You have a brilliant future as a political poster and slave. I have better things to do with my time than attempt to reason with someone who apparently doesn't even respect reason.
As I understand it, the book industry works in mysteriously screwed up ways. If a bookstore doesn't sell a book, they send the copies back to the publisher. With paperbacks only the front cover is returned. The publisher assumes all of the risk that a book won't sell.
The wanton destruction of books as when a grocery store manager decides he doesn't like a particular book's cover and destroys it without even giving it a chance to sell, costs the publisher money. Even shipping the hardcover books back probably is billed to the publisher.
This means the publisher will be reluctant to give new authors a chance. It also means that unless you happen to be Steven King or someone equally famous, you will be paid diddly squat for a novel, pennies per copy actually sold to customers. It is common to only sell a few thousand copies so the authors months or years of work only profit him maybe $5,000 if he is lucky.
In a sane world, the people who maintain the central database of books for this machine will be less risk adverse than current publishers since it will cost virtually nothing to store a book on a hard drive. Since they won't be assuming the risk in printing thousands of books that never sell, they can and should pass on more royalty money to the author.
In this world, people will pay twice as much for a book made on one of those cool e-bookmachine-a-ma-bobs. The machine owners won't want to confuse people with too many titles so it will still be hard to get published. Once published, the machine owners will decide they are the ones really doing all the work and continue to pay the author $0.05 per book sold. Alternatively, the machine owners won't open their own publishing house, they will buy through current publishers who are too set in their ways to change author relations over a mere paradigm shift in publishing.
As a Freethinker, I'll guess Christians will generally believe whatever best spreads Christianity. If they go along with science they look less like knuckle dragging Luddites which would be attractive to some. If they contradict science they can pull the "us versus the evil world" thing and more strongly bind the cult together. They'll find scriptures to support whatever view just as they found them to support slavery, mass murder of Jews, and Communism. Those ways of thinking didn't profit them so now they are rather pro-black freedom, unconditionally love Jews, and are often Republican. Religion is no more about truth than a virus is about killing people, it's life whether it be meme or carbon based. No evil genius will direct it, it is the miracle of evolution.
Just so there is no confusion, I hate Christianity but love the Christian.
I've never tried LSD but I didn't inhale once and had a pretty good trip which I'd have to say was beneficial to me, although quite painful.
I was harrased by a surly dieffenbachia plant which followed me around calling me a faggot. It's voice was filthy (could literally see it's voice was covered with shit), harsh and violent and made me feel very ashamed and self-conscious. Its voice was familiar but I couldn't place it. As my ego boundaries broke down, I kept "becoming" family members on my father's side (see the Beatles "I am the Walrus"). I felt intense revulsion over that happening. I didn't become myself again until I embraced the plant and the other people and faced my fears. I did it because I'd read that when having a bad trip it is best to confront the monsters rather than run away. (Anyone considering using drugs should read extensively first for the best possible outcome.)
I realized my mind was sort of telling me something in my mind's own language. For instance, dieffenbachia is commonly called dumb cane because it's sap makes the mouth swell so that speech becomes difficult. I realized its voice was my father's voice or at least what my fathers voice should sound like if it were to express his personality accurately. I was in a way reliving a memory of him punching me in the mouth and calling me a faggot. The shit in his voice was because he literally kicked the shit out of me that time. I was also reliving my mother telling me I was "just like him." She immediately took back those words, but they stuck in my head and triggered a lot of self-hatred. By embracing the plant and the relatives, I in effect was accepting myself, the good, the bad and the ugly. Dittos for reality. I also realized that I'd become a goody-two-shoes to keep my mother from leaving me as she did my dad. I now am myself not whom I thought she wanted me to be. I wish I could say that I've fully worked through this experience but I think it will take a few more years. I don't regret it a bit though, was fascinating and keeps paying dividends on the $20 investment.
There was a more pleasurable side to it too. I can see beauty everywhere now, even in things that are also ugly. I feel as if I were born blind and deaf but can now see and hear for the first time. Life the universe and everything are wondrously beautiful.
