becomes "normalized" does that make it not a mental illness?
It used to be called that, but not now. Why? What other "mental illness" we have now, will be "normalized" in 100 years? If we found a pill that could make people "not gay" if they took it (like lithium for Schizophrenics) would you say it was "mental illness" and make them take it? Why or why not?
You see, what is a mental illness is subject to changing definitions.
The easy fix for people like this is to lock them up so that they cannot harm the rest of society. However that is frowned upon by people because it is "mean" or whatever and that we should tolerate them mingling in with the rest of society. The fix is easy, if we only had the will do it.
It is now. I used to avoid/. when Goatse links and GNAA posts would randomly appear. The pain factor has been removed and now I'm completely addicted with no harmful effects. Kind of like the fake cigarettes being discussed.
Twinkie defense of diminished capacity for cold blooded murder. Reduced to "voluntary manslaughter" is a joke itself.
RE: Katrina stealing... the problem is deeper than just looting, because the looting is the symptom. However, what I was talking about was the excuses being made.
RE Tiger Woods: I'm sorry, it does affect me. Because he is a high profile personality, it is on the news. Because he crashed his car, after an alleged assault or because he was under the influence or whatever (it doesn't matter which one of the possible "whys"), because of and as a result of his "personal indiscretions". It affects large number of people who held him up as a "role model" (not me, because I don't see athletes as role models).
However, if he was able to keep his escapades quiet and out of the public, then I would agree. The moment it becomes public, and involves public safety officials (police, ambulance or whatever), it matters.
As for you not giving a shit who sleeps with who, Can I tell that to your wife / SO? Oh, I'm sure you give a shit about who sleeps with yours and if you don't, you should, a least on health reasons alone. I'm sure your SO cares about who you sleep with, and if they don't, they should for the same reason I gave you.
"I don't murder people because I'd rather not be murdered and I don't inflict pain on others because I'm not an inhuman monster who enjoys the suffering of others."
Good for you. I don't follow your rules because I'm bigger, stronger and more powerful than you. Now what? Call me all the names in the book you want, and I'll shoot you for "dissing me", because I value honor more than life. Why is my view wrong and yours right? Oh because you're more "sophisticated" and "enlightened" than me? That is disrespectful and you deserve to die. Bang you're dead. See how well your "I don't like to cause pain" helps you there?
"don't steal because, once again, I don't enjoy being stolen from and therefore I don't want to inflict that suffering on someone else."
Well see, you're just not enlightened enough to realize that there is no such thing as "personal property". Everything is everyone's and we all have to share and share alike. You're just an evil person because you got your and now you don't want anyone else to have what you have (seen this argument on/. recently). I don't see it as your stuff, I see it as humanity's.
And in case you haven't seen my point, I've taken both a Anarchist view and one of a highly progressive socialist view. Not that I believe either of those two things, but rather to point out that your views aren't shared by everyone, and my question was who's viewpoints should we view and why?
As for your list of people exploiting people, I'm afraid that isn't exclusive to any one. It is, however, the hallmark of humanity, that people will take advantage of others. NO SYSTEM is devoid of scammers and sociopaths. Pointing to evil to excuse evil is not excuse and is evil. (btw, I'm not "christian"). Humans are hypocrites, all of us are.
Conservative people claiming "family values" get caught in extra marital affairs. Al Gore flies around in LearJets fighting global warming caused by people flying around in LearJets.
"You realize that book is fiction, right? Asimov wrote the rules, invented the notion they were "perfect" to set up conflict, and then pointed out the flaws in the rules he made up."
Yup, exactly my point. Man made rules are flawed because they are made by flawed men. Any set of "rules" can be used to exploit others. History is replete with examples. Only people who are ignorant think that if we just tweak the rules it will make everything better. It won't.
"Then again, religions are large groups of people, and they do seem to behave as dumb, panicky animals, so maybe you're onto something there after all."
