Humanoid statues can hold cables with their elbows, shoulders, top of their head, middle of their chest etc. Not just with their hands - like real humans.
And if you think that humanoid pylons are impractical - get a load of these ugly things. No pun intended. And then try imagining servicing one of those nightmares.
...is not the worst thing that can happen. Particularly when we are talking astrophysics.
I prefer the option where it IS "our" fault compared to one where the cause of trouble is completely out of our hands. Cause if we can break it, we can probably fix it to. Not easily, but there is a chance.
Fixing something caused by the Sun... well... not this civilization.
Aww... And there you go asking that like you don't understand the problem at all, when actually you are on the right track. Although somewhat aimless.
Useful skills are not outside of scope of schooling. Or do you still visit your village's shaman when you have an "ache"? Guess what? Doctors, nurses, dentists and apothecaries all had to go to school to learn how to fix people.
Most highly specialized skills ARE outside of the scope of elementary and secondary schooling. Why? Because those are specialized skills taught at specialized schools where they teach specialized classes for which you need a shitload of introductory knowledge and experience. Which you get through higher education and work experience. There ain't no "Brain Surgeon High" or "Astronaut Elementary". Just as there are no software engineer courses for people without a high-school diploma.
As for schools teaching "how to be part of a manageable work force"... I wish. At least then they would produce SOME manageable work force instead of just pushing kids through the grinder of meaningless tests and aimless texts. Unfortunately, the whole profession is overpopulated by people lacking skill or motivation to teach. Failed writers teach literature and languages, failed scientists science, failed mathematicians math, failed sportsmen sports... I could probably count all good teachers I've met so far on fingers of one hand. And I'm not even sure I'd need all of them.
On the other hand... Most of those were university level teachers. Oh, there are plenty of failed this-or-that teaching at universities too... but some actually take time to teach you both what you want to learn AND what you need to know.
I KNOW that they are human beings who are supposed to be being EDUCATED in those institutions. Quality of said education being joined responsibility of their teachers, their parents AND the society as a whole.
As for reality... The only thing that keeps me marginally sane is the fact that I am marginally in-sane. Which sure helps all those times when you find yourself on the wrong side of the mirror.
Are you perhaps employed in education or related to someone who is?
The way you say "not just students in there"... Makes it seem that students are not really "people" - more like cattle or furniture or some other lower form of life. You know... Like there are people who work for a living in schools, and then there are students.
From my experience, that sounds a lot like thinking of someone being closely connected to that sector.
ICBM Launch Control - Moscow, Leningrad, Novosibirsk WAIT FOR PRESIDENT'S ORDERS BEFORE PRESSING
Deathly silence after someone does press the button should be adequate punishment. Naturally, potential super-criminals, James Bond villains and right-leaning survivalist nationalist employees should be explained button's real purpose to avoid accidents caused by someone deciding to rid the world of communism during their lunch break.
with game-changing technologies like the iPod, iTunes, iPhone, and iPad.
A - nothing "game changing" about ANY of those. MP3 players (both hardware and software) existed for years before iPod. So did mobile phones - many of them far better and more innovative than iPhone. FFS how many generations was it before iPhone was able to use MMS and copy/paste? And iPad is nothing more than a big iPod. Again... tablets have been around for years before that.
Yes, Google did develop a nice email system and some mapping software, but these were incremental innovations.
B - Seriously? Some mapping software? Was there actually something like Google Maps and Google Earth before Google released those? Something that I'm not aware of? For free, might I add. Just like that "nice email system" that made mailbox sizes a thing of the past. When was the last time Apple or MS gave away anything like that for free?
And C - ScuttleMonkey is basically contradicting himself. First he goes on how patents are bad and tosses around an example of Apple and "over 1000 patents" connected to the iPhone. Then, he goes on about patents being inherently bad for the "innovators" - and again tossing around an example of Apple as an innovator.
Well gosh darn! Apple must be magical like their commercials claim. Not only is it an innovator, but a behemoth who is an innovator AND one that is immune to the patent-poison too.
And then he ends it all on a piece de resistance of this whole ordeal by making patents OK - but only if you are a startup.