However, much of it, I think, will never make sense to me. For instance, I saw real trees that morphed vertically into steps going up to a castle. Was pretty and groovy but means nothing to me. Maybe Feynman's mind only composed simmilar meaningless imagery. Maybe all of my imagery was random but I assigned meaning to it; does it matter?
To me, florescent lighted rooms look like discos full of strobe lights. Many people can't see this and don't have any clue how irritating it is to those of us who can. After an hour in most public buildings I'm ready to slit my wrists, nice lengthwise slashes.
If possible, fill the office with sunlight, hopefully with windows to a nice natural view. As I write this, I'm watching my turkeys run around the back yard. I find it relaxing and it makes me more productive. Second best are halogen or incandescent lights. If not possible, provide employees with off switches and flashlights so they can work in the dark.
Monitors with horizontal sync frequencies below 75Hz cause me the same problem. It would probably be difficult to find a new monitor that doesn't sync that high though.
Don't compare yourself with others. It is better to figure out what you value and see how you measure up to your own values. It is too easy to look good compared to the average joe and it is dumb to feel less than bright for not being brighter than the top of the class at Berkeley. Just because eggshell white isn't the whitest paint doesn't make it not-white.
These people who said you were arrogant or conceited are possibly full of shit. I think you probably just appreciate beauty, even if it is within yourself. I suspect you look at your mind functioning and get the same feeling I get when listening to Mozart or experiencing a rocket launch, or watching my own mind work. It is a sort of light flying feeling drenched in joy. It is joy; go with it. Joy is what makes the pain of existence worth bearing.
People will hate you for having what they don't. If you feel joy, they will try to bring you down. If you have money they will steal it or try to get someone else (government) to steal if for them. The ones who really irk me, because they are crafty enough to easily earn their own toys, will talk you into feeling ashamed for having anything good--toys, pride, joy etc. Screw 'em.
That said, it would be a good idea to find some objective standards to see how you measure up to your values. I have known some very dull people who thought they were god's gift to academia. It is intensely embarrassing to watch someone make a fool of themselves with that error, can't imagine what it must be like to wake up and realize the truth for the first time. I doubt that's you, but don't take my word for it.
I have very cheap access to a 1/3 acre greenhouse that is set up for hydroponic food production. I think it would be fairly simple to convert it over to alge production. There is even a 20KW generator we could play with! It currently runs propane, but it wouldn't be all that difficult to put a diesel engine on it, hell, I think it's even wired to the house.
I've been itching to do some R&D on something. I bet the algae sludge would even make good hog food and their waste good algae food. There is room to try. If anyone would like to help with knowhow or money or whatever please respond here or get ahold of me at geek-ranch.org. I'll also contact gobiodiesel.org.
The greenhouse is good for three reasons. 1. It is easy to get it to 140F to simulate desert temperatures. 2. It will keep rain out of the growing solution. 3. The concrete floors make for stable pools.
Re:Wait... so you're telling me...
on
A New Ice Age?
·
· Score: 1
Maybe the reason people aren't taking more serious action to prevent global warming is because science has become politicised, thus losing credibility. It would take me years of study to even attempt modeling global weather--I can't realistically evaluate global warming myself so I have to take other peoples' word. Since I daily read loads of obvious crap from so-called scientists, I have a general distrust of much of what they say, most especially if it has political implications.
A more fair tax system would help drive down the cost of doing business in the USA so that there would be less incentive to outsource overseas. I admit to not having run the numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if that tax advantage worked out to more than the wage difference. In biotech, it would also help if government would stop playing its senseless morality games for votes (stem cells, cloning).
It is interesting how a prank can take on a life of its own. When I worked for a summer camp for kids, I made up a story about a boy getting killed at camp and him returning to haunt it. I presented it as fact. (I'm a bastard, I know.)
