Having a government in charge probably isn't the best idea. It would require a U.N. style governing body, and that has its problems. Powerful nations would dominate (ex: for all intents and purposes, the U.S. runs the U.N.). Rules become bendable (its much harder to crack down on a misbehaving government). Having a company like VeriSign in control isn't perfect, but it's better than the alternatives. At least with a company, there's a hint of competition (if VeriSign is a bad boy, it loses control). This forces (I hope) the company to stay in line and provide better services.
Yes, VeriSign is profit-driven, but this (in theory) applies only to the registrar not the registry. That's what the audits are for. To make sure VeriSign isn't abusing its privileges. It would be harder to crack down if a government body was abusing privileges.
This ain't good, this ain't bad. It's just the way it is.
The one and only entity in control of my bodily functions,
Isn't it Ironic, Don't Ya Think?
on
Got Tracks?
·
· Score: 1
I find it ironic that at the same time the U.S. Army is working on a tank with wheels (Popluar Mechanics, not sure what month, but this year), tracks are being put on trucks.
Retrofitting my Dodge Ram with anti-aircraft guns,
Cancer fighting mouthwash. What's next, contraceptive Q-Tips?
Seriously, though, if it works and helps people, its all good.
Giving my Listerine funny looks,
Re:Who Is E-Mailing Our Kids Act
on
Congress@Work
·
· Score: 1
How ironic that the act is titled the Who Is E-Mailing Our Kids Act, when it has absolutely nothing to do with people emailing kids, and everything to do with the ability of kids to email other people.
I believe it is the age-old political tactic known as "talking out your ass." Present a idea that hurts (as this bill, or by taking away freedom) and pretend its protecting. That's what makes this so dangerous. Bills like this one can get passed, and Congress comes off as being "Kid Friendly." Or, are they really that naive?
We can only hope Congress can pull its head out of the political honey-pot ($$$$$$$$$) and actually pay attention to what they're voting on.
Trying to find that political honey-pot,
Random Bull about Random Bull
on
Shared Source?
·
· Score: 1
The contraction in the dot-com industry over the past few months came about, in part, due to the pervasive model of companies giving away valuable asset, like content, with the hope of making money selling something else later.
Uhh..no. The recent contraction in the dot-com industry was a natural part of the economic cycle. The internet created a vast new opportunity, and tons of people jumped at the chance. Stock prices became inflated. Then the shaking out process began. Companies that couldn't compete (or were never heard of) died, bringing stock prices back to reality. If it weren't for updated rules on the stock market (on speculation, getting stock and paying later), it could have been a repeat of 1929. Besides, industry seems to be entering another R&D cycle, designing the portables that will kick start the economy in a couple of years. It had nothing... I repeat... NOTHING to do with open source.
Shared Source is a balanced approach that allows us to share source code with customers and partners while maintaining the intellectual property rights needed to support a strong software business.
Better stated as "Shared source an approach that lets customers and partners think they're getting the advantages of Open Source, but keeps assloads of money pouring towars us."
Is Microsoft's Shared Source Philosophy a Response to Linux?
Well, duh! This stuff scares the crap out of us! It might bring our profits down to $10 gazillion a year!
Copyright applies to the expression of an idea in a tangible medium, not to the underlying ideas themselves.
I bet the author was laughing his ass off when he wrote that one. That's the way its supposed to be, but that ain't the way it is.
Some open source licenses are viral, that is, they require that all derivative works be licensed on the same terms as the original program. These licenses are described as viral because they "infect" derivative programs. Viral licenses vary in how infectious they are, depending on how they define which programs are derivative works. However, one of the dominant open source license--the GPL--is the most infectious. It attempts to subject any work that includes GPL-licensed code to the GPL. Thus, if a government or business uses even a few lines of GPL-licensed code in a program, and then re-distributes that program to others, it would be required to provide the program under the GPL. And, under the GPL, the recipient must be given access to the source code and the freedom to redistribute the program on a royalty-free basis.
I thought that was the point. To keep companines from monopolizing code and then forcing it down the throats of customers. Or am I drunk?
I don't know about you, but the Soyuz capsule doesn't sound that inviting. Sure, you'd be in orbit, but I don't think you'd be able to apprecialte the effects of microgravity in what is essentially an oversized oil drum.
I mean, where the hell do you go if someone cuts one? At least on ISS you can leave the...er...room.