Simply put, if we are serious about lifting the economy out of its rut, we need to focus all of our energy on helping entrepreneurs. Provide them with the incentives (tax breaks and seed financing); education; and infrastructure. And gear public policy--like patent-protection laws--toward the startups.
Not sure how is that supposed to work though. Only startups get to patent things? "Behemoths" like MS, Apple, Google, IBM etc. will not be allowed to buy patents? Or startups? What good would it do to a startup then to patent anything unless they can sell or license it to make much needed cash? And what will happen to a startup that grows into a "behemoth"? Google was a startup too about a decade ago.
Should startups and "behemoths" REALLY be forced to choose between making a profit and innovating - through legislation? Gee... I wonder which path would they choose.
You see me using an 'equal' sign, AKA ' = '? Maybe you should check out this story. That particular post was worth 17004 dollars AND 8250 Euros AND 99147 Yen.
This one is worth 5672 dollars, 4571 Australian dollars and 65001 Cuban pesos (in the form of 3-pesos Che bills).
Next time you encounter a problem you think that you might find a solution to by googling for someone else's already existing solution - just read Plato instead. You wouldn't want to use some worthless solution someone "writ" on a forum or a blog somewhere, now would you?
And tacking on that "Hey, my comment is worthless too..." is the same thing as asking loaded questions.
BTW, this particular post's monetary value may be only 17004 dollars, 8250 Euros and 99147 Yen, but its cultural value is priceless.
Is that the students should be taught to THINK instead of just memorize.
Had the problem been 4+3+2=z+2 (Solve for z), would you also argue that it "Should be x, cause it is always x"? How about 4+3+2=u+2? How about $4 + 300 cents + 2x($1) = ($$$) + $2?
Real life problems don't come in a "X marks the spot" form.
As for who is to blame... well, that has been determined eons ago:
Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu:
Sun Tzu Wu was a native of the Ch`i State. His ART OF WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, [2] King of Wu. Ho Lu said to him: "I have carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight test?" Sun Tzu replied: "You may." Ho Lu asked: "May the test be applied to women?" The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace. Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's favorite concubines at the head of each.
He then bade them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus: "I presume you know the difference between front and back, right hand and left hand?" The girls replied: Yes. Sun Tzu went on: "When I say "Eyes front," you must look straight ahead. When I say "Left turn," you must face towards your left hand. When I say "Right turn," you must face towards your right hand. When I say "About turn," you must face right round towards your back."
Again the girls assented. The words of command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes in order to begin the drill. Then, to the sound of drums, he gave the order "Right turn." But the girls only burst out laughing. Sun Tzu said: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame."
So he started drilling them again, and this time gave the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst into fits of laughter. Sun Tzu: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers." So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded.
Now the king of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurriedly sent down the following message: "We are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle troops. If We are bereft of these two concubines, our meat and drink will lose their savor. It is our wish that they shall not be beheaded."
Sun Tzu replied: "Having once received His Majesty's commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept." Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place. When this had been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the evolutions, turning to the right or to the left, marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.
Then Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying: "Your soldiers, Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for your majesty's inspection. They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and water, and they will not disobey." But the King replied: "Let our general cease drilling and return to camp. As for us, We have no wish to come down and inspect the troops." Thereupon Sun Tzu said: "The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds."
After that, Ho Lu saw that Sun Tzu was one who knew how to handle an army, and fin
... that you find the problems that stupid people are facing to be much like your own. But look at it this way. Mod points come and go to all of us, but stupid is personal trait.
So it's not just the understanding of the '=' sign that presents a problem, but simple reading as well?
Students who have learned to memorize symbols and who have a limited understanding of the equal sign will tend to solve problems such as 4+3+2=()+2 by adding the numbers on the left, and placing it in the parentheses, then add those terms and create another equal sign with the new answer
Students are treating the RIGHT side of the equation as if it were a SECOND equation. WHICH IS WRONG! The whole thing is a single equation.
However, this understanding is incorrect. The correct solution makes both sides equal.
See?
4+3+2 is not equal to 9+2.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have just been featured on Slashdot! This TFA is about YOU!
