"These are subhuman Aminals" ahhh, and the bigotry is laid bare. Regardless of how justified you might feel in making such a statement, it's racism plain and simple. You're generalizing a whole population based on the actions of the few that impact Israel. That makes you a racist, so please stop spewing your vitriol.
To counter your anecdotal evidence with my own, I drink way too much soda, probably 4 cans a day average, maybe more. On weekends probably more like 6. It's ruining my teeth.
I have done this pretty much my entire life and I'm 34 years old now. I'm 5'10 and weigh 140 lbs. Despite not exercising regularly (I need to get on that), I'm still quite healthy. I simply have something most Americans know nothing about: food intake control. When I get full, I stop eating. I don't stuff every scrap on the plate into my belly. When I'm thirsty, I drink a mouthful at a time, not gulp down half a liter in one swig. Basically, I allow my body to communicate with me how much nutrition it needs, and I actually listen to it.
That's all that is needed; listening to your body. There is not one single thing, such as soda, causing obesity in America. It's systemic. It's a culture problem. We have a fat culture. "Finish everything on your plate" is the motto of American well-to-do families who can afford to put way too much food on the table. Hell just look at serving sizes at any restaurant in America. You can't buy a meal that is sized for a person who is less than 180 lbs. I frequently buy "small" meals and throw away 1/3 of the food I get.
I dabbled in things like QBasic when I was young, but never created anything rewarding enough to hold my interest. I would strongly discourage the types of programming exercises that were the normal starting point for a programmer back in the 80's and 90's, I'm talking the "10: PRINT HELLO WORLD; 20: GOTO 10" type stuff. Kids today are not going to be even remotely impressed by that. It was only impressive back in the day because you were commanding this computer to do something, and it was obeying. It was empowering because computers were not mainstream. These days, such a simple concept is akin to when your math teacher gives you a list of additions or multiplications to perform. Sure it helps get them into the mindset and learn the basics, but it's tedious and not likely to hold the person's interest. They would require a strong initial interest to learn this way, I think. Sounds like this kid has none, so far. So he needs something where he can hit the ground running and get something usable out of it.
The first time I really created anything worth being particularly proud of was when I started getting into the web side of things. HTML is extremely easy to learn. The syntax is very simple, you don't need a compiler, and what's best is that you can teach yourself through using View Source to see how a website performs a particular trick, then add that trick to your own bag. Grow it out from there into CSS & JavaScript. If he takes well to this, it won't be long before he's ready to start trying some server-side scripting. The move to a database back-end is particularly rewarding. If he's more the self-teaching, hands-on learning type, HTML is the perfect starting point because it takes almost no knowledge whatsoever to produce a very basic webpage. As they start to branch out from HTML into things like JavaScript, the transition from those languages into more formal languages is really not very difficult. They will be missing a strong foundation due to being self-taught and using fairly casual languages, but if they're smart they will adapt very quickly.
Since you're obviously a genius beyond our comprehension, would you mind explaining why it is that String Theory is so absurd? How about offering a better explanation instead of throwing unfounded insults at another?
I don't personally believe in M-Theory either but if you're going to throw out claims like this you had better be prepared to back them up with facts or at least theories. To declare that the most complicated and least-disproven unified theory ever thought up is myth or "random imagination" is naive on your part and only proves your ignorance. It is, in fact, this type of random imagination that keeps bringing us closer to the truth!
I don't think there's anything wrong with/., I think everyone is just sick and tired of hearing about the poor music industry losing their iron hold on creativity. Boo hoo. At least they finally realized that they can't sue us into their way of thinking. Too bad it's too late, unless they've received SO much bad publicity that it perpetuates their evil empire through fear rather than genuine market profit. Bye bye, RIAA, we won't miss you.
I wouldn't say that violent games necessary encourage "shooting at almost anything that might be a threat" in fact most games penalize you for shooting non-threats. In addition, you claim that these gamers are training their reflexes but the only reflexes they're training is using a mouse and keyboard. To actually pull out a real gun and pull the trigger, gamers know and respect the difference. If they don't, they have much larger problems than their attention to games. Do you think a person will have better aim in real life from playing a video game? Of course not! They are completely different. Banning violent games because of actions like this is comparable to banning alcohol or shouting. All three things could lead to violence if someone with no sense of consequence or morals is the culprit. Why should violent games be banned if alcohol and shouting are not? Why not just have a perfect utopian society where nobody is exposed to any violence and the problem will just disappear! Then parents can stop parenting because the government does it for them, and life will be just swell.
I think this is an interesting point and although it may not exactly be "on-topic," is still relevant. It is also a growing problem as life expectancy increases. In the near future I see it entering the 100+ year range, and the rate of technological innovation is not slowing down but INCREASING. Try to imagine a world where new technology is released every day, but regulated by people who tend to have stopped keeping up with the times 25 years ago. Now look out the window. How different are these worlds?
Now, here's the real kicker: Anybody have any ideas on how to solve this problem? Would you kick out the old and experienced and bring in the new blood? Do you really think we would make lesser mistakes? I think it would accomplish nothing except to shorten the cycle of repeating mistakes.
I'm with Tyrdium. I find the database to be invaluable! I help coordinate local SCCA Rallies, and due to the remote locations, we use a lot of hams for those events. The callsign database allows me to collect a list of callsigns & phone numbers from people interested in helping out, then I can just look up their address when it's time to mail them the rally information. Without the database, I'd have to collect the addresses myself from each person and keep them up-to-date on my own.
Besides, there really isn't any "sensitive" information given out. Just your name, callsign, and address. Yes, you can use a PO Box if you're super paranoid.
