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User: Tablizer

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  1. Grades by Category on Sci-fi Predictions, True and False (Video 1) · · Score: 2

    Here's my general assessment of the pace of progress we've actually made compared to what was predicted since around the Sputnik era:

    Earth transportation: D- (relatively cheap air-fare about only gain. NO flying cars.)
    Space transportation/exploration: C- (chem rockets still expensive as hell)
    Artificial Intelligence: B-
    Electronics/Computers: A (arguably only area faster than expected)
    Medical: B-
    Poverty: D (still not solved)
    Reduced Work Week: D+
    Population Overload or Resource Shortages: C- (problems less than anticipated)
    Big Brother: B

  2. Re:Thanks for the fraud, Turbotax on To Fight $5.2B In Identity Theft, IRS May Need To Change the Way You File Taxes · · Score: 1

    We wouldn't have this problem if we filed our taxes online. Turbotax has prevented that, because they want to charge us for doing what the government could do free...

    After the healthcare.gov debacle, I don't think many are ready to support that idea. Make sure that puppy is well-tested BEFORE launch this time.

    Plus, relying on TurboTax dumps any hacking blame onto a private company. Politicians don't want that risk.

  3. We need even bigger plutocrats like a hole in the head. They already bought most the law makers; go for all?

  4. Re:List the STL? Seriously? on Ask Slashdot: Finding a Job After Completing Computer Science Ph.D? · · Score: 5, Interesting

    listing all the container classes in STL from the top of my head

    I was once was asked a similar kind of question about a library, and told them "I tend not to index them that way in my head. How about asking me what class or function I'd use to perform a particular task? That's how my head stores things."

    They seemed to be satisfied with that response and proceeded to ask me "how to" code questions, which I readily answered.

  5. Re:overqualified on Ask Slashdot: Finding a Job After Completing Computer Science Ph.D? · · Score: 5, Funny

    There's the solution: Pose as a $1500/mo. Indian PhD. Practice the accent.

  6. Bender at puberty? on CIA Tested Primitive Chatbots For Interrogation In the 1980s · · Score: 1

    "Fuck the pod bay doors, where's the human women!"

  7. Name sounds familiar. on Service Promises To Leak Your Documents If the Government Murders You · · Score: 1

    This is from the same company I bought meteor insurance from.

  8. Re:So in the future ... on The UPS Store Will 3-D Print Stuff For You · · Score: 1

    until people start ordering "objectionable" items.

  9. Competition on The UPS Store Will 3-D Print Stuff For You · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will they print me up a FedEx truck?

  10. Frist Ghost? on Ancient Campfires Led To the Rise of Storytelling · · Score: 2

    And then... Boo!

    Ahhhhhhhhhh!

  11. Re:A I recall on Nvidia Sinks Moon Landing Hoax Using Virtual Light · · Score: 1

    The conspiracy pretty much ended when Buzz Aldrin punched Bart Sibrel in the face on camera.

    Buzz: "I was merely demonstrating the formation of craters that match our surface photos."

  12. Re:A I recall on Nvidia Sinks Moon Landing Hoax Using Virtual Light · · Score: 1

    Being one of the most well-known astronauts, Buzz should probably not be out in public without a bodyguard. Let the bodyguard bop the guy; less court risk and paper-work for Buzz.

  13. Re:Dust? on "Big Bang Signal" Could All Be Dust · · Score: 1

    evitaleR si emiT

  14. Re:This just in... on Nvidia Sinks Moon Landing Hoax Using Virtual Light · · Score: 1

    Indeed. They could have created a whole product line around it, like The Sims, Hoaxing Edition.

    "Buy Bigfoot Footprint Simulator II, Shaq Silver-Foot Edition also, and get Crop Circle Sims for freeeee!"

  15. Re:A I recall on Nvidia Sinks Moon Landing Hoax Using Virtual Light · · Score: 1

    when Buzz Aldrin punched Bart Sibrel in the face on camera.

    That event was arguably better than the Eagle landing itself.

    That was one medium punch for a man, one giant leap for troll riddance.

    What some vids don't show is that Bart kept following and harassing him multiple times before the punch. Buzz would walk somewhere else to avoid him, and Bart would soon follow, sticking the Bible in his face and taunting him. If you didn't see the whole thing, it may look like Buzz was unreasonable. It shows that video evidence can strip out context if not complete.

