Dude...your problem isn't the police. Your problem is evil demons from the netherworld. Either get an exorcism or forget the whole thing. Alternately, you could ask yourself why people want to beat you up and kill you. Maybe God is punishing you for drunken dereliction of your Luthern duty. Just remember, the police have the ability to make your life miserable. Act accordingly (unless you are secretly taping - then: Profit!)
billy - Yes Officer, No Officer, How High Officer?
Jesus, I wish whoever it was that started this whole bru-ha-ha would have used another way to describe 'open source' rather than 'free'. Half the time I'm not sure which definition of 'free' the author is addressing. The rest of the time I'm pretty sure the AUTHOR isn't sure. I'll tell you this - most of the executives who decide where to spend the money don't understand the difference - and they don't care. It might be a little easier if it were Linux versus Windows, but it's not. It's more like Windows versus Red Hat, Gnome, Debian, etc. It's one thing to talk about the advantages of Linux if you're at least geek tainted, but for the guy who is looking for an OS for 200 secretaries, 100 accountants, 10 human resource people, 33 supervisors, and the computer in the break room the fact that most of those people can run Windows well enough to do their job is a deal maker. He knows the guys in IT are gonna do whatever they want anyway.
You can't pretend that Windows isn't a success. For the business of doing business,Windows works. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for how well Windows works - has always worked - this whole discussion would be moot. Everyone would be using word processors or Sun work stations. Face it, a large chunk of the people using computers in business use one or two customized apps or MS Office. That's it - and they work fine - and pretty much everyone knows enough to get by. Computers are TOOLS to most businessmen, not icons, obsessions, or beacons to a 'better world'. And compared to salary, health care, and shit like federally mandated maternity leave, the cost of the OS isn't a big deal. It's certainly not as big a deal as when every secretary in the company blames having to learn a whole new system for late assignments. The ugly truth is that Windows is good shit and it just keeps getting better. For God's sake, doesn't the legendary 'tipping point' really boil down to matching the capabilities that Windows already offers? What's the incentive to change? I guarantee not many businessmen are going to jump on the FOSS 'perfect world' band wagon. They abhor a perfect world - they consider 'fair' profits an oxymoron.
As for your champions of corporate enlightenment, I'd suggest IBM's support of Linux has more to do with the Intel/MS juggernaut than idealism. You don't see them sharing the formula for pixie dust, do you? Big business understands the idea that software doesn't have to be a "product to be bought and sold" it just thinks it's a stupid idea.
billy - using win98 cause he just wouldn't know what to do if his system didn't crash every once in a while
God I'm sick of the no brain MS bashing shit. Can't you anti-MS evangelists come up with some decent arguments. It's not like MS is an innocent babe in the woods. Surely you can find enough rational reasons to hate Bill Gates without resorting to this incoherent make believe. Microsoft is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce and has been since 2003. The fact that you don't know this suggests that maybe MS has more than just publicity in mind. If you DO know this and choose to ignore it...well that suggests something about YOU. Could it possibly be that the announcement of the existence of this software is designed to deter chat room predators? Here's a make believe dialog for you:
Inside the mind of potential child molester..."shit, the biggest software company in the world is after my ass, maybe I should quit pretending I actually LIKE children and stay the hell out of the chat rooms for 12 year olds!"
One of the principal methods of the Taskforce is to make it clear that you CAN be held accountable for your actions on the internet. I'm sure MS is happy to get any good publicity, but at least in this case they deserve it. On the other hand you could be working FOR Microsoft. They could be trying to make their enemies look like idiots.
Yep. And some people are cutthroat mercenary bastards. Care to guess to which kind the author of TFA belongs?
I don't think plastics or the internet are good comparisons to nanotechnology. The plastics industry has had problems of its own and IS heavily regulated. The internet is by nature a cooperative system which requires a degree of self-regulation to function. A pile of grey goo is...well, you said it...a whole new ballgame. It doesn't seem unreasonable to make a few rules before we start playing the game.
billy - hoping for extra innings - not sudden death
Did you notice that the article used as the basis for this story was written by Josh Wolfe, who manages an investment portfolio called "Nanosphere"? Did you notice the "Special Offer" to "Get in on the ground floor of a growth industry still in its infancy"? Personally, Forbes Magazine is not my first instinct when I go looking for scientific and technological information. Wolfe uses reasonable arguments to back his opinions but quotes the most extreme views as examples of opposing opinions. His agenda is as transparent as the predominance of advertising on the page. After searching and reading several other nanotech papers, including the EU's 'Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology' it seems to me that the emphasis is placed more on the possibility of economic benefits than possible hazards. I don't think we have to look too hard to find examples of industries which place economic benefit over scientific reality and consequences to the environment. Suggesting that current regulations are adequate is suggesting that we are doing a good job of regulating the existing industries. Take a good, deep breath in any major city in America and THEN tell me that with a straight face. My God, isn't it obvious we need a better way?
Unfortunately we are victims of our own stupidity. We HAVE the government we deserve - Bush got reelected for Christ's sake - literally! If the American people are too dumb or lazy to recognize that the bright light shining out of Washington is the proctologist making sure the coast is still clear then they deserve to choke on Bucky balls. Too bad it's our kids who may have to pay the price.
billy - maybe I can stop the nanobots with all that duct tape I've got stashed in the basement
Robots can't plant a flag and claim territory. Until actual humans stand there and dare potential claim jumpers with the proverbial 'over my dead body' any legal claims are tenuous at best.
