You misunderstand, tragedy of the commons is a figure of speech which relates specifically to the outcomes of behavioural patterns of the individuals vs the group. It is not a literal tragedy, at least not in the singular definition you have ascribed to the word. (context is important when looking to understand the specific meaning of a word that carries several)
Specifically, Tragedy of the Commons, relates to the way in which individuals may prefer behaviours that may directly benefit themselves, but that ultimately may have net negative effective on society as a whole. Forgive me if you knew this, your post suggested otherwise.
I don't think it is fair to say that their is no benefit to be had through endeavouring collectively to enhance our understanding, and further development of, technology as a whole. The point you make about the success and popularity of proprietary software platforms are equally valid, but they merely server to illustrate the point that people are going to choose the short term benefit over the long game. It's all the rage these days, never more so than in the financial sector. Where it has had a long history... "buy now pay later" springs to mind. By these standards success is easily achieved, fire out a new shiny iDevice and don't look any further than the next quarter. We'll all be dead soon anyway.
Crucially though in your reply, I think you have rather put the cart before the horse. Somewhat ironically, I am one of the individuals who right now is putting their personal benefit ahead of the group. I sit and a write this post on the keyboard of my MacBook Pro, my iPhone next to me... or is it the wife's... oh no her is plugged into the iMac in the other room. So it seems redundant to lecture me about iJoe's needs, for I am Joe.
What is intriguing about humans is that we are complex beings, capable of holding in our minds many conflicting thoughts. Balancing our morality, philosophical ideals with our emotional reactive selves. I know with every swipe to unlock and click to install I am just lining the pocket of Jobs et al, and doing nothing directly to contribute to the open source movement, but that is a very short term outlook. These tools are a means to an end, the revolution isn't going to happen overnight and I doubt I will play much of a part in it, but it doesn't mean I can't understand it, want it to succeed. Neither does it mean that I cannot use proprietary tools to contribute in some small way to that movement. My long term goals are very much aligned with open source.
And all the while, I'm hanging on to those apple shares I bought I couple of years back when Steve stepped out of the picture for a while, and Wall street collectively bricked itself. So yeah, I'm over the moon with the way things are going!
To say I haven't thought about my position in the world is a gross underestimation, I know exactly who I am and where I fit - I understand my internal conflict, I understand when not to let idealism get in the way of pragmatism, and I understand that these decisions do not mean I cannot still hold true certain beliefs.
To me, Open Source is not about installing an app from a random developer, it is a movement based around a philosophy of sharing for the benefit of the human race as a whole. It is greater than the sum of its parts. One reason it is not accepted by the mainstream is that it is largely incompatible with capitalism.
As a species we have evolved to a point where we understand the principle of collaborative effort often being superior to individuals, but the extent to which that is evident is still hugely variable. I think we are heading in the right direction though.
As you are, a self professed nerd, you likely have a reasonable grip on logic. Consider this hypothetical example:
Joe sixpack is a guy. A guy who likes to drink beer, but he does not like to drink wine. Joe sixpack asserts that because he does not like wine and that he is a guy, that guys do not like to drink wine.
This is hasty generalisation, that is drawing a conclusion about an entire group based on insufficient evidence.
In your original post you stated you weren't interested in share prices, and you also said that you were a nerd. Subsequently you went on to say that the whole point of your first post was that "stock prices is not news for nerds".
You concluded that stock prices is not news for nerds, based on the fact that you are a nerd that is not interested in stock prices. You therefore appear to have fallen foul of the logical fallacy outlined above. QED
So please don't delude yourself into thinking that the price of stocks & shares is "stuff that matters" to a nerd, or even an older partial nerd like me - it doesn't.
Yeah, what a crazy guy, wherever did he get the idea that you made the assertion that the price of stocks and shares doesn't matter to nerds....
Agreed, if people could get over the emotional attachment to dead body thing, then some kind of composting solution would be surely the most eco-friendly/responsible course of action.
You are right I shouldn't have said natural burial doesn't scale. Of course, I didn't though. The parent talked about the tradition of burial, in the UK (where the story is at) that means a graveyard.
We don't have states or highways, thus we do not have interstate highways. When I say 'some countries' that was for the benefit of the american audience, what I mean is 'not in america'.
I was thinking the very same the other day, it's a fine example of 'doesn't scale well'. I'm carbon all the way baby. Liking the industrial diamond option (which I suppose technically, also doesn't scale well!) but hoping the price comes down a bit.
