"Not that I am comparing the two issues, but I would vote for banning guns. I don't really care about your right to have guns, I just don't want guns, they kill people. So if the majority of the society agrees, we still shouldn't ban guns ?
By banning I mean "heavily regulated" - only guns to use for hunting.
I don't live in the USA - where I live guns are heavily regulated and we have a lesbian prime minister:)"
"However I would hate to be so anal about soundquality that it actually detracts from enjoying my favorite musicians and composers. Having spent a fortune on your set-up can you really argue that it actually makes your favorite band any better?"
I don't consider myself anal about any of this. I just like to try to get the best of everything I can get in life in general. The higher end audio gear (and mine isn't the most $$ or the top of the line by any stretch, it is just what "I" like listening to) is not the end in of itself, it is merely a tool to allow me to enjoy my music in a fashion that I prefer. I LOVE music, I love listening to my favorite bands, I like having friends over to party a bit and jam out to old tunes.
In some cases...it is almost a bit of a drawback, in that my system is good enough now, to bring out some pretty audible flaws in the old recordings, but, I get around that, and really balance that out with almost emotional level enjoyment of stuff that is really recorded well by my favorite artists.
Again...I didn't really spend a fortune at once....maybe I have over the years...but, buying a piece here and there over 30+ years isn't a budget killer. I do have some unique problems though....sound disturbing neighbors now that I'm living with a shared wall again....and I have to make sure that the doorways of places I rent, are large enough to get the speakers through (I ran into this being a problem before).
But you do what you do...to enjoy life, and with it being so short, isn't that the main goal of living?
"
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I do think it's a bit odd that your anecdote tends to disprove your assertion. You didn't require any special training to know that the high end stereo sounded good. So shouldn't today's kids be similarly able to discern quality?"
Well, I think as I was younger...I was exposed to good audio equipment more...there seemed to be many more outlets selling good stuff. It wasn't just one store in town that no one knew about or went too. Most all of my friends wanted good stereos too, and when we were all old enough to work, we did...and often bought decent stereo gear...
"I would put in some exceptions for the fact that there's more entertainment options today than before (Internet, video games of all sorts, etc) that there's probably less just sitting around listening to music..."
Well, I'd actually think that today, a good high end system would be in more demand, with the different forms of entertainment out as you mention. I mean, with all the great HD sets out there and projectors coming into decent price ranges, well, good audio really compliments that. I'd think that the home theater mkt. would justify it....I mean, a good audio system isn't just for sitting an listening, I mean I really enjoy my 2 channels for doing just that, but, I also have other amps and speakers I crank up for 7.1 surround for watching moves and the like.
And, while I don't have any console gaming systems, I've thought that many of these too were now in surround with really good audio coming out of them..would that not also be better for the gaming experience? With movies, I love explosions that give my sub and K-Horns a real chance to blast the bass and shake a full city block in a movie...would that not make a FPS on a PS3 more fun too?
And while surfing the internet, I rarely if ever do it just by itself in a quiet room as that I've always got tunes and/or the various tv's in the house on, so surfing to tunes is pretty natural I'd think.
"A big part of the problem these days (aside from apathy) is the grotesquely inflated price of stereo equipment. Most people just do not have it in their budgets to spend thousands of dollars on high quality amps and speakers -- the only reason I have the killer system I have is that I was able to wrangle up some nice vintage speakers for next to nothing (I had a coworker at my last job who had a drug problem -- 'nuff said), making it worth it for me to bite the bullet and buy a nice receiver and sub. If it wasn't for this, I would likely still be using the speakers in my TV, or a set of crappy bookshelf speakers connected to a cheap, shitty amp, just to avoid the obscene cost of admission into the hi-fi club."
Well, to be fair....good high end audio equipment has always been expensive, and it certainly is on the luxury side of the aisle.
That being said....no one says you have to buy it all at once!
I'd mentioned this in a previous post...but, I started as a kid at 12...putting my stereo system together. Started with a cheapie all in one...saved my allowance and neighborhood jobs money (lawns, babysitting) and found on sale, a Marantz receiver. From there...found some big Fisher speakers....later years, I saved and got a pretty good deal on a closeout Pioneer turntable...etc. Over the years, I'd find a good deal on this, or that...and replace a component. So far..I've made it to Klipschorns for speakers...and I have a little Decware SET tube amp. I'm hoping to bridge it to mono, and get another one so I can have one dedicated to each front channel. Some day, I'd like to get some McIntosh tube amps in good shape...etc.