It's really impossible to say how human perceptions may transcend the data collected by machines. Astronauts say that the experience of spaceflight changed them in fundamental ways impossible to describe. It may be that for mankind to truly conquer space the poet will be just as essential as the explorer, the engineer, and the technician.
Japan is a small place with limited resources. Space is a BIG place with lots of resources. It's not too hard to imagine that long term Japanese planning might include a way to get as far away from China as possible. It must be tempting to envision what the Japanese culture could accomplish with unlimited resources and a lack of gaijin meddling. Besides, isn't there usually someone riding IN the giant robots?
I can see a great benefit from this. I had a housemate who had a 60" TV (do NOT watch porn on a 60" TV, it gives a whole new meaning to 'never eat anything bigger than your head'... shudder) and a PS2. He bought new video games handfuls at a time. He refused to read the directions and played every game on 'EASY.' His favorite technique was to run around in a new level as long as he could to scout the level. Just run. Until he died. I remember once he was watching me play a game he had finished and he was amazed when I morphed my character into The Undead - he'd finished the whole game without knowing morphing was the whole point. My impassioned diatribes about 'immersion' fell on deaf ears. He also ignored me when I suggested it might be a good idea to put the cover back on his PC if he was going to let his cat sleep on top of the case. His hard drive paid the price for kitty napping, but he never did get the whole video game thing. How I wish I could have given him a very special Christmas present one year! Ah well - it's probably for the best. If I'd have walked in on him playing Tomb Raider with the shock module twisted around to the front I probably would have had nightmares for the rest of my life.
billy - who sometimes took over just long enough to kill the boss
My understanding of the lofty side of the Open Source Movement is a little more esoteric. I may be missing the point. Is the real upside to 'free software' all about the money? I thought the point was the transparency of the information handling method. The obvious benefit is the access to other designers conceptual products. This allows for integration from various sources to facilitate the optimization of each system component. It is the basis of the 'standing on the shoulders' and the ever popular 'don't reinvent the wheel' philosophies. Even more important is the publics access to the code. In an open information society it is fundamental to be able to determine the source, path, and handling methods for data delivery. It's the only way to keep the rascals honest. I love my computer, but I don't want to just take its word that some Bush descendent has once again pulled out a squeaker in Florida. I've developed a sneaky suspicion that it harbors a Republican kernel. I've always thought of Open Source sort of as 'The Great Equalizer' which would finally break through the bullshit barrier of the powers that be. So am I giving the OS evangelists too much credit? Maybe most of them DO just like free stuff.
Yeah, but you should have seen the shit the guys who got killed were working on.
It's been said that a modern handgun represents close to state of the art technology in many fields and costs about a weeks pay. The Icon for human progress?
What you say is true, but it's still kind of sad that we have to use the most powerful computer in the world to keep us from being contaminated by our own mess.
billy - wondering where that damn genie left the cork THIS time
Dart is not designed to be a working satellite. Dart is a technology proving platform. It is the first of 3 vehicles currently being developed. Dart, at least for now, is not intended to actually do any work on other satellites. This mission will include various tasks including velocity matching, station keeping, and collision avoidance. Supposedly, Dart should approach no closer than 5 meters to the DoD target satellite. Once Dart launches it receives no position or tracking updates from external sources (fire and forget.) Dart is built by Orbital for NASA. Boeing is currently building an unmanned repair satellite named ASTRO (Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations) that is set to deploy in March 2006. ASTRO is a DARPA project. The third related program, the XSS-11 (Experimental Spacecraft System-11), is being built for the USAF by Lockheed. This system uses video imaging for close proximity maneuvering, can remain in orbit for a year, and is capable of approaching multiple "targets of opportunity." Of course, all these systems details are classified, so what is really going on is anyone's guess.
The one obvious use of a satellite that can approach other satellites but can't repair them is to ram them. Interestingly, Dart is also proving LIDAR tracking, which should be harder to jam than RADAR. Space is an excellent environment for beam weapons. The Army is also researching kinetic energy weapons that could easily be adapted for the XSS-11. The projected launch date for that program is November of this year. Rumor has it that China has, or will soon have, small interceptor satellites that could be used in swarms. At one USAF conference it was suggested that small versions of Dart-like satellites could serve as a kind of outer space "Coast Guard" to protect friendly assets. It is also interesting that the Bush Administration has abandoned the ABM Treaty but has not announced any policy regarding space-based weapons systems.
It seems inevitable that there will be space-based weapons - probably sooner than later. With the current reliance of the US military's battle plan on reconnaissance, data linking, and real-time situational awareness, the protection of space-based assets is of vital priority. The increasing use of unmanned vehicles also relies on the physical hardware maintaining the communication links. There is NO CHANCE the military will not deploy space-based systems to defend their assets. There is little chance they will reject offensive weapons designed to destroy the enemy's systems. It is my impossible dream that the battle will stay in space - but I'm afraid the logical next step is the capability to attack terrestial targets with space-based systems. Hurling rocks from orbit is a little too god-like for me to intrust to any of our current leaders. No evolution - no orbital bombardment. That seems fair, doesn't it? Besides, weren't we supposed to be going to Mars?
