I see this comparison all the time when talking about the effects of the bomb. It almost seems like the bomb saved lives. It did not. The effect was 200K dead (+-). The alternative to that was not invading Japan (and millions of casualties) but not invading Japan and negotiating peace - that was the rational way out. The dead were caused by America's lack of willingness to accept anything less then unconditional surrender.

You are a surprising idiot. The way it works here (Europe) and the way the laws are probably on your side is this: when you come to a pedestrian crossing you slow down to a speed that allows you to stop the car should someone walk "into traffic". For all intents and purposes pedestrians have the right to cross first. If the visibility is so poor than you just stop the car and cross when you're confident. Otherwise if you kill/maim someone than you go to jail.

The country are different but if they trade with each other it's a time to market problem. Average Joe doesn't know the difference between TB and TiB nor does he care enough to learn. So by the time the 'standard' country comes out with it's TiB drive the consumer already has his TB drive and will not buy another (even for the small benefit that it may have). So the Tebibibibit guys will lose out constantly over time.

Also, Firefox spellchecker doesn't know about TiB :).

This argument is stupid. Speculators have a very important role in the main function of the market in a capitalism system: establishing the price. Short selling, derivatives, ethnically analysis are all very important tools used to reach that goal.
If people were forced to always go long and only for the long run that would distort the market. Sure less people would lose money but also less will win.
You can't outlaw losing money. You are not entitled to keep your money or to make a profit. The state should only help in providing equality of opportunity not equality of outcome.

It is not moral in any way. The death penalty is not moral therefore so is death by snoosnoo. But we should do it anyway.

And their allies. Of which my country was one. (Insensitive clod? :) nah.).

The eastern front was not an inevitable defeat for the Germans. It was won not only because of the material advantages of the USSR but also because of the surprising determination of its soldiers. The war was lost (or won) at Stalingrad and that was a battle were determination to win counted most of all.

Some parts of the world got unlucky. The Soviets and Americans winning the war was not good for everybody.

Exactly. I'll have to get a bumper sticker that says "in this car we obey the laws of thermodynamics".

What do you mean do we have the right? it's a very large piece of rock. If there's any use in blowing it up of course we have the right. There's no ecosystem, no nothing up there.

I find your physics interesting and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Are you sure about your claim? It would be very interesting if it were so. Any physicists around?