But the thing is...to get good components, just shop and wait for deals and build it one piece at a time.
I think a LOT of this has to do with so many of today's kids not KNOWING what good sound reproduction CAN sound like.
I've been building my stereo system ever since I was a kid. I walked into a high end audio shop at about age 12...and first heard Klipschorn's hooked to McIntosh tube amp, and I couldn't believe my ears...
It was right then, that I started building my system so I could have that some day. And, today...after buying piece here..piece there, deal on this..selling it and improving one piece at time (ok, thieves and insurance helped with the speakers at the end), I almost have that set up.
People that come over and hear it...are often amazed how good it sounds....they often exclaim they hear new things and nuances in familiar songs they'd never heard before.
Sure, I like an iPod, I have a couple of them...a shuffle for the gym, and a classic for travel, in the car..etc. I have good earphones for them, Shure 530's I think....but, I do realize that these are for very POOR listening environments. I try to get my music in the best source I can (this means CD's at this time, can't buy lossless online yet), I rip them to flac for home stereo usage..and decently high quality mp3 for portable use.
Unfortunately, somewhere between now and when I was a kid...people stopped buying good home audio systems. I don't quite know what or what happened. Somewhere along the line...ONLY portable players came into vogue...and it is sad that so many are losing out how good sound reproduction can be. I dunno if it is cause or effect....but, so much of todays music is mixed so poorly, overly compressed with no dynamic headroom anymore. So, maybe there isn't much point to getting good gear, if new music is no longer mixed to get the most out of it.
But, as far as good gear goes....you needn't go overboard on the super audiophile non-sense and voodoo that is out there, but, with respect to solid audio gear...to a certain extent, you do get what you pay for...
"The idea that only one last mile provider is a large part of why we have the problems we have. Running cable is pretty cheap, and takes up very little space. The big costs in getting multiple data lines to the home is not in the cable itself. It is in all of the associated costs around eminent domain, digging up streets, and such. As you have already pointed out, cities already have experience in supply a pipe to our homes. Yes, I mean an actual, honest to goodness pipe. Most homes in cities actually have three separate pipes that lead into their house. As you said, gas, water and sewer. A pipe system almost identical to the sewer system (without most of the pumps) would be large enough to handle a dozen competing last mile providers.
The cities could get revenue through rent, Consumers would get choice of providers, providers could enter markets that are currently barred to them, citizens wouldn't have to have deal with an pay for their streets to be dug up any time someone wants to increase bandwidth, business could get honest to goodness dedicated lines between separate buildings within a city, and cities would be able to stick with providing a low tech solution that they are highly experienced in."
There is one trouble with the govt. owning and renting out the communications lines over your examples of utilities. The communications/information aspect.
I'd dare say the govt. would never find a good reason to cut off water or gas (especially in winter) to the public, but, they MIGHT be tempted to cut information channels off. Wasn't there recently a post on/. relating to the Obama administration wanting to get some kind of authority to take over or shut down computer/internet systems in times of a national emergency that was vaguely defined at best?
Well, if the govt owns/runs the information pipes, they can much more easily turn them off, and/or censor what goes through them.
Other than this fear, I kinda like the idea of local govt. putting in the infrastructure, and turning it over to private companies to run...but, this aspect of them having lingering control of information channels bothers me.
"It's a waste of taxpayers money. Lori Drew was harassing a minor child. There are already laws for that."
Apparently not.
They couldn't charge Lori Drew with anything related to he death of the girl...so, they tried to stretch a hacking law to get her...and that got overturned.
"To be honest though, it's a bit of a moot point. None of my circle of friends see going to the cinema as a social event as it's generally cheaper to buy the DVD, a load of booze and fags..."
You lost me on this one. It is cheaper to by DVD's, booze and gay guys??
"I find it pretty hilarious how you refer to the difference between a professional athlete and "joe sixpack" as "little perks", rather than years and years of grueling, exhausting training, dieting, money invested and all the things a pro athlete has had to down-prioritize to make time for all their training, compared to putting in an average effort in the few things one has to do, working an average job..."