Essentially you'd be paying $20 million for the great view. It's one hell of a view and I know I'd love to be able to see it, but how many will drop $20 million for the privelege? Especially if there's any possibility of better accomodations in a few years (if there's a willingness by the rich to do it, there'll definietly be more space tourism companies soon).
Willing to go if they drop the "million" part from the price tag,
So, if I'm reading this right, under today's legal rules, Martin Luther could have been charged with "interfering with a religion" and "domestic terrorism" for posting his 95 theses.
I mean, come on! This is ridiculous. Is this the state of free speech in this country? Say whatever you want as long as you don't piss off someone with money? Like a powerful religious group ($cientology), corporation (Micro$oft), or even government?
So, what's next? Are they going to turn this:
I will take out the garbage. This thing is going to kill me. George W. Bush made a bad decision.
into this:
I will kill George W. Bush?
Give me a break.
For those of you who aren't sure, I won't.
Packing my bags and heading for Canada just in case,
That way, after another 10 years, the web will be choking under the weight of 6.871947e+11 porn sites, many times more than the projected population of the Earth
Assuming a population of 6.5 billion, that's approximately 100 porn sites per person. Talk about options. Of course, not everyone will have internet access. Assuming 75% of the population has access, that's about 140 per user.
So what does this tell you? Microsoft is taking the wrong approach to world domination. They should have started with porn.
Starting a company called MicroPorn,
Re:Is everyone asleep at the wheel?
on
The DNA Bomb
·
· Score: 1
Yes, they are. That's exactly the problem.
As long as any group (terrorist, nationalist, governments themselves) have reasons to deploy any weapons (chemical, GM, nuclear) they will. It doesn't matter if its illegal. It doesn't matter if its immoral. It doesn't matter someone has to take the fall for it.
If a group or government has (or thinks it has) a good enough reason, genetic weapons will...I repeat will be deployed. And hushed up (in the case of an offending government, most likely).
As far as the White House statements asking scientist to "hush up," this serves the government's goals and not the people's needs. Keeping it quiet makes it easier to deploy. It does not make it harder for other nations to find out. It will leak to other governmets via spies. This is inevitable. Keeping it secret allows governments to use GM weapons without letting their people know about it.
Yes, some of the ideas in this ideas are far-fetched, but for every seemingly silly idea there is someone willing to try it.
You have to admire the depth of human stupidity, though. We use our greatest achievements in the stupidest ways. Any invention that has the potential to save mankind is equally likely to destroy it.
All I can say about this is that I hope that a sensible copyright scheme comes out of this. No more bullshit like the DMCA. Copyrights may be necessary, but there are limitations. Otherwise groups like the RIAA and Micro$oft are left to run amok.
It reminds me of the old Japanese "Godzilla versus... " movies. You just sit back and watch, hoping the two monsters destroy each other (hopefully with minimal collateral damage). At the very least, you hope the lesser of the two evils wins out (Godzilla, AOL).
Actually, a little competition for Micro$oft could be a good thing. They may now have to actually test their products before shipping (Golly gee willikers, Batman, are you talking about quality?)
This may be a relatively small example of it, but the most important part of the space program is the determination and inginuity of the men and women we send up there. If something goes wrong up there, there ain't no repairman you can call to fix it. You have to rely on your wits, nothing else.
As for hiding things from the controllers on the ground, it isn't exactly anything new. During the Apollo missions, the astronauts snuck up such essentials as a golf club, golf ball, and pages from Playboy magazine.
Yeah, but what if its Microsoft that ends up patenting it?
Now if only scientits could figure out why there wasn't enough anti-Microsoft back in the 80's to prevent the evil empire from being formed.
chhh...Yes Emperor Gates, the rebel software company has been sued for copyright violation...chhhh...our lawyers [tie litigators] are moving in at this very moment.
...we can't be sure where their paychecks are coming from.
Actually, we can be sure where they're paychecks are coming from. Paid for and delivered by corporate America. Sure, officially that tab is picked up by the American taxpayer, but its corporate America that got them there in the first place. Corporate America donates millions to political campaigns to gain favor with the legislature [read: corporate America BRIBES Congress]
This bullshit is the next logical evolution of the process. First, companies get in good favor with Congress with "campaign contributions." Then, they force their corporate agenda down America's collective throat (DMCA, giving the digital spectrum to corporate media FREE, and more bullshit than can be listed here). Now, they copyright the law itself so Americans can't possibly see how they're being screwed (although admittedly the average American isn't informed enough).
