I accidentally came across this quote today. In addition to JonKatz's post, this might help people to better understand the Seattle protestors' fear and anger.
Also, let me weigh in here with a personal opinion. The peaceful protestors are fully within their rights to protest the WTO and corporatism. They should be lauded for their courage and citizenship. The rioters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The quote:
From politics I have come to believe the following:
(1) Most people are basically honest, kind and decent.
(2) The American people are wise enough to run their own affairs. The do not need Fuehrers, Strong Men, Technocrats, Commissars, Silver Shirts, Theocrats, or any other sort of dictator.
(3) Americans have a compatible community of ambitions. Most of them don't want to be rich but do want enough economic security to permit them to raise families in decent comfort without fear of the future. They want the least government necessary to this purpose and don't greatly mind what the other fellow does as long as it does not interfere with them living their own lives. As a people we are neither money mad nor prying. We are easy-going and anarchistic. We may want to keep up with the Joneses -- but not with the Vanderbilts. We don't like cops.
(4) Democracy is not an automatic condition resulting from laws and constitutions. It is a living, dynamic process which must be worked at by you yourself -- or it ceases to be democracy, even if the shell and form remains.
(5) One way or another, any government which remains in power is a representative government. If your city government is a crooked machine, then it is because you and your neighbors prefer it that way -- prefer it to the effort of running your own affairs. Hitler's government was a popular government; the vast majority of Germans preferred the rule of gangsters to the effort of thinking and doing for themselves. They abdicated their franchise.
(6) Democracy is the most efficient form of government ever invented by the human race. On the record, it has worked better in peace and in war than fascism, communism, or any other form of dictatorship. As for the mythical yardstick of 'benevolent' monarchy or dictatorship -- there ain't no such animal!
(7) A single citizen, with no political connections and no money, can be extremely effective in politics.
From Take Back Your Government - A Practical Handbook for the private citizen who wants democracy to work.
By Robert A. Heinlein.
Copyright 1992 by Mrs. Virginia Heinlein.
The preface indicates that the book was completed in April, 1946.
The quote is from the Chapter 1 (pages 3 and 4 in the Baen Paperback edition published August, 1992.)
But the tragic view of technology eliminates this silly argument. It holds that while there is plenty of evil in the world, the essentially tragic fact is not so much the war of good with evil as the war of good with good.
Technology is tragic only as much as human beings are tragic. Technology, whether it is a lever or a computer, is simply a human amplifier. Used well, it makes better. Used poorly, it makes worse. Unintended evils do accompany the use of technology, but unintended benefits appear as well.
A philosophy can take into account the role of technology in human affairs. It cannot, however, successfully become the foundation of that viewpoint. The Tragic view of Technology is simply the tragic view of Humanity. That tragic view is only one amoung many philosophical views. By pushing a tragic view of technology, one is simply projecting philosophy of humanity as tragedy.
Byfromus Corporation today announced their latest breakthrough in physical fitness technology: Exercise-For-U(TM). Based upon startling research by Prof. Kevin Warwick, Exercise-For-U(USDA) allows even the most slothful geeks to become fit and trim. Using their proprietary Neuro-Stim(TM,Pat.Pend,WeOwnItSoThere) bio-implant technology, Byfromus can guarantee even the most slothful slackers will look and feel like they actually care about their bodies.
The Exercise-For-U(Int[10]) system utilizes an array of implanted Neuro-Stim(TM,Copyright,WeToldYouWeOwnIt) chips which interface directly with the nervous system of the user. When the user goes to sleep, Exercise-For-U(Bat. Not Incl.) runs their body through a series of customized multi-hour exercises. A special Consciousness-Supressor(TM Pend.) circuit keeps the user in a state of blissful coma while the Exercise-For-U(COD) chips work their body into a frenzied sweat. When finished, the system then gently lowers the users body back into bed.
Order yours today for only $40,000 + tax (Monthly service fees apply). No refunds. Use at your own risk. No warranty is expressed or implied by this offer. Your mileage may vary. Some surgery required.
Byfromus Corp. is a subsidiary of EvilGenius Intl.
BEP is a genial name for our green polar friend, as opposed to the insulting traditional moniker "BEM" or "Bug Eyed Monster" of science fiction tradition.
P.S. BEP is also the best name because it is short enough to be shown on his space suit and still be readable on the mission patch.
The next obvious modification is to edit in genes from Bing Crosby and Jerry Seinfeld so that your glow-in-the-dark tree serenade's your guests and loved ones with:
"Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg..."
