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Comment Re:Oh Okay (Score 1) 199

So by this logic, someone could write a computer program that would randomly file a take down notice against Warnerbros.com and it would be OK, since it was done by a computer algorithm.

.

Seems to me that they should suffer the same kind of damages that they would insist on if someone tried that stunt. Can we say $N,000,000 per instance?

Comment Objective? (Score 1) 385

I've read some of the comments, one way and another, and would like to make a couple of observations:

  1. Insurance companies collect money whether a claim is paid or not.
  2. Collecting higher premiums is good (from the insurer's perspective).
  3. If, after having collected said higher premiums, the claims against policies are not higher, this is even better (for the insurance company).

The only thing preventing the insurance companies from raising rates is competition. If they can point to something like GW as justification, they stand to make more money. At worst, they won't loose any. Yes, there are higher costs associated with weather related events, but as has been pointed out in many posts, there are more people building (more expensive) structures in areas subject to those events. Global Warming? Can't say, since I'm not scientifically trained in climatology. But you might want to hedge your bets either way.

Not everyone agrees.

Comment Still a ways go go (Score 1) 347

I don't know what the tech will be like in 10 to 15 years, but right now the material that you use in the current generation of 3D printers to produce an object costs more than the object would if made using traditional manufacturing. The only place that it makes sense to use it right now is where you can't use mass production techniques... i.e.: individually customized items.

Of course, that is now. If those costs drop (and there is no reason to believe they won't), then traditional IP will be out the window. At that point, a consumer would be able to print a standard widget for the cost of running the printer. At that point, customization of the CAD drawings will be where the money will be at.

Comment Does Quantum Foam Have Density? (Score 2) 164

I'm not up on the details of contemporary physics, but it occurs to me that since the universe is supposed to have been expanding since the big bang, the overall density has decreased during that time. Does space/time and the Quantum Foam also have a density that might affect the rate at which super massive black holes could gobble it? Could conditions in the early universe encourage black hole growth/consolidation more than the current space environment?

Black hole growth via this method may still occur today, and be measurable in our own and nearby galaxies, but the rate may be so slow that it is hidden by other factors, e.g.: consumption of local stars/gas clouds.

Comment Re:The urban poor subsidized the rich for a while (Score 1) 372

That article was specifically addressing Washington state. While other states will also have a tax burden on the poor, it will vary from place to place.

Of course the rich pay local and sales taxes as well. The main point your are trying to make is that they may not have to buy as much of the taxed items to live comfortably. But almost everyone I know spends all of their money on something, and it is fairly difficult to find places to buy things now were you don't pay taxes. I will tell you that when I buy stuff in is a lot more than 3%! Of course, I'm not in the highest-income class you mention. Maybe the folks who spend their money on big Yachts and private Jets do.

Should we subsidize country poor? Sure. But you can buy and maintain a satellite phone more cheaply than $3000/line!

Comment Meaningless Effort (Score 1) 119

The headline as presented is about as worthless as the UK project.

First, is there non-terrestrial life? Almost certainly, given the number of planets that we are seeing just in the nearby stars in our own galaxy.

Second, is any of this life intelligent? I would speculate that somewhere, there is what could be termed intelligent life, just on a statistical basis.

Third, can we contact that intelligent life in any way? This I have grave doubts about, since even in the best case, it lies many light years distance from our solar system, and the amount of effort required to transmit a detectable signal is huge... even if you know exactly what direction to point your signaling device.

Is the project worth doing? Perhaps, but only for entertainment value, and perhaps to generate some spinoff tech that can be used for something useful.

Comment Re:historical context of licensing in america (Score 1) 371

To add to nimbius's comment, the provision's of the currently proposed rules amendment are not a general relaxation of the anti-crypto use of amateur radio. They are specifically addressing the use of encryption during emergency public service events where Hams work with government agencies that use encryption to send sensitive information. It's a case of not being able to support the emergency (public service) without ignoring the rule for this specific instance.

Disclosure: I am a licensed ham with an Amateur Extra license, just because I liked studying for/taking exams.

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