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User: GuardianBob420

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Comments · 49

  1. Completely insane... on US Killer Robot Policy: Full Speed Ahead · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm not even sure what else to say here... so much for the Three Laws ;-)

  2. Can't resist... on Nearby Star Forecast To Skirt Solar System · · Score: 1

    In the year 1,502,000....

    War was beginning

    What happen?

  3. It was built in space... on New Star Trek Trailer · · Score: 1

    Hey, I'm excited about the new movie and I don't really care about canon and all that (it's hard to as an Anime fan) but I'm pretty sure that the Enterprise was built in space...
    And you are correct, ships are not built in the water - but they are generally built in a dry dock that can then just be flooded, rather then being built somewhere on shore and then shipped to a dock to be launched. I thought that the atmospheric capabilities of the Voyager were a big part of what made that ship unique - I don't think the Enterprise's were designed to be able to land on a planet (and then take off again).

  4. Re:Oy vey, the Technical flaws -. Buiilt in space? on New Star Trek Trailer · · Score: 1

    You are dead on; and, I thought that this thing was built in space, right?
    [Star Trek Encyclopedia]
    "Launched in 2245 from the San Francisco Yards orbiting Earth, the Enterprise..."
    [/Star Trek Encyclopedia]

  5. Not everyone sees it that way... on McCain Picks Gov. Palin As Running Mate · · Score: 1

    They obviously have their own agenda, but the Defenders of Wildlife Fund was quick to point out some of Ms Palin's actions are quite friendly to the oil companies and their interests:

    "Sarah Palin, whose husband works for BP, has repeatedly put special interests first when it comes to the environment. In her scant two years as governor, she has lobbied aggressively to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, pushed for more drilling off of Alaska's coasts, and put special interests above science. Ms. Palin has made it clear through her actions that she is unwilling to do even as much as the Bush administration to address the impacts of global warming. Her most recent effort has been to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the polar bear from the endangered species list, putting Big Oil before sound science. As unbelievable as this may sound, this actually puts her to the right of the Bush administration."

  6. Singularity on the way on U.S. Plan For "Thinking Machines" Repository · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I for one would like to welcome our thinking machine overlords...
    Singularity here we come!

  7. Re:How the hell? on FCC Ignores Public, Relaxes Media Ownership · · Score: 1

    I think when they say "30 percent of the market" they are talking about the number of potential subscribers, not actual subscribers, being set by a regulatory cap. This is probably done by setting up some geographic boundaries using demographic data; but, I didn't do the research here so I'm just guessing!

  8. Ok Richard Simmons... on Airlines Have to Ask Permission to Fly 72 Hours Early · · Score: 2, Informative

    Granted, we all have to die somehow - but you seem a little defensive! Allergic to bees, perhaps? Again, the math:

    Your chances of getting killed by a terrorist (from here):
    But while keeping such potential dangers in mind, it is worth remembering that the total number of people killed since 9/11 by al Qaeda or al Qaedalike operatives outside of Afghanistan and Iraq is not much higher than the number who drown in bathtubs in the United States in a single year, and that the lifetime chance of an American being killed by international terrorism is about one in 80,000 -- about the same chance of being killed by a comet or a meteor. Even if there were a 9/11-scale attack every three months for the next five years, the likelihood that an individual American would number among the dead would be two hundredths of a percent (or one in 5,000).

    From here:

    All figures below are for U.S. residents.
    Cause of Death Lifetime Odds

    Heart Disease: 1-in-5
    Cancer: 1-in-7
    Stroke: 1-in-23
    Accidental Injury: 1-in-36
    Motor Vehicle Accident*: 1-in-100
    Intentional Self-harm (suicide): 1-in-121
    Falling Down: 1-in-246
    Assault by Firearm: 1-in-325
    Fire or Smoke: 1-in-1,116
    Natural Forces (heat, cold, storms, quakes, etc.): 1-in-3,357
    Electrocution*: 1-in-5,000
    Drowning: 1-in-8,942
    Air Travel Accident*: 1-in-20,000
    Flood* (included also in Natural Forces above): 1-in-30,000
    Legal Execution: 1-in-58,618
    Tornado* (included also in Natural Forces above): 1-in-60,000
    Lightning Strike (included also in Natural Forces above): 1-in-83,930
    Snake, Bee or other Venomous Bite or Sting*: 1-in-100,000
    Earthquake (included also in Natural Forces above): 1-in-131,890
    Dog Attack: 1-in-147,717
    Asteroid Impact*: 1-in-200,000**
    Tsunami*: 1-in-500,000
    Fireworks Discharge: 1-in-615,488


  9. What? on Airlines Have to Ask Permission to Fly 72 Hours Early · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You're one of those, huh? Let's see...