I just don't get what is so great about an iBook. It's an overpriced, underperforming, oversized, heavy laptop that looks like a toilet seat.
I played with one yesterday at a CompUSA, so perhaps I can help answer this with a short review. I guess the best way is point by point:
- Overpriced. Not that I can see. I have been pricing comparably spec-ed consumer laptops lately. Most fall between US$1300 and US$2000, so the iBook is right in the middle at $1600. Also, it has some unique and appealing features: a tough rounded case, latchless clamshell lid, built-in handle, open port cover (no more broken or snagged covers), easy access to upgrading memory via the liftoff keyboard, and the AirPort wireless LAN option.
- Underperforming. This one is harder to judge. It depends on what you plan to use it for and whose performance measurements you use. One quick criticism is that Apple should ship these things with a minimum of 64MB of RAM. Subjectively, it was quick and responsive. Bugdom (Mac only 3D game) looked and felt smoother than on a 233Mhz desktop G3 with a RAGE ORION card. Various applications launched quickly. I noticed no glitches or hiccups when simultaneously running several quicktime movies. The sound from its single speaker stunk. Ergonomically, the combination of the active matrix LCD plus the white screen border and light case cover made the screen seem even brighter and crisper than a regular active matrix screen. The trackpad is the best, bar none, I have ever used. The keyboard was a comfortable size. The keys seemed a bit small in size and had a short clicky throw that I thought could feel better. My wife, who is a Unix sysadmin that regularly uses a Dell laptop 15+ hours per day for her job, said the keyboard felt normal to her.
- Oversized & Heavy. It did seem large compared to other laptops I have used. It was not near any others, so I could not do a direct size comparison. It is heavy. As a consequence, I think they need to reshape the handle to make it easier to get a good palm grip versus a finger grip. Smaller hands probably can easily palm grip the handle, though. Unlike other laptops I have used, the iBook feels sturdy. Close the case, flip up the handle and it feels like you could batter down a door with it. The springloaded latchless closing works well and feels solid. The rounded case feels very comfortable when holding in both hands. The case is lightly textured and is easy to hold without slipping. When closed, it has a frisbee-esque feel to it. The salesman literally lunged when I mimed a frisbee throw motion with it.
- Looks like a toilet seat. Maybe it does on TV. In person, it looked like a truncated teardrop. I think this is a personal taste issue for most people. Besides who owns a two tone, aqua on white toilet seat?
- Why run Linux on iBook. Because you can. The Universe is infinitely perverse. Seriously, if you run both MacOS and Linux why buy two seperate laptops? I remember when the iBook was first announced. The first/. post I read said "so when will it run Linux?". If someone built Babbage's Analytical Engine, the first comment on/. will be "so when will it run Linux" followed shortly by "FreeBSD would make it more secure."
- Can someone explain why they are so popular. Because it is fun. Because its simple. Because they like the colors. Because it sets you apart from the rest of the pack. Because it is a conversation piece. Because it does the jobs people want done. Because it is different.
A last bit. I went to look at the iBook because both my USMC daughter and soon to be high school graduate son both called me long distance ON THE SAME DAY to beg for their own iBooks. After looking at one for 20 minutes, my unix-guru wife turned to me and said "I want one too!". Sigh.
Since the Kasparov v. World game has several fundamental flaws (Windows only voting, insecure balloting, champion directed moves, arbitrary ballot disqualification, etc), this game should be considered moot.
I doubt Kasparov will be lured into another one of these games. Instead, it would be a much more interesting proposition to have a World v. World match to investigate the Many_Minds_Cooperating = Greater_Intelligence proposition.
Suggestions for a World v. World match: - Give each participant a unique registered voter ID - Set up a move market exchange instead of pure voting for moves, ala the Foresight Idea Exchange - Do not allow mixing between sides. Market exchange is split into two seperate exchanges. - Restrict players to only one side. No spying. (Q: how to implement to eliminate spying and sandbagging? This is a problem analogous to secure credit-card transactions, only worse.) - Have GrandMasters do a postmortem analysis of the game, but no live analysis of moves.
Heck, I'm starting to look around and see what it takes to get into the field, just because I think I'd rather help bring it around than just sit and hope.
Slashdot Mirror
I accidentally came across this quote today. In addition to JonKatz's post, this might help people to better understand the Seattle protestors' fear and anger.
Also, let me weigh in here with a personal opinion. The peaceful protestors are fully within their rights to protest the WTO and corporatism. They should be lauded for their courage and citizenship. The rioters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The quote:
From politics I have come to believe the following:
(1) Most people are basically honest, kind and decent.