Yup. This includes the religions of governance (R) and (D). Religions of Science (Global Warming). Religions of Politics (Socialism). Gather
Don't murder Don't steal Be nice to each other Don't fuck other peoples wives Take responsibility for your own actions (repentance).
Of course, those are outdated and outmolded by our more progressive rules, where everything is okay to a point. You can murder, if you're abused as a child or ate too many twinkies. You can steal, because a hurricane hit your city (and you're poor, oppressed minority). And lets not stop fucking each other's wives, because hell we all want to be Tiger Woods YEAH!!!
Nobody is responsible for anything it is all everyone else's fault!
Yes, I've seen these same (or similar) arguments to these very things, making excuses for unconscionable behavior.
And without any basis for any standards of conduct, religious or otherwise, we're left to the whims of the masses and the tyranny of the majority.
My question is, who's standards should we follow? And why? I can make a logic case against any standard you come up with.
It is why in iRobot the three laws don't work, even though they are "perfect". That and my sig explains it as well as just about anything.
I believe this guy is onto something. However, I don't think he's gone far enough in his projections.
Here's what I think. Apple realizes that processors are commodities. They have a tool chain that makes nicely optimized compiled code from multiple processors.
Apple realizes that it cannot compete with WinTel, but even more than that, doesn't even want to. Wintel is strapped to ancient technologies and trying to break free from those techs (x86) has proven to be nearly impossible for all (Intel, Microsoft, AMD). They HAVE to keep backwards compatibility.
Apple is going further towards abstraction away from the hardware for all things that don't need to depend on hardware, which will allow them to continue to move from platform to platform as one platform stagnates (Power) to one that is improving(x86). Now that x86 is stuck in between 32 and 64bit HELL, Apple is poised to move to a new platform architecture that isn't limited by 30+ years of legacy holding it back.
In the end, Apple will be able to build or order chips from the people showing the best capabilities, no matter what they are. It is actually something that makes a lot more sense than holding onto 30 year old technology just for the sake of holding onto 30 year old technology.
This is not a bad thing. This will break the WinTel monopoly. I believe Apple knows the endgame for this is here. Wintel used to be the commodity item, now it is a single vendor solution, and Apple is providing a better product that "Just Works" (tm), one that people are willing to pay a small premium for.
This is why people like Taco make "lame" comments, because it isn't about Ghz, Giga, Tera or anything else, it is about being useful without being hassled. My wife doesn't care about specs, she cares about doing stuff, and it being easy.
Would you buy a toaster based on wattage used, types of heater elements, what kind of processor is used for the timing mechanism? Or do you buy a toaster to make toast? Apple is making toasters; sealed appliances. And abstracting the function away from the hardware makes perfect sense, then the hardware matters less than functionality.
Yes there are. We just don't take the "easy" road, instead we tend to make excuses for bad or antisocial behavior such as bad childhood, mean parents, fluke of nature or "Christian Nazi Ethics".
So, now we're filled with a society of narcissistic sociopaths and we tolerate their behavior so we don't look like 1950's TV show because... we'll because we're one of them (narcissistic sociopaths), but haven't quite fully rejected the very thing we are protesting.
Meanwhile we expect everyone else to adhere to our particular set of morals because.... well... who knows why, they just should!
So, we're left with the narcissistic sociopaths, because we can't actually rebuke people for doing exactly what we want to do.
First Success Story I have is myself. Yeah, we all can bitch and whine about something in our past that was traumatic. Poor people because they are poor, rich people because mom and dad cared more about money than the kids etc etc etc.
As for the abuse seeking women, I've know a few. The only ones I know that TRULY got health, simply realized one day that their choices were going to get themselves killed and just left, moved away, got out of town, left everything behind. There is something to be said for a "fresh start".
As for screwed up professionals, there are quite a few. If you don't realize this, then you're not paying attention. I'm not saying they all are screwed up, nor even a majority. But there are enough for me to have noticed.
