If your at "war" and they are spying on your, why are they such a big trading partner? Why continue trade relations? I think you need to solve that elephant before moving on to mice.
No offense, and I can understand your frustration with the current situation, however:
"When we're trying to do science, we'd rather do science than defend ourselves against hacks with a public soapbox."
Perhaps your in the wrong business then.
Science has always existed within the political realm, and it has always been a problem.
Science is all about that "defense", whack job or otherwise, that is part of what being a scientist is all about.
Believe it or not I work in a "dirty" industry that is horribly misunderstood that the data also takes extreme specialization to comprehend. We take all kind of flack, mostly of the political kind, being influenced by potential voters, which are really just cottage and land owner associations (NIMBY groups) rather than legitimate environmental groups. Silly decisions are made in the form of compromise and conciliation, when really they are wrong and just don't understand. Most times, as I am sure you can relate, the audience has little or zero interest on actually understanding the subject matter, they have already decided, and no amount of data, reasoning, or logic will convince them otherwise.
Having said all that, it is still our job to explain stuff, and defend why we feel that way. The fact that your audience either doesn't understand, or doesn't want to is immaterial. Hopefully over time, and with persistence, and mounting evidence, your views, if correct, will be accepted.
I see this all the time at work, or even in politics.
Its called short sightedness, and the reason it is popular, is that people are generally rewarded for it.
When the negative effects eventually come around, it doesn't matter, as they themselves are gone, and not held in anyway accountable.
A particularly good example of this is groups can have all the greatest policy in the world, but 9 times out of 10 it will get trumped by "funding", and when a manager gets a bonus for cutting funding...
It is systemic and everywhere, and the only way to stop it, is to start to actually rewarding people that make "long term" decision (that may have little or no impact in the short term), and to hold accountable the people that go for the fast buck to advance themselves.
I can tell you the likelihood that will happen in our lifetime. 0%. Ya, I am a bit pessimistic, but the positive feedback to this negative process is just too great to correct on its own. It would take a total shift in thinking for a great many people, which doesn't happen very fast at all.
They DID announce that they are looking into it (and likely they have been for some time, key here is now they are willing to admit it).
I think in the not so distant future they will be adopting the MS payment model. With a gold and silver accounts. The silver will be free but crippled.
I will admit I too had an Xbox. I long ago let the subscription expire. At one point I had to make the decision: Buy a new console (likely the 360) or spend more and get a new computer. I am 100% glad I sent it on a new computer.
It was just last week that Sony announced that "hey guess what? Even though you bought the PS3 thinking online networking would be free, well not anymore suckas!".
Now MS is saying they are shutting down service for old hardware, making many games pretty useless (as they were sold as online games with limited single player options).
That's the problem with consoles, they (MS and Sony, and Nintendo) own everything. They can do whatever they please. Don't like it? Too bad. Your option is to buy the other guys console, who is going to screw you just as much.
So buy or upgrade your computer where you can actually own your own stuff, and join in the big boy games.
Also there are less 12 year old shouting profanities at you (notice I only said less, you can only do so much!) and generally being asshats.
The appointments are political, but the people don't have to be. I could really like my doorman of my building, and if I become PM I can appoint him to the Senate for the rest of his life...
Maybe the MINIMUM age for a Senator should be 75, then at least we might get more turn over.
Don't get me wrong, some people that are appointed, do very meaningful work, and take it seriously. For others, I am pretty sure it is just a "favor" bestowed on them so they can get paid to play golf for the rest of their lives.
In short I think having an unelected body isn't necessarily a bad thing, however as such the selection of which should be a lot more stringent than "The PM says so".
All they are doing is taking advantage of an insane law and then lobbying to keep it that way. Repeat.
If the damages were not so out of wack with reality this extortion scheme wouldn't work as most people would just be, "fine, see you in court jackholes!"
However when facing a decision that for all intents and purposes could ruin you financially, you would be hard pressed to justify defending yourself, and most will just pay off the goons to be left alone.
I tell this to everyone who has need the movie. The book isn't half bad.
How great do you think the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (all 683min and 285$ million) would be if you compressed it into 118 minutes and 44million bucks.
I'll tell you: Not good.
Because they are about equal in length. When I read battlefield earth the book was over 1200 pages long.
Part of the reason why many things didn't make any sense at all, or were unbelievable is because most of it was missing. Now the movie wasn't really made all that well either, I am just saying that it was broken before they started....and yes I get you are really just making fun of the book, I am just sayin'.
Slashdot Mirror
If your at "war" and they are spying on your, why are they such a big trading partner? Why continue trade relations? I think you need to solve that elephant before moving on to mice.
...very long.
How much money does the US owe China?
2 Trillion? http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timcollard/100011049/america-owes-china-two-trillion-dollars-but-what-does-that-mean/
How much money did it cost NASA to develop the space shuttle?
Maybe just send them a invoice marked "PAID"? :)
I know it is a joke... but the argument being made by most scientists is that everyone peer.
Personally I think everything should be open, but I am a dirty hippy.
No offense, and I can understand your frustration with the current situation, however:
"When we're trying to do science, we'd rather do science than defend ourselves against hacks with a public soapbox."
Perhaps your in the wrong business then.
Science has always existed within the political realm, and it has always been a problem.
Science is all about that "defense", whack job or otherwise, that is part of what being a scientist is all about.
