Using the same logic, guns are not effective either being difficult to use accurately & safely and due to the existence of bullet proof vests & body armor.
Also I believe my willingness to use these things pretty much disqualifies me as a pacifist!
People can always rationalize their decision making process. Given a desire I believe most people can adequately protect themselves in non-lethal methods, maybe not non violent but non-lethal!
Seriously though, I think it is a far more important problem to understand the failures of Western cultures and to begin a scientific effort to effect positive changes (Here I must give credit to Richard P. Feynman), than to discuss effectiveness of performing violent acts as crime deterrent.
I'm sure everyone would like to live in a society where the idea of having anything to protect themselves was left to those wearing tinfoil on their heads. Given the progress we have made in understanding the world we are in, I don't think it an unreasonable thing to ask. The first questions we have to answer is what is it about society that creates violent tendencies and attitudes.
No offense, but your assessment of firearms and apparent lack of assessment of alternatives makes you a danger to civil society. Many effective non-lethal options are available; pepper spray and stun guns are an example of such non-lethal options. Yes you can buy weak and ineffective variants through the home shopping network, but extremely effective models have been tested and are on the market. And these are just the standard sort of thing there, literally, are dozens of varieties to choose from.
A firearm is a dangerous thing and unfortunately there are many opportunities for injury and loss of life as a result of many different types of incidents. Personally my morals state that killing people is bad.
I must admit though I live in a country with a much lower murder rate than the US average and probably than the US lowest. So these things seem quite ridiculous for that perspective.
Perhaps the thing that could use more discussion is "What on earth is wrong with American society? They need guns to protect themselves from their fellow citizens and from their government, and even the guns don't seam to help!" What could Americans do to effectively lower the violence that seems omnipresent in their culture? Just a thought!
Sorry, but I fail to see a firearm as the only tool possible to secure your (and your family's) safety in your anecdote. It seems to me that the blanket and a civil tongue were far more effective. And if the poor nut case really did attempt to break & enter your home there are many, many non-lethal alternatives to discourage and prevent him. After all the law may give you right to kill the guy when he threatens you or your family's safety but it doesn't absolve you from any moral or emotional issues that most certainly would arise. I assume most folks have some moral framework, even if they haven't codified it and go weekly and hold hands in a special building.
Anyway my point is: It is not right to kill people. (Simple Isn't It!)
Hunting as a hobby is one thing, and has certain varieties of firearms that go with it. But that is not the only kind of firearm on the market, because the market demands these specialty killing devices. So do you limit what sorts of firearms available to people based on... (Who knows)? Lots of Americans would whine because 200 + years ago it was thought that firearms were a good way to prevent governments in becoming the lying authoritarian bastards that they have become. Now that part of the American constitution doesn't make as much sense as it did.
Perhaps a modern equivalent would "the right to control & distribute information". This is something Americans have none of, and most don't seem to care. For example: Recent changes to FCC limits of % of broadcast market owned by a single corporation and recent rejection of low power FM broadcasting rights.
I suppose they are to busy chasing terrorists and those evil copyright violators (I suppose this is the same thing these days)
Regarding Piccard's project...Many people don't understand how diffuse energy can be used effectivly, this could be a way to educate people. Not that it is a way I'd choose mind you, but it is possible.
That's a painful way to do it! I sold most of the stuff in America and gave away the rest. I only brought my books and currently used PC's. Probably next year I'll have to move again and in the mean time I've picked up a Ducati MH900E and a Skoda. Oh Well at least I'm staying in the EU!
When, oh When, will people discover that smoking is an obsolete and dangerous drug delivery method. After all it's not like you see all the big pharmas looking to burning and inhaling the fumes of their next big Viagra replacement!
Right, but you can bet that IBM will make sure that court room has moderatly smart folks in it. Of course it may take longer than the vi - emacs debate!
Too much slashdot... Replying to my own questions: From the manual!
Upgrading your Qube 2
Before you purchase a component to add to the Qube 2, ensure that the
component fits into the allocated space:
The SIMM modules must be less than 0.4 inches (10.1 mm) thick.
The PCI card must be less than 5.5 inches (139 mm) long.
If you have 128 MB of memory installed, the second memory slot
(slot 2) is empty in the Qube 2. If you add a memory module:
you can have mismatched sizes of memory modules (for example,
you can install a 128-MB module and a 64-MB module).
if you have mismatched sizes of memory modules, you must install
the larger module in slot 1.