Yes, they got their Masters and some even have Doctorates, and the piece of paper makes them think they know better than everyone else (what a crock). And you know, you can see their patients who NEVER get any better and keep going and going and going back. They've just replaced one abusive relationship with another.
I never said they were "too dumb" for anything. Again, people stay where they are COMFORTABLE, even if it is painful. It is why people stay in the Getto, locked into a cycle of poverty. CHANGE is the hardest thing one can do. Identifying that you need a change is easy, actually having the guts to do something is difficult.
And yes, sometimes a good old fashioned motivational ass kicking is needed. Tough love works, coddling doesn't. Sometimes one has to allow for the struggle for something to change from a Caterpillar to a Butterfly (if you don't know the reference, ask).
Lastly, I have a great story for you. My own daughter, who blamed me for everything on why her life sucked so bad. It was so bad, my wife and I kicked her out of the house at age 16, because she was unbearable to live with. Fast forward 6 years, she is now 21-22 and life is a living hell for her, and she has a nervous break down. Locked up in a Mental Ward bad. They were telling her that she was right that I was a terrible father, and that it was all my fault and so on.
The crap they were feeding her, was exactly what she WANTED to hear, but hardly truthful. Well after her stint in the ward, I told my wife, on purely a gut feeling, that she was ready to come home for help. We brought her home, and with a little "ass kicking" motivation got her straightened out.
Fast forward to today, she is now a supervisor at her work (age 24) and doing quite well (new car, new apt). I'm not a bad father, I did nothing to make her believe I was (I have two other daughters who are quite normal). I'm quite proud of ALL my kids. But I am especially proud of this one for getting her life together, and realizing that her problems were her own making. Which ALLOWED her to become successful in life.
So yeah, I have "Success Stories". And the psycho people running the Mental Health Ward, if it were up to me, would be arrested for abuse. They did NOTHING to help my daughter, but instead fed her a bunch of lies and crap trying to make her "feel better". What a crock of shit that was.
SO YEAH, I have experience. Yeah, I'm kind of jaded towards Psychologists and Social Workers.
"You know, it's funny how often 'chose not to be a perpetual victim' translates to 'I got mine, now screw everybody else.'"
Ever meet someone who picks guys for boyfriends who beat the crap out of them over and over again?
They like those types of men or else they wouldn't keep picking them. They don't want a nice boring geek who will treat them like a queen, because it is "boring" or some sort of self esteem issues or whatever. It doesn't matter.
And if they ever did find a nice guy who liked them back, they would sabbotage the relationship every chance they got, usually with a guy who beats them up.
They are a perpetual victim, because of the choices they make. That is what a perpetual victim does, because it is what they are good at. And they have people like yourself, enabling them to stay a perpetual victim because you continue to make excuses for the bad choices they make.
The fact is, it is much easier to blame everything bad on your life on everything but yourself. The moment you realize that the choices you make have a DIRECT IMPACT on the quality of life you have, irrespective of your upbringing, the sooner you can get out of the crappy lifestyle you've chosen.
Yes, life sucks sometimes. I've been 1/2 dead in a back of an ambulance, I've been depressed and out of work for long periods of time. The moment I realized that it was ME who was causing most of my problems, the problems started to go away.
So, Yeah, I got mine. And it isn't "screw everyone else" like you claim, it is "Wake up and realize the truth", which sounds a lot like "Screw you" because I'm telling people they are responsible for their life and choices, in a day and age where that is unfashionable, and it is easier to blame mom and dad, uncle child molester, mean teacher or because the dog didn't like you.
One thing I HAVE learned about all those experts you pointed to, is that they are often as screwed up as the people they are trying to help. And going to see someone as screwed up as you are to help you get unscrewed is like going to see a drunk liquor store owner the help you with your alcoholism.
Slashdot Mirror
I wish I had mod points. Some people talk out of their ass. the GP poster is a moron, how it got modded "interesting" only shows those moderators are morons too.
Besides .... THEY'RE COWS. They're stupid. However I'm starting to think they are smarter than certain people.