    I have personal control over:

    heart disease
    Glad you can change your own genetic code!
    cancer
    Same here - care to share your cancer cures?
    stroke
    Unlikely considering the level of fear you seem to be experiencing on a regular basis...
    accidents
    So I guess you don't walk, bike, or drive. Good for you!
    influensa
    Nice bubble!

    Why don't you just go learn some math and relax buddy. It will help you prevent those strokes!

  10. Contradiction in your argument... on Saddam Hussein Sentenced to Death · · Score: 1

    I don't think your arguments hold any water - first of all, what does the left have to do with anything? Or democracy? I think you're looking to drop a little flamebait here, my friend.
    But as for the crux of your statement - while Saddam is a bad man, he was the head of state. He received US support against the Iranians! Additionally, the reason the death penalty is a morally bankrupt stance jumps out in your contradictory statements - "declare once and for all, and for everyone to see that killing is not allowed, which is a good thing" - by killing him, you're confirming the opposite! Your confirming that there ARE circumstances under which killing is ok, which is what Saddam thought when he was in power! The way you prove that "killing is not allowed" is by denouncing his actions, locking him up for all eternity as an example of how civilized people handle things, and preventing him from becoming a martyr for future generations. Those young insurgents-to-be can see an old, pathetic man living with the shame of his crimes - in a place where he can never hurt anyone again. Remember, that you are basically saying is that state-sponsored killing is bad, too - and I completely agree!

  11. Maybe a bit predictable - but don't dismiss it! on Venezuelan Interest In U.S. Voting Software · · Score: 2, Informative

    While you may have a point, you may want to read up a bit on what has actually been uncovered regarding electronic voting manipulation by the 'Right':
    http://weazlsrevenge.blogspot.com/2006/10/sign-of- things-to-come-in-november.html

  12. Most Powerful? On the Other side of the Suwannee! on Warp Engines In Development? · · Score: 1

    I think you're talking about the NHMFL - it's in Tallahassee, at the Seminary West of the Suwannee.

  13. Re:You calling my girlfriend ugly? - Ok, but... on Online Daters Sue Matchmaking Web Sites for Fraud · · Score: 1

    Ha ha, you're probably right - but, I met my wife on Match.com, and she is beautiful, intelligent, and funny. It was years ago, though (2001).

  14. Re:_Great_ analogy on How About a Nice Game of Global Thermonuclear War? · · Score: 1

    I don't know - a nipple slip might up his popularity! Seriously though, as an American I believe two things will have to happen - more election reform and a fuckload less ignorance on the part of middle America. Basically, our masses fell victim to a FUD campaign - and, in the last two presidential elections in a row, massive voting 'irregularities' and widespread disenfranchisement (including the very un-American voting right loss following a felony conviction) - in shit ass poorly run States like mine, Florida, also run by - yes, you guessed it!

  15. FUD - Stupid & Offensive on Google and Yahoo Creating Brain Drain? · · Score: 1

    I'm seeing this written in various ways in the comments here, but let me summarize - this is pure FUD, and is one of the stupidest - and most offensive - postings I have seen on Slashdot in some time. At least we seem to realize it... Why don't we Americans simply give away one of the best new industries we've ever created? CS enrollees dropping in number, 'not enough good engineers' when plenty of good engineers are un- or under-employed; crap, pure and simple. The management doesn't like our ability to demand more.
    Sorry about the rant - I just feel like we're flushing our futures down the toilet in pursuit of a (temporary) accumulation of $$$s.