billy - "why no, we don't have any weapons in space!" ; )
Yeah, the guys who refilled the gas reservoirs in the ovens at Auschwitz weren't management either! Just kidding - mostly. I know that some difference exists between employees who actually perform sleazy deeds and others who just sit back and watch them go. It's usually reflected at bonus time. I'm sure you've never put up any signs or handed out any pamphlets that contained any untrue or misleading information. I have no trouble believing you have established relationships with your customers and have been of service to many of them. You are obviously intelligent and articulate. In fact, Blockbuster is getting a hell of a deal, you have the talent to make much more than they're paying. Of course you're just there for a short time while going to school, then you'll leave. Within a week they'll replace you with someone else in the same situation. And just like you they will be an outstanding spokesman for Blockbuster just by standing behind the counter and being themselves. No you're not part of the "un ethical" management or marketing teams. You're the minimum wage lackey they hire to do their day to day dirty work. Get a clue - standing there wearing the name tag makes a statement of your support for the company all by itself. Your explanation of the motive behind their actions and your assertion that Best Buy is also guilty illustrate the point I was trying to make in my original post. You seem to excuse the un ethical practices by saying they have rational business motives and that other businesses use the same methods. Do you think that 'the market' will eliminate this condition eventually because people will refuse to patronize the offenders? Would you? Is it ethical to work for such a company? It's not my place to judge - just don't fool yourself. Waking up one fine day and realizing you've become one of the bad guys is a real bitch, especially when you've swallowed their fairy tale and you're up to your eyebrows in debt.
As for your personal assessment...you got one out of three. It won't be long until you leave the sheltered, insular environment of theories and men who make their living talking about what other men do. You will soon recognize that several uncomfortable things are true. 'Economics' is more a religion than a science. "Market equalization" is a poor match against "market manipulation". Un ethical business men have an advantage - because business ethics is often reduced to "will doing it make us more money than we will lose if we get caught?" (and they still screw up that equation all the time.) You may even discover that Accounting is the root of all evil. I received a traditional education (OK it was at a state school) 25 years ago. I've worked for, managed, and owned businesses - large and small in several industries. I've played golf with, got drunk with, and made lots of money off the owners of businesses - some of them good guys, most of them pricks. I've been exclusively independent for over ten years - and sometimes get paid to tell corporations the same kinds of things I'm saying here. I don't know what your definition of 'liberal' is - I'm not sure anyone does these days - but take your pick - I'll lay odds it's not me. As for being "emotional?" Assholes are trying to get rich by lying, cheating, and stealing. And sometimes they try to do it to the people I love and sometimes they try to do it to ME. I think being emotional about that is an entirely appropriate response. Why don't you?
billy - who thought CATO was The Green Hornets sidekick
Dear Brazil,
You are welcome to use the following idea in any way.
Concerning the PC Conectado project:
- Announce an international contest consisting of two parts. The first part of the contest is the design of the hardware platform for the units distributed in the program. The second part is the design of the software environment. The contest would span 2 years and consist of three phases. The first 6 months would be devoted to user input and analysis. An online forum would be created to allow an open discussion concerning architecture, features, and design. Some sort of compilation and moderation system would be used to create the set of specifications desired in the winning entry. Throughout this phase prospective entrants would have access to the forum, allowing them to learn, educate, and persuade. After 5.5 months the controlling entity would evaluate the information and produce the specification requirements. The specifications would stipulate that the machines and software must be capable of wired or wireless connections that allow for the machine to operate as a node in a distributed network. I can imagine several network types ranging from shared resources to clusters. The network could build slowly. Local hubs could be located in schools, serving as both control points and resource centers for technical education. Different areas of the net could function at different levels of connectivity based on the type and speed of the backbone. Areas with existing infrastructure could use established connections while being migrated to high speed wireless capability. New sections of the net could be all wireless, configured in various ways for usability and flexibility.
- The contest would be open to all with the following stipulations. Any company doing more than X amount of business would pay an Y percentage of that amount as an admission fee. This money would be used to administer the project, facilitate communication, and fund a grant program aimed at providing individuals with the resources to contribute to the project. Anyone could work on any aspect of the project or all aspects of the project. The best design in each area, using the degrees of compatability required in the specs, would be incorporated into the final design. Phase two would be completed when the winning design for hardware and the software environment is released by the controlling entity.
- Phase three of the contest, the final six months, is the bid development phase. The entrants would bid on contracts to provide goods or services. Conditions could be included requiring free or low cost implementation of network and online facilities such as school hubs and web hosting solutions. Finally the winners would be announced, the contracts signed, and the network begun.
- Infrastructure built, IT industry jump started, possessor of the largest distributed network ever imagined, and guiding role model for the expansion of such projects into the rest of the world, Brazil sails forth into a happy future.
Yep. Computer 'Security' was remembering to put the rubberband back on the compiler cards so they wouldn't get mixed up with the data and program cards, 'setup' was making sure the cards all faced the same way, and 'multimedia' meant your printer paper had two colors.
billy - longing for his Dad's briefcase 2751 emulator with the rubber cups
You seem to be suggesting that, in your experience as an employee, Blockbuster is purposely misleading their customers concerning the availability of titles and the reasons behind many of their policies. They are advertising benefits to the customer that they purposely minimize in attempt to surreptitiously affect buying behaviors. They exhibit contempt for their customers and are obviously motivated by profits to such a large extent that ethics are inconsequential factors in their behavior. So...
Why do you work for them?