If you want to add a memory module and a PCI expansion card to the
Qube 2 at the same time, add the memory module first.
Slashdot Mirror
On you sig, my theory is that total IQ available to the world is a constant.
I'm not so sure how useful it is in real life but it is really interesting. I guess at this point I should say that I have NOT read the article...yet.
Great Song, I liked "Oh Me" better though.
we should start a letter writing campaign to SCO users.
The only way SCO could pay IBM's legal fees would be in SCOX stock!
Also I believe my willingness to use these things pretty much disqualifies me as a pacifist!
People can always rationalize their decision making process. Given a desire I believe most people can adequately protect themselves in non-lethal methods, maybe not non violent but non-lethal!
Seriously though, I think it is a far more important problem to understand the failures of Western cultures and to begin a scientific effort to effect positive changes (Here I must give credit to Richard P. Feynman), than to discuss effectiveness of performing violent acts as crime deterrent.
I'm sure everyone would like to live in a society where the idea of having anything to protect themselves was left to those wearing tinfoil on their heads. Given the progress we have made in understanding the world we are in, I don't think it an unreasonable thing to ask. The first questions we have to answer is what is it about society that creates violent tendencies and attitudes.
The thing that amazes me is that most news outlets are treating this as if it were about as important as a model airplane meet (or a pinochle tourny)
A firearm is a dangerous thing and unfortunately there are many opportunities for injury and loss of life as a result of many different types of incidents. Personally my morals state that killing people is bad.
I must admit though I live in a country with a much lower murder rate than the US average and probably than the US lowest. So these things seem quite ridiculous for that perspective.
Perhaps the thing that could use more discussion is "What on earth is wrong with American society? They need guns to protect themselves from their fellow citizens and from their government, and even the guns don't seam to help!" What could Americans do to effectively lower the violence that seems omnipresent in their culture? Just a thought!
Anyway my point is: It is not right to kill people. (Simple Isn't It!)
Perhaps a modern equivalent would "the right to control & distribute information". This is something Americans have none of, and most don't seem to care. For example: Recent changes to FCC limits of % of broadcast market owned by a single corporation and recent rejection of low power FM broadcasting rights.
I suppose they are to busy chasing terrorists and those evil copyright violators (I suppose this is the same thing these days)
I'm not sure I'd call my Mac "mission critical" but hey it doesn't hurt my feelings when you do!
oh, and BSD is dead, so I'm not sure why I'm still using it for my Qube 2. I guess I should use windows!
Is a way to convert old satellite dishes into satellite radio receivers so we can do the SETI equivalent in data gathering
It has been remade recently.
Regarding Piccard's project...Many people don't understand how diffuse energy can be used effectivly, this could be a way to educate people. Not that it is a way I'd choose mind you, but it is possible.
I've always wanted to be a pimp!
That's a painful way to do it! I sold most of the stuff in America and gave away the rest. I only brought my books and currently used PC's. Probably next year I'll have to move again and in the mean time I've picked up a Ducati MH900E and a Skoda. Oh Well at least I'm staying in the EU!
Well said, and on a day with me without mod points
When, oh When, will people discover that smoking is an obsolete and dangerous drug delivery method. After all it's not like you see all the big pharmas looking to burning and inhaling the fumes of their next big Viagra replacement!
Right, but you can bet that IBM will make sure that court room has moderatly smart folks in it. Of course it may take longer than the vi - emacs debate!
No Thanks! I'll pass on this Idea!
Examples: PPC or MIPS reference boards of any flavor.
Price per Bogomips I suppose.
This is not my experience, do you have anything concrete?
I think the one from monarch would be better!
Upgrading your Qube 2 Before you purchase a component to add to the Qube 2, ensure that the component fits into the allocated space: The SIMM modules must be less than 0.4 inches (10.1 mm) thick. The PCI card must be less than 5.5 inches (139 mm) long. If you have 128 MB of memory installed, the second memory slot (slot 2) is empty in the Qube 2. If you add a memory module: you can have mismatched sizes of memory modules (for example, you can install a 128-MB module and a 64-MB module). if you have mismatched sizes of memory modules, you must install the larger module in slot 1. If you want to add a memory module and a PCI expansion card to the Qube 2 at the same time, add the memory module first.
I live in Austria!