Over the following few days I elaborated on the story as it took on a life of its own. Soon frightened teens came to me because a vending machine stalked then attacked them. Even adults were decieved. A group of three men insisted that one night the dead boy tried to climb into their canoe and tipped it over. Probably much more happened that I don't even know about since I heard people saying all sorts of strange things to eachother. They didn't say it to me, because I'd been forgotten as the originator of the story.
Anyway, I can see how a simple short circuit and some story telling could cause people to burn a city...or a city to burn people (Salem). I bet I could even start a new religion and have a million followers before I died, if I were that type. I'm sure I'm not the only one who knows this, probably explains a lot about religion and government.
It is interesting to note that some even became leaders in bringing my story to life, much like preachers...
I confessed to my lies when I deemed the situation out of control. Some thought it was funny. One guy hit me, hard. Some decided I was lying about it being a lie. These were all ordinary people--no nuts.
Good News?!?! What good news? That there are millions of people willing to worship a sadistic beast who they think will torture most of mankind for an infinitely long time? Your god makes Hitler look like a saint in comparison. I don't say that lightly, your god is just plain sick and evil and so are those who would have anything to do with Christianity. If Hell is justice, my ass is an Italian Bistro.
My mother thinks her mother is being tortured for being a Catholic, not "confessing the Lard Jesus Christ as her Lard and Savior." Before she died, my grandmother worried my mother would burn in hell for not being a Catholic. What sickness is this you promote?
Ah, didn't realize governments were forcing them to use GM seed. Thanks for pointing that out. Once government is involved to that extent, it makes no sense to try to predict much of anything because of the high level of irrationality injected into the system.
I don't agree that using GM seed would require advanced techniques. Seed is plug and play, even if GM as long as made for the locale. In fact, it should be easier to grow. It is why farmers have been genetically modifying plants for thousands of years. Else, in a free market, it is in the corporation's self-interest to see to it that the farmers know how to grow their seed. Otherwise, farmer will never buy from them again. Instructions will spread by word of mouth if nothing else, just as it always did.
If you introduce genetically modified seeds on these local markets, then the richer peasants can get higher yields and sell more at the local market: at the cost of the poor peasant who cannot afford to buy genetically modified seeds and who will be outcompeted and lose his only source of income.
Excuse me for being drunk and surly. I realize the current educational system tends to promote socalism rather than capitalism and this is probably the source of your confusion. Reality works more like this:
Rich farmer buys GM seed. He does out compete poor farmer. Rich farmer buys poor farmer's land. Poor farmer gets a different job. Perhaps he works for rich farmer. Perhaps he goes into the plow making business. Maybe he breeds oxen or whatever they use for traction. Hell, maybe he becomes the H. Ford of Africa. Now that he isn't eating crap for food, he and his children can think better opening a whole new range of possibilities.
I agree with you that life there would possibly be better if the US and EU would stop dumping subsidized grain on them. I'm currently growing tomatoes in a greenhouse and will be very lucky to turn a profit thanks to NAFTA lowering tomato prices by half or worse. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to compete against free food. My only hope is to grow better tasting fruit. That is why I'm trying heirloom tomatoes--the hope that they will taste better than those cardboard things from Mexico and Florida. Unfortunately, they are so diseased, I don't know if I'll get much of a harvest.
Some have pointed out the distribution problem. It would make the most sense for hungry people to grow their own food locally since it will create an economy. That is why the good seeds in the article would be better than the US growing food for them. There will still be problems with the local terrorists burning down the fields but that seems easier to work around compared to protecting food shipments from the "Great Satan."
Of course the best thing they could do would be to overthrow the warlords/governments.
Unfortunately, at least in some areas of Africa, it seems hunger has caused brain damage. A friend of a friend of mine went to Africa to show them how to farm. He got them to help him plant a big field. By morning all of the seeds had been eaten...by the "farmers." They couldn't comprehend that it would be in their interest to wait for the plants to fruit. He gave up.
Isn't it interesting how politicians like to make themselves look generous by spending other people's money? They are pirates dividing booty among themselves those who put them in power. By what right do they take money from Joe Shmoe so John Doe can have broadband internet service or universal healthcare or crappy public art?