I understand you are a student and will soon be quitting. In no way do I want to single you out. It's just that in my opinion this situation illustrates one of the reasons that businesses consistently succeed in taking advantage of the public. "I was just doing my job" is the modern equivalent to "I was just following orders". People will do things on the 'job' they would never consider in their private lives. They will lie. They will repeat company statements that they know are misleading. They will use sales techniques that they know are designed to be manipulative and deceptive. They will knowingly participate in over billing, 'lost paperwork', and outright fraudulent record keeping. They will code spyware. They will screw the customer because their employer says it's their job. They will tarnish their honor, delude themselves with rationalizations, and ultimately damage their self worth. And when it bothers them they will allow the bastards running the show to convince them that they are the ones with the problem.
Yes, yes, I know it's not that simple. People have to eat and take care of their families. There are bills to be paid and fortunes to be made - and after all - this is business - nothing personal. Bullshit. The contempt shown by business is a completely personal thing. It is the same attitude that allows for closing profitable factories to make a few more cents per item, for downgrading full time employees to part time status to avoid paying for benefits, and for manipulating the legal and political systems to avoid accepting responsibility for their actions. At its heart it is the same attitude that accepts conquest, slavery, and oppression as viable methods for achieving goals.
Activists say that people must vote with their wallets - do not patronize companies that exhibit bad faith. That's not enough. We have got to stop helping the bastards screw us. We have got to take personal responsibility for the way we treat each other. We have to break out of our programming that places money and possessions above honor and integrity. We've got to tell the bastards that we've had enough of their shit and we're not going to compromise ourselves any longer.
billy - mad as hell and not going to take it anymore
Thanks for making my point. I notice you don't question the WHYs behind peoples actions. Is it possible that the 9/11 terrorists were fighting the tyranny supported by the US in their country (Saudi Arabia)? If someone thinks attacking your country is important enough to PLAN to die, don't you think it's a good idea to try to understand why? Refresh my memory - how many different reasons for the war in Iraq did Bush try before settling on 'Democracy'? When the bombs were dropping in Baghdad, I wonder which of his reasons made the innocent civilians getting blown up more comfortable? Isn't it just possible that there are flaming assholes pushing their own agendas on both sides? This IS a democracy, which means that while I may hate THEIR assholes, in the end, I'm RESPONSIBLE for mine. It's awfully easy to take the comfortable way out and reach for the pizza - but if everyone did that we'd all be using Windows.
billy - you can ignore the Constitution when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers
"If you are a professional, then you might want to ground yourself using a static strap to prevent any sudden static discharges from killing your PSP."
As a complete amateur, I've suspected there was SOMETHING different about The Pros. Turns out their brain waves are leaking. Who'd have thunk it?
billy - who doesn't NEED a tin foil hat, it just makes him feel better
Let's see - Free e-mail, personals, groups, calendar, games, fantasy sports, messenger, directory, address book, maps, etc. - all personalized. And it ALL WORKS. If they were not the first to offer these services they were certainly early adopters. What we take for granted now was not nearly so easy to pull off ten years ago. Maybe they didn't INVENT the portal, but they have done much more than any other company in its perfection. Yahoo is responsible for millions of peoples introduction to the power of the internet. Individual technologies can be cutting edge and sexy, but if they don't easily integrate into your life and community they remain toys for the specialist. Yahoo opens the whole internet toy store to everyone. And that was a major factor in the explosive growth of the entire IT industry.
Yahoo has been around since the 'eyes on the page' business model. Name another independent portal that has survived from the wild and wooley 'everythings free' days. Not only have they managed to find a way to make a profit without pissing everyone off, they still offer a very wide array of services for free. Sure there's a bit of advertising to endure, but a site that makes NO money won't be offering ANY service for long.
billy - who cut his webcisors in Dr. Toot's Disturbing the Priests
It's always been my "utopian" dream that the internet will evolve into the answer that good men have been lacking through the ages. The minorities in power have always relied on misinformation, lack of information, and the physical suppression of ideas to retain their control. The distributed and instantaneous nature of the 'net make the suppression of information much more difficult. I want to believe that man has evolved to the extent that having access to accurate information and communication with other cultures will open our eyes to the REAL us/them problem. It relies on each of us accepting the responsibility to discover the truth as best we can and taking responsibility for not just our own actions but for the actions done in our names. Is a man innocent if he knows his government is acting wrongly and he does nothing? The difference between terrorists and freedom fighters is often defined by whoever is writing the headlines - or more accurately - whoever is paying for the headlines.
My great worry is that people CHOOSE to remain ignorant. It's easier and more comfortable to sit in front of the plasma tv and watch the game than to risk the powers that be's ire. After all - they said those guys are evil - so that MUST mean we're good - right? And if you say anything different? Well that must mean you're evil too. If you're not, I might have to pay attention to what you say. And I might have to DO something uncomfortable, maybe even dangerous, like stand up for the truth. Naw, I'd rather just watch a little tube and order out for pizza. Business as usual, just like the President said. I mean, that IS the American way, right?
billy - who loves his country and fears for its honor
who know his name and address...might have seen the geeky looking guy with the shit eating grin in the lobby...or his picture on his blog...or the cops might rub it in
spending some quality time in the clink...with lots of time to dwell on cause and effect...and maybe even his chest thumping blog...meeting lots of nifty new friends
Slashdot Mirror
Dude...your problem isn't the police. Your problem is evil demons from the netherworld. Either get an exorcism or forget the whole thing. Alternately, you could ask yourself why people want to beat you up and kill you. Maybe God is punishing you for drunken dereliction of your Luthern duty. Just remember, the police have the ability to make your life miserable. Act accordingly (unless you are secretly taping - then: Profit!)
billy - Yes Officer, No Officer, How High Officer?