I wonder how long before they show me a picture of me enjoying the Big Mac? I truly believe we'll get there, and it won't take that long!
With the age of 3D TVs capable of streaming several video streams visible only from a certain angle - there will be no reason to pay attention to "privacy concerns". You will be the only one seeing yourself eating a Big Mac.
So, probably pretty soon. Tech is already there. All we need now is couple of millions for a start-up and we could buy out Google in about a decade or so.
Also, even TFS explains that THAT is not really the case:
Winter claims failure rates tend to be higher among personal and small business users, rather than large companies, which tend to have air conditioning and humidity control. Laptops and disk drives being left in direct sunlight or in the back of cars is another common cause of failure, the Ontrack engineer added.
BTW, both persons in your story deserve to be on the "there's the door" short-list. Both are obviously high and mighty knowitalls with zero communication skills and no comprehension of the work-flow OR the chain of command in the company. Also, their abilities to cause problems through conscious uninformed action in one and conscious informed inaction in other case are perfectly matched. And lets not even start taking their egos in the equation. In a more humorous world they would end up together on a reality show somewhere.
Although, if there is going to be an official inquiry - sysadmin is the one who will most certainly get the boot. He KNEW that what he was doing was wrong and he did it anyway. He'd be lucky if it only cost him his job.
Slashdot Mirror
Humanoid statues can hold cables with their elbows, shoulders, top of their head, middle of their chest etc.
Not just with their hands - like real humans.
And if you think that humanoid pylons are impractical - get a load of these ugly things. No pun intended.
And then try imagining servicing one of those nightmares.
...and order Sex on the Beach.
So, what you're saying is...
Cracking jokes on slashdot is an indicator of balls of steel and/or bulletproof karma?
...is not the worst thing that can happen. Particularly when we are talking astrophysics.
I prefer the option where it IS "our" fault compared to one where the cause of trouble is completely out of our hands.
Cause if we can break it, we can probably fix it to. Not easily, but there is a chance.
Fixing something caused by the Sun... well... not this civilization.
Aww...
And there you go asking that like you don't understand the problem at all, when actually you are on the right track.
Although somewhat aimless.
Useful skills are not outside of scope of schooling.
Or do you still visit your village's shaman when you have an "ache"?
Guess what? Doctors, nurses, dentists and apothecaries all had to go to school to learn how to fix people.
Most highly specialized skills ARE outside of the scope of elementary and secondary schooling.
Why? Because those are specialized skills taught at specialized schools where they teach specialized classes for which you need a shitload of introductory knowledge and experience.
Which you get through higher education and work experience.
There ain't no "Brain Surgeon High" or "Astronaut Elementary".
Just as there are no software engineer courses for people without a high-school diploma.
As for schools teaching "how to be part of a manageable work force"... I wish.
At least then they would produce SOME manageable work force instead of just pushing kids through the grinder of meaningless tests and aimless texts.
Unfortunately, the whole profession is overpopulated by people lacking skill or motivation to teach.
Failed writers teach literature and languages, failed scientists science, failed mathematicians math, failed sportsmen sports...
I could probably count all good teachers I've met so far on fingers of one hand.
And I'm not even sure I'd need all of them.
On the other hand... Most of those were university level teachers.
Oh, there are plenty of failed this-or-that teaching at universities too... but some actually take time to teach you both what you want to learn AND what you need to know.
I KNOW that they are human beings who are supposed to be being EDUCATED in those institutions.
Quality of said education being joined responsibility of their teachers, their parents AND the society as a whole.
As for reality...
The only thing that keeps me marginally sane is the fact that I am marginally in-sane.
Which sure helps all those times when you find yourself on the wrong side of the mirror.
Are you perhaps employed in education or related to someone who is?
The way you say "not just students in there"...
Makes it seem that students are not really "people" - more like cattle or furniture or some other lower form of life.
You know... Like there are people who work for a living in schools, and then there are students.
From my experience, that sounds a lot like thinking of someone being closely connected to that sector.
Deathly silence after someone does press the button should be adequate punishment.