Now that both major parties belong to the communist/socialist party, we are damned no matter how we vote.
The only possible reason I see to vote for Bush is to prevent the Muslim nut jobs from destroying this country. (Kerry isn't up to the task. He is literally the type of person the enemy can quote to torture our military people.) Maybe that is how someone wants it to be.
It pisses you off that no American company today would ever do something like this? Well, get off your butt and do it; it is a free country after all. For all the bitching/.ers do about US business you'd think we were eating gruel for dinner every night. We really fair well.
Country, Per Capita GDP 2002 CIA World Fact Book
USA $37,600
Japan $28,700
UK $25,500
Germany $26,200
See, those "boobs" in "America is #1" T-shirts seem to do a decent job of keeping America #1. Those boobs make it possible for you to have the money for the computer with which you bitch. If you disagree, grow a business to Ford size and make some robots. sheeze!
And what is this "our leaders" stuff. Do you mean government? Business succeeds dispite government not because of it. Look at the former USSR to see what much government gets you. Leaders are for sheep and kids, not mankind.
While the art and discipline aspects may be beneficial, the importance of being able to kick ass can't be overstated. Two decades ago, I was that kid. Back then at least, teachers punished both the aggressor and the defender for fighting which added incentive for me not to fight back. I was also so physically uncoordinated that I knew I would loose in a fist fight. I managed to talk my way out just about every fight, at any cost.
Now I often wake up in the middle of the night fantasizing about inflicting grave bodily injury on the bastards. I am probably the angriest person I know. Quite a change from the good natured boy of yesterday.
There is also quite a bit of self-loathing that comes with backing down from fights. Religious people told me I'd be a better person for not being like the bullies, BS! I honestly think if I'd kicked ass a few times back then, I'd be a better person today.
Make sure he knows how to fight and encourage him to do so when the situation warrants. Also, he is an individual and can wear his hair however he damn well pleases. That isn't for the herd to decide.
Slashdot Mirror
You have a brilliant future as a political poster and slave. I have better things to do with my time than attempt to reason with someone who apparently doesn't even respect reason.
How or if anyone strutted is irrelevant.
That Clinton isn't running now is also irrelevant. The point is there is a double standard.
Clinton did the same thing in 1996.
As I understand it, the book industry works in mysteriously screwed up ways. If a bookstore doesn't sell a book, they send the copies back to the publisher. With paperbacks only the front cover is returned. The publisher assumes all of the risk that a book won't sell.
The wanton destruction of books as when a grocery store manager decides he doesn't like a particular book's cover and destroys it without even giving it a chance to sell, costs the publisher money. Even shipping the hardcover books back probably is billed to the publisher.
This means the publisher will be reluctant to give new authors a chance. It also means that unless you happen to be Steven King or someone equally famous, you will be paid diddly squat for a novel, pennies per copy actually sold to customers. It is common to only sell a few thousand copies so the authors months or years of work only profit him maybe $5,000 if he is lucky.
In a sane world, the people who maintain the central database of books for this machine will be less risk adverse than current publishers since it will cost virtually nothing to store a book on a hard drive. Since they won't be assuming the risk in printing thousands of books that never sell, they can and should pass on more royalty money to the author.
In this world, people will pay twice as much for a book made on one of those cool e-bookmachine-a-ma-bobs. The machine owners won't want to confuse people with too many titles so it will still be hard to get published. Once published, the machine owners will decide they are the ones really doing all the work and continue to pay the author $0.05 per book sold. Alternatively, the machine owners won't open their own publishing house, they will buy through current publishers who are too set in their ways to change author relations over a mere paradigm shift in publishing.
As a Freethinker, I'll guess Christians will generally believe whatever best spreads Christianity. If they go along with science they look less like knuckle dragging Luddites which would be attractive to some. If they contradict science they can pull the "us versus the evil world" thing and more strongly bind the cult together. They'll find scriptures to support whatever view just as they found them to support slavery, mass murder of Jews, and Communism. Those ways of thinking didn't profit them so now they are rather pro-black freedom, unconditionally love Jews, and are often Republican. Religion is no more about truth than a virus is about killing people, it's life whether it be meme or carbon based. No evil genius will direct it, it is the miracle of evolution.
