If I invent a perpertual motion machine, I sure as hell want to get paid for it! I would like to at least re-coup the development cost. Without copyright, we'd see the birth of the cheaper-than-troll, brother of the copyright troll. Someone spends major $$$ to develop a new concept and the troll buys one, takes it apart and figures out a way to make a cheaper one. Production ensues and the inventor is broke and in the gutter. What motivation does the inventor have to create? Don't give me that crap about the betterment of mankind either, that type of person is extremely rare and would exclude the lesser. Selfish people have ideas too!
The decision to move the minute hand is made by the Bulletin's Board of Directors in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes 18 Nobel Laureates.
The problem is that they are the rational voices in this issue. Makes you feel like playing on a volcano's rim, doesn't it?
The article linked is to the Darwin Awards website, which verifies all its winners. the articles you linked are for the chain-mails that make the rounds. why did you do this?
I'm not going to touch the space comment, but I have to speak about the
because that bloated military wants to do something
comment. Exactly how in your mind did the military become the user in this arrangement? The military is the used. The politicians point and off they go. They die on the politicians' say-so. How happy would you be in that arrangement? Wouldn't you want 300 billion dollars spent on ways for you to not die? Would you be kind of pissed at people who persist in electing politicians who support 'staying the course' or better yet, politicians who support running away and leaving a perfectly innocent people at the mercy of those with even less moral fiber than an Abu Ghraib prison guard. Stop thinking about how much it is costing you and start thinking how about how much it is costing others.
Pfff.. Politics never make it into the big news, unless the politics involves pages, interns, or large amounts of money improperly changing hands. Oh, wait, that is our political situation. Nevermind.
And did the poster ever look to find out why that date became later and later? Maybe 'cause a lot of alarmist screamed "It's the end of the world!" So we did something about it. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/mpg/fetrends/420s0600 3.htm (it is the summary of fuel efficiency trends spanning from the 1970s to the present) Also, it is hard to deny confirmable evidence, like if the oceans are fine, why are the dead zones getting larger?http://www.livescience.com/environment/0610 19_ap_dead_zones.html Maybe not all is well... Maybe we should do something now, rather than wait for an mass extinction event. (I just love the words 'extinction event.' Doesn't it just roll off the tongue?)
Why is this modded flamebait? This is what you do if you want a change in society. Last I checked we are, theoretically, living in a capitalistic society, not a socialistic one. Why do we keep asking the government to intervene?
!!!! Again with the "slant!" Fine, post something with a pro-Right slant. If the Editors won't post as a headline, post as reply. You posted AC, it won't hurt you! Refute the story, PLEASE! Isn't anyone else horrified by the implications that EITHER side could steal this election?
I am curious as to what a right-leaning article would look like. No, I'm not being a troll, I'm genuinely curious about a positive thing the right has done lately. Considering that the right seems dominated by vocal Christians at the moment, what have they done lately in keeping with their beliefs? Have they passed any bills on greater charity contributions? Have they opened any soup kitchens? Have they visited the imprisoned? I'll take anything. I just returned from that cesspit known as Fox News and all I seem to find are articles attempting vilify anyone who thinks "aggresive interrogations" are wrong. Is that a representive of the right? I'm a Marine, I don't think it is possible for me to not "support our troops." Torture is wrong! There is no what-ifs involved. Are not our morals, our beliefs, our way of life, worth dying for? That is way off topic and a I agree that this article is parnoid and destructive to our way of life, but what is that anymore?
LOL! And I thought that the Bean Burrito was one of the originals. I've never heard of the ham slice meal. Is it like the turkey? If so, I extend my sympathies. The turkey meal was truly horrifying. The vegetarian meals are always in high demand here. I know that around here (Marine Corp) the general consesus is that vegetarian are the better made meals. Not so many scary side dishes. (chocolate energy bar, anyone?)
I understand what you are saying! The Command and Conquer series, the Blizzard games (pre-WOW), and to a lesser extent the various Sims games had 2 sections, the storyline section and the free-for-all section. The storyline section started easy but got harder. The free-for-all mode let you select the difficulty. I enjoyed that distinction. If the AI was kicking the crap out of me in story mode, I could go to free-for-all and get better, plus get some bloody revenge on the AI.:P I think those games remain my favorites because I can always go back and give myself a harder challenge.
"Limited in supply", sure physical cash is limited in supply but don't let that you fool into believing the US Gov't isn't happily "printing" money everyday. Where do you think the dollars to pay off US debt's(e.g. T-Bills) and debt interest come from?