So, what do we do now?
Pull Congress's lips away from corporate America's ass [read: campaign finance reform].
Begin re-working the copyright laws to eliminate (OK, more realistically reduce the abuses) [read: Write a copyright law that makes sense]
Get corporations (cough*Microsoft*cough) to abide by the new rules
Live happily ever after in fantasy land cause this ain't gonna happen.
So, in the real world, what's next? With this decision, more copyrighted laws, more corporate control of the country, and the Microsoft/AOL Time Warner/Disney/AT&T States of America (copyright 2047) are born.
Actually, a manned Mars mission presents a huge potential spinoff. Solving the problems of such a mission (propulsion, life support, efficient artificial gravity, etc), or at least partially solving them will provide a huge opportunity for colonization and profit in the private sector. The technologies that could come out of such a mission could make permanent colonies on both the moon and Mars more than just a far-off vision. Not to mention the vast opportunities private companies could tap once the technology is within their reach (mining, commercial space travel, etc).
As for the smart machines, while I do agree that these will provide a valuable tool for exploring Mars and other bodies in the solar system, there are just some things smart machines cannot do. Human travelers would be doing more than just putting footprints in the Martian sands. Humans provide what machines cannot:
Expertise. While a machine can certainly be programmed to search Mars, how can a machine be a match for an expert geologist? Sure, a machine can tell you what it looks like and what its made of, but can it tell you how and why it got that way?
Judgement. The smart machines would certainly have some protocols built in to narrow the search, but again a qualified human geologist is better able to decide what is important to study and what is inconsequential.
Going beyond programming. Sure, the smart machine would certainly be more independent than your average computer (but then again Windows doesn't always do what I tell it either), but can it truly provide the intuition and plain old luck that so often come into play?
Necessity is the mother of invention. Undoubtedly some of the required technologies won't be created until it is realized they are necessary.
If we keep putting it off waiting for better technology, we'll never get there (in 2210 we'll have teleporters, so why bother going in 2190?)
Many ask: "Why go?" I ask: "Why the hell shouldn't we go?"
This post submitted by a rabid radioactive monkey.
Microsoft XP... What crappy software are you stuck with today?
By the way... the little icon comparing Microsoft to the Borg is a bit much. The borg never force you to pay license fees to get stuck with thier garbage.
The next post we'll see......is that someone in here has found a way to squish their computers into a 8 inch by 8 inch by 8 inch cube!
I already did that using nothing but a standard sledgehammer. Of course, it didn't run afterwards, but what's the difference between that and installing Windows?
Actually, it's more like 2 1\2 year trip. It takes at least 6 months to get to Mars, then more than a year on the surface (waiting for Mars to get into the right position for launch), then another six months to get home.
As for comfort, I'd say it would be worse than a bus. Spending six months eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom in O G can't be fun.
And boredom isn't exactly the biggest problem on the trip.
Food supply for 2+ years
Efficient recycling of water
Radidation from solar wind
Bone and muscle loss. By the time they get to Mars they will be too weak to stand up. It will take a little time before they can do anything.
On another note, if the crew is made up of men and women, will NASA provide condoms? (How likely is it that this 2+ year mission will end without a little bada-bing going on?) Or will the crew come back with an extra member? An idea for the bordeom...maybe they can get a special deal with DirceTV to get free HBO.
According to the article, while this type of magma upswell is indicative of future eruptions, it doesn't mean there will be an eruption any time soon, if at all. It may only be a temporary thing, and sink back just as mysteriously as it popped up.
Of course, if they're wrong and one is coming, it might be a good idea to get out of the area.
In a world where innovation and advance are increasingly tied to the free flow of information (for example, the rapid development of Linux versus the virtual stagnation of Windows), intellectual property patents hinder both development, and, paradoxically, profit. The reason it hinders profit is that today's wonder technology is tommorow's forgotten antique. You can't sell the same technology forever. The only path to profit is innovation, and the fewer people have access to the information the less the innovation. While it would be just as disastrous to allow everyone to copy a company's information free of chare, the patent laws as they are now go too far.
Space elavator, huh? Saw those things on Star Trek a couple of times and thought they were the stupidest things in sci-fi. Who knew they were actually working on it.
Can see the advangtages of it, though (for any country with enough money and balls to build it). Easier to lift cargo into space, heavier lift capacity.