Just so there is no confusion, I hate Christianity but love the Christian.
WWDC -- What Would Dogbert Chew?
I must be getting old and senile because I'm more and more LISA-Lost In Senseless Acronyms.
I've never tried LSD but I didn't inhale once and had a pretty good trip which I'd have to say was beneficial to me, although quite painful.
I was harrased by a surly dieffenbachia plant which followed me around calling me a faggot. It's voice was filthy (could literally see it's voice was covered with shit), harsh and violent and made me feel very ashamed and self-conscious. Its voice was familiar but I couldn't place it. As my ego boundaries broke down, I kept "becoming" family members on my father's side (see the Beatles "I am the Walrus"). I felt intense revulsion over that happening. I didn't become myself again until I embraced the plant and the other people and faced my fears. I did it because I'd read that when having a bad trip it is best to confront the monsters rather than run away. (Anyone considering using drugs should read extensively first for the best possible outcome.)
I realized my mind was sort of telling me something in my mind's own language. For instance, dieffenbachia is commonly called dumb cane because it's sap makes the mouth swell so that speech becomes difficult. I realized its voice was my father's voice or at least what my fathers voice should sound like if it were to express his personality accurately. I was in a way reliving a memory of him punching me in the mouth and calling me a faggot. The shit in his voice was because he literally kicked the shit out of me that time. I was also reliving my mother telling me I was "just like him." She immediately took back those words, but they stuck in my head and triggered a lot of self-hatred. By embracing the plant and the relatives, I in effect was accepting myself, the good, the bad and the ugly. Dittos for reality. I also realized that I'd become a goody-two-shoes to keep my mother from leaving me as she did my dad. I now am myself not whom I thought she wanted me to be. I wish I could say that I've fully worked through this experience but I think it will take a few more years. I don't regret it a bit though, was fascinating and keeps paying dividends on the $20 investment.
There was a more pleasurable side to it too. I can see beauty everywhere now, even in things that are also ugly. I feel as if I were born blind and deaf but can now see and hear for the first time. Life the universe and everything are wondrously beautiful.
However, much of it, I think, will never make sense to me. For instance, I saw real trees that morphed vertically into steps going up to a castle. Was pretty and groovy but means nothing to me. Maybe Feynman's mind only composed simmilar meaningless imagery. Maybe all of my imagery was random but I assigned meaning to it; does it matter?
To me, florescent lighted rooms look like discos full of strobe lights. Many people can't see this and don't have any clue how irritating it is to those of us who can. After an hour in most public buildings I'm ready to slit my wrists, nice lengthwise slashes.
If possible, fill the office with sunlight, hopefully with windows to a nice natural view. As I write this, I'm watching my turkeys run around the back yard. I find it relaxing and it makes me more productive. Second best are halogen or incandescent lights. If not possible, provide employees with off switches and flashlights so they can work in the dark.
Monitors with horizontal sync frequencies below 75Hz cause me the same problem. It would probably be difficult to find a new monitor that doesn't sync that high though.
Don't compare yourself with others. It is better to figure out what you value and see how you measure up to your own values. It is too easy to look good compared to the average joe and it is dumb to feel less than bright for not being brighter than the top of the class at Berkeley. Just because eggshell white isn't the whitest paint doesn't make it not-white.
These people who said you were arrogant or conceited are possibly full of shit. I think you probably just appreciate beauty, even if it is within yourself. I suspect you look at your mind functioning and get the same feeling I get when listening to Mozart or experiencing a rocket launch, or watching my own mind work. It is a sort of light flying feeling drenched in joy. It is joy; go with it. Joy is what makes the pain of existence worth bearing.
