Micronations are a pipe dream for libertarian morons. Your nation is only as strong as your ability to defend it. And that goes for whether it's on an oil rig or half of an existing country. If you're going to declare independence, you're going to need an army that's as least as strong as the army of the country you're declaring independence from. Otherwise, you're just a nutball clown (like "Prince Roy" here).
Some Appeals Court or the Supreme Court will overturn this soon enough, and also rule that the libraries must turn over all their patron records to the Department of Homeland Security.
15 years from now, things will basically be about the same. There will only be a few differences in tech and social fads, none of which were predicted by this article.
It's hard to criticize his opening remarks, as he was so vague and rambling (even if you RTFA, it's difficult to tell who exactly he's criticizing or what's he's proposing as an alternative). I would say this though: any company or entity that HAS information is always at risk of abusing it. Some entities are more likely than others to abuse it, but even the most conscientious of companies/agencies is made of up individuals. And individuals have been shown time and time again to be inconsistent and unreliable when entrusted with power and information (I believe Penn & Teller once did a delightful demonstration of that on Bullshit). The best solution is always to keep other parties from getting your information in the first place, as much as it is feasible (not to the point of paranoia, but enough to make reasonably sure that you're not just opening your zipper to someone else either).
But I do certainly agree with him that "governments and cyber-crooks are collaborating." That's almost a "no shit" assertion. China, the U.S., Russia, and Israel are almost certainly doing this (likely Iran, Turkey, the UK, etc. as well). But this is hardly anything new. Intelligence agencies have been cooperating with and utilizing criminals and lowlife types since the beginning of civilization. It's hardly breaking news that they would be doing this on the cyber-front as well.
The last thing an oil company wants is for you to start a war where the oil is. They have better ways of getting it. If they wanted Iraqi oil, all they needed to do was push for sanctions to be lifted and Saddam would have been pleased to sell them as much as they wanted.
It wasn't the oil they were after, it was the oil *development* contracts. Iraq had an incredibly decrepit infrastructure in their oil industry going into the war, and there was billions to be made in being the company to upgrade that. But thanks to the sanctions against Husein, U.S. companies like Halliburton couldn't get in on that phat cash. Russian oil companies, meanwhile, didn't have to deal with those sanctions. Halliburton's assumption was that Hussein would be overthrown, the sanctions lifted, the money would fall like rain with oil development contracts, and everything would be hunky dory. Of course, it didn't work out that way, so they ended up making a fortune off the war logistics contracts instead. They're nothing if not quick to adapt.
What I won't forgive them for is a $2 trillion+ war and tens of thousands of lives lost, all fought so they could get a juicy $7 billion no-bid contract (and about $40 billion in subsequent no-bid logistics contracts through their subsidiary KBR) from their former CEO, who had managed to sleaze his way into the vice-presidency.
I just wish that losing a little radioactive cylinder were the worst thing they had ever done.
There was one kid in my neighborhood who had an Apple. He was the kid with yuppie parents who liked to show off (they were in debt up to their ears with various status symbols). Most everyone else had Commodores. A few had Sinclairs (marketed in the U.S. under Timex) and Atari 400's and 800's.
The PC's and Apples back then ran in the $1,500 - $2,000 range (that would be probably $5,000-$6,000 in today's dollars). They were way outside the reach of the working class. The real computers for the masses were the ones in the $200-$800 range.
It was his complete sociopathic disregard for even those in his non-work life that was the problem. This was a guy who tried to deny his daughter's paternity, had an almost pathological hatred of charity (even ending all of Apple's charitable programs when he came back in the 90's), and routinely screwed over even friends and family for money.
His problem wasn't that he was demanding or brutally honest at work. I can respect that. His problem is that he was a complete and total heartless asshole in every aspect of his life. And, if Marley was right, I imagine he's wearing a very ponderous chain indeed right now, made of tons of electronic junk that will be forgotten within a matter of years.
I just got my old girl primered and re-upholstered and I'm thinking a new engine would really make her kick ass. I got $200 and and '86 Silverado (that just needs a new transmission) that I'm willing to part with, if you're interested in selling the engine after you break that record.
Slashdot Mirror
Most pilots from that era (and pretty much every era) were dicks. Gus Grissom made Yeager look like a goddamned saint. They got the job done, though.
Either that or all the maple syrup has lulled them into a diabetic coma.
Micronations are a pipe dream for libertarian morons. Your nation is only as strong as your ability to defend it. And that goes for whether it's on an oil rig or half of an existing country. If you're going to declare independence, you're going to need an army that's as least as strong as the army of the country you're declaring independence from. Otherwise, you're just a nutball clown (like "Prince Roy" here).
Some Appeals Court or the Supreme Court will overturn this soon enough, and also rule that the libraries must turn over all their patron records to the Department of Homeland Security.
