The drug machine is caused by government prohibition. No innocent people would be hurt if the government stayed out of these personal decisions.

Patents are not granted for the benefit of a few. They are granted because: The Congress shall have power ... To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries; Having said that, I agree that the question should be "why should they be able to patent it."

The number of male and female MD graduates is almost equal: http://kff.org/other/state-ind... and women outnumber men in obtaining a degree: https://collegepuzzle.stanford...

Oh, come now. You are total wrong here. Look how successful our solar panel manufacturers are. That would have never happened without government investment! I'm sure the same thing will happen in the EU. I mean, if government doesn't pick winners and losers, who will?

Conservatives would eliminate government subsidized student loans. So, whether we agree or disagree with that policy, it would guarantee that the situation you mention would never come to pass.

Nearly 100% rejection of race-baiting and skin color preferences. Things really have changed for the better.

Damned if you do... damned if you do, I think.

I don't think "affirmative action" means what you think it means. "Affirmative action" as applied is a system were underrepresented minorities are given a preference in admissions and hiring. Asians aren't an underrepresented minority in just about anything. In fact, they represent overwhelming majorities in many areas and are the most hurt by skin-color preference programs (aka "Affirmative Action"). We may hold different opinions on whether we should judge someone based on the color of their skin (I don't think we should), but we certainly can't argue fact, and how "affirmative action" is applied is fact.

One of the most insightful comments I've read on Slashdot.

I've played games like "Path of Exile" where I've enjoyed the game so much, I decided to drop $20 or so on in-app purchases, even if they weren't going to actually help me advance in the game. I've done the same for other apps that I've enjoyed. If you enjoy the game, it can't hurt to reward the developer. Now, $10,000, well that is a bit extreme.

Labor and maintenance.

I've never been overly positive or negative of Microsoft. However, having just installed Windows 8, I can say that it is seriously good. If that kills my geek street cred, then so be it. If you are worried about Windows 8, you should be. This is the first time I've really "liked" an operating system UI.

I agree that this is not a new process. However, we don't know (at least from the article), what type of efficiencies they are seeing (although we can guess). If a reasonably efficient mechanism can be worked out (maybe something above 50%), you could imagine solar factories being built in the middle of deserts or other inhospitable and remote regions. This would be orthogonal to the current power generation infrastructure and would serve to offset some of the petroleum currently being used.

I think he means that he "has not yet begun to fight!"

Sorry, but I'm not going to swap my new, $10,000 battery for something from the local Sip 'N Go. Now, if batteries were as cheap as propane tanks, then this might be a good idea. However, by that time, battery efficiency and charging technology will be such that swapping won't be necessary. Electric cars will take off when battery technology improves (and becomes cheaper).