Simply commit the most heinous crime of being registered under your nickname. The banhammer soon arrived, without warning and much to my chagrin.
Yet, I complied with their demands and went straight back to the trough. It was at this point I realised how much of a problem I had, It's now next on my list of vices to be terminated.
I disagree, the PC is sold as a general purpose computing device. The iPhone is not. Apple is under no obligation to build in hardware cut-outs to prevent damage done by you subverting the ones they might have put into the software.
If you take your argument to its logical conclusion then if I reprogram my car's engine controller so the rev limiter doesn't kick in at the preset value, then redline it everywhere the manufacturer is on the hook for when my engine blows up?
I agree with your last statement though, warranties should be void unless you have done something to damage it. Apple warrants that the consumer device they sold you will work as advertised. If you junk the OS, its not an iPhone anymore you damaged it by removing the OS, your warranty is void. Its shitty but you can vote with your feet, millions already haven't.
They don't warrant the hardware and the software separately, they warrant the device.
I agree with both your post and the parent, the question arises when you install software that, say, makes the hardware do things that the original software was designed not to.
I remember running linux on a laptop that had dodgy power management, the fans wouldn't turn on when the cpu started to heat up. Eventually the hardware cut out would switch the laptop off when the cpu hit 100 Celsius. Eventually the laptop died by way of failed charging connection - I can't say whether or not it was related to the excessive heating and cooling.
If you install some 3rd party OS on your iPhone that creams the cpu and it, say, discolours the screen, or maybe cracks the case - then surely you can't expect a warranty replacement? I'm not suggesting you would try and pull that one, but I'm sure there are others who may not be so scrupulous.
Slashdot Mirror
You misunderstand, tragedy of the commons is a figure of speech which relates specifically to the outcomes of behavioural patterns of the individuals vs the group. It is not a literal tragedy, at least not in the singular definition you have ascribed to the word. (context is important when looking to understand the specific meaning of a word that carries several)
Specifically, Tragedy of the Commons, relates to the way in which individuals may prefer behaviours that may directly benefit themselves, but that ultimately may have net negative effective on society as a whole. Forgive me if you knew this, your post suggested otherwise.
I don't think it is fair to say that their is no benefit to be had through endeavouring collectively to enhance our understanding, and further development of, technology as a whole. The point you make about the success and popularity of proprietary software platforms are equally valid, but they merely server to illustrate the point that people are going to choose the short term benefit over the long game. It's all the rage these days, never more so than in the financial sector. Where it has had a long history... "buy now pay later" springs to mind. By these standards success is easily achieved, fire out a new shiny iDevice and don't look any further than the next quarter. We'll all be dead soon anyway.
Crucially though in your reply, I think you have rather put the cart before the horse. Somewhat ironically, I am one of the individuals who right now is putting their personal benefit ahead of the group. I sit and a write this post on the keyboard of my MacBook Pro, my iPhone next to me... or is it the wife's... oh no her is plugged into the iMac in the other room. So it seems redundant to lecture me about iJoe's needs, for I am Joe.
What is intriguing about humans is that we are complex beings, capable of holding in our minds many conflicting thoughts. Balancing our morality, philosophical ideals with our emotional reactive selves. I know with every swipe to unlock and click to install I am just lining the pocket of Jobs et al, and doing nothing directly to contribute to the open source movement, but that is a very short term outlook. These tools are a means to an end, the revolution isn't going to happen overnight and I doubt I will play much of a part in it, but it doesn't mean I can't understand it, want it to succeed. Neither does it mean that I cannot use proprietary tools to contribute in some small way to that movement. My long term goals are very much aligned with open source.
And all the while, I'm hanging on to those apple shares I bought I couple of years back when Steve stepped out of the picture for a while, and Wall street collectively bricked itself. So yeah, I'm over the moon with the way things are going!
To say I haven't thought about my position in the world is a gross underestimation, I know exactly who I am and where I fit - I understand my internal conflict, I understand when not to let idealism get in the way of pragmatism, and I understand that these decisions do not mean I cannot still hold true certain beliefs.
To me, Open Source is not about installing an app from a random developer, it is a movement based around a philosophy of sharing for the benefit of the human race as a whole. It is greater than the sum of its parts. One reason it is not accepted by the mainstream is that it is largely incompatible with capitalism.
As a species we have evolved to a point where we understand the principle of collaborative effort often being superior to individuals, but the extent to which that is evident is still hugely variable. I think we are heading in the right direction though.
