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Comment how many standards do we need? (Score 2) 696

When it comes to trading our privacy for (the illusion of) security we're constantly told that if we have nothing to hide we shouldn't have a problem. Obviously the government(s) and corporations have lots to hide and have a big problem.

Why does the public have to stand naked in front of the TSA while those to whom we have delegated authority get to hide their actions?

The greatest danger posed by WikiLeaks is to raise the possibility that those who are responsible for our security have higher priorities.

Comment Can we charge for ear worms? (Score 1) 291

When I was a kid we brought in milk money. And we got nutrition. Now it's payoff money and we avoid litigation. "Tommy, you forgot your music money? Go sit in the corner with the noise canceling headphones". "No, Mary. Being tone deaf doesn't mean you get a discount". ROTFLMFHO Next- a charge for singing hymns in church.

Comment can net neutrality exist without regulation? (Score 1) 705

Corporations own the internet. At least they own the backbones, distribution networks and a lot of the content providers. And the default state of corporations is to manipulate the business environment to maximize return. If a corporation owned a bridge it would have to charge a toll to cross the bridge, If it didn't, its shareholders would sue and replace the board of directors. The first amendment is a regulation. Traffic lights are regulation. I don't know of anyone who thinks that we're over-regulated and that the first amendment and traffic lights should go. Unfortunately, corporate ownership means that some equal and opposite force, i.e. regulation is necessary. Of course regulatory power could guarantee net neutrality along with government censorship. Unfortunately, there is no umbrella organization large enough to codify a set of rules which would assure net neutrality without th need for government intervention. No regulation? Well, look what happened when deregulation allowed commercial banks to become investment banks.

Comment The louder voice (Score 1) 410

Lobbyists get to speak to government officials every day. Citizens only get to speak on election day. The lobbies pay for the advertising that gets lawmakers elected. While we pay their salaries we get little attention. Bad legislation gets passed. Regulations are modified waiving what little safeguards get written. Business trumps consumers every time and consumers are kept in the dark by proprietary business secrets and national security. Well, when the bees are gone and the beef industry can't keep their livestock standing by feeding them more antibiotics there will always be Soylent Green.

Comment Re:Universal Health, I mean, Internet Care? (Score 1) 434

Look at the bright side. At some point the traffic volume levels off when you can't increase the license plate size large enough to increase the number of characters shown and all combinations are in use. We're running out of TCP/IP V4 addresses. Just don't go to V6. That will give the networks time to grow.

Comment Re:The text in a readable format (Score 1) 434

Too many secrets. Looks like we need (vetted) wikis to analyze and publish reports about the companies that are holding us hostage for monthly ransoms. One side-effect would be a total lack of credibility for government critiques of things like wikileaks. Keep the consumer in the dark and milk him/her as long as possible.

Comment Little bit o' irony (Score 1) 405

While in a courthouse in New Jersey for a civil trial I noticed that there were many, many open Wi-Fi networks available. It was impossible to find a public area that didn't have excellent signal. So they've spent a fortune equipping the courthouses with wireless networks and are surprised when people use them without thinking.

.

Irony? Hey this is the state that has Newark Liberty Airport.

Science

Scientists Discover Solar Powered Hornets 177

adeelarshad82 writes "The oriental hornet is more active during the day, and tends to become even more active as the temperature rises. And now scientists have discovered the reason: the hornets are solar powered. It turns out that the distinctive yellow stripe on the hornet's abdomen is actually full of tiny protrusions that gather sunlight and harness it for energy. The insect also features a special pigment, called xanthopterin, that helps with the process."

Comment Re:He had me until... (Score 1) 728

I'm glad that you said, "We were attacked from Afghanistan" rather that the more usual "we were attacked by Afghanistan". We've managed in our usual provincial way to walk into a problematic situation and ratchet it up to impossible. We've managed to do almost everything we could to help recruit revolutionaries who vow to destroy us. Not satisfied to recruit enemies abroad we are marginalizing and alienating American Muslims to create a hidden domestic threat. Well, when that happens all those who have been speaking against American Muslims will have their evidence. Reminds me of our treatment of Americans of Japanese descent at the beginning of WWII.
Privacy

TSA Saw My Junk, Missed Razor Blades, Says Adam Savage 609

An anonymous reader writes "The TSA isn't the most respected of governmental agencies right now, but at least it comes by the poor reputation honestly. The lack of standards, inconsistent application of searches and policies, and occasional rude agent all combine to make flying an unpleasant experience. It's often derided as 'security theater,' which describes the experience of Mythbuster Adam Savage before a recent flight. Savage was put through the full-body scanner, and while he joked that it made his penis feel small, no one seemed to notice the items he was carrying on his person. The video tells the rest of the story."
Hardware Hacking

The DIY Car Computer vs. the iPad 202

Julie188 writes "Auto dealers are selling infotainment systems at a nice fat profit, but if you know your way around a motherboard and power supply you can rip out your car stereo and replace it with a do-it-yourself touchscreen PC, complete with DVD, GPS, TV, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, MP3, and Internet surfing. The question is, is that even worth the bother? Or is it better to bolt a mount into the car for an iPad or a Galaxy tablet and call it good?"

Comment actions have consequences - or should, anyway. (Score 1) 709

The technology exists to prevent texting if the phone is traveling at more that 5 MPH. But what if it's being used by a passenger? On a bus?

How about having the police automatically log the time/location of any accident or infraction and having the info cross-checked against the driver's cell phone billing. Just remember not to allow your spouse to text with your phone while you're driving. My wife was nearly killed in an accident where another driver left his lane for no apparent reason. I'd love to know if he had a phone in his hand.

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