Try a google search and just take a look at the results sites.
billy - $3 bills...I'd pay a dollar for THAT
Jesus, I wish whoever it was that started this whole bru-ha-ha would have used another way to describe 'open source' rather than 'free'. Half the time I'm not sure which definition of 'free' the author is addressing. The rest of the time I'm pretty sure the AUTHOR isn't sure. I'll tell you this - most of the executives who decide where to spend the money don't understand the difference - and they don't care. It might be a little easier if it were Linux versus Windows, but it's not. It's more like Windows versus Red Hat, Gnome, Debian, etc. It's one thing to talk about the advantages of Linux if you're at least geek tainted, but for the guy who is looking for an OS for 200 secretaries, 100 accountants, 10 human resource people, 33 supervisors, and the computer in the break room the fact that most of those people can run Windows well enough to do their job is a deal maker. He knows the guys in IT are gonna do whatever they want anyway.
You can't pretend that Windows isn't a success. For the business of doing business,Windows works. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for how well Windows works - has always worked - this whole discussion would be moot. Everyone would be using word processors or Sun work stations. Face it, a large chunk of the people using computers in business use one or two customized apps or MS Office. That's it - and they work fine - and pretty much everyone knows enough to get by. Computers are TOOLS to most businessmen, not icons, obsessions, or beacons to a 'better world'. And compared to salary, health care, and shit like federally mandated maternity leave, the cost of the OS isn't a big deal. It's certainly not as big a deal as when every secretary in the company blames having to learn a whole new system for late assignments. The ugly truth is that Windows is good shit and it just keeps getting better. For God's sake, doesn't the legendary 'tipping point' really boil down to matching the capabilities that Windows already offers? What's the incentive to change? I guarantee not many businessmen are going to jump on the FOSS 'perfect world' band wagon. They abhor a perfect world - they consider 'fair' profits an oxymoron.
As for your champions of corporate enlightenment, I'd suggest IBM's support of Linux has more to do with the Intel/MS juggernaut than idealism. You don't see them sharing the formula for pixie dust, do you? Big business understands the idea that software doesn't have to be a "product to be bought and sold" it just thinks it's a stupid idea.
billy - using win98 cause he just wouldn't know what to do if his system didn't crash every once in a while
God I'm sick of the no brain MS bashing shit. Can't you anti-MS evangelists come up with some decent arguments. It's not like MS is an innocent babe in the woods. Surely you can find enough rational reasons to hate Bill Gates without resorting to this incoherent make believe. Microsoft is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce and has been since 2003. The fact that you don't know this suggests that maybe MS has more than just publicity in mind. If you DO know this and choose to ignore it...well that suggests something about YOU. Could it possibly be that the announcement of the existence of this software is designed to deter chat room predators? Here's a make believe dialog for you:
Inside the mind of potential child molester..."shit, the biggest software company in the world is after my ass, maybe I should quit pretending I actually LIKE children and stay the hell out of the chat rooms for 12 year olds!"
One of the principal methods of the Taskforce is to make it clear that you CAN be held accountable for your actions on the internet. I'm sure MS is happy to get any good publicity, but at least in this case they deserve it. On the other hand you could be working FOR Microsoft. They could be trying to make their enemies look like idiots.
billy - oops there goes all that good karma
"Some people are just ignorant assholes."
Yep. And some people are cutthroat mercenary bastards. Care to guess to which kind the author of TFA belongs?
I don't think plastics or the internet are good comparisons to nanotechnology. The plastics industry has had problems of its own and IS heavily regulated. The internet is by nature a cooperative system which requires a degree of self-regulation to function. A pile of grey goo is...well, you said it...a whole new ballgame. It doesn't seem unreasonable to make a few rules before we start playing the game.
billy - hoping for extra innings - not sudden death
BRAVO!
Did you notice that the article used as the basis for this story was written by Josh Wolfe, who manages an investment portfolio called "Nanosphere"? Did you notice the "Special Offer" to "Get in on the ground floor of a growth industry still in its infancy"? Personally, Forbes Magazine is not my first instinct when I go looking for scientific and technological information. Wolfe uses reasonable arguments to back his opinions but quotes the most extreme views as examples of opposing opinions. His agenda is as transparent as the predominance of advertising on the page. After searching and reading several other nanotech papers, including the EU's 'Towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology' it seems to me that the emphasis is placed more on the possibility of economic benefits than possible hazards. I don't think we have to look too hard to find examples of industries which place economic benefit over scientific reality and consequences to the environment. Suggesting that current regulations are adequate is suggesting that we are doing a good job of regulating the existing industries. Take a good, deep breath in any major city in America and THEN tell me that with a straight face. My God, isn't it obvious we need a better way?
Unfortunately we are victims of our own stupidity. We HAVE the government we deserve - Bush got reelected for Christ's sake - literally! If the American people are too dumb or lazy to recognize that the bright light shining out of Washington is the proctologist making sure the coast is still clear then they deserve to choke on Bucky balls. Too bad it's our kids who may have to pay the price.
billy - maybe I can stop the nanobots with all that duct tape I've got stashed in the basement
Robots can't plant a flag and claim territory. Until actual humans stand there and dare potential claim jumpers with the proverbial 'over my dead body' any legal claims are tenuous at best.
It's really impossible to say how human perceptions may transcend the data collected by machines. Astronauts say that the experience of spaceflight changed them in fundamental ways impossible to describe. It may be that for mankind to truly conquer space the poet will be just as essential as the explorer, the engineer, and the technician.