I'm just glad New Zealand finally found an industry more lucrative than sheep herding.
I was wondering why my new airbag looked so much like beach ball attached to a can of Fix-a-Flat.
Once over-hyped at $28 billion, Facebook sold today for $523 and a case of beer.
15 years from now, things will basically be about the same. There will only be a few differences in tech and social fads, none of which were predicted by this article.
It's hard to criticize his opening remarks, as he was so vague and rambling (even if you RTFA, it's difficult to tell who exactly he's criticizing or what's he's proposing as an alternative). I would say this though: any company or entity that HAS information is always at risk of abusing it. Some entities are more likely than others to abuse it, but even the most conscientious of companies/agencies is made of up individuals. And individuals have been shown time and time again to be inconsistent and unreliable when entrusted with power and information (I believe Penn & Teller once did a delightful demonstration of that on Bullshit). The best solution is always to keep other parties from getting your information in the first place, as much as it is feasible (not to the point of paranoia, but enough to make reasonably sure that you're not just opening your zipper to someone else either).
But I do certainly agree with him that "governments and cyber-crooks are collaborating." That's almost a "no shit" assertion. China, the U.S., Russia, and Israel are almost certainly doing this (likely Iran, Turkey, the UK, etc. as well). But this is hardly anything new. Intelligence agencies have been cooperating with and utilizing criminals and lowlife types since the beginning of civilization. It's hardly breaking news that they would be doing this on the cyber-front as well.
Nothing forms the foundation of a bright future quite like issuing a manifesto.
Like Stephen King and Orson Scott Card.
He said real, not lame crap.
Bet you think Michael Bay is the greatest director ever, don't you?
Ha, Halliburton will probably get a fat government contract to clean it up.
The last thing an oil company wants is for you to start a war where the oil is. They have better ways of getting it. If they wanted Iraqi oil, all they needed to do was push for sanctions to be lifted and Saddam would have been pleased to sell them as much as they wanted.
It wasn't the oil they were after, it was the oil *development* contracts. Iraq had an incredibly decrepit infrastructure in their oil industry going into the war, and there was billions to be made in being the company to upgrade that. But thanks to the sanctions against Husein, U.S. companies like Halliburton couldn't get in on that phat cash. Russian oil companies, meanwhile, didn't have to deal with those sanctions. Halliburton's assumption was that Hussein would be overthrown, the sanctions lifted, the money would fall like rain with oil development contracts, and everything would be hunky dory. Of course, it didn't work out that way, so they ended up making a fortune off the war logistics contracts instead. They're nothing if not quick to adapt.
Because the rest of the world waits anxiously every day to hear your musings and judgements.
And to respond to them.
What I won't forgive them for is a $2 trillion+ war and tens of thousands of lives lost, all fought so they could get a juicy $7 billion no-bid contract (and about $40 billion in subsequent no-bid logistics contracts through their subsidiary KBR) from their former CEO, who had managed to sleaze his way into the vice-presidency.
I just wish that losing a little radioactive cylinder were the worst thing they had ever done.
Surely to get those companies together, there must be some nefarious agenda afoot.
Does he have to survive for it to count as record breaking? I mean, he was fine until he hit the ground, right?
They had a schedule for achieving controlled fusion?
Yes, it's current date + 50 years.
There was one kid in my neighborhood who had an Apple. He was the kid with yuppie parents who liked to show off (they were in debt up to their ears with various status symbols). Most everyone else had Commodores. A few had Sinclairs (marketed in the U.S. under Timex) and Atari 400's and 800's.
The PC's and Apples back then ran in the $1,500 - $2,000 range (that would be probably $5,000-$6,000 in today's dollars). They were way outside the reach of the working class. The real computers for the masses were the ones in the $200-$800 range.
I was thinking the same thing. Better check for urine, saliva, and...other fluids.
The Commodore 64 and Jack Tramiel will be remembered for making the computer cheap enough to turn the masses into geeks.
FTFY
It was his complete sociopathic disregard for even those in his non-work life that was the problem. This was a guy who tried to deny his daughter's paternity, had an almost pathological hatred of charity (even ending all of Apple's charitable programs when he came back in the 90's), and routinely screwed over even friends and family for money.
His problem wasn't that he was demanding or brutally honest at work. I can respect that. His problem is that he was a complete and total heartless asshole in every aspect of his life. And, if Marley was right, I imagine he's wearing a very ponderous chain indeed right now, made of tons of electronic junk that will be forgotten within a matter of years.
I just got my old girl primered and re-upholstered and I'm thinking a new engine would really make her kick ass. I got $200 and and '86 Silverado (that just needs a new transmission) that I'm willing to part with, if you're interested in selling the engine after you break that record.
Duh, you don't need to ship them the schematics. Their hackers have already stolen them. Problem solved!
Next time take a page from the Chinese and just convince the target country to manufacture the components in your country in the first place.