As you are, a self professed nerd, you likely have a reasonable grip on logic. Consider this hypothetical example:
Joe sixpack is a guy. A guy who likes to drink beer, but he does not like to drink wine.
Joe sixpack asserts that because he does not like wine and that he is a guy, that guys do not like to drink wine.
This is hasty generalisation, that is drawing a conclusion about an entire group based on insufficient evidence.
In your original post you stated you weren't interested in share prices, and you also said that you were a nerd. Subsequently you went on to say that the whole point of your first post was that "stock prices is not news for nerds".
You concluded that stock prices is not news for nerds, based on the fact that you are a nerd that is not interested in stock prices. You therefore appear to have fallen foul of the logical fallacy outlined above. QED
You are repeatedly defining nerd in terms of you. Until you get past that, there is nothing to debate.
Yeah, what a crazy guy, wherever did he get the idea that you made the assertion that the price of stocks and shares doesn't matter to nerds....
Interesting thought! We could pay them per body, they can use them as fertilizer to help with crops. What could possibly go wrong!
That is the true tragedy of the commons.
Yes, ensuing arguments about europe notwithstanding, it absolutely blew my mind when I saw the US overlay. That mercator chap has a lot to answer for!
Agreed, if people could get over the emotional attachment to dead body thing, then some kind of composting solution would be surely the most eco-friendly/responsible course of action.
You are right I shouldn't have said natural burial doesn't scale. Of course, I didn't though. The parent talked about the tradition of burial, in the UK (where the story is at) that means a graveyard.
Graveyards don't scale. Sorry for any confusion.
We don't have states or highways, thus we do not have interstate highways. When I say 'some countries' that was for the benefit of the american audience, what I mean is 'not in america'.
Here is an interesting graphic btw. http://static02.mediaite.com/geekosystem/uploads/2010/10/true-size-of-africa.jpg
Because you can't build on the land for several hundred, if not thousands of years. In some countries that's a problem.
I was thinking the very same the other day, it's a fine example of 'doesn't scale well'. I'm carbon all the way baby. Liking the industrial diamond option (which I suppose technically, also doesn't scale well!) but hoping the price comes down a bit.
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/songs/badgers/
Knowing how to use a program, whilst nice, isn't up there on the list of critical requirements.
Being able to perform the desired task is though.
...is a degree in living on bread and water from what I hear!
Simply commit the most heinous crime of being registered under your nickname. The banhammer soon arrived, without warning and much to my chagrin.
Yet, I complied with their demands and went straight back to the trough. It was at this point I realised how much of a problem I had, It's now next on my list of vices to be terminated.
I'll take a stab at it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_conditioning
Correct sir, it should only ever contribute to karma instead.
Silly... worth billions. It's a rough trade off to be sure!
No silly, that would *always* be Microsoft's fault!
I never knew this. How is this not huge news? I don't know why I am surprised/dismayed/appalled.
I disagree, the PC is sold as a general purpose computing device. The iPhone is not. Apple is under no obligation to build in hardware cut-outs to prevent damage done by you subverting the ones they might have put into the software.
If you take your argument to its logical conclusion then if I reprogram my car's engine controller so the rev limiter doesn't kick in at the preset value, then redline it everywhere the manufacturer is on the hook for when my engine blows up?
I agree with your last statement though, warranties should be void unless you have done something to damage it. Apple warrants that the consumer device they sold you will work as advertised. If you junk the OS, its not an iPhone anymore you damaged it by removing the OS, your warranty is void. Its shitty but you can vote with your feet, millions already haven't.
They don't warrant the hardware and the software separately, they warrant the device.
I agree with both your post and the parent, the question arises when you install software that, say, makes the hardware do things that the original software was designed not to.
I remember running linux on a laptop that had dodgy power management, the fans wouldn't turn on when the cpu started to heat up. Eventually the hardware cut out would switch the laptop off when the cpu hit 100 Celsius. Eventually the laptop died by way of failed charging connection - I can't say whether or not it was related to the excessive heating and cooling.
If you install some 3rd party OS on your iPhone that creams the cpu and it, say, discolours the screen, or maybe cracks the case - then surely you can't expect a warranty replacement? I'm not suggesting you would try and pull that one, but I'm sure there are others who may not be so scrupulous.
Don't ask me, I'm just the code monkey! ;)
In those situations one might do well to still call oneself 'code monkey', I know I do.