Naturally, potential super-criminals, James Bond villains and right-leaning survivalist nationalist employees should be explained button's real purpose to avoid accidents caused by someone deciding to rid the world of communism during their lunch break.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZnsOZsA7_4
Lucas will not show common courtesy this time either.
I had both a CD Mp3 player and a USB-stick one long before Apple even announced iPod.
Both cost me far less than an iPod might have, both still work just fine (but mostly gather dust) and both use off the shelve batteries.
As well as their music management (or for that era I should say file/directory management).
If you really need your own music collection managed for you, music management is the least of your problems.
with game-changing technologies like the iPod, iTunes, iPhone, and iPad.
A - nothing "game changing" about ANY of those.
MP3 players (both hardware and software) existed for years before iPod.
So did mobile phones - many of them far better and more innovative than iPhone. FFS how many generations was it before iPhone was able to use MMS and copy/paste?
And iPad is nothing more than a big iPod. Again... tablets have been around for years before that.
Yes, Google did develop a nice email system and some mapping software, but these were incremental innovations.
B - Seriously? Some mapping software?
Was there actually something like Google Maps and Google Earth before Google released those? Something that I'm not aware of?
For free, might I add. Just like that "nice email system" that made mailbox sizes a thing of the past.
When was the last time Apple or MS gave away anything like that for free?
And C - ScuttleMonkey is basically contradicting himself.
First he goes on how patents are bad and tosses around an example of Apple and "over 1000 patents" connected to the iPhone.
Then, he goes on about patents being inherently bad for the "innovators" - and again tossing around an example of Apple as an innovator.
Well gosh darn! Apple must be magical like their commercials claim.
Not only is it an innovator, but a behemoth who is an innovator AND one that is immune to the patent-poison too.
And then he ends it all on a piece de resistance of this whole ordeal by making patents OK - but only if you are a startup.
Simply put, if we are serious about lifting the economy out of its rut, we need to focus all of our energy on helping entrepreneurs.
Provide them with the incentives (tax breaks and seed financing); education; and infrastructure.
And gear public policy--like patent-protection laws--toward the startups.
Not sure how is that supposed to work though.
Only startups get to patent things?
"Behemoths" like MS, Apple, Google, IBM etc. will not be allowed to buy patents? Or startups?
What good would it do to a startup then to patent anything unless they can sell or license it to make much needed cash?
And what will happen to a startup that grows into a "behemoth"? Google was a startup too about a decade ago.
Should startups and "behemoths" REALLY be forced to choose between making a profit and innovating - through legislation?
Gee... I wonder which path would they choose.
You see me using an 'equal' sign, AKA ' = '? Maybe you should check out this story.
That particular post was worth 17004 dollars AND 8250 Euros AND 99147 Yen.
This one is worth 5672 dollars, 4571 Australian dollars and 65001 Cuban pesos (in the form of 3-pesos Che bills).
Next time you encounter a problem you think that you might find a solution to by googling for someone else's already existing solution - just read Plato instead.
You wouldn't want to use some worthless solution someone "writ" on a forum or a blog somewhere, now would you?
And tacking on that "Hey, my comment is worthless too..." is the same thing as asking loaded questions.
BTW, this particular post's monetary value may be only 17004 dollars, 8250 Euros and 99147 Yen, but its cultural value is priceless.
Is that the students should be taught to THINK instead of just memorize.
Had the problem been 4+3+2=z+2 (Solve for z), would you also argue that it "Should be x, cause it is always x"? How about 4+3+2=u+2?
How about $4 + 300 cents + 2x($1) = ($$$) + $2?
Real life problems don't come in a "X marks the spot" form.
As for who is to blame... well, that has been determined eons ago:
Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu:
Sun Tzu Wu was a native of the Ch`i State.
His ART OF WAR brought him to the notice of Ho Lu, [2] King of Wu. Ho Lu said to him:
"I have carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight test?"
Sun Tzu replied: "You may."
Ho Lu asked: "May the test be applied to women?"
The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace.
Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King's favorite concubines at the head of each.
He then bade them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus:
"I presume you know the difference between front and back, right hand and left hand?"
The girls replied: Yes.
Sun Tzu went on: "When I say "Eyes front," you must look straight ahead.