Also see potetntial disaster in it. As others have noted, if that thing were to come a tumblin' down, were toast.
Gives me an idea, too. Take all the soot tossed into the atmosphere from coal and oil fired plants and process it into nanotubes. End up getting a lot out of this darn little idea:
1) Space uses (duh)
2) Clean up environment by cutting emisions
3) Solve energy crisis as new plants are built
Slashdot Mirror
Having a government in charge probably isn't the best idea. It would require a U.N. style governing body, and that has its problems. Powerful nations would dominate (ex: for all intents and purposes, the U.S. runs the U.N.). Rules become bendable (its much harder to crack down on a misbehaving government). Having a company like VeriSign in control isn't perfect, but it's better than the alternatives. At least with a company, there's a hint of competition (if VeriSign is a bad boy, it loses control). This forces (I hope) the company to stay in line and provide better services.
Yes, VeriSign is profit-driven, but this (in theory) applies only to the registrar not the registry. That's what the audits are for. To make sure VeriSign isn't abusing its privileges. It would be harder to crack down if a government body was abusing privileges.
This ain't good, this ain't bad. It's just the way it is.
The one and only entity in control of my bodily functions,
I find it ironic that at the same time the U.S. Army is working on a tank with wheels (Popluar Mechanics, not sure what month, but this year), tracks are being put on trucks.
Retrofitting my Dodge Ram with anti-aircraft guns,
Cancer fighting mouthwash.
What's next, contraceptive Q-Tips?
Seriously, though, if it works and helps people, its all good.
Giving my Listerine funny looks,
How ironic that the act is titled the Who Is E-Mailing Our Kids Act, when it has absolutely nothing to do with people emailing kids, and everything to do with the ability of kids to email other people.
I believe it is the age-old political tactic known as "talking out your ass." Present a idea that hurts (as this bill, or by taking away freedom) and pretend its protecting. That's what makes this so dangerous. Bills like this one can get passed, and Congress comes off as being "Kid Friendly."
Or, are they really that naive?
We can only hope Congress can pull its head out of the political honey-pot ($$$$$$$$$) and actually pay attention to what they're voting on.
Trying to find that political honey-pot,
The contraction in the dot-com industry over the past few months came about, in part, due to the pervasive model of companies giving away valuable asset, like content, with the hope of making money selling something else later.
... I repeat ... NOTHING to do with open source.
Uhh..no. The recent contraction in the dot-com industry was a natural part of the economic cycle. The internet created a vast new opportunity, and tons of people jumped at the chance. Stock prices became inflated. Then the shaking out process began. Companies that couldn't compete (or were never heard of) died, bringing stock prices back to reality. If it weren't for updated rules on the stock market (on speculation, getting stock and paying later), it could have been a repeat of 1929. Besides, industry seems to be entering another R&D cycle, designing the portables that will kick start the economy in a couple of years. It had nothing
Shared Source is a balanced approach that allows us to share source code with customers and partners while maintaining the intellectual property rights needed to support a strong software business.
Better stated as "Shared source an approach that lets customers and partners think they're getting the advantages of Open Source, but keeps assloads of money pouring towars us."
Is Microsoft's Shared Source Philosophy a Response to Linux?
Well, duh! This stuff scares the crap out of us! It might bring our profits down to $10 gazillion a year!
Copyright applies to the expression of an idea in a tangible medium, not to the underlying ideas themselves.
I bet the author was laughing his ass off when he wrote that one. That's the way its supposed to be, but that ain't the way it is.
Some open source licenses are viral, that is, they require that all derivative works be licensed on the same terms as the original program. These licenses are described as viral because they "infect" derivative programs. Viral licenses vary in how infectious they are, depending on how they define which programs are derivative works. However, one of the dominant open source license--the GPL--is the most infectious. It attempts to subject any work that includes GPL-licensed code to the GPL. Thus, if a government or business uses even a few lines of GPL-licensed code in a program, and then re-distributes that program to others, it would be required to provide the program under the GPL. And, under the GPL, the recipient must be given access to the source code and the freedom to redistribute the program on a royalty-free basis.
I thought that was the point. To keep companines from monopolizing code and then forcing it down the throats of customers. Or am I drunk?
Sounding way smarter than my IQ would indicate,
I don't know about you, but the Soyuz capsule doesn't sound that inviting. Sure, you'd be in orbit, but I don't think you'd be able to apprecialte the effects of microgravity in what is essentially an oversized oil drum.
