When, in modern times, has this ideal ever been true? Has it ever been true at all? People need to stop fooling themselves that one mega-huge company is "less evil" than another; in fact they are all about the same in that creating quality products that people need and want, sustaining a good profit and treating their employees well, is not part of the business plan. Continuous exponential profit growth at any cost is all that matters for *all* publicly traded companies (and most private ones as well). WAKE UP!
Why? Companies are different. We should treat them differently (I will never buy another Sony product). This was we can influence their decisions. YOu see this with the huge number of companies spending lots of money to "go green". You are the idiot, running around treating all companies the same - I guess it makes it easier for you, you just buy the cheapest product out there. But some of us want more quality products, and are willing to support those few that treat their customers well (Apple, IBM come to mind).
If that's the case, and consumers choose what's best, then why did VHS beat out Betamax, which had better video and audio quality across the board?
Why does this myth keep getting circulated. Please can we stop this now. The fact is that Betamax had mildly better video, indescernable to most people. Also VHS tapes were available in 2 hours varieties a long time before they were with Beta. You can have your two Beta tapes for a movie to my VHS one. Also, VHS were less restrictive with their license, so a lot more VHS movies were available than Betamax (this include Porn). And VHS let a lot more companies make their machines than Sony did, so there were more machines available.
Have you seen the difference in quality of a HD movie vs a DVD movie when played on a screen that can handle it? It's an amazing difference. Most consumers have -not- seen this, and probably won't until there's good market penetration.
I went to a tv store specifically to see this difference, to see what all the hype was about. Sure I could notice the difference next to a normal tv, but it was nothing big. I would never, ever pay for that small amount of difference. If you see a huge difference then you must be kidding yourself, seriously. I think this whole thing has been a complete waste of time, but then again, tv is not very important to me.
And anyway, once the movie start, you never even notice the resolution of the tv, you start to follow the movie instead.
There is also a billion dollar industry based entirely around convincing everyone that they don't need material possessions and ought to give a percentage of their income to this industry instead.
You answered your own question: "To me, it appears credit-cards are designed to milk those who are stupid, or who are unable to control their urges sufficiently to do what is wise rather than what is smart." That's exactly it. There are certain kinds of people in the US (and elsewhere too, I'm sure) who feel entitled to have material things. They see it as a need. Additionally, parents tend to coddle their kids - and credit card companies know it, so they give thousands of dollars in credit to college kids, knowing that Mommy and Daddy will pay it off.
Don't be too harsh, there is a billion dollar industry around convincing everyone that they do need these material positions. That there lives are crap without them. They use a variety of psychological manipulations to trick people into this.
Of course, the ultimate blame still lies with the consumer.
Unless it is somebody reading out the name of the person who bought the music in the middle of the song, that is really difficult to do. More likely they are going to use a digital watermark, that is easy to remove. The fact that it is easy to remove will only affect the few of us who know what to do, meanwhile the majority of people will get busted.
Oh, ok, I guess everything is alright then. They have probably thought of all the problems, and everything will be fine, thanks macbort. How foolish of us to question something like this! Moron.
Ah, ok. Simple rookie mistake then. They trick of writing something funny is, don't forget to include the funny bit! What you did was not much different than the "you must be new here" meme, it is just the slashot it black and white meme.
In my opinion, this company has already been punished for their mistake. They exist no more. The employees who made the mistake have already lost their jobs. What would be the purpose of suing? Revenge?
Star wars fan heh? I suppose when Darth Vader killed the Emperor, all his sins were forgiven as well? All the people he killed, planets and ship destroyed, all forgotten?
You bastard!!
But really, how is this much punishment? They will just start up another company, slightly different name, and keep doing the same thing? Nobody is actually anything more than slightly inconvenienced by this.
Money isn't the answer. It is what to do with the money. Unfortunaly people who manage education have 0 creativity (Or politically forced to be uncreative) and just keep on doing what seems to not work. Then they will use what resources left by critizing what does so they don't loose their job.
