Yep, extreme optimism is just as much a part of the illness as extreme pessimism, both extremes are disconnected from reality.

Would you say a financially comfortable american with terminal cancer is 'better off' than 99% of the world? - Of course not. Same thing with depression, depression is not self pity, it is a mental illness that has fuck all to do with the size of your wallet. As Robin Williams demonstrated, sufferers are unable to endure living even when swimming in money.

I'm not having a go at you personally, most people who don't understand depression have your dismissive attitude. I suggest you try educating yourself on the subject because odds are you will encounter a loved one with depression at some point in your life and it's handy to know what to do after telling them to "cheer up" doesn't work.

As for TFA, I don't find it surprising that "start up" people have a high proportion of manic-depressives, the manic phase of the illness is characterized by extreme optimism.

Shameless plug for a good cause

Please, please, PLEASE do not use this device in the amateur radio bands (or any other band, for that matter) without first obtaining all certifications and licenses that are required by law.

Amateur radio operators are very welcoming to new LEGAL users of the amateur spectrum - they do NOT tolerate pirate/unlicensed activity.

I'm very surprised that the kickstarter campaign doesn't mention FCC compliance testing in their 'known risks' category. Getting an intentional radiator tested and approved/certificated is not a trivial exercise, even if it's sold as a kit. If they intend to leave 'out of band transmit' enabled, they're going to run afoul of a ton of Part 2 and Part 15 rules.

Sadly, the speed of light makes latency a problem, wireless communication can be tough in some environments, and... have you seen the security protocols used in day-to-day military applications?

Yes, we're going to drone it, but drones aren't a perfect answer. Now, carrier airships with drone fleets deployed in flight?

StarCraft, baby. Let's do it.

Managing engineers has been unfavorably compared to herding cats, both tasks are all about effective communication and (benevolent) manipulation. Engineers generally don't have these skills unless they have had some other life experiences such as (say) bartending at a busy pub. Having said that, most programmers can recognise a good manager if they are lucky enough to encounter one.

Disclaimer: 56, turned down the boss's job a couple of years ago - been there, done that in my late 30's, learnt a lot but ultimately not worth the aggravation at my age. If you don't have a niche, you won''t get good money at any age, in any industry. People who have a marketable niche know what it is, if you are caught in a dying niche...well...maybe you should have been paying more attention earlier?

Fucking hypocrite, you don't want to pay "grunts" $60k/yr but I'd bet my left testical that you wouldn't trade jobs with a mexican farm hand for the same amount. Insufferable snobs like you are the first to burst into self-centered tears when life hands you the choice of food vs grunt work.

The regulations existed long before uber did, "computer dispatch" is so 1970. You can't change those regulations by pretending they don't apply to computers, so ultimately it is uber who will have to change to comply with those regulations, just like every other "get rich quick" scheme that ignores business realities such as compulsory insurance. There's nothing inherently wrong with the uber concept, but flouting the current laws in order to implement it is basically the definition of organised crime.

Melbourne Australia, I worked as a driver for 3 years, cabs are cleaned inside and out twice a day. It is the cab driver, not the owner, who is held responsible. Dirty cabs will receive an on the spot fine and will be forced to spend the rest of their shift getting it cleaned and re-inspected by the transport cops. Random inspections at taxi ranks are common. The number of taxi drivers who "stink" is no higher than that found in the general population who ride in the cab. For example, there were several houses in my area that most drivers (legally) refused to service because of the customers odour. Get someone like that in your cab and the stench lingers for hours after they have gone.

WTF have your shares got to do with your desire to deliberately trash the life savings of millions of taxi drivers in the western world?. They entered into a contract with the government, if the government breaks that contract by changing the law then drivers should definitely be fairly compensated. Business confidence is important, if the government started breaking contracts as you suggest the economy would go down the toilet faster than a new york rat.

Take the unemployed into government jobs. Forbid utilities from increasing their price (but giving them "subsidies"). In 3 or 4 years Greece will be a FINE place to live. You'll see a lot of expensive cars in the streets, lots of new buildings, overall support for the government. The president will be re-elected with an overwhelming majority. And in 10 to 15 years Greece will be struggling again. How do I know? Because as an Argentinian, this is what i live with every day.

So Argentina "Atlas Shrugged" itself into an unholy mess? Whoda thunk it?

Sounds like the Obama plan - free phones, free healthcare, free money!

Check out post-WWI German and Austrian Notgeld for one of the first 'fringe currencies' in general circulation.

The water in the Bothnian bay and Bothnian sea is not salt water.

Many Bothnians died to bring us this information.

Nah, use those net shotgun shells. Wrap the drone up like a human in "Planet of the Apes".

I have coyotes, a certain type of vulture, ...

For a minute there I had a vision of winged coyotes swooping down from the sky.