Well, it works both ways...having the avg. job and family, for instance, leaves one with little time for working out and working to eat right and keep in shape. It can be done, but, it isn't easy.
I've look at athletes, or actors...and think, you know..if that was my job to keep in shape and eat right, and I made that kind of $$$ doing it...I could easily look that way too. I might not have the athletic ability, but, if I got paid to eat right, work out daily....sure, no problem looking good.
"In some countries the governments do other things well too, like providing affordable healthcare and good education."
Hmm..well, so far, the US govt. hasn't done that well in the 'education' arena. Medicare/Medicaid (I get the confused) is in pretty bad financial shape.
Frankly, I'm wanting to see them get those done right before they start messing with MY health needs.
"About your DNA... Ever served in the military? Been arrested, even for a minor offense you were later cleared of? Served the federal government in any capacity? Served in law enforcement as a security officer, parole officer, police officer, correctional officer, etc? Bought a gun?
If the answer is yes... then the following is true:
1. The federal government already has your DNA.
2. The federal government already has your fingerprints.
3. You already have an FBI file.
"
Hmm...well, they have my fingerprints, but only for some federal jobs I've had in the past.
But, where do you live where you have to give fingerprints and/or DNA just to buy a fucking gun??
Granted, I've bought most of my guns from private individuals...so, neither the state nor federal govt. has knowledge of the weapons, nor do they need to.
I can see a few areas where they may fingerprint people...but, DNA? Unless you've been charged with a crime, I've never heard of any state or federal taking of DNA from an individual???
Heck, most people I know have never had reason to be fingerprinted, unless it was for clearance checking or arrest for a crime.
"Keeping the pictures on hand does help to prove identity theft. Back in the 90's I sold a couple of cell phones to a guy who'd actually gotten some one else's nfo by rooting through his gym bag. "
Err...a more basic question is...WHY would you need someones picture ID just to buy a cell phone? I never knew that was a requirement?!?!
I certainly didn't give an ID, or a SSN for my recent iPhone purchase. Why would you need an picture id?
"Sounds like an argument for keeping Government small and limited in the powers it can exercise. Otherwise Government starts to intrude into the marketplace and instead of a free market we wind up with monopolies backed by the power of the state."
Hmm...now if only we could come up with a document, that would enumerate the limited powers of said small and limited government.
"Same with the U.S. I almost never send a coverletter, my resume is 2 pages but it essentially explains what I've done at the past 4 jobs."
Really? Why so short, doesn't that show lack of experience, etc?
Mine is pared down (I thought) to about 12 pages....I've done too much to squeeze it down to less. I have skills listed in a list first...then jobs, and about 2-3 paragraphs each with what I did in each one...
I found the button..but it still doesn't take me to the 'normal' view..where I can see my posts easily to see how each is rated and how which ones have how many replies....
"They "improved" the profile page. The first thing you see when you click on your name should be your most recent comments. If you want to see more (crazy, I know) you have to futz around with the "Many more" button on the bottom."
I don't even see a freakin' "many more" button anywhere on that page.
"That's why most businesses won't even look past the coverletters anymore, because resumes are typically crap."
Interesting...this is the 2nd reference to a cover letter I've heard on/. in the past week.
I'm actually not familiar with this...what exactly IS a cover letter, and what would make it a good one?
My resume is more of a CV type document...skills, followed by job history with details on what skills were on what jobs. I've not had problems getting hired for contracting with that....
Slashdot Mirror
I don't know of any regulations forcing food workers to have invasive procedures performed on them in order to work in their industry...?
By banning I mean "heavily regulated" - only guns to use for hunting.
I don't live in the USA - where I live guns are heavily regulated and we have a lesbian prime minister :)"
I'd rather have guns.
I don't consider myself anal about any of this. I just like to try to get the best of everything I can get in life in general. The higher end audio gear (and mine isn't the most $$ or the top of the line by any stretch, it is just what "I" like listening to) is not the end in of itself, it is merely a tool to allow me to enjoy my music in a fashion that I prefer. I LOVE music, I love listening to my favorite bands, I like having friends over to party a bit and jam out to old tunes.