It sounds like you are part of the problem. Parents who expect the school system to do the entire job of educating their children are definately part of the problem. Parents who have no time to spend, do not encourage their children in any way, let the tv be a babysitter are the ones too blame. The school system is not a miracle cure to kids who don't want to learn, whose attention span is gone, have no discipline, and who don't see the benefits in an education.
As with most things, this comes down to a matter of degrees. I am not discussing whether or not Manhattan can be compared with 1984, of course it can. I am arguing the fact that he compared this, somehow, to the fact that Microsoft can have a monopoly, but still have alternatives. Somewhere along the line you seem to have been confused. This is what I have a problem with, his comparison between Microsoft and Manhattan, if you like.
Maybe you are trying to be funny, but the real problem is people who treat slashdot like it is a singular entity. Their are a large number of people who have difficulty in dealing with complex systems, like slashdot. These people sort of see the world broken up into two distinct groups, me and not me. You are making this mistake with slashdot. Every story I have read here has consisted or a variety of different opinions - but this is more complex to argue against. Much easier to reduce the world to two, and argue against one of them. This is what you are doing.
Dude, like, seriously, I mean, umm... Where do I start? You're saying that "you can't compare the two things, because they are different" So I can't compare a Honda to a Toyota when I'm buying a car, because they are different? I can't compare the government of the UK to the government of the US in a political studies essay because they are different? So, according to you, I can only compare two things that are *exactly* the same? Dude, like, seriously, I'm at a loss here. When people like you open your mouth, it really reminds me *why* democracy doesn't work: The average person is so stupid, he has to be led like dumb animal. The idea that your opinion (vote) is worth the same a professor of political science is abhorrent.
No, I am saying that you can't compare a Honda and second moon of Jupiter. Thank you for reminding that the world is full of idiots. You really have the option, you can try to understand, or try to mis-understand, and their seems to be this large group of people who find it hilarious to do the latter.
Congratulations, you just got the point he was trying to make. Is that really worth a post, though?
This all comes down to responsibility, and the simple fact that people got into positions of power by avoiding taking any responsibility for things that have gone wrong. All the people at the top of most governments and organisations are masters at avoiding responsibility.
Microsoft can still be a monopoly, while there are alternatives - this is a statement of fact. (Economics)
Saying that Manhattan is like 1984 is in a opinion. It clearly is not a book, and it is debatable the level that it resembles that regime in that book. This is the point that skipped over your head.
You can't compare the two things, because they are different. (logic)
I am fine with this. And judging by the way people drive in the UK, I would estimate that over 50% are clearly some criminal escaping. As far as I am concerned if you are driving, you are in charge of a dangerous weapon, just as bad as a gun, and should be tracked.
I don't know if you have noticed before, but it is pretty easy to spot the difference between someone talking on their phone, and someone taking a picture. Especially when the flash comes one, which is what you will need when you go to a strip club.
Yes, receptionists are clearly not allowed to tell anyone the address of the business, let alone the opening hours - that would be tantamount to selling corporate secrets. Might as well hand them the keys to the safe. What sort of business wants this information around?
Where do I sign up to pay to have people like you removed from the internet?
Perhaps it is a way for companies to get the government to pay their costs. Instead of their own hospital, they use the governments hospital - which in many cases is actually built by the company, and rented to the government.
Look, only a moron would have a problem with the fact that people aren't being paid exactly the same in China as they are in the US or the UK. Most people accept that people get paid differently in different countries, just as the cost of goods is different in different countries.
The real problems is people being treated badly, forced to work ridiculous hours, being chained to their stations, unable to talk about how they are treated, bought by the company, beaten, not allowed to leave the factory, etc...
This is what people have a problem with. If you can not differentiate between the two, then you are the one with the problem. Or maybe you just don't care?
Yes, that is the problem. Most people don't really now the correct term. If only we could educate people to the correct terms to use, then we wouldn't have this problem.
