Everyone knows that the world was created ~4000 years ago in 6 days, complete with dinosaur fossils thrown in to mix up the heathens advocating the theory of evolution. Anyone claiming otherwise is jeopardising his/her immortal soul and will be chained to a computer running Windows(TM) with no friendly Microsoft tech support to explain the shortcomings of the hardware that causes the BSOD's...
Instead of tagging criminals with GPS devices let's stop crime altogether by requiring everyone to wear one. That way anyone even thinking of committing a crime will know that he can be tracked and would be crazy to act on the impulse. I know that some of you can argue that you committed no crime and should not be subject to such treatment, but being good citizens you truly have nothing to fear because the state aided by technology will protect your freedoms. By chipping(TM) every man, woman and child we can finally insure a blissful existence marred with no crime. If we equip the devices with 2 way communication we can also insure protection from accidents by having a central computer analyse the data collected from the collars, interface it with vehicle data, cash register data, bank and health records and warn the wearer in case an incident is imminent. Warnings such as "Please step away from the edge", "Please cross the street in the designated area only", "You have exceeded the speed limit by 7 MPH", "This purchase will cause your bank account to be overdrawn when the rent cheque is cashed" and "Please decrease the intake of fatty foods" (when ordering 3 Big Mac combos @ McDonalds) will insure that the population is healthy, happy and trouble free. To further improve the system we can incorporate mild electric shocks to be delivered when several warnings will go unheeded or distribute calming drugs when the heart rate of the wearer exceeds the safe limit as determined on the basis of the medical data. In the next phase the genotype of the wearer will be stored in the central computer and dating will be made less stressful by matching candidates on the basis of genetic compatibility and administering electric shocks or Viagra to discourage or coerce the wearer into conversation with the members of the opposite sex. I think that Slashdot crowd (especially) will agree with me that such system will undoubtedly bring value to a life of an average geek and embrace it wholeheartedly.
Yours Truly
B.B.
Why the heck would I try to get to the level 50 in some game to talk securely? There are several ways to exchange data that is encrypted to such level that no one (and I mean no one) can decrypt it even given all the computing power in the world. Yes, most of these only work when the scheme is pre-arranged before the first message is sent, but while this may impact commercial organizations needing to send secure data to an employee who does not have the key to begin with how does that impact a terrorist?
Sending undecryptable messages is childlishly easy without resorting to online games.
1. Develop word processing software 2. Attempt to compete with Microsoft 3. Watch the share prices take a dive 4. Fire sell software to Corel for $186 Million 5. Watch Corel's share price take a dive 6. Sue Microsoft 7. Settle with Microsoft for $536 Million 8 Profit!
So they offer $100000 to catch a spammer. How much jail time will he get? If we are talking about a year in the slammer then I'll spam someone then call it on myself - 3 meals a day, TV all day long, well stocked library, out in 9 months for good behaviour and a nice $100000 paycheque once I get out. Beats looking for a Oracle dev job...
"...I don't see the need to insult those teenagers. Maybe in a couple of years those "pimply 17 year olds" will join the Forces and do something usefull for all of us, including you..."
You mean I should not insult people who insulted the uniform? Frankly folks with that kind of attitude have no place in the Forces.
"...Those "fossils" are old folks, maybe trying to make ends meet. You will be one too, one day, should you be so lucky. Also, they could very well be veterans from the Korean War..."
I highly doubt that the folks who treated us in such fashion were a part of the military at any time or had a concept of what the military is.
"...You are a moron, but I hope you grow up someday..."
Maybe and maybe, meanwhile enjoy your right to say what you want while you can.
I recently travelled on a plane chartered by the Canadian military from Ottawa Ontario to US Army base in Grayling Michigan. Every one on the plane was a member of the Canadian forces, we all wore our uniforms. During the pre-flight 'security' we were told to submit our military ID's, remove all metallic objects from out pockets, our berets and our boots. Imagine 30 soldiers and officers stripped of jackets, boots and headdress waiting in line to a security check point manned by pimply 17 year olds and couple of fossils passing their time between retirement and death. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we never felt more humiliated. It boggles the mind that someone will do this to our guys many of which are veterans who proved their sense of duty and honour under fire.
It seems that we are all terrorists until proven innocent.
Surveillance is not acceptable pure and simple. Yes, perception exists that insufficient surveillance, lax laws and inadequate funding of spy agencies open the door to undesirable activities, but consider this:
Case 1. No surveillance methods are in place and an undesirable event occurs.
Response to case 1: Increase surveillance.
Case 2: We walk all over the constitution, suspend civil rights, tag everyone with an rfid and have everyone under surveillance 24/7. All these measures fail to prevent an undesirable event.
Response to case 2: Increase surveillance.
