Seriously. The more taboo a book is, the more the greater portion of the populace is motivated to get a copy.
If you created a book that was banned in every country, and it's sole copy kept under lock and guard, you'd have supervillains planning to break in and steal it. Banning a book is the equivalent of shouting that it's the most totally awesome thing ever written; might as well dress it up in gold and diamonds, and package it with a Playstation 5 or something.
They believe, in some perverted way, that children are 'innocent.' Kids are innocent in that they do not know, necessarily, society's rules and requirements, but they are in no way innocent about just any number of things that society considers distasteful (murder, theft, sex, etc.).
I know it's a faux pas to say that, but it needs to be said.
Indeed. I can't believe that after we had finished ditching mainframes as a technological way of life, the pointy-heads want to go back to it. Like we missed something the last time we were there...
Actually, given the way laws tend to mature, given enough time...you could be charged for all the resources you use while on this planet, including light, air, gravity...
"Up next, how much will you pay to keep breathing for a day? A month? A year? For your whole family, group discounts!"
Satire, I love it. But seriously, if it came down to this, I'd hit the 'reset' button for the planet myself. When I say reset, I don't mean mankind is sent back to the Stone Age; I mean I'd stop the Earth's dynamo, and let the effects of unshielded solar radiation purge the Earth. ^_^
Still, I hold out a candle of hope for mankind, that they'll recognize the true enemies of their freedoms; although I am prepared to be disappointed (experience has taught me this much).
I've been experimenting with this as well (as of late), and what I've learned is simple:
1.) You need a room with doors that lock. This keeps family out, and allows you to focus without interruptions. The locks are a trigger for your mind, to know that you can safely focus on large amounts of code, without a context switch from those people with less intense occupations. 2.) Noise-cancelling headphones. To help with the first task. 3.) Energy-drinks / sugary snacks nearby. Gotta keep the brain fueled up. 4.) Some white-noise / entertainment, to let your mind relax for a few moments here and there. 5.) Socializing (i.e. leaving the room) when you want to.
Since most programmers are introverts, they recharge by being alone. That's not being antisocial, that's just how they are built. Do not be suckered in by the extrovert people who tell you it's wrong to want some quiet time to yourself, to think.
Indeed. Got a friend who was into the SEO business (did everything in my power to convince him to drop it), and if I am remembering correctly, they reverse engineer Google's ranking algorithm from their patents. If this is true, and were I Google, I'd keep my new implementation off the books, or at least have the USPTO seal it.
And other Slashdotters always complain that we need to fund the government somehow. Having nonsensical laws for commerce and taxation is archaic and counter-productive. I'd prefer no sales tax at all, since it's a regressive tax, but we're going to have one, it should be charged only within the state that passed it.
"I seriously doubt the fire/police/road departments will be disbanded because of a lack of funds."
Precisely my point. These are all local services, taking care of the local community. If a warehouse in NY is being burgled, will the NJ police show up? No. My counterparts have sold people on the great lie that taxes are necessary to fund services, services that benefit those being taxed.
Slashdot Mirror
That's frightening. Biology, at least in my experience, is the first true science class anyone is taught.
Seriously. The more taboo a book is, the more the greater portion of the populace is motivated to get a copy.
If you created a book that was banned in every country, and it's sole copy kept under lock and guard, you'd have supervillains planning to break in and steal it. Banning a book is the equivalent of shouting that it's the most totally awesome thing ever written; might as well dress it up in gold and diamonds, and package it with a Playstation 5 or something.
And I had my father's anatomy books. To each his own.
They believe, in some perverted way, that children are 'innocent.' Kids are innocent in that they do not know, necessarily, society's rules and requirements, but they are in no way innocent about just any number of things that society considers distasteful (murder, theft, sex, etc.).
I know it's a faux pas to say that, but it needs to be said.
And yet I think these people would probably scream if you tried to ban the Bible.
Violence is allowed, but only if YHWH is dealing it up old school.
Indeed. Perhaps we need to stop reading kids Brothers Grimm, and start reading them Lovecraft.
Indeed. I, for one, would not mind walking around nude (assuming the weather wasn't particularly cold).
Indeed. I can't believe that after we had finished ditching mainframes as a technological way of life, the pointy-heads want to go back to it. Like we missed something the last time we were there...
"If the cloud is not more robust than what your grandma could come up with on her own then what's the point really?"
Money.
Actually, given the way laws tend to mature, given enough time...you could be charged for all the resources you use while on this planet, including light, air, gravity...
"Up next, how much will you pay to keep breathing for a day? A month? A year? For your whole family, group discounts!"
Satire, I love it. But seriously, if it came down to this, I'd hit the 'reset' button for the planet myself. When I say reset, I don't mean mankind is sent back to the Stone Age; I mean I'd stop the Earth's dynamo, and let the effects of unshielded solar radiation purge the Earth. ^_^
Still, I hold out a candle of hope for mankind, that they'll recognize the true enemies of their freedoms; although I am prepared to be disappointed (experience has taught me this much).
I've been experimenting with this as well (as of late), and what I've learned is simple:
1.) You need a room with doors that lock. This keeps family out, and allows you to focus without interruptions. The locks are a trigger for your mind, to know that you can safely focus on large amounts of code, without a context switch from those people with less intense occupations.
2.) Noise-cancelling headphones. To help with the first task.
3.) Energy-drinks / sugary snacks nearby. Gotta keep the brain fueled up.
4.) Some white-noise / entertainment, to let your mind relax for a few moments here and there.
5.) Socializing (i.e. leaving the room) when you want to.
Since most programmers are introverts, they recharge by being alone. That's not being antisocial, that's just how they are built. Do not be suckered in by the extrovert people who tell you it's wrong to want some quiet time to yourself, to think.
Email sent. Hopefully you've received it.
I've sent the email.
Email sent.
Sent you an email (Subject:'lightknight'). Feel free to email me when you're ready.
*winks* Economies of scale...
Lol. Perhaps that's what the MAFIAA thinks -> the pirate have all this money, and they don't want to share.
Show of hands of people who think that in a few years, the Energy Lobby will put forth some legislation to block 'free power.'
Hmm. Loading them up with an AI and a replicator. That could work.
So much damage done to our freedoms, to our lives, for the sake of a few dollars, which in time will not be worth anything.
Exactly. A patent of this nature will give some specifics, and leave other things vague.
Still, it does give the troublemakers a head start.
Politicians first, then Lawyers, then Marketers.
Anyone else with me?
Indeed. Got a friend who was into the SEO business (did everything in my power to convince him to drop it), and if I am remembering correctly, they reverse engineer Google's ranking algorithm from their patents. If this is true, and were I Google, I'd keep my new implementation off the books, or at least have the USPTO seal it.
And other Slashdotters always complain that we need to fund the government somehow. Having nonsensical laws for commerce and taxation is archaic and counter-productive. I'd prefer no sales tax at all, since it's a regressive tax, but we're going to have one, it should be charged only within the state that passed it.
Do you see what I did there?
"I seriously doubt the fire/police/road departments will be disbanded because of a lack of funds."
Precisely my point. These are all local services, taking care of the local community. If a warehouse in NY is being burgled, will the NJ police show up? No. My counterparts have sold people on the great lie that taxes are necessary to fund services, services that benefit those being taxed.