You really think the average person wants or needs to know the difference between Virus/Trojan/Phishing Scam? Do you really see this as being the problem? You are the sort of guy who runs around the office refusing to help people because they don't ask the right question.
In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 19 affirms the right to free speech:
Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.(1)
Members of the Commonwealth Parliament reaffirmed the principles of the Declaration during a sitting on 10 December 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the UDHR and pledged to give wholehearted support to the principles enshrined in the Declaration.(2)
Article 19 of the 1966 United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that:
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression... (3)
Australia is a signatory to this treaty(4) and, in order to incorporate treaties and conventions into Australian law, governments must pass a specific Act of Parliament. Although some parts of the treaty have been implemented into law, such as the Human Rights Commission Act 1981,(5) no government has implemented the free speech provisions and therefore they are not enforceable by Australian courts.
The Australian government has already shown its uncaring for our right to the freedom of speech. They had a parody website shut down, merely because it showed them up. This is why we are afraid.
Slashdot Mirror
Why? Companies are different. We should treat them differently (I will never buy another Sony product). This was we can influence their decisions. YOu see this with the huge number of companies spending lots of money to "go green". You are the idiot, running around treating all companies the same - I guess it makes it easier for you, you just buy the cheapest product out there. But some of us want more quality products, and are willing to support those few that treat their customers well (Apple, IBM come to mind).
Why does this myth keep getting circulated. Please can we stop this now. The fact is that Betamax had mildly better video, indescernable to most people. Also VHS tapes were available in 2 hours varieties a long time before they were with Beta. You can have your two Beta tapes for a movie to my VHS one. Also, VHS were less restrictive with their license, so a lot more VHS movies were available than Betamax (this include Porn). And VHS let a lot more companies make their machines than Sony did, so there were more machines available.
I went to a tv store specifically to see this difference, to see what all the hype was about. Sure I could notice the difference next to a normal tv, but it was nothing big. I would never, ever pay for that small amount of difference. If you see a huge difference then you must be kidding yourself, seriously. I think this whole thing has been a complete waste of time, but then again, tv is not very important to me.
And anyway, once the movie start, you never even notice the resolution of the tv, you start to follow the movie instead.
What the hell are you talking about?
Don't be too harsh, there is a billion dollar industry around convincing everyone that they do need these material positions. That there lives are crap without them. They use a variety of psychological manipulations to trick people into this.
Of course, the ultimate blame still lies with the consumer.
Unless it is somebody reading out the name of the person who bought the music in the middle of the song, that is really difficult to do. More likely they are going to use a digital watermark, that is easy to remove. The fact that it is easy to remove will only affect the few of us who know what to do, meanwhile the majority of people will get busted.
Oh, ok, I guess everything is alright then. They have probably thought of all the problems, and everything will be fine, thanks macbort. How foolish of us to question something like this! Moron.
Ah, ok. Simple rookie mistake then. They trick of writing something funny is, don't forget to include the funny bit! What you did was not much different than the "you must be new here" meme, it is just the slashot it black and white meme.
Star wars fan heh? I suppose when Darth Vader killed the Emperor, all his sins were forgiven as well? All the people he killed, planets and ship destroyed, all forgotten?
You bastard!!
But really, how is this much punishment? They will just start up another company, slightly different name, and keep doing the same thing? Nobody is actually anything more than slightly inconvenienced by this.
It sounds like you are part of the problem. Parents who expect the school system to do the entire job of educating their children are definately part of the problem. Parents who have no time to spend, do not encourage their children in any way, let the tv be a babysitter are the ones too blame. The school system is not a miracle cure to kids who don't want to learn, whose attention span is gone, have no discipline, and who don't see the benefits in an education.
As with most things, this comes down to a matter of degrees. I am not discussing whether or not Manhattan can be compared with 1984, of course it can. I am arguing the fact that he compared this, somehow, to the fact that Microsoft can have a monopoly, but still have alternatives. Somewhere along the line you seem to have been confused. This is what I have a problem with, his comparison between Microsoft and Manhattan, if you like.