I know that slippery slope arguments are flawed, but it appears that increase of surveillance is warranted regardless of the outcome of the said increase, giving the government a degree of control that Hitler could only dream of (if only due to the development of technology). Once we have everyone in civilised countries under surveillance a certain degree of exaggeration will be necessary to justify the existence of costly spy agencies and you can be sure that some exaggeration will take place (Iraqi weapons of mass destruction anyone?) Re-read 1984. Look at the Stalinist era in Soviet Union. I'm afraid that once we run out of enemies, we'll re-classify some of the more benign crimes as enemy number 1. Terrorists, drug dealers and pedophiles of today might be replaced with Hackers, file sharers and smokers tomorrow. Just recently a bunch of marijuana smugglers were charged under Patriot law designed to combat terrorism. What's next? Do we classify anyone using a weapon in robbery as an enemy combatant? If anything we should decrease surveillance. Yes we will have to live with consequences of that decision, but the alternative is far scarier then anything that Bin Laden can come up with.
That faster then light travel is possible. All you have to do to achieve it is jump from one loop of the horn to another outside of the universe. The tighter the loops the more shortcuts are possible.
Problem solved. Now if I can only get this antigravity module to start working....
Creating fire by striking two rocks together.
Cooking your foor by using only wood.
Washing your clothes by using only a paddle and a rock.
All these secrets and more are available to you for a low price of only $9.99 + S&H
Just imagine the savings. An independent study shows that you can save up to $300 a year in matches and electricity costs if you use my techniques.
But wait, there is more:
If you act now, I'll send you the companion booklets "How to build your own hut out of cow dung" and "Build your house entirely out of snow" These techniques are used by millions of satisfied customers around the world. You too can do away with those pesky mortgage payments.
Please send certified cheque or money order for $9.99 plus $29.99 S&H to :
Mr. Szostalo
3749 Albion
Ottawa Canada
Results guaranteed or your money back (less S&H)
Self aware machines with the right to vote?
Sweet, so all I'll have to do is to build myself an army of voters and I can become the next US president...
Vote for me: Free midsection sensory upgrades for all.
And I can just see the spam:
Instantly add on inches - heavy duty bolt on vibrating upgrades that will please any woman.
Gozo self sealing hydraulic oil - maximum pressure all night guaranteed!
3 out of 4 females prefer their dates to use Energizer batteries.
Slashdot Mirror
Now, where do I get the modchip?
Everyone knows that the world was created ~4000 years ago in 6 days, complete with dinosaur fossils thrown in to mix up the heathens advocating the theory of evolution. Anyone claiming otherwise is jeopardising his/her immortal soul and will be chained to a computer running Windows(TM) with no friendly Microsoft tech support to explain the shortcomings of the hardware that causes the BSOD's...
Instead of tagging criminals with GPS devices let's stop crime altogether by requiring everyone to wear one. That way anyone even thinking of committing a crime will know that he can be tracked and would be crazy to act on the impulse. I know that some of you can argue that you committed no crime and should not be subject to such treatment, but being good citizens you truly have nothing to fear because the state aided by technology will protect your freedoms. By chipping(TM) every man, woman and child we can finally insure a blissful existence marred with no crime. If we equip the devices with 2 way communication we can also insure protection from accidents by having a central computer analyse the data collected from the collars, interface it with vehicle data, cash register data, bank and health records and warn the wearer in case an incident is imminent. Warnings such as "Please step away from the edge", "Please cross the street in the designated area only", "You have exceeded the speed limit by 7 MPH", "This purchase will cause your bank account to be overdrawn when the rent cheque is cashed" and "Please decrease the intake of fatty foods" (when ordering 3 Big Mac combos @ McDonalds) will insure that the population is healthy, happy and trouble free. To further improve the system we can incorporate mild electric shocks to be delivered when several warnings will go unheeded or distribute calming drugs when the heart rate of the wearer exceeds the safe limit as determined on the basis of the medical data. In the next phase the genotype of the wearer will be stored in the central computer and dating will be made less stressful by matching candidates on the basis of genetic compatibility and administering electric shocks or Viagra to discourage or coerce the wearer into conversation with the members of the opposite sex. I think that Slashdot crowd (especially) will agree with me that such system will undoubtedly bring value to a life of an average geek and embrace it wholeheartedly. Yours Truly B.B.
Why the heck would I try to get to the level 50 in some game to talk securely? There are several ways to exchange data that is encrypted to such level that no one (and I mean no one) can decrypt it even given all the computing power in the world. Yes, most of these only work when the scheme is pre-arranged before the first message is sent, but while this may impact commercial organizations needing to send secure data to an employee who does not have the key to begin with how does that impact a terrorist? Sending undecryptable messages is childlishly easy without resorting to online games.
