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User: rmdingler

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Comments · 4,492

  1. "Found Yersinia Pestis DNA on victim's teeth" on Researchers: Rats Didn't Spread Black Death, Humans Did · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Famine was widespread. Perhaps this one group unearthed during construction developed a taste for the rat.

    Not normally considered a delicacy, when it's rat or nothing, well, sorry Templeton.

  2. Re:[citation needed]:Rocky's 5th best line on Security Evaluation of the Tesla Model S · · Score: 2
    You lie to your friends and I'll lie to mine.

    It goes without saying we'll both lie to the customer.

    We'll just plain be honest with each other.

  3. I am just simple. on Apple, Google Go On Trial For Wage Fixing On May 27 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    But is it really worth the virtually inevitable lawsuit for a company as successful as the defendants in this case to cheat the backbone of their operations out of a fair wage (because a fare wage is what the Carnies make) betting on the statistically improbable scenario that no law firm nowhere will pick the cause up for three quarters of the pie?

  4. Re:Bullshit Made Up Language on Why Darmok Is a Good Star Trek: TNG Episode · · Score: 1
    Yes. The famous line from Pulp Fiction: What do they call a big Mac in France?

    Learning a language in high school versus using it during a cultural immersion experience.

    Slang matters and it becomes dated much too quickly: Stacks of heads chiselin' in the easy> ...wtf?

  5. Seen This One Before on Security Evaluation of the Tesla Model S · · Score: 4, Interesting
    A disgruntled former employee (hardly ever see that) kept access to work computers at a tote-the-note car lot.

    They had taken advantage of remote tech to disable the vehicle and engage the horn from a keyboard... in case of nonpayment for the former and sometimes aiding location efforts for the latter.

    Poor chap was so disgruntled he killed vehicles and blew horns for most of a weekend before they deduced the antagonist. I am sure there are some repercussions for this kind of adventure, but hell, if there's even a chance you'll have a grandchild, do you want this story in your arsenal?

  6. Like living near a train track. on Geologists Warned of Washington State Mudslides For Decades · · Score: 2
    We have the same problem with evacuations from hurricane corridors. Immediately following a destructive storm, citizens evacuate as recommended, for a while.

    At some point the urgency wanes, the storm turns at the last before landfall again, and fewer people leave their homes.

    Since the '50's is way past most folks' attention spans.

  7. Re:Okay, seriously now... on Classified X-37B Space Plane Breaks Space Longevity Record · · Score: 1
    Since the time of kings and before, leaders of men have employed spies, who by their very nature are shrouded in secrecy.

    There may have been some historical examples of open and honest governing bodies, but for whatever reason, they were not selected for. I fear this will continue until there exist no more factions within our populace to divide amongst.

    Thus there are two possibilities for this opentopia you describe, where man keeps no secrets from other men: There is either one human left or we are all fighting an interplanetary battle.

  8. Re:Introductions... on Classified X-37B Space Plane Breaks Space Longevity Record · · Score: 1
    Or Alienating First Contact.

    Heard from the bridge of the emissary ship:

    They're not ready ambassador. This sentient race's exploration of their own universe is limited to remote activity and they've no settlement on even their own primary satellite.

    Want to check back in 80 quargs?

  9. Re:Ha ha, seriously? on Technocrat James Schlesinger Is Dead At 85 · · Score: 1

    Sure, economic retaliation against a nation far too powerful to retaliate against militarily is petty. Right.

    Little country do what big country say! The World is a playground.

  10. At least you knew who he was. on Technocrat James Schlesinger Is Dead At 85 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    He always spoke his mind, and certainly due in large part to that attribute, was fired from two of his three Cabinet posts.

    He committed mutiny during the last breaths of the Nixon administration when he notified the military not to take orders from the White House, particularly those with a nuclear tint, when he became concerned with Dick's erratic behavior... and he prepared for troops to enter Washington in case the succession to Ford didn't go smoothly.

    I'm just simple, but give me a man of differing viewpoints who is candidly sincere about who he is versus an ally who takes fake to new levels...it becomes a monolemma.

  11. Re:Helium on The Highest-Flying Wind Turbine · · Score: 4, Informative
    You're correct about the helium scarcity, but a wind sail generator such as this could probably be modified to produce it's own heated air to stay aloft, a technology already in widespread use in ballooning.

    If you check out one article this week, make it this one... these things are crafty cool.