See?
Maybe you are trying to be funny, but the real problem is people who treat slashdot like it is a singular entity. Their are a large number of people who have difficulty in dealing with complex systems, like slashdot. These people sort of see the world broken up into two distinct groups, me and not me. You are making this mistake with slashdot. Every story I have read here has consisted or a variety of different opinions - but this is more complex to argue against. Much easier to reduce the world to two, and argue against one of them. This is what you are doing.
No, I am saying that you can't compare a Honda and second moon of Jupiter. Thank you for reminding that the world is full of idiots. You really have the option, you can try to understand, or try to mis-understand, and their seems to be this large group of people who find it hilarious to do the latter.
Congratulations, you just got the point he was trying to make. Is that really worth a post, though?
This all comes down to responsibility, and the simple fact that people got into positions of power by avoiding taking any responsibility for things that have gone wrong. All the people at the top of most governments and organisations are masters at avoiding responsibility.
You can make just a valid complaint when registration plates were first introduced. Or drivers licences. Or passports.
You must have skipped logic and economics.
Microsoft can still be a monopoly, while there are alternatives - this is a statement of fact. (Economics)
Saying that Manhattan is like 1984 is in a opinion. It clearly is not a book, and it is debatable the level that it resembles that regime in that book. This is the point that skipped over your head.
You can't compare the two things, because they are different. (logic)
I am fine with this. And judging by the way people drive in the UK, I would estimate that over 50% are clearly some criminal escaping. As far as I am concerned if you are driving, you are in charge of a dangerous weapon, just as bad as a gun, and should be tracked.
I don't know if you have noticed before, but it is pretty easy to spot the difference between someone talking on their phone, and someone taking a picture. Especially when the flash comes one, which is what you will need when you go to a strip club.
Yes, receptionists are clearly not allowed to tell anyone the address of the business, let alone the opening hours - that would be tantamount to selling corporate secrets. Might as well hand them the keys to the safe. What sort of business wants this information around?
Where do I sign up to pay to have people like you removed from the internet?
Perhaps it is a way for companies to get the government to pay their costs. Instead of their own hospital, they use the governments hospital - which in many cases is actually built by the company, and rented to the government.
Look, only a moron would have a problem with the fact that people aren't being paid exactly the same in China as they are in the US or the UK. Most people accept that people get paid differently in different countries, just as the cost of goods is different in different countries.
The real problems is people being treated badly, forced to work ridiculous hours, being chained to their stations, unable to talk about how they are treated, bought by the company, beaten, not allowed to leave the factory, etc...
This is what people have a problem with. If you can not differentiate between the two, then you are the one with the problem. Or maybe you just don't care?
Yes, that is the problem. Most people don't really now the correct term. If only we could educate people to the correct terms to use, then we wouldn't have this problem.
You really think the average person wants or needs to know the difference between Virus/Trojan/Phishing Scam? Do you really see this as being the problem? You are the sort of guy who runs around the office refusing to help people because they don't ask the right question.
In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 19 affirms the right to free speech:
... (3)
Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.(1)
Members of the Commonwealth Parliament reaffirmed the principles of the Declaration during a sitting on 10 December 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the UDHR and pledged to give wholehearted support to the principles enshrined in the Declaration.(2)
Article 19 of the 1966 United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that:
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression
Australia is a signatory to this treaty(4) and, in order to incorporate treaties and conventions into Australian law, governments must pass a specific Act of Parliament. Although some parts of the treaty have been implemented into law, such as the Human Rights Commission Act 1981,(5) no government has implemented the free speech provisions and therefore they are not enforceable by Australian courts.
But it is filtered, right? What does the filtering do, nothing? It makes it safe to drink. (Well, at least, I hope so).
The Australian government has already shown its uncaring for our right to the freedom of speech. They had a parody website shut down, merely because it showed them up. This is why we are afraid.