I posit that there is a silent majority of people that are interested in seeing this sort of Ask Slashdot post. The answer may seem obvious but that doesn't negate the value of the discussion. It is almost inevitable that someone will post a unique solution that many people had not considered. That's what we, the silent majority, are here for.

Here is a picture of them putting it into position via robotic arm. Here's another picture of the spacewalk installation.

Robots can do a pretty good job of immersing everyone in the discovery, rather than just the astronauts.

Have a look at this awesome panorama that Mars Rover Opportunity took. JAXA also strapped some HD cameras to their lunar orbiter, Kaguya. Kaguya's cameras benefited science greatly by stitching footage together to create a complete lunar topographical map. The side benefit was some brilliant footage of the lunar landscape to placate the taxpayers.

I don't know about you, but I'd love to see some footage of a nuclear-powered robot drilling into Europa's subsurface ocean.

There's three possibilities:

• It will be too thick and you won't be able to swing the other end 'round.
• It will be too thin and it'll snap where you're holding it.
• It will be just the right thickness to cut your hand in half.

You don't want Goldilocks to be an amputee, do you?

I see there is no way for us to convince each other of our opposing viewpoints. We are arguing over whether Armageddon is a possibility or inevitability. Shall we agree to disagree?

Hitler's rise to power was caused by a want of food, if not entertainment. Germany was pretty well decimated at the end of World War I and bled dry by the concessionary provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. This gave rise to the concept of Lebensraum, where Germany felt it needed to conquer other lands to provide for itself.

I hear what you're saying about Ahmadinejad. He is definitely a looney and is bringing the government of Iran closer to nuclear armament. The people of Iran, however, aren't behind him. The ongoing protests there are a testament to that. Now, Ahmadinejad might ride the backs of the Basij and launch a few missiles at Israel but it won't win the hearts of enough people to be able to build an armament capable of total annihilation. I maintain that the main difference between Hitler and Ahmadinejad is that Ahmadinejad's people already have bread.

Fast international communication has done us a huge favor by making globalization possible. I am hopeful that the new efficiencies caused by new technology and globalization will knock the wind out of madmens' sails. I do not rule out the possibility of the prophesied Armageddon, but I think an astronomic world-ender like an asteroid or radiation storm is more likely. My stance may change if another destructive technology is discovered that is easier to manufacture than nuclear weaponry. Nukes have only been around for a little over half a century. Who knows what the future holds?

I would think that three squares and a movie to watch on Friday night would tend to thin the ranks of those willing to resort to terrorism.

Anyway, a few nuclear explosions here and there are not going to do that much damage. Hell, terrorists could blow away a couple of major cities and humanity would work its way around it. The "mushroom cloud" total destruction scenario you're alluding to would require a pretty impressive engineering feat that would only be within the reach of big governments with the collaboration of many people. A few nutcases like bin Laden and McVeigh won't be able to pull that off.

Perhaps a few terroristic nuclear explosions would cause government to tighten its grip like 9/11 did. I imagine the people wouldn't allow the government that kind of control, but we've already hypothesized about the outcome of oppressive control in movies like Brazil and the Matrix and books like 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. Whether you believe the people would successfully revolt or government would be able to maintain perpetual control is up to you.

That's globalization, man. Eventually China will have their own labor rights movement like the US and Europe did back in the 1800s. Expect at least another Haymarket riot or two. It's not going to be easy, but their standard of living will rise to meet or exceed our own.

That's not a bad thing. Eventually, countries will find specializations and niches to fill and products will once again be made close to home. Why build and ship something halfway across the world when it can be done here? Manufacturing will drop these excesses caused by human rights inequalities between countries (unless some really goofy dictatorial control magically happens). In essence, goods and services will be streamlined and everyone (you, me, and the Chinese) will benefit.

This probably won't happen in our lifetime, but I see humanity going in a pretty nice direction. This doesn't worry me in the least.

To paraphrase the Tao Te Ching:

One only knows what music is because it doesn't sound like noise.

I believe Microsoft's going to win this one. From the article:

However, a trademark application for the name was not filed until May - when rumours about Microsoft's new product had already spread widely across the internet.

Microsoft, meanwhile, filed its own trademark applications for the name in March - for a variety of uses, including search engine software, interface software, advertising, telecoms and for "providing a website and website links to geographic information, map images and trip routing".

There's a New York Times article that discusses the conflict of interest. Of particular interest is this quote:

“Hollywood needs a toll collector,” said Todd Dagres of the venture capital firm Spark Capital, and “Comcast can play the part because online video will erode traditional cable.”

Hulu's not going anywhere. Instead, it will probably be relegated to second-tier content. The content providers will charge for the new stuff and continue to file DMCA notices if content ends up elsewhere. They'll throw the people a bone, charge for the meat, and sue the pants off the vegetarians. Sounds like a Murdochian utopia.

The Supreme Court ruled that thermal devices require a warrant in Kyllo v. United States. I'm sure this radar system will follow precedent.

The USS Cod is docked next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. I went there this summer and was amazed by how small the living quarters were. Apparently the best bunks were above the torpedo tubes in the bow of the submarine because they're furthest away from the diesel engine. Bunks elsewhere were stacked three high about a foot apart and only wide enough for your shoulders. Cramped!

Plus they can charge for their proprietary format! From their store:

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Hey, it worked on me. I'm trying to figure out what word the summary writer was trying to imply. Firetruck maybe?

Enter stage left, swinging on vine.

Nope. That would only work if he said "shut the f.*uck up".

Exit stage right, swinging on vine.