"reminds of how big corporations treat people like livestock and make them toil for dimes in cramped spaces ... a society's mindset reflects on every aspect of life."
Yeah, like the corporations are holding a gun to the heads of the people working in cubes, and the people have no other choice! /sarcasm.
Yeah it is nice to see people RANT against corporations for choices and careers people make. If you don't like working for a Corporation for 78K a year, then don't. Move to Kansas or Missouri where you can have the same lifestyle for half what it costs in LA, NY, SF or Boston.
Quite frankly, I don't care a single whit about the complainers who work in cubes all day, it was their choice for the lifestyle they've chosen.
And I'm not sure why others complain for those locked in a cube. You may not like working in a cube (and why you don't), but that doesn't give you a right to complain for those that do. Again, it is their choice.
Now if you want to complain about working in a coal mine, especially when the corporate overlords are short changing safety for an extra buck, then complain about that. I hope the families of those killed get millions from the operators of the mine.
Kind of puts things into perspective now doesn't it???
I am entitled to whatever opinion I want, and I am free to voice my opinion. You know, because we live in a free country.
And honestly, I don't really care if Sir_Lewk (967686) on slashdot thinks.
"Leaving aside the fact that Oracle has a much stronger revenue stream, more cash on hand to weather downturns, and much higher profit margins, a company with fewer shares will have more volatile prices "
And all of that is irrelevant as well, as they are already taken into consideration in the stock price (at least theoretically). Right?
Short term information is great for making short term decisions. There is much less long term stability in companies as they are primarily optimized for short term markets.
Stock Prices are, exactly the market valuation of all things regarding a company at that moment, nothing more, nothing less. Stock prices aren't based much on reality, but on fiat value.
Not to mention Cornhusker Kickback and Louisiana Purchase.
For sale, votes: Current price between $250,000,000 and $1,500,000,000 depending upon condition. Please see your nearest associate for details.
"These people need to pay for what they have done."
I sure hope you don't ever sit on a jury. In fact, if I was a lawyer, saw this post and knew who you were, I'd use it to exclude you from any and every jury you might ever sit on.
Here's the deal. You've already convicted them and are trying to sentence them in the court of public opinion. Which you ought to know, is not a REAL court.
Now, if you prefaced your statement with "should they be found guilty, " I might actually agree with you. But right now, they aren't even charged with a crime (yet), so jumping to "they're guilty, where's the gallows?" mentality is short sighted and why we have courts in the first place.
Or the fourth option: You say something you shouldn't have and become guilty of a new crime you never even contemplated breaking before they started questioning you.
The Fifth Amendment right is there to protect you from yourself. If I ever get asked a question by police or other law enforcement I'm taking the Fifth on principle, so I don't screw myself mistakenly.
See Martha Stewart and Scooter Libby* for fine examples of opening your mouth when you should have shut up.
*No I'm not saying anything about whatever crimes they may or may not have committed, just that they went to jail for what they said to a law enforcement official during an "investigation" of alleged crimes.
Thats right, we all know that the state has every right to control everything about you, now including forcing you to buy a consumer service or fining you.
How dare we believe we are free individuals!
"And when Sheriff Joe breaks the law?" -Citation Needed
Throwing an accusation out doesn't indicate any law was broken. If that were the case, then Obama is a Kenyan and not eligible to be president.
And since when does breaking the law stop anyone in elected office from doing things illegal? There is no part of the Constitution that says congress can pass a law requiring people to buy a good or service, and several parts that specifically state the opposite, and yet we now have Obama Care.
What about those running the city of San Francisco, who appear to be actively and aggressively protesting and refusing to enforce Federal Immigration laws?
The problem is, that in one case you probably don't like what the guy is doing, and in the other case you do, which only shows that it is about enforcing (or not) Federal Immigration Laws.
Would you support a County Sheriff that refused to enforce Federal gun laws? How about Federally mandated Health Insurance Fines/Fees and Penalties?
You see, if you want to walk down that road, at least be consistent.
