You don't have to be an "Apple hater" to call Apple on the number of ways that they've finessed perceptions of this device. Comparing it to the 1984 Mac invites questions of just how "radical" it is.
It's like copy protection for software. At one time everybody was doing it. Now only a few stupid companies are doing it. (Apple: Logic Pro).
Eventually, after they've tried everything, they'll realize it's hopeless. But it's corporations: they live forever, so it could take a human lifetime or two.
Critics have always quoted in order to focus their comments. Had Spock quoted a sentence or two in text instead of audio, it would have very hard to object to.
But now individuals have powers that used to be exclusive to mass media moguls... one formerly enforced with less visible strong-arm tactics... and they aren't going to go down without fighting the threat.
In this case the result is fortuitously egregious. It proves that they are becoming desperate. I imagine all the dinosaurs thrashed about a lot as they took their last breaths.
Dismissing a concept simply because it is a mathematical hack is a mistake.
But talking about hypotheses as if they were solidly established theoretical constructs, dovetailing with the framework of well-established physics, does, IMHO, a disservice to science. For one thing, it tends to make it hard to see alternatives by freezing an attitude and blinkering the imagination needed to see alternatives. For another, it tends to make some laymen skeptical about *any* claims of science.
IIW, a hypothesis repeated with too much zealousy becomes an icon.
70% of the universe is made of some theoretical "substance" that hasn't shown up in several decades of particle physics observations??
I smell a Thomas Kuhn moment in the making. Or at least, a phlogiston moment.
Explaining the universe is hard. But saying stuff like "it's real", even implying that it is... when there's not even a working theory about it yet... is dangerous to the craft. When people get religious about stuff like string theory, it endangers science.
Speaking of logic: there is no logic in the assumption that these researchers are patenting this method for profit rather than health. They may be doing it for the opposite reason: to prevent someone from high profits.
There was a time, a few decades back, in America where medical care was very reasonably priced. The current greed situation is a historical anomaly created by the insurance-for-everything fad. It's entirely possible that there are still some pockets of real concern for something besides bottom line.
With regard to hardware: at one time Sony hardware was generally high-quality. But about 20 years ago they started broadening their market by selling lesser-quality hardware. You could no longer expect the name to reflect quality. Many other tech companies have faded in the same way... it happens (GE and RCA among them).
The manipulation of subjectively perceived quality by manufacturers is inversely proportional to knowledge, particularly technical knowledge, of the consumer. A favorite example is bad audio gear which has enjoyed a reputation far higher than observation allows. Prime examples: a certain speaker manufacturer, and a certain absurdly high-priced-cable manufacturer.
People can be fooled by what sound like legitimate technical specs which are, in fact, techno-babble. Virtually meaningless wattage "standards" for amplifiers, for example, can turn a 50-watt RMS amplifier into one that puts out several hundred watts. A geek knows there's no such thing as "music power".
If you don't know enough to avoid getting burned, talk to a geek that does. And find a way to reward him/her for the studying that went into that expertise.
I think fusion is going to be in the next century...."
Take a look up tomorrow morning: there's fusion staring back at you.
The problem is not a shortage of energy, but that we've been born into an energy pig culture... and encouraged to remain that way (as with most problems in human history) by those who profit from our ignoring of alternatives. We've lived in a spendthrift era when energy was used with wanton stupidity and extreme inefficiency. Those who encourage massive, filthy centralization schemes want us to remain stupid and dependent.
Until a change of minds and hearts, there will be no solutions, only more delaying tactics. Which we may, or not, survive.
That's why many visionaries simply keep their mouths shut while surrounded by rednecks. Bucky Fuller finally found an audience. "Pearls before swine," Bendreth.
Considering how much the expressions of "industrial" have changed in the past century... along with the idea that "more stuff" will lead to a better world... I predict that the meaning of "industrial" will again change greatly. It's not the size of the fix, it's the quality of the fix.
More still: it's not a fix that we need at all; but simply to appreciate better what already exists. In that sense, Pescovitz' comments on "wunderkammmer" are brilliant.
I'll worry about the ethics for virtual characters once the entire human race is seeing real justice.
Some users will learn bad attitudes that translate to meatspace... but others (possibly more) will enjoy cathartic releases that relieve friends and pets in the environment. This is just the old movies-are-bad, comix-are-bad question.
Somehow I just can't see Jobs needing the money badly enough. I mean, $400mill from selling nExt... there must have been some left even after he paid Canon back...
Of course not everyone using these services are fully-educated persons yet. My dozen-hours experience with Yahoo Answers suggests that most users are K-12, with a few college frosh.
Slashdot Mirror
You don't have to be an "Apple hater" to call Apple on the number of ways that they've finessed perceptions of this device. Comparing it to the 1984 Mac invites questions of just how "radical" it is.
It's like copy protection for software. At one time everybody was doing it. Now only a few stupid companies are doing it. (Apple: Logic Pro). Eventually, after they've tried everything, they'll realize it's hopeless. But it's corporations: they live forever, so it could take a human lifetime or two.
It's got to get to the (analog) speakers at some point. That's why god made alligator clips.