  16. Re:funny! [frist post] on "Big Bang Signal" Could All Be Dust · · Score: 1

    Who was the first troll?

  17. Cue "All we are is dust in the wind" on "Big Bang Signal" Could All Be Dust · · Score: 2, Funny

    Conservative deniers are going to have a field day with this: "How can we trust scientists on evolution and global warming when the Big Bang turned out to be nothing more than God's dirty windshield!".

  18. Skynet Foil Hat on Google Partners With HTC For Latest Nexus Tablet · · Score: 1

    At first I read it as "Google Partners with LHC", and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

  19. Re:Philosophy of Science on How Our Botched Understanding of "Science" Ruins Everything · · Score: 1

    the religious would see creationism as validated no matter how much evidence you put in front of them

    Those who are stubborn, mentally protect their ego against being wrong at all costs, or have an agenda (like offertory funds) indeed won't budge. But some are generally more curious than they are egotistical and not afraid to consider alternative viewpoints.

    In other words, just become some students are stupid doesn't mean all are.

    By the way, a creator is a valid scientific argument to consider. Monsanto is a creator of sorts, and we may be in a giant simulation managed by a being (sysadmin), which is not outside of physical possibilities and thus not inherently "supernatural" in the traditional sense.

    But the hard part is how to test for intelligence. If somebody says that a being put red crusty stuff on their metal mailbox instead of it being natural rust, how does one go about testing for both possibilities? Why doesn't the plastic mailbox have the red stuff? Does Occum's Razor always favor natural processes? Get the wheels turning in students' heads.

  20. Models on How Our Botched Understanding of "Science" Ruins Everything · · Score: 1

    The most compact description of science I've seen is "the process of finding the simplest model(s) that explains observations".

    The model is typically math or algorithms, but is not necessarily limited to those (although life is usually easier if you do.)

    The model may not necessarily reflect underlying reality, but until we have more data we cannot tell if it does or not. For example, epicycles and regression can produce "matching" models to an extent of certain physical phenomena, but further observations often end up showing they are limited, such as with 3-body orbits. (Epicycles and regression can offer prediction ability under a fixed set of circumstances, at least, which can still make a useful tool.)

    If the global warming deniers can produce a model that is accurate (explains the past and continues to predict the future) that is of equal or lessor complexity than the human-caused global warming models, then they may have a leg to stand on. So far, they just criticize existing models without proposing a complete alternative.

    We don't have to argue over who is the most biased or bribed; let the models do the speaking.

    As far as the general public understanding the models, well, that's a trickier one. Complexity is complexity.

  21. iDarwin on Friendly Reminder: Do Not Place Your iPhone In a Microwave · · Score: 1

    Don't tell people, let their phone win a little Darwin Award.

  22. Re:Maven success on 2 Mars Missions Set For Arrival, Both Prepare for Orbital Maneuvers · · Score: 1

    Under-performing rockets? Must be a Monday on Mars. I know the feeling.

  23. Re:Think of the tinfoil hatters... on 2 Mars Missions Set For Arrival, Both Prepare for Orbital Maneuvers · · Score: 1

    Or if one accidentally gets metric unit commands while the other accidentally gets Imperial English unit commands.

  24. Re:Mark Zuckerberg is a liar. on Mark Zuckerberg Throws Pal Joe Green Under the Tech Immigration Bus · · Score: 1

    that won't get you hired on a high-paying job right away. You have to start as a junior, and suck it up when they offer you low pay initially.

    That's not how most companies work. If they want to fill position X they want a perfect fit for X, or as close as possible. They don't want juniors nor PhD's, but the exact qualifications with nothing more or less. (If you have excess qualifications, that's seen as a risk of leaving.)

  25. Re:Mark Zuckerberg is a liar. on Mark Zuckerberg Throws Pal Joe Green Under the Tech Immigration Bus · · Score: 1

    If you owned the company, wouldn't you want the same?

    Sure, but they hide their real M.O. from Congress and voters. There is no general shortage, but a shortage of those who instantly fit the profile our company wants. But I don't tell Congress that because then I wouldn't get want I want.

    All you need to do is put "expert in " and you will get past the HR screen in 90% of the companies.

    You mean lie? In both cases you seem to be endorsing lying.

    Perhaps to you that's just the way to play the game in the real world, but it backs my original premise that the H1B program is based on a lie. You just don't seem to think that's a "bad thing", or accept it as the ugly-but-necessary reality of politics and capitalism.