"goddam liberal bleeding hear trial lawyers got them off on a technicality".
That never happens ... ever. /sarcasm
As for Sheriff Joe, if people break the law (enter the country illegally) shouldn't the law enforcement officials arrest them and detain them? Don't like the law, then elect people to get it changed.
Oh wait, you're probably not one of his constituents so you think it is perfectly okay to comment on something happening in a place where your sense of "fairness" is offended.
Not to mention the idiotic San Francisco "sanctuary city" policy that lets hard criminals go free, because they're illegal aliens, to go on and murder people then say "oops sorry my bad" later.
Of course if you're one of those "Liberal Bleeding hearts", you'll make some stupid excuse as to why illegals are exempt from obeying the laws; probably using the "oppressed" label.
"Why are you so fascinated with other people's sex-lives? Maybe we have an open relationship, maybe we just trust each other, maybe we're wild swingers who spend our nights attending orgies. It's not your concern. "
It is now, thanks to Obama Care.
"It's nobodies business but his and his family's."
Wrong. It affects his contractual agreements. He promotes himself as a role model. I'm not sure if you realize this, but I'm not a big fan of celebrity. However much of our society is and it affects everything we do, including electing a junior senator who never ran anything bigger than a community organization to President of the USA. But hey, what do I know.
"If you're going to just go with criminal behavior ... "
Trade Federation guy: Is that legal?
Emperor Palpatin: I will make it legal.
Cute line, but exposes the flaw in "criminal" behavior. What is legal or criminal varies from place to place. What makes your "legal" framework better than other places? And making something legal (or illegal) doesn't make it right (or wrong).
"So your point was that it's easy to invent rules that you intend to be flawed so that you can cleverly point out that there's a flaw in the rules? Wow"
No, that is not my point. My point is that the road to totalitarianism is based on "tweaking the rule". The USA has more laws than any other country. Are we better off, worse off, or running about average?
I'm a libertarian, so I believe that people should rule themselves, while I also realize that some people can't or won't rule themselves (basis for the thread). Some people are social paths and just don't care, other people are just assholes who stay just this side of what is "legal". The only solution is that we need people who can punch the asshole in the face (like the asshole in Walmart who only has a limited vocabulary that he uses the F-Bomb as noun, verb, adverb and a proper name. Asshole, needs to be punched in the nose.
"Oh, you're one of those guys. Everyone in the world is wrong except for you, and to add insult to injury, they're too stupid to realize that you're right and they're all wrong. Got it."
Oh, you're one of those guys. Nobody is wrong unless they upset your view of the world. All views are equal as long as they are compatible with yours. Got it.
See I can do it too.
"What has any of that got to do with your point about "Christian Values", or my original point that mental illness is not easily cured?"
It all depends on what you call mental illness doesn't it? Is being Gay a mental illness? If it is, can it be cured? If by it not being curable becomes accepted part of society it becomes "normalized" does that make it not a mental illness?
It used to be called that, but not now. Why? What other "mental illness" we have now, will be "normalized" in 100 years? If we found a pill that could make people "not gay" if they took it (like lithium for Schizophrenics) would you say it was "mental illness" and make them take it? Why or why not?
You see, what is a mental illness is subject to changing definitions.
The easy fix for people like this is to lock them up so that they cannot harm the rest of society. However that is frowned upon by people because it is "mean" or whatever and that we should tolerate them mingling in with the rest of society. The fix is easy, if we only had the will do it.
It is now. I used to avoid /. when Goatse links and GNAA posts would randomly appear. The pain factor has been removed and now I'm completely addicted with no harmful effects. Kind of like the fake cigarettes being discussed.
Haven't we learned anything!?!?
Twinkie defense of diminished capacity for cold blooded murder. Reduced to "voluntary manslaughter" is a joke itself.
RE: Katrina stealing ... the problem is deeper than just looting, because the looting is the symptom. However, what I was talking about was the excuses being made.
