People don't choose where to live; they're born where they live. Even to the extent that people move, perhaps once in their lifetime, they almost certainly don't do it based on the availability of Internet access. You could just as easily ask why rural locations ought have sanitation, electrification, or any other utility. The great thing about society is that we as a people believe there are certain things which everybody should be able to enjoy, even if it requires a transfer of wealth to accomplish it. Whether or not you think Internet service is one of these is up to you, but don't try pretend that the only fair way resources can be distributed is every man for himself.

The finding is controversial because it has been commonly known that arsenic esters (R-AsO3) are rapidly hydrolyzed in water. For example, the main cause of arsenic poisoning is its replacement of phosphorus in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), followed by the quick decomposition of the arsenated compound, preventing cells from performing metabolism. The NASA paper claims that the bacteria have somehow found a way to create stable arsenic compounds despite the fact that cells are highly aqueous environments. I don't believe anybody is disputing that the bacteria can grow in the presence of arsenic. Rather, the controversial claim is that arsenic is replacing phosphorus. For example, an alternative explanation would be that the bacteria possess very effective mechanisms to pump arsenic out of the cell, similar to how halophiles are capable of removing large quantities of salt ions.

On another note, I don't think it's fair to be attacking NASA about this, though their decision to hold a press conference appears politically motivated (i.e. a grab for money/attention). Their space program is consistently underfunded, and they've been deploying robotic missions as much as usual.

As for whether the paper's claims regarding the incorporation of arsenic into molecules stands up, that will have to ultimately be confirmed by independent experiments. It's not like the bacteria are some kind of state secret, so it's premature to call anything "under fire" at the moment.

Disclaimer: I don't know anything about biochemistry, I'm just another IT guy.

So the only races that exist are white and black? Indeed, I wonder who the racist here is.

Actually, concerning capital punishment in the U.K., I find it curious that the members of Parliament can give lengthy speeches on the inequity of the death penalty, and indeed to call for European and British intervention globally, when public opinion appears to be in favor of the penalty. I took a brief look at "Bring Back the Death Sentence" on the suggestions website, and the majority of comments indicate either complete or conditional support for the death penalty.

There, fixed that for you. In addition, I would suggest that we broadcast it over all the public media, so everybody can confirm the success of the execution, lest you escape justice.

Maybe they should stop doing things that make them deserve getting shot in the head?

You're attempt at trolling is quite poor.

4 Tb is 512 GB.

Sure you can. Integers can mean whatever you want them to. 1 = 1/3. 2 = 2/3. 3 = 3/3.

It's great to see how enthusiastic you are for this! Not like all those guys who couldn't care less!

mschaffer refers to oxygen in the sense of the atomic species. It is certain that all known life forms have oxygen atoms in them, and mschaffer is simply being pedantic.

Never. And I like it that way. I like knowing that when I pick up my phone and call someone, it will Just Work. Likewise, I like knowing that I can plug my appliances into my power outlets and have them turn on.

For a lot of things, nobody wants "new and exciting" versions, merely "not broken" versions, something that does not exist with the American Internet system.

You seem like a very inferior person, especially judging from your pretentious and self-important manner of speech. How about I come and kill you?

Are you serious? The first thing I would do if I managed to become a genetically superior aristocrat is to restrict the availability of superior genetics to the chosen and force all others to submit to genetic therapy that would forever destroy theirs, and any of their offspring's ability to ever threaten me or my descendants. In the world you describe, that is the ONLY possible outcome, and in fact, the only MORAL outcome in the world you describe.