1. Jobs had a big part in fomenting this "cheerleading" culture that is so prevalent in silicon valley, the victory of style over substance. 2. I started coding in 6502 - maybe that's why I'm such an awful programmer.
They do it because it's hot, new, cool, chic, hip, swag, fly, swank, vogue, and gosh-darnit a whole lotta fun!
The real legacy of Steve Jobs was to engender feelings of inadequacy in a whole generation of tech bosses. So instead of solid, maybe a little boring, mostly behind-the-scenes approach to technological development, we have everyone and their grandmother trying to emulate the once great king of consumer tech (long live the king!) with dramatic unveiling ceremonies that remind one more of a pop concert than a product release. Frankly, in some cases it's a little embarrassing, because not everyone can pull it off. In fact most people can't. So don't do it because you suck at it. I'm also looking at you, TED.
When investors realize that new =/= good (and in most cases = shit), then we might finally witness the inevitable implosion and with any luck a healthier restructuring of the tech industry. But until then, thundercats ho!
Soon gives way to the ugly realities of the business: sleepless nights, rushing to meet deadlines that still whoosh by, browbeating managers, piracy, glutted markets, capricious consumers, sleazy publishers. Goddam, what's not to love?
Dude, I think we're on, if not the same page, then the same chapter. I heartily concede that the world is a messy place. Not such a long time ago, I believed a good deal (not all, but enough) of the bullshit that some politicos and certain media outlets spouted - being quite idealistic myself - but reality is far more complicated (and fascinating, and frustrating, and maddening, and depressing). Having said that, I hope that the world is rid of Assad and his like - the sooner, the better. It won't make Syria a paradise, but it will (eventually) make it a slightly better place. I am, however, skeptical of the administration's motives. Textbook politics: get what you want (a little distraction) while appearing to do what's right.
Well I can see now that you are quite clever and must be real fun at parties.
But not right now; right now you're being rather tiresome with all your deep ruminations.
I see what you're trying to do here, trying to beat me with facts. And logic. But... I won't play your game, no sir! Nope.
Basically America does whatever the hell America wants, which is only natural. It's also only natural that smoke and mirrors are useful political tools and this decision, like most decisions, is essentially a political one and not an ethical one.
What I find ridiculous is that Americans are always so fond of casting these situations as a struggle between good and evil, and of couching their actions in in terms of freedom and protecting human rights. Wigga please.
Fuck you and anyone who claims that the situation in Syria is an excuse to "cover up" the HEAVILY COVERED NSA issues. Fuck you, seriously. Because nothing bad happens in the world except things the US causes, right? Fuck. You.
You know, one doesn't have to be pro-NSA to imagine that the contemporaneous events really don't have anything to do with each other. The Syrian civil war started before Snowden. The NSA didn't order Assad's goons to use chemical weapons.
And one doesn't have to be a an expert in realpolitik to realize that no political decision exists within a vacuum. The Syrian civil war has indeed been going on for some time, yes, but American interest in this little conflict has been fairly negligible until very recently. That's mighty interesting.
Also, you seem to miss the forest for the trees: the NSA is merely a tool - a dangerous and powerful one, but a tool all the same - at the bidding of a widespread political power matrix which includes, but is not limited to, the current administration. You best realize.
Because we joined the UN as a permanent member of the security council. It's our job to protect the rights of foreign people from human rights violations.
I mean I suppose we could resign from our position, supposing you like the idea of China and Russia being in charge the security council.
Well that sounds great IN THEORY. But that sort of shit happens ALL THE TIME, except a whole lot worse. The only thing that's maybe a little different was the use of chemical weapons: at last, weapons of mass destruction! Even if the destruction wasn't that massive.
So why now? Why not in Rwanda in the 90s? Why not in Burma in the 80s? Hell, why not when Assad Sr bombed the shit out Hama in 1982, killing 20 thousand of his own people?
Maybe it's time to grow up from the arbitrary divisions like left and right?
There's more to the political spectrum than Left and Right? I hope you're not serious, because I'm just a Caveman. I fell in some ice and later got thawed out by your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me. Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW and run off into the hills or whatever. Sometimes when I get a message on my fax machine, did little demons get inside and type it? I don't know. My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts.
Never fails to remind me of mornings growing up on the farm in Iowa. Golden sunrise peeking over the rolling seas of grass as the last stars of the night bid adieu. The coo of morning doves is a promise of great things to come. And finally... a gentle easterly breeze wafts in the suggestion of sweet perfume that at last gives way to the unmistakable stench of bullshit.
Slashdot Mirror
1. Jobs had a big part in fomenting this "cheerleading" culture that is so prevalent in silicon valley, the victory of style over substance. 2. I started coding in 6502 - maybe that's why I'm such an awful programmer.
If they tried to hire him but he couldn't get a H1B1 visa?
Well I guess even whores have a code of practice.
Surveillance of French citizens is a job for France!
I mean FFS!: the bloody word 'surveillance' is French!
They do it because it's hot, new, cool, chic, hip, swag, fly, swank, vogue, and gosh-darnit a whole lotta fun!
The real legacy of Steve Jobs was to engender feelings of inadequacy in a whole generation of tech bosses. So instead of solid, maybe a little boring, mostly behind-the-scenes approach to technological development, we have everyone and their grandmother trying to emulate the once great king of consumer tech (long live the king!) with dramatic unveiling ceremonies that remind one more of a pop concert than a product release. Frankly, in some cases it's a little embarrassing, because not everyone can pull it off. In fact most people can't. So don't do it because you suck at it. I'm also looking at you, TED.
When investors realize that new =/= good (and in most cases = shit), then we might finally witness the inevitable implosion and with any luck a healthier restructuring of the tech industry. But until then, thundercats ho!