RE Tiger Woods: I'm sorry, it does affect me. Because he is a high profile personality, it is on the news. Because he crashed his car, after an alleged assault or because he was under the influence or whatever (it doesn't matter which one of the possible "whys"), because of and as a result of his "personal indiscretions". It affects large number of people who held him up as a "role model" (not me, because I don't see athletes as role models).
However, if he was able to keep his escapades quiet and out of the public, then I would agree. The moment it becomes public, and involves public safety officials (police, ambulance or whatever), it matters.
As for you not giving a shit who sleeps with who, Can I tell that to your wife / SO? Oh, I'm sure you give a shit about who sleeps with yours and if you don't, you should, a least on health reasons alone. I'm sure your SO cares about who you sleep with, and if they don't, they should for the same reason I gave you.
"I don't murder people because I'd rather not be murdered and I don't inflict pain on others because I'm not an inhuman monster who enjoys the suffering of others."
Good for you. I don't follow your rules because I'm bigger, stronger and more powerful than you. Now what? Call me all the names in the book you want, and I'll shoot you for "dissing me", because I value honor more than life. Why is my view wrong and yours right? Oh because you're more "sophisticated" and "enlightened" than me? That is disrespectful and you deserve to die. Bang you're dead. See how well your "I don't like to cause pain" helps you there?
"don't steal because, once again, I don't enjoy being stolen from and therefore I don't want to inflict that suffering on someone else."
Well see, you're just not enlightened enough to realize that there is no such thing as "personal property". Everything is everyone's and we all have to share and share alike. You're just an evil person because you got your and now you don't want anyone else to have what you have (seen this argument on /. recently). I don't see it as your stuff, I see it as humanity's.
And in case you haven't seen my point, I've taken both a Anarchist view and one of a highly progressive socialist view. Not that I believe either of those two things, but rather to point out that your views aren't shared by everyone, and my question was who's viewpoints should we view and why?
As for your list of people exploiting people, I'm afraid that isn't exclusive to any one. It is, however, the hallmark of humanity, that people will take advantage of others. NO SYSTEM is devoid of scammers and sociopaths. Pointing to evil to excuse evil is not excuse and is evil. (btw, I'm not "christian"). Humans are hypocrites, all of us are.
Conservative people claiming "family values" get caught in extra marital affairs. Al Gore flies around in LearJets fighting global warming caused by people flying around in LearJets.
"You realize that book is fiction, right? Asimov wrote the rules, invented the notion they were "perfect" to set up conflict, and then pointed out the flaws in the rules he made up."
Yup, exactly my point. Man made rules are flawed because they are made by flawed men. Any set of "rules" can be used to exploit others. History is replete with examples. Only people who are ignorant think that if we just tweak the rules it will make everything better. It won't.
"Then again, religions are large groups of people, and they do seem to behave as dumb, panicky animals, so maybe you're onto something there after all."
Yup. This includes the religions of governance (R) and (D). Religions of Science (Global Warming). Religions of Politics (Socialism). Gather
Judeo/Christian Values like
Don't murder
Don't steal
Be nice to each other
Don't fuck other peoples wives
Take responsibility for your own actions (repentance).
Of course, those are outdated and outmolded by our more progressive rules, where everything is okay to a point. You can murder, if you're abused as a child or ate too many twinkies. You can steal, because a hurricane hit your city (and you're poor, oppressed minority). And lets not stop fucking each other's wives, because hell we all want to be Tiger Woods YEAH!!!
Nobody is responsible for anything it is all everyone else's fault!
Yes, I've seen these same (or similar) arguments to these very things, making excuses for unconscionable behavior.
And without any basis for any standards of conduct, religious or otherwise, we're left to the whims of the masses and the tyranny of the majority.
My question is, who's standards should we follow? And why? I can make a logic case against any standard you come up with.
It is why in iRobot the three laws don't work, even though they are "perfect". That and my sig explains it as well as just about anything.