In some cases...it is almost a bit of a drawback, in that my system is good enough now, to bring out some pretty audible flaws in the old recordings, but, I get around that, and really balance that out with almost emotional level enjoyment of stuff that is really recorded well by my favorite artists.
Again...I didn't really spend a fortune at once....maybe I have over the years...but, buying a piece here and there over 30+ years isn't a budget killer. I do have some unique problems though....sound disturbing neighbors now that I'm living with a shared wall again....and I have to make sure that the doorways of places I rent, are large enough to get the speakers through (I ran into this being a problem before).
But you do what you do...to enjoy life, and with it being so short, isn't that the main goal of living?
But, doesn't the ability to listen to your music in a more quality fashion, enhance the hobby of music listening??
They go hand in hand do they not?
Well, I think as I was younger...I was exposed to good audio equipment more...there seemed to be many more outlets selling good stuff. It wasn't just one store in town that no one knew about or went too. Most all of my friends wanted good stereos too, and when we were all old enough to work, we did...and often bought decent stereo gear...
Well, I'd actually think that today, a good high end system would be in more demand, with the different forms of entertainment out as you mention. I mean, with all the great HD sets out there and projectors coming into decent price ranges, well, good audio really compliments that. I'd think that the home theater mkt. would justify it....I mean, a good audio system isn't just for sitting an listening, I mean I really enjoy my 2 channels for doing just that, but, I also have other amps and speakers I crank up for 7.1 surround for watching moves and the like.
And, while I don't have any console gaming systems, I've thought that many of these too were now in surround with really good audio coming out of them..would that not also be better for the gaming experience? With movies, I love explosions that give my sub and K-Horns a real chance to blast the bass and shake a full city block in a movie...would that not make a FPS on a PS3 more fun too?
And while surfing the internet, I rarely if ever do it just by itself in a quiet room as that I've always got tunes and/or the various tv's in the house on, so surfing to tunes is pretty natural I'd think.
Well, to be fair....good high end audio equipment has always been expensive, and it certainly is on the luxury side of the aisle.
That being said....no one says you have to buy it all at once!
I'd mentioned this in a previous post...but, I started as a kid at 12...putting my stereo system together. Started with a cheapie all in one...saved my allowance and neighborhood jobs money (lawns, babysitting) and found on sale, a Marantz receiver. From there...found some big Fisher speakers....later years, I saved and got a pretty good deal on a closeout Pioneer turntable...etc. Over the years, I'd find a good deal on this, or that...and replace a component. So far..I've made it to Klipschorns for speakers...and I have a little Decware SET tube amp. I'm hoping to bridge it to mono, and get another one so I can have one dedicated to each front channel. Some day, I'd like to get some McIntosh tube amps in good shape...etc.
But the thing is...to get good components, just shop and wait for deals and build it one piece at a time.
I think a LOT of this has to do with so many of today's kids not KNOWING what good sound reproduction CAN sound like.
I've been building my stereo system ever since I was a kid. I walked into a high end audio shop at about age 12...and first heard Klipschorn's hooked to McIntosh tube amp, and I couldn't believe my ears...
It was right then, that I started building my system so I could have that some day. And, today...after buying piece here..piece there, deal on this..selling it and improving one piece at time (ok, thieves and insurance helped with the speakers at the end), I almost have that set up.
People that come over and hear it...are often amazed how good it sounds....they often exclaim they hear new things and nuances in familiar songs they'd never heard before.
Sure, I like an iPod, I have a couple of them...a shuffle for the gym, and a classic for travel, in the car..etc. I have good earphones for them, Shure 530's I think....but, I do realize that these are for very POOR listening environments. I try to get my music in the best source I can (this means CD's at this time, can't buy lossless online yet), I rip them to flac for home stereo usage..and decently high quality mp3 for portable use.
Unfortunately, somewhere between now and when I was a kid...people stopped buying good home audio systems. I don't quite know what or what happened. Somewhere along the line...ONLY portable players came into vogue...and it is sad that so many are losing out how good sound reproduction can be. I dunno if it is cause or effect....but, so much of todays music is mixed so poorly, overly compressed with no dynamic headroom anymore. So, maybe there isn't much point to getting good gear, if new music is no longer mixed to get the most out of it.