(2) The American people are wise enough to run their own affairs. The do not need Fuehrers, Strong Men, Technocrats, Commissars, Silver Shirts, Theocrats, or any other sort of dictator.
(3) Americans have a compatible community of ambitions. Most of them don't want to be rich but do want enough economic security to permit them to raise families in decent comfort without fear of the future. They want
the least government necessary to this purpose and don't greatly mind what the other fellow does as long as it does not interfere with them living their own lives. As a people we are neither money mad nor prying. We are
easy-going and anarchistic. We may want to keep up with the Joneses -- but not with the Vanderbilts. We don't like cops.
(4) Democracy is not an automatic condition resulting from laws and constitutions. It is a living, dynamic process which must be worked at by you yourself -- or it ceases to be democracy, even if the shell and form
remains.
(5) One way or another, any government which remains in power is a representative government. If your city government is a crooked machine, then it is because you and your neighbors prefer it that way -- prefer it to
the effort of running your own affairs. Hitler's government was a popular government; the vast majority of Germans preferred the rule of gangsters to the effort of thinking and doing for themselves. They abdicated their
franchise.
(6) Democracy is the most efficient form of government ever invented by the human race. On the record, it has worked better in peace and in war than fascism, communism, or any other form of dictatorship. As for the
mythical yardstick of 'benevolent' monarchy or dictatorship -- there ain't no such animal!
(7) A single citizen, with no political connections and no money, can be extremely effective in politics.
From Take Back Your Government - A Practical Handbook for the private citizen who wants democracy to work.
By Robert A. Heinlein.
Copyright 1992 by Mrs. Virginia Heinlein.
The preface indicates that the book was completed in April, 1946.
The quote is from the Chapter 1 (pages 3 and 4 in the Baen Paperback edition published August, 1992.)
Robert A. Henlein in Take Back Your Government.
IV
Nope. That is what your Aibo is for:
"Here Aibo, here Aibo. Good boy. Now put this Myth II CD in that little slot over there..."
IV
The various Lego Mindstorm kits are great fun for geeks of all ages.
IV
But the tragic view of technology eliminates this silly argument. It holds that while there is plenty of evil in the world, the essentially tragic fact is not so much the war of good with evil as the war of good with good.
Technology is tragic only as much as human beings are tragic. Technology, whether it is a lever or a computer, is simply a human amplifier. Used well, it makes better. Used poorly, it makes worse. Unintended evils do accompany the use of technology, but unintended benefits appear as well.
A philosophy can take into account the role of technology in human affairs. It cannot, however, successfully become the foundation of that viewpoint. The Tragic view of Technology is simply the tragic view of Humanity. That tragic view is only one amoung many philosophical views. By pushing a tragic view of technology, one is simply projecting philosophy of humanity as tragedy.
IV
Byfromus Corp., PRESS RELEASE - April 1, 2005.
Byfromus Corporation today announced their latest breakthrough in physical fitness technology: Exercise-For-U(TM). Based upon startling research by Prof. Kevin Warwick, Exercise-For-U(USDA) allows even the most slothful geeks to become fit and trim. Using their proprietary Neuro-Stim(TM,Pat.Pend,WeOwnItSoThere) bio-implant technology, Byfromus can guarantee even the most slothful slackers will look and feel like they actually care about their bodies.
The Exercise-For-U(Int[10]) system utilizes an array of implanted Neuro-Stim(TM,Copyright,WeToldYouWeOwnIt) chips which interface directly with the nervous system of the user. When the user goes to sleep, Exercise-For-U(Bat. Not Incl.) runs their body through a series of customized multi-hour exercises. A special Consciousness-Supressor(TM Pend.) circuit keeps the user in a state of blissful coma while the Exercise-For-U(COD) chips work their body into a frenzied sweat. When finished, the system then gently lowers the users body back into bed.
Order yours today for only $40,000 + tax (Monthly service fees apply). No refunds. Use at your own risk. No warranty is expressed or implied by this offer. Your mileage may vary. Some surgery required.
Byfromus Corp. is a subsidiary of EvilGenius Intl.
I sent them the following entry:
His name is BEP, short for "Bug Eyed Penguin".
BEP is a genial name for our green polar friend, as opposed to the
insulting traditional moniker "BEM" or "Bug Eyed Monster" of science
fiction tradition.
P.S. BEP is also the best name because it is short enough to be shown
on his space suit and still be readable on the mission patch.