I believe this guy is onto something. However, I don't think he's gone far enough in his projections.
Here's what I think. Apple realizes that processors are commodities. They have a tool chain that makes nicely optimized compiled code from multiple processors.
Apple realizes that it cannot compete with WinTel, but even more than that, doesn't even want to. Wintel is strapped to ancient technologies and trying to break free from those techs (x86) has proven to be nearly impossible for all (Intel, Microsoft, AMD). They HAVE to keep backwards compatibility.
Apple is going further towards abstraction away from the hardware for all things that don't need to depend on hardware, which will allow them to continue to move from platform to platform as one platform stagnates (Power) to one that is improving(x86). Now that x86 is stuck in between 32 and 64bit HELL, Apple is poised to move to a new platform architecture that isn't limited by 30+ years of legacy holding it back.
In the end, Apple will be able to build or order chips from the people showing the best capabilities, no matter what they are. It is actually something that makes a lot more sense than holding onto 30 year old technology just for the sake of holding onto 30 year old technology.
This is not a bad thing. This will break the WinTel monopoly. I believe Apple knows the endgame for this is here. Wintel used to be the commodity item, now it is a single vendor solution, and Apple is providing a better product that "Just Works" (tm), one that people are willing to pay a small premium for.
This is why people like Taco make "lame" comments, because it isn't about Ghz, Giga, Tera or anything else, it is about being useful without being hassled. My wife doesn't care about specs, she cares about doing stuff, and it being easy.
Would you buy a toaster based on wattage used, types of heater elements, what kind of processor is used for the timing mechanism? Or do you buy a toaster to make toast? Apple is making toasters; sealed appliances. And abstracting the function away from the hardware makes perfect sense, then the hardware matters less than functionality.
"there are generally no easy fixes for them."
Yes there are. We just don't take the "easy" road, instead we tend to make excuses for bad or antisocial behavior such as bad childhood, mean parents, fluke of nature or "Christian Nazi Ethics".
So, now we're filled with a society of narcissistic sociopaths and we tolerate their behavior so we don't look like 1950's TV show because ... we'll because we're one of them (narcissistic sociopaths), but haven't quite fully rejected the very thing we are protesting.
Meanwhile we expect everyone else to adhere to our particular set of morals because .... well ... who knows why, they just should!
So, we're left with the narcissistic sociopaths, because we can't actually rebuke people for doing exactly what we want to do.
If you go outside of acting, you could find one of the great Strongman Power lifters to do Thor. My vote, would be Arild "Hulk" Haugen of Norway ...
http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/export/sites/default/ironmind/arildlat_lg.jpg
Just looking at Bestbuy.com ... I found this ....
Seagate - Expansion 1TB External USB 2.0 Desktop Hard Drive - Black $99.99
So, you're wrong. While I don't like Bestbuy much, you don't have to lie / guess to make your point. Seagate/Maxtor is full of fecal matter.
When Marketing Droids lie, just print the truth.
THE only way I could imagine it costing $140 is if they included a MONSTER USB cable made from gold (or similar). But even that wouldn't do it ...
Monster - Digital Pro USB Cable $24.99
I'm reminded of AVP ... except this is the opposite ....
Who ever loses, we win!
Nah, its THIS one that will be the funny one in a few years.
Bus Principal is only employed after it actually happens. We had this very same discussion years ago, then one day, one of the techs woke up dead.
Took the rest of the team better part of a month to get things all torn down and put back together because nobody had the keys to anything.
It will not happen again. Once was enough
Any sufficient level of Incompetence is indistinguishable from Malice.
Solution however is exactly the same.
First Success Story I have is myself. Yeah, we all can bitch and whine about something in our past that was traumatic. Poor people because they are poor, rich people because mom and dad cared more about money than the kids etc etc etc.
As for the abuse seeking women, I've know a few. The only ones I know that TRULY got health, simply realized one day that their choices were going to get themselves killed and just left, moved away, got out of town, left everything behind. There is something to be said for a "fresh start".
