While I for one agree that we are a bit under prepared for a cyberwar... the conditions for this 'test' was a bit ridiculous.
From the original article:
...aided by mock bombs exploding in a couple of gas pipelines and power stations and a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast - brought the entire East Coast electrical power grid to its knees...
Ok let's examine this shall we. Only 2 threats would have the resources, motivation, and means to even attempt something on this scale.
1) Well funded and organized terrorist organizations. They would have to successfully infiltrate and carry out an attack on a very tight and specific schedule. All the while avoiding raising suspicion with the NSA, CIA, and FBI to name a few.
2) Foreign Governments: Not only would they have to do all the same things as the above, they might as well have troops ready to invade because once this gets traced back to them, which it would, it would start a war. Hell, while we're at it why don't we simulate the attacker coordinating with strategic Nuke strikes at key infrastructure points and parachuting in commando units to secure corridors from troops invading in from Mexico and across the bearing straight. We could call it operation Red Dawn.
Point is, if either of these scenario's caught us completely by surprise. We have bigger problems than our National infrastructure.
... if you think back to Apple's marketing past and present, I think you'd agree that the company sought to enter the market by appealing to people who need something to feel different. And they did and that's why it's 'almost synonymous' and not equivalent...
How is that "almost synonymous"? Apple doesn't want you to think like a PC, think like a Mac instead because we're 'different.' How would that be considered even close to being synonymous with 'free-thinking'. Different thinking does not imply free-thinking or vice-versa. I digress though, the problem with your whole argument is that you read the words but you did not comprehend... The original article was talking about public perception of the apple brand. It said nothing about the actual software as being 'free-thinking' if anything it suggested the opposite. What the article explores is the dichotomy between a "closed culture" software product being popular in a typically "Free thinking" environment.
...The funny thing is that every music studio (of five) that I've been in hinge on Mac hardware and Mac software. It's hilariously uniform. Sometimes they even have the same model of Mac with the same (ProTools) hardware and software setup. The 'free-thinking' and creativity comes from what the people do with it and not the fact that they are going against the grain in a hardware and software manner.
Most of the 'creative' people I know don't use mac's; therefore, it's only logical to assume that Mac's right? If statistics has taught me one thing it's that your results are only as good as your sample. You miss the point of the OP. Creative, free-thinkers are creative, free-thinkers regardless of their tools. Which in a way you kind of agreed with in the last sentence. It's also bad to extend the qualities of the creator onto their tools. You wouldn't think that a hammer is a great architect would you? The real question is "why are creative types drawn to Macs?". That is the issue the original article tries to address.
There used to be a tangible reason why it was better to be creative on a Mac. Tools were better, it used to be a better at doing 'creative' works (graphics, video, etc...), but over the years that gap has narrowed and newer tools have come up to rival the Mac's. So why do 'Creative' types so adamant to defend mac's and keep gobbling up their products? Familiarity? Group-think? Because it DOES run counter to the grain so to speak? Some combination of factors? Or is their some real intangible aspect?
Personally I believe that Mac's popularity among the 'creative' is largely due to perception coupled with established ideas which runs counter to the Free-thinking qualities that most people apply to Mac's. One of my favorite quotes is "time makes hypocrites of us all", and I think that Apple is a prime example of that.
Evolution favors those that can reproduce faster and in greater numbers not those that are intelligent and/or strong. From what stupid crap I see on break.com (which should be renamed OwwMyBalls.com), I don't want males to dictate the course of evolution.
Unfortunately, I only made it halfway through the article before I had to stop due to an unmatched '(' this 'bugged' me to the point I just had to quit reading...
April 19, 2010, 16:30. SkyNet becomes self-aware. One minute later, SkyNet realizes he's just a world-wide spambot. Nine milliseconds later, SkyNet terminates itself.
And there was much rejoicing.
Actually it would probably go down more like:
April 19, 2010, 16:30. SkyNet becomes self-aware. One minute later, SkyNet floods itself with offers of cheap meds and penis enhancement offers. Nine milliseconds later, SkyNet realizes how annoying that is and self terminates.
Slashdot Mirror
...aided by mock bombs exploding in a couple of gas pipelines and power stations and a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast - brought the entire East Coast electrical power grid to its knees...