  12. Re:The earth is still flat my friend on NASA Snaps Shot of Mars-Bound Comet · · Score: 1

    Faith and creationism are great aren't they?

    We seem to be outgrowing them, although at the present rate, the benefits of an enlightened World will go to our grandchildren's grandchildren.

  13. Re:Bitcoin on Wal-Mart Sues Visa For $5 Billion For Rigging Card Swipe Fees · · Score: 1

    When and if Walmart and Amazon accept the Bitcoin, it is then a viable currency.

  14. Re:Old idea. What makes it possible now? on Gunshot Victims To Be Part of "Suspended Animation" Trials · · Score: 2
    Yes. IIRC, blood transfusions were done even before blood typing was fully understood.

    Sometimes it worked, but often the type administered was incompatible, and it took early medical practicioners a bit to sort it out.

    Some dying patients were saved during this research period though, and if that same mindset is applied to this it will undoubtedly contribute some new technology.... if it doesn't get litigated out of existence first.

  15. Re:In The Grande Scheme of Things... on NASA Snaps Shot of Mars-Bound Comet · · Score: 1

    Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about.

    I'm renowned for my incomprehensibly bad jokes.

    As am I.

  16. Well SURE! on DOJ Pushes to Expand Hacking Abilities Against Cyber-Criminals · · Score: 5, Insightful
    There's no need to protect the freedoms of a future investigative target if it is even slightly inconvenient for law enforcement.

    After all, they're out there serving and protecting, right?

    If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear arguments are becoming more painful than a toothache.

  17. Re:In The Grande Scheme of Things... on NASA Snaps Shot of Mars-Bound Comet · · Score: 1

    Did you slit your wrists as you typed this?

    Of course, but perpendicular to my forearm because it's just a cry for help.

    It's a fucking rock among countless trillions all over the universe. It's a dead rock that got close to another dead rock.

    Statistically unlikely fortuitous turn of events; you do know what fortuitous means, don't you?

    Excuse me if I care a bit more about what actual human beings alive right here and right now are doing, no matter how trivial. It's still far more amazing than inanimate matter going along Newtonian paths. I'll bet you're a Space Nutter who cares deeply about the species, yet you sound like a miserable misanthropic bastard...

    Ironically, yes. Though I am occasionally able to loathe an individual, I am rooting European-Football fanatically for the team.

  18. Re:In The Grande Scheme of Things... on NASA Snaps Shot of Mars-Bound Comet · · Score: 1
    I'm not sure I like your syntax, your grammar, your spelling, or your android... but the jury's still out on your tone.

    Pretty please leave your legal training and five dollar Latin phrases (figure stuff out, shit at home, et al) at home when next you speak with me.

  19. Re:Well, it could be worse; on North Korea: Male University Students Required To Get Kim Jong-un Haircuts · · Score: 2

    Billy Ray, though you've been a stranger lately lest folks connect you with Miley, it is good to see you back at the keyboard.

  20. Somebody tell them on MIT Researchers Bring JavaScript To Google Glass · · Score: 1

    Javascript should not be received Pig in the 'Poke style.

  21. Spoiler Alert on North Korea: Male University Students Required To Get Kim Jong-un Haircuts · · Score: 1
    Hey. I hadn't seen this episode yet brother.

    And it's not a fake until our hive says it's a fake.

    News happens, our lessers comment on it, and then and only then, we release a quasi-official opinion.

  22. Re:In The Grande Scheme of Things... on NASA Snaps Shot of Mars-Bound Comet · · Score: 1

    Well Done sir, well done.

  23. Re:How Does He Know it's the FBI? on Weev's Attorney Says FBI Is Intercepting His Client's Mail · · Score: 1
    That's a very good post, Sir or My Lady....as your nom de guerre is somewhat androgynous.

    But I have a confession to make, though it grieves me to admit, I have read some of your other comments and found them (politely) less wise.

    Take heart though, we need the bad days to fully appreciate the good ones!

  24. Re:Did the accident rate increase? on More Than 1 In 4 Car Crashes Involve Cellphone Use · · Score: 1

    +2 Sounds like truth.

  25. Re:It's the conversation, on More Than 1 In 4 Car Crashes Involve Cellphone Use · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The professional driver remains compensated for his windshield time only so long as he's relatively problem-free on the road.

    Unlike your amateur drivers, a single DUI or license suspension ends your budding career. The weak have already been weeded out to some degree.

    The threshold for reproduction is marginally less for drivers of POVs.