When I say "Left turn," you must face towards your left hand.
When I say "Right turn," you must face towards your right hand.
When I say "About turn," you must face right round towards your back."
Again the girls assented.
The words of command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes in order to begin the drill.
Then, to the sound of drums, he gave the order "Right turn."
But the girls only burst out laughing.
Sun Tzu said: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame."
So he started drilling them again, and this time gave the order "Left turn," whereupon the girls once more burst into fits of laughter.
Sun Tzu: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.
But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."
So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded.
Now the king of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his favorite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurriedly sent down the following message:
"We are now quite satisfied as to our general's ability to handle troops.
If We are bereft of these two concubines, our meat and drink will lose their savor.
It is our wish that they shall not be beheaded."
Sun Tzu replied: "Having once received His Majesty's commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept."
Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place.
When this had been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the evolutions, turning to the right or to the left, marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound.
Then Sun Tzu sent a messenger to the King saying: "Your soldiers, Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for your majesty's inspection.
They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and water, and they will not disobey."
But the King replied: "Let our general cease drilling and return to camp.
As for us, We have no wish to come down and inspect the troops."
Thereupon Sun Tzu said: "The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds."
After that, Ho Lu saw that Sun Tzu was one who knew how to handle an army, and fin
... that you find the problems that stupid people are facing to be much like your own.
But look at it this way. Mod points come and go to all of us, but stupid is personal trait.
So it's not just the understanding of the '=' sign that presents a problem, but simple reading as well?
Students who have learned to memorize symbols and who have a limited understanding of the equal sign will tend to solve problems such as 4+3+2=()+2 by adding the numbers on the left, and placing it in the parentheses, then add those terms and create another equal sign with the new answer
Students are treating the RIGHT side of the equation as if it were a SECOND equation. WHICH IS WRONG!
The whole thing is a single equation.
However, this understanding is incorrect. The correct solution makes both sides equal.
See?
4+3+2 is not equal to 9+2.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have just been featured on Slashdot!
This TFA is about YOU!
I wonder how long before they show me a picture of me enjoying the Big Mac? I truly believe we'll get there, and it won't take that long!
With the age of 3D TVs capable of streaming several video streams visible only from a certain angle - there will be no reason to pay attention to "privacy concerns".
You will be the only one seeing yourself eating a Big Mac.
So, probably pretty soon. Tech is already there.
All we need now is couple of millions for a start-up and we could buy out Google in about a decade or so.
That still falls under my original definition.
Also, even TFS explains that THAT is not really the case:
Winter claims failure rates tend to be higher among personal and small business users, rather than large companies, which tend to have air conditioning and humidity control.
Laptops and disk drives being left in direct sunlight or in the back of cars is another common cause of failure, the Ontrack engineer added.
BTW, both persons in your story deserve to be on the "there's the door" short-list.
Both are obviously high and mighty knowitalls with zero communication skills and no comprehension of the work-flow OR the chain of command in the company.
Also, their abilities to cause problems through conscious uninformed action in one and conscious informed inaction in other case are perfectly matched.
And lets not even start taking their egos in the equation.
In a more humorous world they would end up together on a reality show somewhere.
Although, if there is going to be an official inquiry - sysadmin is the one who will most certainly get the boot.
He KNEW that what he was doing was wrong and he did it anyway. He'd be lucky if it only cost him his job.
but that's not really what I'm looking for when I'm rushing to catch a train!
Your mouth says no, but your pupils, your accelerated breathing and your increased heart rate say "OH, YES! YES! YES! GOD! YES! MORE!".
That should be WHISKY and rum.
Unless he also goes around town dressed as a leprechaun.
And, since the machine offers multiple choices I'm guessing whiskey and rum.
Wait 'till they start offering you the results of your Google searches.
On huge screens, in public, on your way to wherever...
You make MILLIONS of them.
In this case, it really helps if you start in Japan.
...Welcome back to the GAP.
How'd those assorted tank tops work out for you?
...if you take your martinis at a certain time of day.
Even easier if you don't - it could just suggest it to you every time it notices you coming up to it.
I have a feeling it will eventually be right.