Soon gives way to the ugly realities of the business: sleepless nights, rushing to meet deadlines that still whoosh by, browbeating managers, piracy, glutted markets, capricious consumers, sleazy publishers. Goddam, what's not to love?
I wish I was wrong. Somebody tell me I'm wrong.
Dude, I think we're on, if not the same page, then the same chapter. I heartily concede that the world is a messy place. Not such a long time ago, I believed a good deal (not all, but enough) of the bullshit that some politicos and certain media outlets spouted - being quite idealistic myself - but reality is far more complicated (and fascinating, and frustrating, and maddening, and depressing). Having said that, I hope that the world is rid of Assad and his like - the sooner, the better. It won't make Syria a paradise, but it will (eventually) make it a slightly better place. I am, however, skeptical of the administration's motives. Textbook politics: get what you want (a little distraction) while appearing to do what's right.
Well I can see now that you are quite clever and must be real fun at parties.
But not right now; right now you're being rather tiresome with all your deep ruminations.
I see what you're trying to do here, trying to beat me with facts. And logic. But... I won't play your game, no sir! Nope.
Basically America does whatever the hell America wants, which is only natural. It's also only natural that smoke and mirrors are useful political tools and this decision, like most decisions, is essentially a political one and not an ethical one.
What I find ridiculous is that Americans are always so fond of casting these situations as a struggle between good and evil, and of couching their actions in in terms of freedom and protecting human rights. Wigga please.
Fuck you and anyone who claims that the situation in Syria is an excuse to "cover up" the HEAVILY COVERED NSA issues. Fuck you, seriously. Because nothing bad happens in the world except things the US causes, right? Fuck. You.
Fuck. Me?
Nah man. Fuck. You. And. Your. Half-Assed. Straw Man. And. Your. Naive. Jingoistic. View. Of. The. World.
. Also accept there are things in the present you cannot know.
Thank you, Mr Rumsfeld!
why we keep spending money interfering with civil wars 1/2 way around the world??
'Cuz 'Murica! (fuck yeah!)
You know, one doesn't have to be pro-NSA to imagine that the contemporaneous events really don't have anything to do with each other. The Syrian civil war started before Snowden. The NSA didn't order Assad's goons to use chemical weapons.
And one doesn't have to be a an expert in realpolitik to realize that no political decision exists within a vacuum. The Syrian civil war has indeed been going on for some time, yes, but American interest in this little conflict has been fairly negligible until very recently. That's mighty interesting.
Also, you seem to miss the forest for the trees: the NSA is merely a tool - a dangerous and powerful one, but a tool all the same - at the bidding of a widespread political power matrix which includes, but is not limited to, the current administration. You best realize.
Because we joined the UN as a permanent member of the security council. It's our job to protect the rights of foreign people from human rights violations.
I mean I suppose we could resign from our position, supposing you like the idea of China and Russia being in charge the security council.
Well that sounds great IN THEORY. But that sort of shit happens ALL THE TIME, except a whole lot worse. The only thing that's maybe a little different was the use of chemical weapons: at last, weapons of mass destruction! Even if the destruction wasn't that massive.
So why now? Why not in Rwanda in the 90s? Why not in Burma in the 80s? Hell, why not when Assad Sr bombed the shit out Hama in 1982, killing 20 thousand of his own people?
NSA what? I'm sorry I can't hear you over all this FREEDOM.
Dear Lord Blair,
Fuck you!
Sincerely,
Your Mother
What if you're at the amusement park and your child gets lost in the crowd and is nowhere to be found? BOSS can help!
What if you have Alzheimer's and you wander off the reservation? BOSS can help!
What if you suspect your hubby is dipping his stinger in some floozie's honeypot and you need to know? BOSS can help!
Can't stand it when you see people you don't recognize? BOSS can help.
What if you're a humble multinational bank that needs to track down deadbeat student loan defaulters? BOSS can help!
What if you is a notorious drug kingpin and you wants the po-po to hunt down your bitterest of rivals fo sho? BOSS can help!
What if you just don't like it when people look a bit "funny" or "suspicious" or "dark"? BOSS. CAN. HELP.
BOSS. Because you have nothing left to hide.
No.
Merely disgusted.
"So this is how liberty dies: with thunderous applause." Senator Padme Amidala
Well, that's very insight... wait... did you just quote 'Phantom Menace' without a hint of irony?
Never thought I would see the day. This depresses me far far more than the article itself. Wasn't expecting that.
Maybe it's time to grow up from the arbitrary divisions like left and right?
There's more to the political spectrum than Left and Right? I hope you're not serious, because I'm just a Caveman. I fell in some ice and later got thawed out by your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me. Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW and run off into the hills or whatever. Sometimes when I get a message on my fax machine, did little demons get inside and type it? I don't know. My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts.
When it's convenient for the government, we all become terrorists.
One of the foundations of a liberal democracy is the rule of law. Without it, we are subject to the whims of petty tyrants and vindictive idiots.
Actually I was kinda hoping for +5 Funny.
Given the sort of comments I'm seeing here, I'll be sure to use <sarcasm> </sarcasm> delimiters next time round.
Sad thing is; I can't tell whether you're joking or being serious.
They got a tool for that, too.
To determine if you're eligible to vote. Or have kids. Or be allowed outside your cage.
Never fails to remind me of mornings growing up on the farm in Iowa. Golden sunrise peeking over the rolling seas of grass as the last stars of the night bid adieu. The coo of morning doves is a promise of great things to come. And finally... a gentle easterly breeze wafts in the suggestion of sweet perfume that at last gives way to the unmistakable stench of bullshit.
Just smell all that bullshit. Glorious.