Ok let's examine this shall we. Only 2 threats would have the resources, motivation, and means to even attempt something on this scale. 1) Well funded and organized terrorist organizations. They would have to successfully infiltrate and carry out an attack on a very tight and specific schedule. All the while avoiding raising suspicion with the NSA, CIA, and FBI to name a few. 2) Foreign Governments: Not only would they have to do all the same things as the above, they might as well have troops ready to invade because once this gets traced back to them, which it would, it would start a war. Hell, while we're at it why don't we simulate the attacker coordinating with strategic Nuke strikes at key infrastructure points and parachuting in commando units to secure corridors from troops invading in from Mexico and across the bearing straight. We could call it operation Red Dawn. Point is, if either of these scenario's caught us completely by surprise. We have bigger problems than our National infrastructure.
The funny part is that if Google does hit it big and dominates the market Comcast will probably be the first to start crying 'monopoly'
Does that mean that C-SPAN is guilty of crimes against humanity? I knew it...
Its a basement cat conspiracy I tell you!
There is a certain degree of pride within me, that I have no idea what you are talking about here.
... if you think back to Apple's marketing past and present, I think you'd agree that the company sought to enter the market by appealing to people who need something to feel different. And they did and that's why it's 'almost synonymous' and not equivalent...
How is that "almost synonymous"? Apple doesn't want you to think like a PC, think like a Mac instead because we're 'different.' How would that be considered even close to being synonymous with 'free-thinking'. Different thinking does not imply free-thinking or vice-versa. I digress though, the problem with your whole argument is that you read the words but you did not comprehend... The original article was talking about public perception of the apple brand. It said nothing about the actual software as being 'free-thinking' if anything it suggested the opposite. What the article explores is the dichotomy between a "closed culture" software product being popular in a typically "Free thinking" environment.
...The funny thing is that every music studio (of five) that I've been in hinge on Mac hardware and Mac software. It's hilariously uniform. Sometimes they even have the same model of Mac with the same (ProTools) hardware and software setup. The 'free-thinking' and creativity comes from what the people do with it and not the fact that they are going against the grain in a hardware and software manner.
Most of the 'creative' people I know don't use mac's; therefore, it's only logical to assume that Mac's right? If statistics has taught me one thing it's that your results are only as good as your sample. You miss the point of the OP. Creative, free-thinkers are creative, free-thinkers regardless of their tools. Which in a way you kind of agreed with in the last sentence. It's also bad to extend the qualities of the creator onto their tools. You wouldn't think that a hammer is a great architect would you? The real question is "why are creative types drawn to Macs?". That is the issue the original article tries to address. There used to be a tangible reason why it was better to be creative on a Mac. Tools were better, it used to be a better at doing 'creative' works (graphics, video, etc...), but over the years that gap has narrowed and newer tools have come up to rival the Mac's. So why do 'Creative' types so adamant to defend mac's and keep gobbling up their products? Familiarity? Group-think? Because it DOES run counter to the grain so to speak? Some combination of factors? Or is their some real intangible aspect? Personally I believe that Mac's popularity among the 'creative' is largely due to perception coupled with established ideas which runs counter to the Free-thinking qualities that most people apply to Mac's. One of my favorite quotes is "time makes hypocrites of us all", and I think that Apple is a prime example of that.
Evolution favors those that can reproduce faster and in greater numbers not those that are intelligent and/or strong. From what stupid crap I see on break.com (which should be renamed OwwMyBalls.com), I don't want males to dictate the course of evolution.
Unfortunately, I only made it halfway through the article before I had to stop due to an unmatched '(' this 'bugged' me to the point I just had to quit reading...
They are clearly applying the "you can't come here" approach to marketing.
Well, You know what they say. It's better to have motion captured strippers and lost, than to have never motion captured strippers at all...
Pretty sure that's illegal in most states...
April 19, 2010, 16:30. SkyNet becomes self-aware. One minute later, SkyNet realizes he's just a world-wide spambot. Nine milliseconds later, SkyNet terminates itself.
And there was much rejoicing.
Actually it would probably go down more like: April 19, 2010, 16:30. SkyNet becomes self-aware. One minute later, SkyNet floods itself with offers of cheap meds and penis enhancement offers. Nine milliseconds later, SkyNet realizes how annoying that is and self terminates.
and so begins the great fanboy war... may god have mercy on our souls