IV
The next obvious modification is to edit in genes from Bing Crosby and Jerry Seinfeld so that your glow-in-the-dark tree serenade's your guests and loved ones with:
"Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg..."
IV
I just don't get what is so great about an iBook. It's an overpriced, underperforming, oversized, heavy laptop that looks like a toilet seat.
/. post I read said "so when will it run Linux?". If someone built Babbage's Analytical Engine, the first comment on /. will be "so when will it run Linux" followed shortly by "FreeBSD would make it more secure."
I played with one yesterday at a CompUSA, so perhaps I can help answer this with a short review. I guess the best way is point by point:
- Overpriced. Not that I can see. I have been pricing comparably spec-ed consumer laptops lately. Most fall between US$1300 and US$2000, so the iBook is right in the middle at $1600. Also, it has some unique and appealing features: a tough rounded case, latchless clamshell lid, built-in handle, open port cover (no more broken or snagged covers), easy access to upgrading memory via the liftoff keyboard, and the AirPort wireless LAN option.
- Underperforming. This one is harder to judge. It depends on what you plan to use it for and whose performance measurements you use. One quick criticism is that Apple should ship these things with a minimum of 64MB of RAM. Subjectively, it was quick and responsive. Bugdom (Mac only 3D game) looked and felt smoother than on a 233Mhz desktop G3 with a RAGE ORION card. Various applications launched quickly. I noticed no glitches or hiccups when simultaneously running several quicktime movies. The sound from its single speaker stunk. Ergonomically, the combination of the active matrix LCD plus the white screen border and light case cover made the screen seem even brighter and crisper than a regular active matrix screen. The trackpad is the best, bar none, I have ever used. The keyboard was a comfortable size. The keys seemed a bit small in size and had a short clicky throw that I thought could feel better. My wife, who is a Unix sysadmin that regularly uses a Dell laptop 15+ hours per day for her job, said the keyboard felt normal to her.
- Oversized & Heavy. It did seem large compared to other laptops I have used. It was not near any others, so I could not do a direct size comparison. It is heavy. As a consequence, I think they need to reshape the handle to make it easier to get a good palm grip versus a finger grip. Smaller hands probably can easily palm grip the handle, though. Unlike other laptops I have used, the iBook feels sturdy. Close the case, flip up the handle and it feels like you could batter down a door with it. The springloaded latchless closing works well and feels solid. The rounded case feels very comfortable when holding in both hands. The case is lightly textured and is easy to hold without slipping. When closed, it has a frisbee-esque feel to it. The salesman literally lunged when I mimed a frisbee throw motion with it.
- Looks like a toilet seat. Maybe it does on TV. In person, it looked like a truncated teardrop. I think this is a personal taste issue for most people. Besides who owns a two tone, aqua on white toilet seat?
- Why run Linux on iBook. Because you can. The Universe is infinitely perverse. Seriously, if you run both MacOS and Linux why buy two seperate laptops? I remember when the iBook was first announced. The first
- Can someone explain why they are so popular. Because it is fun. Because its simple. Because they like the colors. Because it sets you apart from the rest of the pack. Because it is a conversation piece. Because it does the jobs people want done. Because it is different.
A last bit. I went to look at the iBook because both my USMC daughter and soon to be high school graduate son both called me long distance ON THE SAME DAY to beg for their own iBooks. After looking at one for 20 minutes, my unix-guru wife turned to me and said "I want one too!". Sigh.
I hope that helps.
IV
Since the Kasparov v. World game has several fundamental flaws (Windows only voting, insecure balloting, champion directed moves, arbitrary ballot disqualification, etc), this game should be considered moot.
I doubt Kasparov will be lured into another one of these games. Instead, it would be a much more interesting proposition to have a World v. World match to investigate the Many_Minds_Cooperating = Greater_Intelligence proposition.
Suggestions for a World v. World match:
- Give each participant a unique registered voter ID
- Set up a move market exchange instead of pure voting for moves, ala the Foresight Idea Exchange
- Do not allow mixing between sides. Market exchange is split into two seperate exchanges.
- Restrict players to only one side. No spying. (Q: how to implement to eliminate spying and sandbagging? This is a problem analogous to secure credit-card transactions, only worse.)
- Have GrandMasters do a postmortem analysis of the game, but no live analysis of moves.
IV
Start with the Foresight Institute .
Make sure you read the Nanotech Study Guide .
Then go to the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing .
Also look at Zyvex , a company founded to develop molecular nanotechnology.
For fun, read Neal Stephenson's DIAMOND AGE and Michael Flynn's NANOTECH CHRONICLES .
Good luck.