Unfortunately, I have known people killed in auto crashes after using MDMA, most likely in conjunction with other drugs, however.
As far as the risk of brain damage is concerned, much research points to the fact that it may be temporary from using MDMA. Brains can establish new connections after old ones have been damaged, over time. Keep in mind, however, the brains of rats and monkeys are a bit different than human beings, so humans may react differently, there may be no damage at all- but no researcher has dissected human brains after feeding them large quantities of MDMA to find out.
Some other, more promising research involves taking fluoxetine (prozac) 3-6 hours after taking MDMA. In studies on rats, this combination showed absolutely NO brain damage in the rats. The brain damage that it is believed that MDMA causes is caused by the massive release of serotonin into the synapses, which is then re-absorbed into the neurons, where it reacts with monoamine oxidase, a reaction that damages your brain cells when it happens quickly and in large quantities. Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that prevents massive amounts of serotonin from re-entering the neurons, and lets the reaction with MAO happen at a slower, more natural rate.
In any case, MDMA is a perfect example (if the studies are correct that fluoxetine prevents damage) of a drug that could be made perfectly safe if it were a legalized substance.
Unfortunately, yes, it is out of the question. It has been mentioned elsewhere (in the article as well, I believe) that the necessary taper of a steel cable that would hold the weight of a 100,000 km cable, at the middle the diameter of the cable would be roughly the diameter of the solar system. By spreading the material out more, you increase that size further. Not to mention, the tallest structure you can build on Earth (without some type of countersink to take some of the force off) is about 42 miles. So such a structure you would have to build down from orbit.
The advantage of a carbon nanotube structure is a weight savings, some 7 times, coupled by an increase in tensile strength by 60 times, according to some theoretical estimates.
I think most people replying are missing the point- that is, that this is an end-user solution, not a government/corporate solution. You implement it with your hardware and software. I think in practice, even if a few people did it, it would certainly work. You don't even need really sophisticated equiptment- current, inexpensive technology would suffice.
Honestly, I think some/. readers would benefit from actually reading the article mentioned in the piece before they start posting just to be modded up.
Longhorn isn't a software release; it's Microsoft code for "We're leaving Washington State and moving to Texas". That reference to "scraped" probably has something to do with cow manure.
Microsoft employees will soon be putting bumper stickers on their cars that say, "Don't mess with Bill".
That's true. I can say that I personally haven't paid $0.01 for any piece of Microsoft software.
And why would Microsoft give away its software for free? They are already making a killing now as it is. Linux and its open-source variants are nothing more than a fly, buzzing and annoying the giant behemoth... I seriously doubt that something that they consider a mere annoyance will cause them to change their entire business plan, that is unless they drop below 75% market share.
qw / It feels like I'm living through an economic catastrophe while people 10+ years older (with ample experience) are buying new cars at 0% APR and mortages with historically low interest rates. I can't even afford new tires for my 93 Ford Escort. It's not funny to me. If not for the opportunity of higher education in the States, I would without a doubt either emmigrate to another country or find an entirely different field./
Huh? You mean you drive a car that was made AFTER the Cold War ended?
qw / For an example, ask yourself why we haven't seen a law limiting the size of unions. Ask yourself the difference between union membership and extortion. Ask yourself why there are laws that limit personal freedoms that don't harm other people. (like laws on what is legal and illegal for sexual recreation. No, I'm not thinking of child pornography.)/
We have anti-trust laws, don't we? Why can't something of the same type apply to a union? I'm all for that.
Slashdot Mirror
Unfortunately, I have known people killed in auto crashes after using MDMA, most likely in conjunction with other drugs, however.
As far as the risk of brain damage is concerned, much research points to the fact that it may be temporary from using MDMA. Brains can establish new connections after old ones have been damaged, over time. Keep in mind, however, the brains of rats and monkeys are a bit different than human beings, so humans may react differently, there may be no damage at all- but no researcher has dissected human brains after feeding them large quantities of MDMA to find out.
Some other, more promising research involves taking fluoxetine (prozac) 3-6 hours after taking MDMA. In studies on rats, this combination showed absolutely NO brain damage in the rats. The brain damage that it is believed that MDMA causes is caused by the massive release of serotonin into the synapses, which is then re-absorbed into the neurons, where it reacts with monoamine oxidase, a reaction that damages your brain cells when it happens quickly and in large quantities. Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that prevents massive amounts of serotonin from re-entering the neurons, and lets the reaction with MAO happen at a slower, more natural rate.
In any case, MDMA is a perfect example (if the studies are correct that fluoxetine prevents damage) of a drug that could be made perfectly safe if it were a legalized substance.
+PosGND-
Unfortunately, yes, it is out of the question. It has been mentioned elsewhere (in the article as well, I believe) that the necessary taper of a steel cable that would hold the weight of a 100,000 km cable, at the middle the diameter of the cable would be roughly the diameter of the solar system. By spreading the material out more, you increase that size further. Not to mention, the tallest structure you can build on Earth (without some type of countersink to take some of the force off) is about 42 miles. So such a structure you would have to build down from orbit.
The advantage of a carbon nanotube structure is a weight savings, some 7 times, coupled by an increase in tensile strength by 60 times, according to some theoretical estimates.
This is the first Slashdot article that definitely deserves a +5, Funny.
I think most people replying are missing the point- that is, that this is an end-user solution, not a government/corporate solution. You implement it with your hardware and software. I think in practice, even if a few people did it, it would certainly work. You don't even need really sophisticated equiptment- current, inexpensive technology would suffice.
/. readers would benefit from actually reading the article mentioned in the piece before they start posting just to be modded up.
Honestly, I think some
At last, my geek porn site is one step closer to reality!
Eeeexxxcelllent...
--
>A wizard did it.
If I had mod points, I'd mod that up...
Although I don't think anyone else got the obscure Simpsons reference.
So what's this episode going to be called? The Hitchhikers Guide to the Space-Time Continuum? So Long and Thanks for All the Who?
Longhorn isn't a software release; it's Microsoft code for "We're leaving Washington State and moving to Texas". That reference to "scraped" probably has something to do with cow manure.
Microsoft employees will soon be putting bumper stickers on their cars that say, "Don't mess with Bill".
--
That's true. I can say that I personally haven't paid $0.01 for any piece of Microsoft software.
And why would Microsoft give away its software for free? They are already making a killing now as it is. Linux and its open-source variants are nothing more than a fly, buzzing and annoying the giant behemoth... I seriously doubt that something that they consider a mere annoyance will cause them to change their entire business plan, that is unless they drop below 75% market share.
qw / It feels like I'm living through an economic catastrophe while people 10+ years older (with ample experience) are buying new cars at 0% APR and mortages with historically low interest rates. I can't even afford new tires for my 93 Ford Escort. It's not funny to me. If not for the opportunity of higher education in the States, I would without a doubt either emmigrate to another country or find an entirely different field. /
Huh? You mean you drive a car that was made AFTER the Cold War ended?
Shhh.. It's not funny.
qw / For an example, ask yourself why we haven't seen a law limiting the size of unions. Ask yourself the difference between union membership and extortion. Ask yourself why there are laws that limit personal freedoms that don't harm other people. (like laws on what is legal and illegal for sexual recreation. No, I'm not thinking of child pornography.)/
We have anti-trust laws, don't we? Why can't something of the same type apply to a union? I'm all for that.