...er...room.
I mean, where the hell do you go if someone cuts one? At least on ISS you can leave the
Essentially you'd be paying $20 million for the great view. It's one hell of a view and I know I'd love to be able to see it, but how many will drop $20 million for the privelege? Especially if there's any possibility of better accomodations in a few years (if there's a willingness by the rich to do it, there'll definietly be more space tourism companies soon).
Willing to go if they drop the "million" part from the price tag,
"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety shall have neither" -- Thomas Jefferson.
That pretty much sums up my opinion on the matter.
Setting up a surveillance network to catch government stupidity,
WTF?
So, if I'm reading this right, under today's legal rules, Martin Luther could have been charged with "interfering with a religion" and "domestic terrorism" for posting his 95 theses.
I mean, come on! This is ridiculous. Is this the state of free speech in this country? Say whatever you want as long as you don't piss off someone with money? Like a powerful religious group ($cientology), corporation (Micro$oft), or even government?
So, what's next? Are they going to turn this:
I will take out the garbage.
This thing is going to kill me.
George W. Bush made a bad decision.
into this:
I will kill George W. Bush?
Give me a break.
For those of you who aren't sure, I won't.
Packing my bags and heading for Canada just in case,
That way, after another 10 years, the web will be choking under the weight of 6.871947e+11 porn sites, many times more than the projected population of the Earth
Assuming a population of 6.5 billion, that's approximately 100 porn sites per person. Talk about options.
Of course, not everyone will have internet access. Assuming 75% of the population has access, that's about 140 per user.
So what does this tell you? Microsoft is taking the wrong approach to world domination. They should have started with porn.
Starting a company called MicroPorn,
Yes, they are. That's exactly the problem.
As long as any group (terrorist, nationalist, governments themselves) have reasons to deploy any weapons (chemical, GM, nuclear) they will. It doesn't matter if its illegal. It doesn't matter if its immoral. It doesn't matter someone has to take the fall for it.
If a group or government has (or thinks it has) a good enough reason, genetic weapons will...I repeat will be deployed. And hushed up (in the case of an offending government, most likely).
As far as the White House statements asking scientist to "hush up," this serves the government's goals and not the people's needs. Keeping it quiet makes it easier to deploy. It does not make it harder for other nations to find out. It will leak to other governmets via spies. This is inevitable. Keeping it secret allows governments to use GM weapons without letting their people know about it.
Yes, some of the ideas in this ideas are far-fetched, but for every seemingly silly idea there is someone willing to try it.
You have to admire the depth of human stupidity, though. We use our greatest achievements in the stupidest ways. Any invention that has the potential to save mankind is equally likely to destroy it.
Manipulating DNA to create the perfect woman,
How about a TLD called dot-idiot for stupid people and useless websites?
Then again, that would fill up in about a minute, requiring dot-moron and dot-huh? to be added as well, maybe even dot-loser.
Visit my site at http://www.pagsz.moron,
All I can say about this is that I hope that a sensible copyright scheme comes out of this. No more bullshit like the DMCA. Copyrights may be necessary, but there are limitations. Otherwise groups like the RIAA and Micro$oft are left to run amok.
Submitting a patent for idiocy,
It reminds me of the old Japanese "Godzilla versus ... " movies. You just sit back and watch, hoping the two monsters destroy each other (hopefully with minimal collateral damage). At the very least, you hope the lesser of the two evils wins out (Godzilla, AOL).
Actually, a little competition for Micro$oft could be a good thing. They may now have to actually test their products before shipping (Golly gee willikers, Batman, are you talking about quality?)
This comment was dubbed over by:
This may be a relatively small example of it, but the most important part of the space program is the determination and inginuity of the men and women we send up there.
If something goes wrong up there, there ain't no repairman you can call to fix it. You have to rely on your wits, nothing else.
As for hiding things from the controllers on the ground, it isn't exactly anything new. During the Apollo missions, the astronauts snuck up such essentials as a golf club, golf ball, and pages from Playboy magazine.
Mmmmm....space porn.
On the slippery slope to insanity,
Yeah, but what if its Microsoft that ends up patenting it?
Now if only scientits could figure out why there wasn't enough anti-Microsoft back in the 80's to prevent the evil empire from being formed.
chhh...Yes Emperor Gates, the rebel software company has been sued for copyright violation...chhhh...our lawyers [tie litigators] are moving in at this very moment.