  16. Are these items possibly related? on 100 Year-Old Drug Halts Progress Of Alzheimer's · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This discussion from earlier cited some new research that suggests that some nano-particles can migrate directly into the brian via the olfactories... can anybody think of a good source of nano-sized "zinc and copper compounds that concentrate in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers" - industrial, natural, or otherwise?

  17. Also reminds me of Greg Bear's Slant on Army Looks at Robotic Dogs · · Score: 1

    In Greg Bear's Slant, the military used a variety of robots - built from 'local' materials and nanotech (on demand)... pretty similar idea. Hopefully these robots won't need to eat you in order to complete their circuitry!

  18. Re:Brother HL series on Laser Printing Without the Hassles? · · Score: 1

    The current models, the HL-1440 and HL-1470N (built in ethernet) are great, use them at home and at the office (for low-volume stuff). The price is right, about $199 at any office store - $162 from newegg.

    Linux Support Details in case you're interested!

  19. He he he on Dutch Invention Uses Electric Engines For Wheels · · Score: 0, Troll

    He's obviously making fun of America and our SUV addiction, not ripping the Europeans, ya'll... if it was done with a bit more wit, I'd say mod it up as funny!

  20. Zeroth Law on Asimov's "I, Robot" Gets Movie Treatment · · Score: 1

    Good point, I did forget the 'Zeroth' - the law created by robots to help deal with their ever-advancing sense of conscience. I've been looking around for some confirmation, but didn't Giskard develop the zeroth and then transfer it to Daneel (along with the ~other~ cool gift he gave him) thus beginning the Giskardian movement?

  21. Safe because it's programmed with the 3 laws! on Asimov's "I, Robot" Gets Movie Treatment · · Score: 4, Informative

    From this page:

    Isaac Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics"

    1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

    2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

    3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

  22. Re:"Clear Skies" Initiative on Global Dimming · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty sure you're joking, and I like the tone of your sarcasm! I think that the environment is pretty damn important, and that backing out of the Kyoto treaty pissed off the rest of the world, but as it says here (from the article):

    Tiny particles of soot or chemical compounds like sulphates reflect sunlight and they also promote the formation of bigger, longer lasting clouds.

    And that soot was one of the biggest issues the US had with the treaty! I STILL think that we should be in there working with the world on treaties like Kyoto, but pushing for reduced CO2 output from the big guys without putting some checks on the increasing soot and particulate output of industrializing nations is a hard sell over here.

    And I do agree that the so-called "Clear Skies" initiative is complete crap, and that it would increase our output of soot and particulates as well, and that is a BIG step backwards.

  23. Re:Whoa whoa whoa... on Electronic Voting in the News · · Score: 3, Informative

    Ok, how about:
    Article on Salon...

    Harpers...

    Bradenton Herald...

    Harvard U. School of Gov't Reseach Paper...

    One or these days, they're going to declare it treasonous to be so criminally ignorant. Wise up before then.

  24. Whoa whoa whoa... on Electronic Voting in the News · · Score: 1

    You're forgetting: the duty to produce a list of voters who should NOT be allowed to vote because of their ex-felon status was delegated to a private firm. This firm produced a list and gave it to Harris saying 'hey, this list is over populated and needs to be rechecked by your officials - who should know who really IS an ex-felon in your state.' KH said 'No problem, just make it as "comprehensive" as you can, we'll sort it out!' So, the overloaded list was handed to KH... what did she do? She turned around and distributed it to the counties and their polling places, as is, and claimed that it was carefully reviewed before being put in to use. End result? Hundreds, if not thousands, of eligible voters were turned away at the polls. No negligence? Ok...

    By the way, most modern industrialized (and even some not so industrialized) nations have realized that blocking ex-felons from voting is just another way of disenfranchising a class of voter - akin to poll taxes and the like. Reconstructionist bullshit, to put it nicely. We'll see changes in how this is handled within the next 10-20 years.

  25. Great Stuff - Like 'Deepness in the Sky' on The Future Of Wireless Sensor Networks · · Score: 1

    A sci-fi novel I really enjoyed, 'A Deepness in the Sky' (by Vernor Vinge), has a lot of fun with these types of networks. Great to see some development in this area...