But, as far as good gear goes....you needn't go overboard on the super audiophile non-sense and voodoo that is out there, but, with respect to solid audio gear...to a certain extent, you do get what you pay for...
The cities could get revenue through rent, Consumers would get choice of providers, providers could enter markets that are currently barred to them, citizens wouldn't have to have deal with an pay for their streets to be dug up any time someone wants to increase bandwidth, business could get honest to goodness dedicated lines between separate buildings within a city, and cities would be able to stick with providing a low tech solution that they are highly experienced in."
There is one trouble with the govt. owning and renting out the communications lines over your examples of utilities. The communications/information aspect.
I'd dare say the govt. would never find a good reason to cut off water or gas (especially in winter) to the public, but, they MIGHT be tempted to cut information channels off. Wasn't there recently a post on /. relating to the Obama administration wanting to get some kind of authority to take over or shut down computer/internet systems in times of a national emergency that was vaguely defined at best?
Well, if the govt owns/runs the information pipes, they can much more easily turn them off, and/or censor what goes through them.
Other than this fear, I kinda like the idea of local govt. putting in the infrastructure, and turning it over to private companies to run...but, this aspect of them having lingering control of information channels bothers me.
Apparently not.
They couldn't charge Lori Drew with anything related to he death of the girl...so, they tried to stretch a hacking law to get her...and that got overturned.
You lost me on this one. It is cheaper to by DVD's, booze and gay guys??
Please, tell me this is a typo...
Well, it works both ways...having the avg. job and family, for instance, leaves one with little time for working out and working to eat right and keep in shape. It can be done, but, it isn't easy.
I've look at athletes, or actors...and think, you know..if that was my job to keep in shape and eat right, and I made that kind of $$$ doing it...I could easily look that way too. I might not have the athletic ability, but, if I got paid to eat right, work out daily....sure, no problem looking good.
Yep, that has been working out quite well for the casinos for YEARS.
Hmm..well, so far, the US govt. hasn't done that well in the 'education' arena. Medicare/Medicaid (I get the confused) is in pretty bad financial shape.
Frankly, I'm wanting to see them get those done right before they start messing with MY health needs.
If the answer is yes... then the following is true:
1. The federal government already has your DNA.
2. The federal government already has your fingerprints.
3. You already have an FBI file.
"
Hmm...well, they have my fingerprints, but only for some federal jobs I've had in the past.
But, where do you live where you have to give fingerprints and/or DNA just to buy a fucking gun??
Granted, I've bought most of my guns from private individuals...so, neither the state nor federal govt. has knowledge of the weapons, nor do they need to.
I can see a few areas where they may fingerprint people...but, DNA? Unless you've been charged with a crime, I've never heard of any state or federal taking of DNA from an individual???
Heck, most people I know have never had reason to be fingerprinted, unless it was for clearance checking or arrest for a crime.
Err...a more basic question is...WHY would you need someones picture ID just to buy a cell phone? I never knew that was a requirement?!?!
I certainly didn't give an ID, or a SSN for my recent iPhone purchase. Why would you need an picture id?
I don't think anyone is saying that there aren't a few things that the government is good for.
Troubles is, aside from law enforcement, infrastructure, and defense...there isn't much left that you need or want govt. for.
Hmm...now if only we could come up with a document, that would enumerate the limited powers of said small and limited government.
Trouble is, if you do that...the guy is likely to get a harrassment suit slapped on him.
I do all contracting now....never had done one, or come across one in recent years...
Really? Why so short, doesn't that show lack of experience, etc?
Mine is pared down (I thought) to about 12 pages....I've done too much to squeeze it down to less. I have skills listed in a list first...then jobs, and about 2-3 paragraphs each with what I did in each one...
I found the button..but it still doesn't take me to the 'normal' view..where I can see my posts easily to see how each is rated and how which ones have how many replies....
I don't even see a freakin' "many more" button anywhere on that page.
Currently using Firefox on an old mac G3.....
I can't get to my damned comments section on my personal page anymore....
Interesting...this is the 2nd reference to a cover letter I've heard on /. in the past week.
I'm actually not familiar with this...what exactly IS a cover letter, and what would make it a good one?
My resume is more of a CV type document...skills, followed by job history with details on what skills were on what jobs. I've not had problems getting hired for contracting with that....