Exploring the deep secrets of cherry pie,
Actually, we can be sure where they're paychecks are coming from. Paid for and delivered by corporate America. Sure, officially that tab is picked up by the American taxpayer, but its corporate America that got them there in the first place. Corporate America donates millions to political campaigns to gain favor with the legislature [read: corporate America BRIBES Congress]
This bullshit is the next logical evolution of the process. First, companies get in good favor with Congress with "campaign contributions." Then, they force their corporate agenda down America's collective throat (DMCA, giving the digital spectrum to corporate media FREE, and more bullshit than can be listed here). Now, they copyright the law itself so Americans can't possibly see how they're being screwed (although admittedly the average American isn't informed enough).
So, what do we do now?
- Pull Congress's lips away from corporate America's ass
- Begin re-working the copyright laws to eliminate (OK, more realistically reduce the abuses)
- Get corporations (cough*Microsoft*cough) to abide by the new rules
- Live happily ever after in fantasy land cause this ain't gonna happen.
So, in the real world, what's next? With this decision, more copyrighted laws, more corporate control of the country, and the Microsoft/AOL Time Warner/Disney/AT&T States of America (copyright 2047) are born.[read: campaign finance reform].
[read: Write a copyright law that makes sense]
I NEED SOME VODKA!!
AT LEAST ELEVEN GALLONS WORTH!!
As for the smart machines, while I do agree that these will provide a valuable tool for exploring Mars and other bodies in the solar system, there are just some things smart machines cannot do. Human travelers would be doing more than just putting footprints in the Martian sands. Humans provide what machines cannot:
Necessity is the mother of invention. Undoubtedly some of the required technologies won't be created until it is realized they are necessary.
If we keep putting it off waiting for better technology, we'll never get there (in 2210 we'll have teleporters, so why bother going in 2190?)
Many ask: "Why go?" I ask: "Why the hell shouldn't we go?"
This post submitted by a rabid radioactive monkey.
Microsoft XP ... What crappy software are you stuck with today?
... the little icon comparing Microsoft to the Borg is a bit much. The borg never force you to pay license fees to get stuck with thier garbage.
By the way
The next post we'll see......is that someone in here has found a way to squish their computers into a 8 inch by 8 inch by 8 inch cube!
I already did that using nothing but a standard sledgehammer. Of course, it didn't run afterwards, but what's the difference between that and installing Windows?
It takes at least 6 months to get to Mars, then more than a year on the surface (waiting for Mars to get into the right position for launch), then another six months to get home.
As for comfort, I'd say it would be worse than a bus. Spending six months eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom in O G can't be fun.
And boredom isn't exactly the biggest problem on the trip.
On another note, if the crew is made up of men and women, will NASA provide condoms?
(How likely is it that this 2+ year mission will end without a little bada-bing going on?)
Or will the crew come back with an extra member?
An idea for the bordeom...maybe they can get a special deal with DirceTV to get free HBO.
According to the article, while this type of magma upswell is indicative of future eruptions, it doesn't mean there will be an eruption any time soon, if at all. It may only be a temporary thing, and sink back just as mysteriously as it popped up.
Of course, if they're wrong and one is coming, it might be a good idea to get out of the area.
Hmmm...Is that why Boeing left Seattle?
In a world where innovation and advance are increasingly tied to the free flow of information (for example, the rapid development of Linux versus the virtual stagnation of Windows), intellectual property patents hinder both development, and, paradoxically, profit. The reason it hinders profit is that today's wonder technology is tommorow's forgotten antique. You can't sell the same technology forever. The only path to profit is innovation, and the fewer people have access to the information the less the innovation. While it would be just as disastrous to allow everyone to copy a company's information free of chare, the patent laws as they are now go too far.
Space elavator, huh? Saw those things on Star Trek a couple of times and thought they were the stupidest things in sci-fi. Who knew they were actually working on it. Can see the advangtages of it, though (for any country with enough money and balls to build it). Easier to lift cargo into space, heavier lift capacity. Also see potetntial disaster in it. As others have noted, if that thing were to come a tumblin' down, were toast. Gives me an idea, too. Take all the soot tossed into the atmosphere from coal and oil fired plants and process it into nanotubes. End up getting a lot out of this darn little idea: 1) Space uses (duh) 2) Clean up environment by cutting emisions 3) Solve energy crisis as new plants are built