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"These are subhuman Aminals" ahhh, and the bigotry is laid bare. Regardless of how justified you might feel in making such a statement, it's racism plain and simple. You're generalizing a whole population based on the actions of the few that impact Israel. That makes you a racist, so please stop spewing your vitriol.
To counter your anecdotal evidence with my own, I drink way too much soda, probably 4 cans a day average, maybe more. On weekends probably more like 6. It's ruining my teeth. I have done this pretty much my entire life and I'm 34 years old now. I'm 5'10 and weigh 140 lbs. Despite not exercising regularly (I need to get on that), I'm still quite healthy. I simply have something most Americans know nothing about: food intake control. When I get full, I stop eating. I don't stuff every scrap on the plate into my belly. When I'm thirsty, I drink a mouthful at a time, not gulp down half a liter in one swig. Basically, I allow my body to communicate with me how much nutrition it needs, and I actually listen to it. That's all that is needed; listening to your body. There is not one single thing, such as soda, causing obesity in America. It's systemic. It's a culture problem. We have a fat culture. "Finish everything on your plate" is the motto of American well-to-do families who can afford to put way too much food on the table. Hell just look at serving sizes at any restaurant in America. You can't buy a meal that is sized for a person who is less than 180 lbs. I frequently buy "small" meals and throw away 1/3 of the food I get.
I dabbled in things like QBasic when I was young, but never created anything rewarding enough to hold my interest. I would strongly discourage the types of programming exercises that were the normal starting point for a programmer back in the 80's and 90's, I'm talking the "10: PRINT HELLO WORLD; 20: GOTO 10" type stuff. Kids today are not going to be even remotely impressed by that. It was only impressive back in the day because you were commanding this computer to do something, and it was obeying. It was empowering because computers were not mainstream. These days, such a simple concept is akin to when your math teacher gives you a list of additions or multiplications to perform. Sure it helps get them into the mindset and learn the basics, but it's tedious and not likely to hold the person's interest. They would require a strong initial interest to learn this way, I think. Sounds like this kid has none, so far. So he needs something where he can hit the ground running and get something usable out of it.
The first time I really created anything worth being particularly proud of was when I started getting into the web side of things. HTML is extremely easy to learn. The syntax is very simple, you don't need a compiler, and what's best is that you can teach yourself through using View Source to see how a website performs a particular trick, then add that trick to your own bag. Grow it out from there into CSS & JavaScript. If he takes well to this, it won't be long before he's ready to start trying some server-side scripting. The move to a database back-end is particularly rewarding. If he's more the self-teaching, hands-on learning type, HTML is the perfect starting point because it takes almost no knowledge whatsoever to produce a very basic webpage. As they start to branch out from HTML into things like JavaScript, the transition from those languages into more formal languages is really not very difficult. They will be missing a strong foundation due to being self-taught and using fairly casual languages, but if they're smart they will adapt very quickly.
Yes of course. I think everyone here can see the obvious connection. No need to question it just keep marching until the music stops.
1. Sell Nazi memorabilia on Yahoo
2. ???
3. World War III
Since you're obviously a genius beyond our comprehension, would you mind explaining why it is that String Theory is so absurd? How about offering a better explanation instead of throwing unfounded insults at another? I don't personally believe in M-Theory either but if you're going to throw out claims like this you had better be prepared to back them up with facts or at least theories. To declare that the most complicated and least-disproven unified theory ever thought up is myth or "random imagination" is naive on your part and only proves your ignorance. It is, in fact, this type of random imagination that keeps bringing us closer to the truth!
I don't think there's anything wrong with /., I think everyone is just sick and tired of hearing about the poor music industry losing their iron hold on creativity. Boo hoo. At least they finally realized that they can't sue us into their way of thinking. Too bad it's too late, unless they've received SO much bad publicity that it perpetuates their evil empire through fear rather than genuine market profit. Bye bye, RIAA, we won't miss you.
I wouldn't say that violent games necessary encourage "shooting at almost anything that might be a threat" in fact most games penalize you for shooting non-threats. In addition, you claim that these gamers are training their reflexes but the only reflexes they're training is using a mouse and keyboard. To actually pull out a real gun and pull the trigger, gamers know and respect the difference. If they don't, they have much larger problems than their attention to games. Do you think a person will have better aim in real life from playing a video game? Of course not! They are completely different. Banning violent games because of actions like this is comparable to banning alcohol or shouting. All three things could lead to violence if someone with no sense of consequence or morals is the culprit. Why should violent games be banned if alcohol and shouting are not? Why not just have a perfect utopian society where nobody is exposed to any violence and the problem will just disappear! Then parents can stop parenting because the government does it for them, and life will be just swell.
I think this is an interesting point and although it may not exactly be "on-topic," is still relevant. It is also a growing problem as life expectancy increases. In the near future I see it entering the 100+ year range, and the rate of technological innovation is not slowing down but INCREASING. Try to imagine a world where new technology is released every day, but regulated by people who tend to have stopped keeping up with the times 25 years ago. Now look out the window. How different are these worlds? Now, here's the real kicker: Anybody have any ideas on how to solve this problem? Would you kick out the old and experienced and bring in the new blood? Do you really think we would make lesser mistakes? I think it would accomplish nothing except to shorten the cycle of repeating mistakes.
I'm with Tyrdium. I find the database to be invaluable! I help coordinate local SCCA Rallies, and due to the remote locations, we use a lot of hams for those events. The callsign database allows me to collect a list of callsigns & phone numbers from people interested in helping out, then I can just look up their address when it's time to mail them the rally information. Without the database, I'd have to collect the addresses myself from each person and keep them up-to-date on my own. Besides, there really isn't any "sensitive" information given out. Just your name, callsign, and address. Yes, you can use a PO Box if you're super paranoid.