People will hate you for having what they don't. If you feel joy, they will try to bring you down. If you have money they will steal it or try to get someone else (government) to steal if for them. The ones who really irk me, because they are crafty enough to easily earn their own toys, will talk you into feeling ashamed for having anything good--toys, pride, joy etc. Screw 'em.
That said, it would be a good idea to find some objective standards to see how you measure up to your values. I have known some very dull people who thought they were god's gift to academia. It is intensely embarrassing to watch someone make a fool of themselves with that error, can't imagine what it must be like to wake up and realize the truth for the first time. I doubt that's you, but don't take my word for it.
I have very cheap access to a 1/3 acre greenhouse that is set up for hydroponic food production. I think it would be fairly simple to convert it over to alge production. There is even a 20KW generator we could play with! It currently runs propane, but it wouldn't be all that difficult to put a diesel engine on it, hell, I think it's even wired to the house.
I've been itching to do some R&D on something. I bet the algae sludge would even make good hog food and their waste good algae food. There is room to try. If anyone would like to help with knowhow or money or whatever please respond here or get ahold of me at geek-ranch.org. I'll also contact gobiodiesel.org.
The greenhouse is good for three reasons. 1. It is easy to get it to 140F to simulate desert temperatures. 2. It will keep rain out of the growing solution. 3. The concrete floors make for stable pools.
Maybe the reason people aren't taking more serious action to prevent global warming is because science has become politicised, thus losing credibility. It would take me years of study to even attempt modeling global weather--I can't realistically evaluate global warming myself so I have to take other peoples' word. Since I daily read loads of obvious crap from so-called scientists, I have a general distrust of much of what they say, most especially if it has political implications.
A more fair tax system would help drive down the cost of doing business in the USA so that there would be less incentive to outsource overseas. I admit to not having run the numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if that tax advantage worked out to more than the wage difference. In biotech, it would also help if government would stop playing its senseless morality games for votes (stem cells, cloning).
--A is A.
It is interesting how a prank can take on a life of its own. When I worked for a summer camp for kids, I made up a story about a boy getting killed at camp and him returning to haunt it. I presented it as fact. (I'm a bastard, I know.)
Over the following few days I elaborated on the story as it took on a life of its own. Soon frightened teens came to me because a vending machine stalked then attacked them. Even adults were decieved. A group of three men insisted that one night the dead boy tried to climb into their canoe and tipped it over. Probably much more happened that I don't even know about since I heard people saying all sorts of strange things to eachother. They didn't say it to me, because I'd been forgotten as the originator of the story.
Anyway, I can see how a simple short circuit and some story telling could cause people to burn a city...or a city to burn people (Salem). I bet I could even start a new religion and have a million followers before I died, if I were that type. I'm sure I'm not the only one who knows this, probably explains a lot about religion and government.
It is interesting to note that some even became leaders in bringing my story to life, much like preachers...
I confessed to my lies when I deemed the situation out of control. Some thought it was funny. One guy hit me, hard. Some decided I was lying about it being a lie. These were all ordinary people--no nuts.
Good News?!?! What good news? That there are millions of people willing to worship a sadistic beast who they think will torture most of mankind for an infinitely long time? Your god makes Hitler look like a saint in comparison. I don't say that lightly, your god is just plain sick and evil and so are those who would have anything to do with Christianity. If Hell is justice, my ass is an Italian Bistro.
My mother thinks her mother is being tortured for being a Catholic, not "confessing the Lard Jesus Christ as her Lard and Savior." Before she died, my grandmother worried my mother would burn in hell for not being a Catholic. What sickness is this you promote?
Ah, didn't realize governments were forcing them to use GM seed. Thanks for pointing that out. Once government is involved to that extent, it makes no sense to try to predict much of anything because of the high level of irrationality injected into the system.
I don't agree that using GM seed would require advanced techniques. Seed is plug and play, even if GM as long as made for the locale. In fact, it should be easier to grow. It is why farmers have been genetically modifying plants for thousands of years. Else, in a free market, it is in the corporation's self-interest to see to it that the farmers know how to grow their seed. Otherwise, farmer will never buy from them again. Instructions will spread by word of mouth if nothing else, just as it always did.