Japan is a small place with limited resources. Space is a BIG place with lots of resources. It's not too hard to imagine that long term Japanese planning might include a way to get as far away from China as possible. It must be tempting to envision what the Japanese culture could accomplish with unlimited resources and a lack of gaijin meddling. Besides, isn't there usually someone riding IN the giant robots?
billy - space ninja in training
I can see a great benefit from this. I had a housemate who had a 60" TV (do NOT watch porn on a 60" TV, it gives a whole new meaning to 'never eat anything bigger than your head'... shudder) and a PS2. He bought new video games handfuls at a time. He refused to read the directions and played every game on 'EASY.' His favorite technique was to run around in a new level as long as he could to scout the level. Just run. Until he died. I remember once he was watching me play a game he had finished and he was amazed when I morphed my character into The Undead - he'd finished the whole game without knowing morphing was the whole point. My impassioned diatribes about 'immersion' fell on deaf ears. He also ignored me when I suggested it might be a good idea to put the cover back on his PC if he was going to let his cat sleep on top of the case. His hard drive paid the price for kitty napping, but he never did get the whole video game thing. How I wish I could have given him a very special Christmas present one year! Ah well - it's probably for the best. If I'd have walked in on him playing Tomb Raider with the shock module twisted around to the front I probably would have had nightmares for the rest of my life.
billy - who sometimes took over just long enough to kill the boss
My understanding of the lofty side of the Open Source Movement is a little more esoteric. I may be missing the point. Is the real upside to 'free software' all about the money? I thought the point was the transparency of the information handling method. The obvious benefit is the access to other designers conceptual products. This allows for integration from various sources to facilitate the optimization of each system component. It is the basis of the 'standing on the shoulders' and the ever popular 'don't reinvent the wheel' philosophies. Even more important is the publics access to the code. In an open information society it is fundamental to be able to determine the source, path, and handling methods for data delivery. It's the only way to keep the rascals honest. I love my computer, but I don't want to just take its word that some Bush descendent has once again pulled out a squeaker in Florida. I've developed a sneaky suspicion that it harbors a Republican kernel. I've always thought of Open Source sort of as 'The Great Equalizer' which would finally break through the bullshit barrier of the powers that be. So am I giving the OS evangelists too much credit? Maybe most of them DO just like free stuff.
billy - say it ain't so Linus
Yeah, but you should have seen the shit the guys who got killed were working on.
It's been said that a modern handgun represents close to state of the art technology in many fields and costs about a weeks pay. The Icon for human progress?
billy - guns don't kill people - bullets do
What you say is true, but it's still kind of sad that we have to use the most powerful computer in the world to keep us from being contaminated by our own mess.
billy - wondering where that damn genie left the cork THIS time
Don't worry - we are monitoring the situation. Now you know why we need the infared telescopes.
billy -excuse me,but I have to ask...if the elephants are invisible...how do you know they're purple?
Dart is not designed to be a working satellite. Dart is a technology proving platform. It is the first of 3 vehicles currently being developed. Dart, at least for now, is not intended to actually do any work on other satellites. This mission will include various tasks including velocity matching, station keeping, and collision avoidance. Supposedly, Dart should approach no closer than 5 meters to the DoD target satellite. Once Dart launches it receives no position or tracking updates from external sources (fire and forget.) Dart is built by Orbital for NASA. Boeing is currently building an unmanned repair satellite named ASTRO (Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations) that is set to deploy in March 2006. ASTRO is a DARPA project. The third related program, the XSS-11 (Experimental Spacecraft System-11), is being built for the USAF by Lockheed. This system uses video imaging for close proximity maneuvering, can remain in orbit for a year, and is capable of approaching multiple "targets of opportunity." Of course, all these systems details are classified, so what is really going on is anyone's guess.
The one obvious use of a satellite that can approach other satellites but can't repair them is to ram them. Interestingly, Dart is also proving LIDAR tracking, which should be harder to jam than RADAR. Space is an excellent environment for beam weapons. The Army is also researching kinetic energy weapons that could easily be adapted for the XSS-11. The projected launch date for that program is November of this year. Rumor has it that China has, or will soon have, small interceptor satellites that could be used in swarms. At one USAF conference it was suggested that small versions of Dart-like satellites could serve as a kind of outer space "Coast Guard" to protect friendly assets. It is also interesting that the Bush Administration has abandoned the ABM Treaty but has not announced any policy regarding space-based weapons systems.
It seems inevitable that there will be space-based weapons - probably sooner than later. With the current reliance of the US military's battle plan on reconnaissance, data linking, and real-time situational awareness, the protection of space-based assets is of vital priority. The increasing use of unmanned vehicles also relies on the physical hardware maintaining the communication links. There is NO CHANCE the military will not deploy space-based systems to defend their assets. There is little chance they will reject offensive weapons designed to destroy the enemy's systems. It is my impossible dream that the battle will stay in space - but I'm afraid the logical next step is the capability to attack terrestial targets with space-based systems. Hurling rocks from orbit is a little too god-like for me to intrust to any of our current leaders. No evolution - no orbital bombardment. That seems fair, doesn't it? Besides, weren't we supposed to be going to Mars?
