Maybe we need a new way to look at the table:

http://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/1373923/Rebuilding_the_Periodic_Debate__Philip_Stewart.html

So, can you fill us in? What are the implications of such discoveries? Or is this another one of those things that happen (a happy accident) with no real consequence besides filling up a few research papers?

Right. And ultimately, the benevolent overlords that we give complete control of our society to will be the sizes of cake tins with no capability for self mobility. That will be left to the robot butlers that carry the overlords on neck chains, looking like diminutive versions of Flavor Flav. Bi-di-bi-di...bi-di-bi-di.

I find it more likely that, from the point in time that a computer achieved sentience to the time we were outmatched, we'd have time to realize we were screwed. Of course, I'm not the first one to think this.

I suppose that sooner or later we'll invent the next big thing that could kill us all. Even if in the study of how to deal with it, we accidentally invent it, at least there's a reasonable chance that, in the act of creation, we will have discovered a solution to the new problem. Like where the off switch is for the gone-mad computer.

Bad timing. The best deals on TVs are always the day before Superbowl Sunday (at least in the U.S.).

The only thing indisputable is Congress' right to ban marijuana for the purposes of interstate commerce. Everything else is a matter for the Supreme Court. Unless, of course, they deem it a matter of national defense. Tough case, that, when the drug is being produced domestically.

Furthermore, he doesn't seem to object to radio play of single songs. Consumption is consumption.

Well, there's always the Sabatier process, which requires hydrogen (found in the coal) and some heat, combined with some chaperoning from Auntie Ruthenium under lots of pressure, to produce oxygen and methane, which can in turn be burned to produce carbon dioxide and water, the former being vented to atmosphere and the latter being retained for drinking, watering plants, etc.

Maybe they found the other end of Archimedes' lever.

6) Vudu

Because someone had a "brilliant" marketing idea, no concept of the technical viability, and no interest in doing proper research. Instead, they get something up on Slashdot and let us tell them whether it's a good idea or not.

That may be the decomposing server chassis. The heat generated by a rack full of them would probably start the composting process.

Giving us the opportunity to ruin it shortly after we arrive.

I think you mean "pole". Election day is over, at least here.