Believe it or not I work in a "dirty" industry that is horribly misunderstood that the data also takes extreme specialization to comprehend. We take all kind of flack, mostly of the political kind, being influenced by potential voters, which are really just cottage and land owner associations (NIMBY groups) rather than legitimate environmental groups. Silly decisions are made in the form of compromise and conciliation, when really they are wrong and just don't understand. Most times, as I am sure you can relate, the audience has little or zero interest on actually understanding the subject matter, they have already decided, and no amount of data, reasoning, or logic will convince them otherwise.
Having said all that, it is still our job to explain stuff, and defend why we feel that way. The fact that your audience either doesn't understand, or doesn't want to is immaterial. Hopefully over time, and with persistence, and mounting evidence, your views, if correct, will be accepted.
Yar, it be Valentines, here be some booty... yar....
OK I remember it being called "foolscap" in elementary school. Why the heck is it called that?
I see this all the time at work, or even in politics.
Its called short sightedness, and the reason it is popular, is that people are generally rewarded for it.
When the negative effects eventually come around, it doesn't matter, as they themselves are gone, and not held in anyway accountable.
A particularly good example of this is groups can have all the greatest policy in the world, but 9 times out of 10 it will get trumped by "funding", and when a manager gets a bonus for cutting funding...
It is systemic and everywhere, and the only way to stop it, is to start to actually rewarding people that make "long term" decision (that may have little or no impact in the short term), and to hold accountable the people that go for the fast buck to advance themselves.
I can tell you the likelihood that will happen in our lifetime. 0%. Ya, I am a bit pessimistic, but the positive feedback to this negative process is just too great to correct on its own. It would take a total shift in thinking for a great many people, which doesn't happen very fast at all.
is not the tritium leak you are looking for. Move along... [jedi wave]
still no giant robots. For shame Japan, for shame.
http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/02/04/0727249/Sony-May-Charge-For-PlayStation-Network
As per yesterday.
They have NOT announced that it WILL be pay-only.
They DID announce that they are looking into it (and likely they have been for some time, key here is now they are willing to admit it).
I think in the not so distant future they will be adopting the MS payment model. With a gold and silver accounts. The silver will be free but crippled.
Just another reason to buy a computer.
I will admit I too had an Xbox. I long ago let the subscription expire. At one point I had to make the decision: Buy a new console (likely the 360) or spend more and get a new computer. I am 100% glad I sent it on a new computer.
It was just last week that Sony announced that "hey guess what? Even though you bought the PS3 thinking online networking would be free, well not anymore suckas!".
Now MS is saying they are shutting down service for old hardware, making many games pretty useless (as they were sold as online games with limited single player options).
That's the problem with consoles, they (MS and Sony, and Nintendo) own everything. They can do whatever they please. Don't like it? Too bad. Your option is to buy the other guys console, who is going to screw you just as much.
So buy or upgrade your computer where you can actually own your own stuff, and join in the big boy games.
Also there are less 12 year old shouting profanities at you (notice I only said less, you can only do so much!) and generally being asshats.
The appointments are political, but the people don't have to be. I could really like my doorman of my building, and if I become PM I can appoint him to the Senate for the rest of his life...
Maybe the MINIMUM age for a Senator should be 75, then at least we might get more turn over.
Don't get me wrong, some people that are appointed, do very meaningful work, and take it seriously. For others, I am pretty sure it is just a "favor" bestowed on them so they can get paid to play golf for the rest of their lives.
In short I think having an unelected body isn't necessarily a bad thing, however as such the selection of which should be a lot more stringent than "The PM says so".
http://xkcd.com/683/
I liked this one, totally reminded me of any CSI or any TV really with any mention of technology and/or science in it.
I've altered the deal. Pray I don't alter it more.
Couldn't agree more.
All they are doing is taking advantage of an insane law and then lobbying to keep it that way. Repeat.
If the damages were not so out of wack with reality this extortion scheme wouldn't work as most people would just be, "fine, see you in court jackholes!"
However when facing a decision that for all intents and purposes could ruin you financially, you would be hard pressed to justify defending yourself, and most will just pay off the goons to be left alone.
Canada has that too 'cept we call it a Senate.
Hey, if a samurai wants to tell me something, I damn well listen!
I certainly don't argue with him, or he might just stab me right in the scientific method.
LOL
OK, do everything you have ever done, but over there...
with an AMD X3 Core 2 Duo or AMD X3X2...
Though I wonder why we are going to 6 rather than 8. Core 2 Quad Duo's? Head 'esplodes....
I just can't wait till the Quad Quads... or something spiffy, like Quad Squared. 16 is probably a ways off from the consumer market anyway.
If people start using the PS3 to download Blu-ray movies to watch them my head may explode.
Something like a Gold and Silver Subscriptions?
Jump using accelerometer!
Just like the unintentional Nintendo and Mario Bros. Which they should seriously do by the way!
welcome our new Sandworm riding Kwisatz Haderach.
Nah that's BS.
I tell this to everyone who has need the movie. The book isn't half bad.
How great do you think the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (all 683min and 285$ million) would be if you compressed it into 118 minutes and 44million bucks.
I'll tell you: Not good.
Because they are about equal in length. When I read battlefield earth the book was over 1200 pages long.
Part of the reason why many things didn't make any sense at all, or were unbelievable is because most of it was missing. Now the movie wasn't really made all that well either, I am just saying that it was broken before they started. ...and yes I get you are really just making fun of the book, I am just sayin'.