Too bad congress hasn't got anything *important* to worry about.
It's GOT to get converted to analog at some time, you worthless bunch of clodds.
Fixing the damage from more intense weather is not very economically sound either.
Hey, it was the lawyers that actually carried out the orders. Toadies get stepped on.
In times like these, we need to fall back on Mark Twain:
"When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries of life disappear and life stands explained."
In some cases it's not a judgement call.
Syllogism:
1. Love your neighbor as yourself is the #1 rule.
2. John does not love his neighbor.
3. John is not a Christian.
There's no judgement involved. It's a baldly obvious fact.
Critics have always quoted in order to focus their comments. Had Spock quoted a sentence or two in text instead of audio, it would have very hard to object to.
... one formerly enforced with less visible strong-arm tactics ... and they aren't going to go down without fighting the threat.
But now individuals have powers that used to be exclusive to mass media moguls
In this case the result is fortuitously egregious. It proves that they are becoming desperate. I imagine all the dinosaurs thrashed about a lot as they took their last breaths.
Dismissing a concept simply because it is a mathematical hack is a mistake.
But talking about hypotheses as if they were solidly established theoretical constructs, dovetailing with the framework of well-established physics, does, IMHO, a disservice to science. For one thing, it tends to make it hard to see alternatives by freezing an attitude and blinkering the imagination needed to see alternatives. For another, it tends to make some laymen skeptical about *any* claims of science.
IIW, a hypothesis repeated with too much zealousy becomes an icon.
70% of the universe is made of some theoretical "substance" that hasn't shown up in several decades of particle physics observations??
... when there's not even a working theory about it yet ... is dangerous to the craft. When people get religious about stuff like string theory, it endangers science.
I smell a Thomas Kuhn moment in the making. Or at least, a phlogiston moment.
Explaining the universe is hard. But saying stuff like "it's real", even implying that it is
Speaking of logic: there is no logic in the assumption that these researchers are patenting this method for profit rather than health. They may be doing it for the opposite reason: to prevent someone from high profits. There was a time, a few decades back, in America where medical care was very reasonably priced. The current greed situation is a historical anomaly created by the insurance-for-everything fad. It's entirely possible that there are still some pockets of real concern for something besides bottom line.
Never read the Franklin quotation. Did read Thoreau's: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
This is Slashdot. 72% of moderators think snideness IS insight.
And I forgot to mention my 95% confidence that 91% of them are very sexually satisfied
78% of all high-IQ, trend-setting people know that Sturgeon was right on. And that he said 'crap', not 'crud'.
With regard to hardware: at one time Sony hardware was generally high-quality. But about 20 years ago they started broadening their market by selling lesser-quality hardware. You could no longer expect the name to reflect quality. Many other tech companies have faded in the same way... it happens (GE and RCA among them).
The manipulation of subjectively perceived quality by manufacturers is inversely proportional to knowledge, particularly technical knowledge, of the consumer. A favorite example is bad audio gear which has enjoyed a reputation far higher than observation allows. Prime examples: a certain speaker manufacturer, and a certain absurdly high-priced-cable manufacturer.
People can be fooled by what sound like legitimate technical specs which are, in fact, techno-babble. Virtually meaningless wattage "standards" for amplifiers, for example, can turn a 50-watt RMS amplifier into one that puts out several hundred watts. A geek knows there's no such thing as "music power".
If you don't know enough to avoid getting burned, talk to a geek that does. And find a way to reward him/her for the studying that went into that expertise.
Very many musicians use OS X.
Take a look up tomorrow morning: there's fusion staring back at you.
The problem is not a shortage of energy, but that we've been born into an energy pig culture ... and encouraged to remain that way (as with most problems in human history) by those who profit from our ignoring of alternatives. We've lived in a spendthrift era when energy was used with wanton stupidity and extreme inefficiency. Those who encourage massive, filthy centralization schemes want us to remain stupid and dependent.
Until a change of minds and hearts, there will be no solutions, only more delaying tactics. Which we may, or not, survive.
"When mankind solves most of it problems..."
Until it solves the inner problems, solving the outer problems will continue to be like a clothes change: looks good, still needs a bath.
That's why many visionaries simply keep their mouths shut while surrounded by rednecks. Bucky Fuller finally found an audience. "Pearls before swine," Bendreth.
Considering how much the expressions of "industrial" have changed in the past century ... along with the idea that "more stuff" will lead to a better world ... I predict that the meaning of "industrial" will again change greatly. It's not the size of the fix, it's the quality of the fix.
More still: it's not a fix that we need at all; but simply to appreciate better what already exists. In that sense, Pescovitz' comments on "wunderkammmer" are brilliant.
Some users will learn bad attitudes that translate to meatspace ... but others (possibly more) will enjoy cathartic releases that relieve friends and pets in the environment. This is just the old movies-are-bad, comix-are-bad question.
Somehow I just can't see Jobs needing the money badly enough. I mean, $400mill from selling nExt ... there must have been some left even after he paid Canon back...
Of course not everyone using these services are fully-educated persons yet. My dozen-hours experience with Yahoo Answers suggests that most users are K-12, with a few college frosh.