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User: ThePromenader

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  1. Actually, I think the opposite is true: if it is indeed AI (actually thinking, and not only within predetermined boundaries), one of the first potential threats that would rise to its radar is human irrational behaviour.

    Our worst enemy would be our own dishonesty and denial (of reality).

  2. Homing Beacon? on NASA Forms New Planetary Defense Office To Manage Asteroid Threats (cnn.com) · · Score: 1

    I'm wondering how they're going to 'patrol' the galaxy for 'incomings'. I suppose incoming-light imagery wouldn't be enough, and it would take a periodic certain-frequency multidirectional 'wave blast', to pick up its return reflecting from anything hiding out there... great way to announce our presence, too.

    Or am I thinking too much again?

  3. Nano -forming- ? on Nanotech Makes Steel 10x Stronger · · Score: 1

    Well, it's a start. I'm waiting for the technology that allows us to 'pour' metal into 'nanoforms' - say, interlocking wire pyramids - which would allow for stronger, lighter, less-resource-consuming, and -flexible- forms.

  4. Re:What does this mean...? on Scientists Discover That Exercise Changes Your DNA · · Score: 1

    The DNA 'change' in exercised muscles is probably an altering in (or activation of) cell-division behaviour.

  5. Re:Don't fight it on Ask Slashdot: Making a 'Wife Friendly' Gaming PC? · · Score: 1

    You know that 'wife-like' is because of our tradition in training the female brain in 'wife things'. Maybe it's time to look towards forming a society where -wives- are more pc-friendly.

  6. Passwords are so... quaint. on Ask Slashdot: Convincing My Company To Stop Using Passwords? · · Score: 1

    'Authorised devices' (with a certificate/token authentication), with a -backup- password or other method. Every device has its own MAC address, why not take advantage of that? Of course, that doesn't eliminate -stealing- the device... but at least you can't do that from a distance ; ).

  7. Re:How hard is it to recognize a stoplight? on Will the Google Car Turn Out To Be the Apple Newton of Automobiles? · · Score: 1

    IMHO, cars won't be (safely) automated until roads are. Yeah, I know, catch-22.

  8. Re:Patents are a problem on How Patent Trolls Destroy Innovation · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Hm, I don't quite agree. I think a 'use it or lose it' condition on patent claims would be both protective and productive. Oh, and I'd like to see that ideal applied to cybersquatters and their ilk, too.

  9. I've seen this sort of thing before... on Comcast Allegedly Confirms That Prenda Planted Porn Torrents · · Score: 1

    ...sounds like a 'Charlie's Angels' episode.

  10. I hope he's not referring to schtupping.

  11. Re:Really? on 3-D Printing Pen Can Draw In the Air · · Score: 2

    But why are they calling it a 'printer'? The comparison to 'data-driven' (aka 'computer controlled') 3D printer is apples to oranges.

  12. Re:dub in the "a" on Origin of Neil Armstrong's 'One Small Step' Line Revealed · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The missing "a" does make sense: aren't "man" and "mankind" synonymous? "A man" and "mankind" are obviously different, and if used would make a more meaningful (and humble) phrase meaning: "one l'il tippytoe for l'il old me, but what a mark of progress!".

  13. Re:How deep does the rabbit hole go? on FTC Whacks "Rachel From Card Holder Services" · · Score: 1
  14. I'm sure this product will become... on MIT Creates Superhydrophobic Condiment Bottles · · Score: 1

    ...a requirement in the manufacture of White House intern uniforms.

  15. Well, they couldn't prove... on EU Blocks France's Ban of Monsanto's GM Maize · · Score: 1

    ...that MON 180 ~didn't~ pose a health risk, either; more research is probably needed for both parties. The French are not big eaters of corn, anyways.

  16. Some of the most popular sites... on Report Highlights 10 Sites Unfairly Blocked By UK Mobile Internet Censorship · · Score: 2

    ...could be blocked! What about www.expertsexchange.com? Oh yeah, forgot the hyphen: that should be experts-exchange.com.

  17. Re:what's the difference on End of Windows XP Support Era Signals Beginning of Security Nightmare · · Score: 1

    Well, at least some here are at least wise enough to see the opportunity for a good joke ; )

  18. Re:what's the difference on End of Windows XP Support Era Signals Beginning of Security Nightmare · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft already cut the chord a decade ago - with their sh*tty Windows XP boot chime.

  19. Re:Shit on Google Cools Data Center With Bathroom Water · · Score: 4, Funny

    Answer: They filtered to MSql databases.

  20. The water temperature at the Google centre would.. on Google Cools Data Center With Bathroom Water · · Score: 1

    ...be ~higher~ if I was there, expecially after the two-bottle-of-vodka bender that would precede my visit...

  21. I don't see the need for all the 'training'... on Microsoft Shows Off Adaptive, Multilingual Text to Speech System · · Score: 1

    ...as there exists already an international phonetic alphabet, an alphabet that includes annotations for lilts, gutteral intonations and such. Why not just add the IPA pronunciation of each word to a given language dictionary, and have the computer read that? This would greatly reduce the 'training' work needed by the end user. It would also open new possibilities for text-to-speech translation, or even speech-to-speech translation.

    To date I have found no text-to-speech reader on any platform that can understand (and speak) IPA symbols.

  22. Re:Angry Nerds on Have Walled Gardens Killed the Personal Computer? · · Score: 1

    Angry Words from Angry Nerds (between scenes of Angry Birds)?

  23. Re:Easy and Advanced on The Condescending UI · · Score: 1

    They both copied the PARC gui - that was limited in its function (no overlapping windows, etc) - but Apple copied it better. And have been ahead ever since.

    It's not from where you take ideas that is important, it's where you take them.

  24. Re:Context is nice on Inspector General Investigated For Muzzling Inconvenient Science · · Score: 1

    It's obvious that parent's AC author has never made it that far with a girl.

  25. Re:Steve's impact on the world on Steve Jobs Resigns As Apple CEO · · Score: 1

    Jobs was good at one thing: Ergonomics. Not only did he know his product was good, he knew why it would be useful to consumers even before it was ever made. That merits respect - most CEO's either don't care what they sell, or only want to make 'what's already selling'.