Actually, it is a bit more complicated than that. If it was that easy, why are we still in debt? (and currently sinking faster) Money, anything from colon to zloty, is a representation of work performed. The problem is that once you move away from a barter economy, money value is no longer fixed to the amount of work you do, it is fixed to the amount of money in the system. The more money in the system, the less work each unit is worth. Essentially, things like the National Debt and T-Bonds are promises of work that have not yet been fulfilled. Printing money to pay these debts would technically pay those debts off, but because of the introduction of the new currency into the system, all that undone work would be shifted onto all us grunts of the system. That would be work that we as a people have already received pay for. We would have to work unpaided to revalue our currency. It is the job of the Treasury to monitor the physical and electronic currency and ensure that the total amount of currency does not excessivly exceed the amount of work being done. That has got be the hardest job I've ever heard of.
What does this all have to do with the question at hand? Well, the way I see it, the money in-game is representative of the time you spend playing the game, just like real money shows how much you work. The difference between real money and game money lies in the fact that there is a government making sure that you don't get cheated in the real world. If a bank promises something, they have to back that promise up. They don't, they go to jail. The government ensures that you can trust the bank with the threat of punishment. Otherwise, why would you give your money to a stranger? In the gaming world, there is no government to punish those who betray your trust. You have to rely on other people's ethics. Who would do such a thing? In a game that rewards the most ruthless player, why would you trust anyone? This argument about how this fraud should be a crime because people pay real money for game money is irrelevant. You are paying for the seller's time. Time you do not want to sit in front of the game, earning the money yourself, playing a
game
. That is like paying someone else to play in the touch football game you play every Friday because you don't want to play that week. What sense does that make?
That was the exact same reaction I had to this article. In all seriousness, I wish they had had a list at the end with the most commonly abused, why they are abused, and the side effects. (side effects, very important) Why? If I could take a pill that would make me focus better, the quality of work I do would improve. Yeah, that would benefit my boss, but it would benefit me more. I would spend less time going over things I've already done. I would be able to make connnections in my work, made because I remembered the data better. Heck, I would get some pride out of doing my job better.
Yes, there is a downside. What happens when I use these drugs too much and become dependant on them to function? Adderall makes me focus better. How will I act when I need Adderall to focus, period? A memory pill would be great, but what would I be like if I needed a pill to make any memories at all? It takes the brain a week to counteract the effects of caffine. It takes two weeks cold turkey for your brain to return to normal.
I'm not saying "Just say no," but it would be a thin, fine line to walk between use and abuse.
They won't make it cheaper though. Their goal, as it should be, is to make more money. Any savings they make off of this will go directly to their pockets. Should any protest, they will claim that the cost of maintaining the kiosks takes that savings from them. Maybe in the beginning, it will be cheaper. Once we depend and prefer it to traditional methods, the prices will rise. Check out ATMs. Newfangled "24hr banking," "reducing the need for tellers, so the bank can pass that savings on to you." Has anyone seen a $1.00 or less surcharge for withdrawals lately?
That is incorrect. There is an infinte number of numbers between 3 and 4 and none of them are 5, but it is limited. Only numbers between 3 and 4 allowed. There is no such limit set on the universe. It is possible for a section of wall to "decide" that it doesn't exist long enough for someone to walk through it. It is just really, really, really, improbable.
Slashdot Mirror
If I invent a perpertual motion machine, I sure as hell want to get paid for it! I would like to at least re-coup the development cost. Without copyright, we'd see the birth of the cheaper-than-troll, brother of the copyright troll. Someone spends major $$$ to develop a new concept and the troll buys one, takes it apart and figures out a way to make a cheaper one. Production ensues and the inventor is broke and in the gutter. What motivation does the inventor have to create? Don't give me that crap about the betterment of mankind either, that type of person is extremely rare and would exclude the lesser. Selfish people have ideas too!
The problem is that they are the rational voices in this issue. Makes you feel like playing on a volcano's rim, doesn't it?
The article linked is to the Darwin Awards website, which verifies all its winners. the articles you linked are for the chain-mails that make the rounds. why did you do this?
But but Dr. Kamran Afzal is the greatest in the world!
Pfff.. Politics never make it into the big news, unless the politics involves pages, interns, or large amounts of money improperly changing hands. Oh, wait, that is our political situation. Nevermind.
I really love how the article spells DARPA as Darpa, throught the entire article. Tiny little nitpick error.
And did the poster ever look to find out why that date became later and later? Maybe 'cause a lot of alarmist screamed "It's the end of the world!" So we did something about it. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/mpg/fetrends/420s0600 3.htm (it is the summary of fuel efficiency trends spanning from the 1970s to the present) Also, it is hard to deny confirmable evidence, like if the oceans are fine, why are the dead zones getting larger?http://www.livescience.com/environment/0610 19_ap_dead_zones.html Maybe not all is well... Maybe we should do something now, rather than wait for an mass extinction event. (I just love the words 'extinction event.' Doesn't it just roll off the tongue?)
Islamofacistantiglobalisticexpialidocious is my new favorite word! I'm going to immediately added it to all my conversations!
The chance of madness isn't a selection pressure?
Why is this modded flamebait? This is what you do if you want a change in society. Last I checked we are, theoretically, living in a capitalistic society, not a socialistic one. Why do we keep asking the government to intervene?