billy - "why no, we don't have any weapons in space!" ; )
Yeah, the guys who refilled the gas reservoirs in the ovens at Auschwitz weren't management either! Just kidding - mostly. I know that some difference exists between employees who actually perform sleazy deeds and others who just sit back and watch them go. It's usually reflected at bonus time. I'm sure you've never put up any signs or handed out any pamphlets that contained any untrue or misleading information. I have no trouble believing you have established relationships with your customers and have been of service to many of them. You are obviously intelligent and articulate. In fact, Blockbuster is getting a hell of a deal, you have the talent to make much more than they're paying. Of course you're just there for a short time while going to school, then you'll leave. Within a week they'll replace you with someone else in the same situation. And just like you they will be an outstanding spokesman for Blockbuster just by standing behind the counter and being themselves. No you're not part of the "un ethical" management or marketing teams. You're the minimum wage lackey they hire to do their day to day dirty work. Get a clue - standing there wearing the name tag makes a statement of your support for the company all by itself. Your explanation of the motive behind their actions and your assertion that Best Buy is also guilty illustrate the point I was trying to make in my original post. You seem to excuse the un ethical practices by saying they have rational business motives and that other businesses use the same methods. Do you think that 'the market' will eliminate this condition eventually because people will refuse to patronize the offenders? Would you? Is it ethical to work for such a company? It's not my place to judge - just don't fool yourself. Waking up one fine day and realizing you've become one of the bad guys is a real bitch, especially when you've swallowed their fairy tale and you're up to your eyebrows in debt.
As for your personal assessment...you got one out of three. It won't be long until you leave the sheltered, insular environment of theories and men who make their living talking about what other men do. You will soon recognize that several uncomfortable things are true. 'Economics' is more a religion than a science. "Market equalization" is a poor match against "market manipulation". Un ethical business men have an advantage - because business ethics is often reduced to "will doing it make us more money than we will lose if we get caught?" (and they still screw up that equation all the time.) You may even discover that Accounting is the root of all evil. I received a traditional education (OK it was at a state school) 25 years ago. I've worked for, managed, and owned businesses - large and small in several industries. I've played golf with, got drunk with, and made lots of money off the owners of businesses - some of them good guys, most of them pricks. I've been exclusively independent for over ten years - and sometimes get paid to tell corporations the same kinds of things I'm saying here. I don't know what your definition of 'liberal' is - I'm not sure anyone does these days - but take your pick - I'll lay odds it's not me. As for being "emotional?" Assholes are trying to get rich by lying, cheating, and stealing. And sometimes they try to do it to the people I love and sometimes they try to do it to ME. I think being emotional about that is an entirely appropriate response. Why don't you?
billy - who thought CATO was The Green Hornets sidekick
Dear Brazil,
You are welcome to use the following idea in any way.
Concerning the PC Conectado project:
- Announce an international contest consisting of two parts. The first part of the contest is the design of the hardware platform for the units distributed in the program. The second part is the design of the software environment. The contest would span 2 years and consist of three phases. The first 6 months would be devoted to user input and analysis. An online forum would be created to allow an open discussion concerning architecture, features, and design. Some sort of compilation and moderation system would be used to create the set of specifications desired in the winning entry. Throughout this phase prospective entrants would have access to the forum, allowing them to learn, educate, and persuade. After 5.5 months the controlling entity would evaluate the information and produce the specification requirements. The specifications would stipulate that the machines and software must be capable of wired or wireless connections that allow for the machine to operate as a node in a distributed network. I can imagine several network types ranging from shared resources to clusters. The network could build slowly. Local hubs could be located in schools, serving as both control points and resource centers for technical education. Different areas of the net could function at different levels of connectivity based on the type and speed of the backbone. Areas with existing infrastructure could use established connections while being migrated to high speed wireless capability. New sections of the net could be all wireless, configured in various ways for usability and flexibility.
- The contest would be open to all with the following stipulations. Any company doing more than X amount of business would pay an Y percentage of that amount as an admission fee. This money would be used to administer the project, facilitate communication, and fund a grant program aimed at providing individuals with the resources to contribute to the project. Anyone could work on any aspect of the project or all aspects of the project. The best design in each area, using the degrees of compatability required in the specs, would be incorporated into the final design. Phase two would be completed when the winning design for hardware and the software environment is released by the controlling entity.
- Phase three of the contest, the final six months, is the bid development phase. The entrants would bid on contracts to provide goods or services. Conditions could be included requiring free or low cost implementation of network and online facilities such as school hubs and web hosting solutions. Finally the winners would be announced, the contracts signed, and the network begun.
- Infrastructure built, IT industry jump started, possessor of the largest distributed network ever imagined, and guiding role model for the expansion of such projects into the rest of the world, Brazil sails forth into a happy future.
billy - hey, it could happen
Yep. Computer 'Security' was remembering to put the rubberband back on the compiler cards so they wouldn't get mixed up with the data and program cards, 'setup' was making sure the cards all faced the same way, and 'multimedia' meant your printer paper had two colors.
billy - longing for his Dad's briefcase 2751 emulator with the rubber cups
sssssssh
billy - what they don't know won't hurt them
You seem to be suggesting that, in your experience as an employee, Blockbuster is purposely misleading their customers concerning the availability of titles and the reasons behind many of their policies. They are advertising benefits to the customer that they purposely minimize in attempt to surreptitiously affect buying behaviors. They exhibit contempt for their customers and are obviously motivated by profits to such a large extent that ethics are inconsequential factors in their behavior. So...
Why do you work for them?