Excuse me for being drunk and surly. I realize the current educational system tends to promote socalism rather than capitalism and this is probably the source of your confusion. Reality works more like this:
Rich farmer buys GM seed. He does out compete poor farmer. Rich farmer buys poor farmer's land. Poor farmer gets a different job. Perhaps he works for rich farmer. Perhaps he goes into the plow making business. Maybe he breeds oxen or whatever they use for traction. Hell, maybe he becomes the H. Ford of Africa. Now that he isn't eating crap for food, he and his children can think better opening a whole new range of possibilities.
I agree with you that life there would possibly be better if the US and EU would stop dumping subsidized grain on them. I'm currently growing tomatoes in a greenhouse and will be very lucky to turn a profit thanks to NAFTA lowering tomato prices by half or worse. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to compete against free food. My only hope is to grow better tasting fruit. That is why I'm trying heirloom tomatoes--the hope that they will taste better than those cardboard things from Mexico and Florida. Unfortunately, they are so diseased, I don't know if I'll get much of a harvest.
Some have pointed out the distribution problem. It would make the most sense for hungry people to grow their own food locally since it will create an economy. That is why the good seeds in the article would be better than the US growing food for them. There will still be problems with the local terrorists burning down the fields but that seems easier to work around compared to protecting food shipments from the "Great Satan."
Of course the best thing they could do would be to overthrow the warlords/governments.
Unfortunately, at least in some areas of Africa, it seems hunger has caused brain damage. A friend of a friend of mine went to Africa to show them how to farm. He got them to help him plant a big field. By morning all of the seeds had been eaten...by the "farmers." They couldn't comprehend that it would be in their interest to wait for the plants to fruit. He gave up.
Isn't it interesting how politicians like to make themselves look generous by spending other people's money? They are pirates dividing booty among themselves those who put them in power. By what right do they take money from Joe Shmoe so John Doe can have broadband internet service or universal healthcare or crappy public art?
Now that both major parties belong to the communist/socialist party, we are damned no matter how we vote.
The only possible reason I see to vote for Bush is to prevent the Muslim nut jobs from destroying this country. (Kerry isn't up to the task. He is literally the type of person the enemy can quote to torture our military people.) Maybe that is how someone wants it to be.
It pisses you off that no American company today would ever do something like this? Well, get off your butt and do it; it is a free country after all. For all the bitching /.ers do about US business you'd think we were eating gruel for dinner every night. We really fair well.
Country, Per Capita GDP 2002 CIA World Fact Book
USA $37,600
Japan $28,700
UK $25,500
Germany $26,200
See, those "boobs" in "America is #1" T-shirts seem to do a decent job of keeping America #1. Those boobs make it possible for you to have the money for the computer with which you bitch. If you disagree, grow a business to Ford size and make some robots. sheeze!
And what is this "our leaders" stuff. Do you mean government? Business succeeds dispite government not because of it. Look at the former USSR to see what much government gets you. Leaders are for sheep and kids, not mankind.
While the art and discipline aspects may be beneficial, the importance of being able to kick ass can't be overstated. Two decades ago, I was that kid. Back then at least, teachers punished both the aggressor and the defender for fighting which added incentive for me not to fight back. I was also so physically uncoordinated that I knew I would loose in a fist fight. I managed to talk my way out just about every fight, at any cost.
Now I often wake up in the middle of the night fantasizing about inflicting grave bodily injury on the bastards. I am probably the angriest person I know. Quite a change from the good natured boy of yesterday.
There is also quite a bit of self-loathing that comes with backing down from fights. Religious people told me I'd be a better person for not being like the bullies, BS! I honestly think if I'd kicked ass a few times back then, I'd be a better person today.
Make sure he knows how to fight and encourage him to do so when the situation warrants. Also, he is an individual and can wear his hair however he damn well pleases. That isn't for the herd to decide.