!!!! Again with the "slant!" Fine, post something with a pro-Right slant. If the Editors won't post as a headline, post as reply. You posted AC, it won't hurt you! Refute the story, PLEASE! Isn't anyone else horrified by the implications that EITHER side could steal this election?
I am curious as to what a right-leaning article would look like. No, I'm not being a troll, I'm genuinely curious about a positive thing the right has done lately. Considering that the right seems dominated by vocal Christians at the moment, what have they done lately in keeping with their beliefs? Have they passed any bills on greater charity contributions? Have they opened any soup kitchens? Have they visited the imprisoned? I'll take anything. I just returned from that cesspit known as Fox News and all I seem to find are articles attempting vilify anyone who thinks "aggresive interrogations" are wrong. Is that a representive of the right? I'm a Marine, I don't think it is possible for me to not "support our troops." Torture is wrong! There is no what-ifs involved. Are not our morals, our beliefs, our way of life, worth dying for? That is way off topic and a I agree that this article is parnoid and destructive to our way of life, but what is that anymore?
LOL! And I thought that the Bean Burrito was one of the originals. I've never heard of the ham slice meal. Is it like the turkey? If so, I extend my sympathies. The turkey meal was truly horrifying. The vegetarian meals are always in high demand here. I know that around here (Marine Corp) the general consesus is that vegetarian are the better made meals. Not so many scary side dishes. (chocolate energy bar, anyone?)
! You don't like MREs? Oh, how I miss the Bean Burrito meal!
I understand what you are saying! The Command and Conquer series, the Blizzard games (pre-WOW), and to a lesser extent the various Sims games had 2 sections, the storyline section and the free-for-all section. The storyline section started easy but got harder. The free-for-all mode let you select the difficulty. I enjoyed that distinction. If the AI was kicking the crap out of me in story mode, I could go to free-for-all and get better, plus get some bloody revenge on the AI. :P I think those games remain my favorites because I can always go back and give myself a harder challenge.
Actually, it is a bit more complicated than that. If it was that easy, why are we still in debt? (and currently sinking faster) Money, anything from colon to zloty, is a representation of work performed. The problem is that once you move away from a barter economy, money value is no longer fixed to the amount of work you do, it is fixed to the amount of money in the system. The more money in the system, the less work each unit is worth. Essentially, things like the National Debt and T-Bonds are promises of work that have not yet been fulfilled. Printing money to pay these debts would technically pay those debts off, but because of the introduction of the new currency into the system, all that undone work would be shifted onto all us grunts of the system. That would be work that we as a people have already received pay for. We would have to work unpaided to revalue our currency. It is the job of the Treasury to monitor the physical and electronic currency and ensure that the total amount of currency does not excessivly exceed the amount of work being done. That has got be the hardest job I've ever heard of.
What does this all have to do with the question at hand? Well, the way I see it, the money in-game is representative of the time you spend playing the game, just like real money shows how much you work. The difference between real money and game money lies in the fact that there is a government making sure that you don't get cheated in the real world. If a bank promises something, they have to back that promise up. They don't, they go to jail. The government ensures that you can trust the bank with the threat of punishment. Otherwise, why would you give your money to a stranger? In the gaming world, there is no government to punish those who betray your trust. You have to rely on other people's ethics. Who would do such a thing? In a game that rewards the most ruthless player, why would you trust anyone? This argument about how this fraud should be a crime because people pay real money for game money is irrelevant. You are paying for the seller's time. Time you do not want to sit in front of the game, earning the money yourself, playing a
- game
. That is like paying someone else to play in the touch football game you play every Friday because you don't want to play that week. What sense does that make?Yes, there is a downside. What happens when I use these drugs too much and become dependant on them to function? Adderall makes me focus better. How will I act when I need Adderall to focus, period? A memory pill would be great, but what would I be like if I needed a pill to make any memories at all? It takes the brain a week to counteract the effects of caffine. It takes two weeks cold turkey for your brain to return to normal.
I'm not saying "Just say no," but it would be a thin, fine line to walk between use and abuse.
Why didn't you run? You could have been a Senator!
They won't make it cheaper though. Their goal, as it should be, is to make more money. Any savings they make off of this will go directly to their pockets. Should any protest, they will claim that the cost of maintaining the kiosks takes that savings from them. Maybe in the beginning, it will be cheaper. Once we depend and prefer it to traditional methods, the prices will rise. Check out ATMs. Newfangled "24hr banking," "reducing the need for tellers, so the bank can pass that savings on to you." Has anyone seen a $1.00 or less surcharge for withdrawals lately?
That is incorrect. There is an infinte number of numbers between 3 and 4 and none of them are 5, but it is limited. Only numbers between 3 and 4 allowed. There is no such limit set on the universe. It is possible for a section of wall to "decide" that it doesn't exist long enough for someone to walk through it. It is just really, really, really, improbable.