As for screwed up professionals, there are quite a few. If you don't realize this, then you're not paying attention. I'm not saying they all are screwed up, nor even a majority. But there are enough for me to have noticed.
Yes, they got their Masters and some even have Doctorates, and the piece of paper makes them think they know better than everyone else (what a crock). And you know, you can see their patients who NEVER get any better and keep going and going and going back. They've just replaced one abusive relationship with another.
I never said they were "too dumb" for anything. Again, people stay where they are COMFORTABLE, even if it is painful. It is why people stay in the Getto, locked into a cycle of poverty. CHANGE is the hardest thing one can do. Identifying that you need a change is easy, actually having the guts to do something is difficult.
And yes, sometimes a good old fashioned motivational ass kicking is needed. Tough love works, coddling doesn't. Sometimes one has to allow for the struggle for something to change from a Caterpillar to a Butterfly (if you don't know the reference, ask).
Lastly, I have a great story for you. My own daughter, who blamed me for everything on why her life sucked so bad. It was so bad, my wife and I kicked her out of the house at age 16, because she was unbearable to live with. Fast forward 6 years, she is now 21-22 and life is a living hell for her, and she has a nervous break down. Locked up in a Mental Ward bad. They were telling her that she was right that I was a terrible father, and that it was all my fault and so on.
The crap they were feeding her, was exactly what she WANTED to hear, but hardly truthful. Well after her stint in the ward, I told my wife, on purely a gut feeling, that she was ready to come home for help. We brought her home, and with a little "ass kicking" motivation got her straightened out.
Fast forward to today, she is now a supervisor at her work (age 24) and doing quite well (new car, new apt). I'm not a bad father, I did nothing to make her believe I was (I have two other daughters who are quite normal). I'm quite proud of ALL my kids. But I am especially proud of this one for getting her life together, and realizing that her problems were her own making. Which ALLOWED her to become successful in life.
So yeah, I have "Success Stories". And the psycho people running the Mental Health Ward, if it were up to me, would be arrested for abuse. They did NOTHING to help my daughter, but instead fed her a bunch of lies and crap trying to make her "feel better". What a crock of shit that was.
SO YEAH, I have experience. Yeah, I'm kind of jaded towards Psychologists and Social Workers.
"You know, it's funny how often 'chose not to be a perpetual victim' translates to 'I got mine, now screw everybody else.'"
Ever meet someone who picks guys for boyfriends who beat the crap out of them over and over again?
They like those types of men or else they wouldn't keep picking them. They don't want a nice boring geek who will treat them like a queen, because it is "boring" or some sort of self esteem issues or whatever. It doesn't matter.
And if they ever did find a nice guy who liked them back, they would sabbotage the relationship every chance they got, usually with a guy who beats them up.
They are a perpetual victim, because of the choices they make. That is what a perpetual victim does, because it is what they are good at. And they have people like yourself, enabling them to stay a perpetual victim because you continue to make excuses for the bad choices they make.
The fact is, it is much easier to blame everything bad on your life on everything but yourself. The moment you realize that the choices you make have a DIRECT IMPACT on the quality of life you have, irrespective of your upbringing, the sooner you can get out of the crappy lifestyle you've chosen.
Yes, life sucks sometimes. I've been 1/2 dead in a back of an ambulance, I've been depressed and out of work for long periods of time. The moment I realized that it was ME who was causing most of my problems, the problems started to go away.
So, Yeah, I got mine. And it isn't "screw everyone else" like you claim, it is "Wake up and realize the truth", which sounds a lot like "Screw you" because I'm telling people they are responsible for their life and choices, in a day and age where that is unfashionable, and it is easier to blame mom and dad, uncle child molester, mean teacher or because the dog didn't like you.
One thing I HAVE learned about all those experts you pointed to, is that they are often as screwed up as the people they are trying to help. And going to see someone as screwed up as you are to help you get unscrewed is like going to see a drunk liquor store owner the help you with your alcoholism.