1. Develop word processing software
2. Attempt to compete with Microsoft
3. Watch the share prices take a dive
4. Fire sell software to Corel for $186 Million
5. Watch Corel's share price take a dive
6. Sue Microsoft
7. Settle with Microsoft for $536 Million
8 Profit!
So they offer $100000 to catch a spammer. How much jail time will he get? If we are talking about a year in the slammer then I'll spam someone then call it on myself - 3 meals a day, TV all day long, well stocked library, out in 9 months for good behaviour and a nice $100000 paycheque once I get out. Beats looking for a Oracle dev job...
"...I don't see the need to insult those teenagers. Maybe in a couple of years those "pimply 17 year olds" will join the Forces and do something usefull for all of us, including you..." You mean I should not insult people who insulted the uniform? Frankly folks with that kind of attitude have no place in the Forces. "...Those "fossils" are old folks, maybe trying to make ends meet. You will be one too, one day, should you be so lucky. Also, they could very well be veterans from the Korean War..." I highly doubt that the folks who treated us in such fashion were a part of the military at any time or had a concept of what the military is. "...You are a moron, but I hope you grow up someday..." Maybe and maybe, meanwhile enjoy your right to say what you want while you can.
I recently travelled on a plane chartered by the Canadian military from Ottawa Ontario to US Army base in Grayling Michigan. Every one on the plane was a member of the Canadian forces, we all wore our uniforms. During the pre-flight 'security' we were told to submit our military ID's, remove all metallic objects from out pockets, our berets and our boots. Imagine 30 soldiers and officers stripped of jackets, boots and headdress waiting in line to a security check point manned by pimply 17 year olds and couple of fossils passing their time between retirement and death. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we never felt more humiliated. It boggles the mind that someone will do this to our guys many of which are veterans who proved their sense of duty and honour under fire. It seems that we are all terrorists until proven innocent.
Surveillance is not acceptable pure and simple. Yes, perception exists that insufficient surveillance, lax laws and inadequate funding of spy agencies open the door to undesirable activities, but consider this: Case 1. No surveillance methods are in place and an undesirable event occurs. Response to case 1: Increase surveillance. Case 2: We walk all over the constitution, suspend civil rights, tag everyone with an rfid and have everyone under surveillance 24/7. All these measures fail to prevent an undesirable event. Response to case 2: Increase surveillance. I know that slippery slope arguments are flawed, but it appears that increase of surveillance is warranted regardless of the outcome of the said increase, giving the government a degree of control that Hitler could only dream of (if only due to the development of technology). Once we have everyone in civilised countries under surveillance a certain degree of exaggeration will be necessary to justify the existence of costly spy agencies and you can be sure that some exaggeration will take place (Iraqi weapons of mass destruction anyone?) Re-read 1984. Look at the Stalinist era in Soviet Union. I'm afraid that once we run out of enemies, we'll re-classify some of the more benign crimes as enemy number 1. Terrorists, drug dealers and pedophiles of today might be replaced with Hackers, file sharers and smokers tomorrow. Just recently a bunch of marijuana smugglers were charged under Patriot law designed to combat terrorism. What's next? Do we classify anyone using a weapon in robbery as an enemy combatant? If anything we should decrease surveillance. Yes we will have to live with consequences of that decision, but the alternative is far scarier then anything that Bin Laden can come up with.
Now instead of one cry for help in transferring millions of dollars from Africa you'll get 4 per IP adress.
1. Patent a strain of Marijuana plants. 2. Follow news on growhouse takedowns. 3. Sue the operators in civil court for patent infringement. 4. Profit!
That faster then light travel is possible. All you have to do to achieve it is jump from one loop of the horn to another outside of the universe. The tighter the loops the more shortcuts are possible. Problem solved. Now if I can only get this antigravity module to start working....
Creating fire by striking two rocks together. Cooking your foor by using only wood. Washing your clothes by using only a paddle and a rock. All these secrets and more are available to you for a low price of only $9.99 + S&H Just imagine the savings. An independent study shows that you can save up to $300 a year in matches and electricity costs if you use my techniques. But wait, there is more: If you act now, I'll send you the companion booklets "How to build your own hut out of cow dung" and "Build your house entirely out of snow" These techniques are used by millions of satisfied customers around the world. You too can do away with those pesky mortgage payments. Please send certified cheque or money order for $9.99 plus $29.99 S&H to : Mr. Szostalo 3749 Albion Ottawa Canada Results guaranteed or your money back (less S&H)
Why one is missing - ET is running it as a firewall. Now it's his turn to send me a sweet, sweet gaming system
Once we are done with carp, I'd vote for mosquitoes, roaches, rats and lawyers next.
Self aware machines with the right to vote? Sweet, so all I'll have to do is to build myself an army of voters and I can become the next US president... Vote for me: Free midsection sensory upgrades for all. And I can just see the spam: Instantly add on inches - heavy duty bolt on vibrating upgrades that will please any woman. Gozo self sealing hydraulic oil - maximum pressure all night guaranteed! 3 out of 4 females prefer their dates to use Energizer batteries.