I understand you are a student and will soon be quitting. In no way do I want to single you out. It's just that in my opinion this situation illustrates one of the reasons that businesses consistently succeed in taking advantage of the public. "I was just doing my job" is the modern equivalent to "I was just following orders". People will do things on the 'job' they would never consider in their private lives. They will lie. They will repeat company statements that they know are misleading. They will use sales techniques that they know are designed to be manipulative and deceptive. They will knowingly participate in over billing, 'lost paperwork', and outright fraudulent record keeping. They will code spyware. They will screw the customer because their employer says it's their job. They will tarnish their honor, delude themselves with rationalizations, and ultimately damage their self worth. And when it bothers them they will allow the bastards running the show to convince them that they are the ones with the problem.
Yes, yes, I know it's not that simple. People have to eat and take care of their families. There are bills to be paid and fortunes to be made - and after all - this is business - nothing personal. Bullshit. The contempt shown by business is a completely personal thing. It is the same attitude that allows for closing profitable factories to make a few more cents per item, for downgrading full time employees to part time status to avoid paying for benefits, and for manipulating the legal and political systems to avoid accepting responsibility for their actions. At its heart it is the same attitude that accepts conquest, slavery, and oppression as viable methods for achieving goals.
Activists say that people must vote with their wallets - do not patronize companies that exhibit bad faith. That's not enough. We have got to stop helping the bastards screw us. We have got to take personal responsibility for the way we treat each other. We have to break out of our programming that places money and possessions above honor and integrity. We've got to tell the bastards that we've had enough of their shit and we're not going to compromise ourselves any longer.
billy - mad as hell and not going to take it anymore
Thanks for making my point. I notice you don't question the WHYs behind peoples actions. Is it possible that the 9/11 terrorists were fighting the tyranny supported by the US in their country (Saudi Arabia)? If someone thinks attacking your country is important enough to PLAN to die, don't you think it's a good idea to try to understand why? Refresh my memory - how many different reasons for the war in Iraq did Bush try before settling on 'Democracy'? When the bombs were dropping in Baghdad, I wonder which of his reasons made the innocent civilians getting blown up more comfortable? Isn't it just possible that there are flaming assholes pushing their own agendas on both sides? This IS a democracy, which means that while I may hate THEIR assholes, in the end, I'm RESPONSIBLE for mine. It's awfully easy to take the comfortable way out and reach for the pizza - but if everyone did that we'd all be using Windows.
billy - you can ignore the Constitution when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers
From the article:
"If you are a professional, then you might want to ground yourself using a static strap to prevent any sudden static discharges from killing your PSP."
As a complete amateur, I've suspected there was SOMETHING different about The Pros. Turns out their brain waves are leaking. Who'd have thunk it?
billy - who doesn't NEED a tin foil hat, it just makes him feel better
Let's see - Free e-mail, personals, groups, calendar, games, fantasy sports, messenger, directory, address book, maps, etc. - all personalized. And it ALL WORKS. If they were not the first to offer these services they were certainly early adopters. What we take for granted now was not nearly so easy to pull off ten years ago. Maybe they didn't INVENT the portal, but they have done much more than any other company in its perfection. Yahoo is responsible for millions of peoples introduction to the power of the internet. Individual technologies can be cutting edge and sexy, but if they don't easily integrate into your life and community they remain toys for the specialist. Yahoo opens the whole internet toy store to everyone. And that was a major factor in the explosive growth of the entire IT industry.
billy - who has NEVER done the yodel
How about a profit?
Yahoo has been around since the 'eyes on the page' business model. Name another independent portal that has survived from the wild and wooley 'everythings free' days. Not only have they managed to find a way to make a profit without pissing everyone off, they still offer a very wide array of services for free. Sure there's a bit of advertising to endure, but a site that makes NO money won't be offering ANY service for long.
billy - who cut his webcisors in Dr. Toot's Disturbing the Priests
It's always been my "utopian" dream that the internet will evolve into the answer that good men have been lacking through the ages. The minorities in power have always relied on misinformation, lack of information, and the physical suppression of ideas to retain their control. The distributed and instantaneous nature of the 'net make the suppression of information much more difficult. I want to believe that man has evolved to the extent that having access to accurate information and communication with other cultures will open our eyes to the REAL us/them problem. It relies on each of us accepting the responsibility to discover the truth as best we can and taking responsibility for not just our own actions but for the actions done in our names. Is a man innocent if he knows his government is acting wrongly and he does nothing? The difference between terrorists and freedom fighters is often defined by whoever is writing the headlines - or more accurately - whoever is paying for the headlines.
My great worry is that people CHOOSE to remain ignorant. It's easier and more comfortable to sit in front of the plasma tv and watch the game than to risk the powers that be's ire. After all - they said those guys are evil - so that MUST mean we're good - right? And if you say anything different? Well that must mean you're evil too. If you're not, I might have to pay attention to what you say. And I might have to DO something uncomfortable, maybe even dangerous, like stand up for the truth. Naw, I'd rather just watch a little tube and order out for pizza. Business as usual, just like the President said. I mean, that IS the American way, right?
billy - who loves his country and fears for its honor
So lets see...
2 habitual criminals...needle freaks...computer literate
who know his name and address...might have seen the geeky looking guy with the shit eating grin in the lobby...or his picture on his blog...or the cops might rub it in
spending some quality time in the clink...with lots of time to dwell on cause and effect...and maybe even his chest thumping blog...meeting lots of nifty new friends
oops.
billy - who suggests at least a 12 gauge
As the late, great Hunter Thompson would say...
BOOM!!!
billy - observing a moment of silence