> Money is a proxy here for the input/output ratio of resources, energy and labor.

You're ignoring the time factor. It's a valid proxy *when averaged over time*.

Not considering the time lag creates arguments like "don't invest in new science or technology if it's not immediately profitable". If people behaved this way universally, the various technology revolutions of the past would have never happened.

That's correct, there is no audible difference to a human between a 22kHz sine wave and a 22kHz any-other-shape periodic wave. Not to mention, no adult human can hear 22kHz anyway. I hear 16kHz. My 9-year-old can hear 19kHz. Get a frequency generator app and test yourself -- it's fascinating.

I think the word you're looking for is "diarrhetic". You see, one involves excessive pooping, whilst the other is for excessive urination. A subtle distinction, yes, but nevertheless an important one. The fact that these words are homophones is just a happy coincidence of linguistics.

You're arguing a false dichotomy. My made-up guy is neither Goofus nor Gallant -- he has the skills of Gallant, plus the initiative to do more. That's who I look for in my hires.

Goofus is a per-hour contractor -- you buy his time. Gallant is a per-piece contractor -- you buy his output. In an employee, I want neither -- I want someone who feels like they're part of the mission, and can identify work that needs to be done without some manager handing it to them. People who can do this well deserve to get paid more, get promotions, and still manage to keep a 40-hour week -- plus they get a sense of meaningful ownership of what they do.

They're both bad employees. The best employee is the one who does all his work in an hour, maybe takes a little break and has a snack, then says "Hey Boss, this took less time than expected. What else can I help with?". Your view expects the boss to know everything about all of his staff's work, which frankly is an outdated view outside of manufacturing and other simple, easily measurable areas. In today's complex "knowledge worker" (or pick your favorite buzzword) environment, employees tend to know more than their boss about the details of their work . . . which is a Good Thing (tm), as it increases everyone's capacity for meaningful work.

"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age." -- H. P. Lovecraft, The Call of Cthulhu

QUICK, STOP ALL SCIENCE

Sounds like a very expensive donkey/mule replacement. Why not just use real animals?

> pro-U.S. propaganda: The Russian space program sucks.

I remember when I learned (well into adulthood) that the Russians had landed probes on Venus, and even sent photographs back from the surface. I was obsessed with space travel as a kid in the 80s, and really feel like that was kept hidden from me as an American student.

I've never understood why people feel they have a right to choose to do something dangerous.

Because that's how freedom works. I've never understood why people feel the need to throw their freedom away based on fear.

And why can't the city just let this one go?

Because people are punitive vindictive little trolls for the most part, especially when it comes to someone challenging their authority. It's the same reason why cops beat speeders, same reason why parents spank their kids. "How dare you challenge me?" is what their brain says. People think that doling out harsh punishments will somehow free them of their anger inside. Anger derived from a sense of loss-of-power, because their identity is based on power. To me, that's not true power at all. True power would be to rise above all that and act compassionately. You're powerful because you can inflict harm on another person? Nope, you're powerful if you can overcome yourself....

I detest how America sees becoming rich and famous as the only measure of being successful. I have a good job, wife, and kids, and wouldn't trade them for all the money or fame in the world. In fact, I've had money, but now money and fame would make me miserable, and who knows what it would do to my relationship with my family. It's like how people win the lottery and it destroys their life. I would say you have not become successful in life until you have shed your desire for material things, ego gratification, etc... Money might buy temporary pleasure, but not true happiness.

Ban alcohol?!?! Well fuck THAT!

Would it be legal for me to equip my car with a jamming device that would render any GPS attached to it inoperable, just in case the FBI ever decides to attach one of these things? Once you find it it's easy to fuck with it, but what about all that time spent before you actually found the thing?

If this tech is so top-secret, why don't they spend some time and build a self-immolate feature into the entire helicopter? They don't really seem to try to not let the tech fall into the wrong hands...