Given that they granted "Method for swinging on a swing" I wouldn't doubt that they'd grant it.

Here's the problem, even ignoring issues like software patents, and the morass they cause. The USPTO has stated that they're overwhelmed, so they're just checking the paperwork, and if its all in order, they rubber stamp it and grant the patent, the courts can sort out what patents are valid, they say. Meanwhile, the Courts are continuing to defer to the expertise of the patent office, and are EXTREMELY "reluctant" to void patents. So we get any invention, no matter how obvious, no matter how old, being patentable. And as long as you're smart about who you sue as a patent troll, (pick targets who can't afford to defend themselves, and file in known friendly courts), you're golden. The system is totally borked.

Think the current recession is bad? Why yes, yes I do, given that by any indicator available to use, the current one is worse. Nice attempt at blatant revisionism to justify your Libertarian tin foil hattery, though.

Um, because beer is water, and water is HEAVY? Therefore its enormously easier if you can recycle water you already HAVE rather than shipping the stuff from sea level. Which also is another major problem for beer in space. Beer is unquestionably affected by water quality. And you're going to be producing the equivalent of beer made with distilled water. Which would probably be quite disappointing. To put it another way, Does anyone really think beer produced with last weeks urine that's been run through reverse osmosis or other adequate purification is going to be remotely drinkable? It might be up to bud light standards, but I'd rather do without. Something like vodka is a MUCH better target. Or another distilled spirit that could be (approximately) made from a grain extract. Or just give up and make grain alcohol to mix with your Tang.

Rabies causes vaguely similar symptoms, but it has a very long incubation time. A rapidly progressing rabies variant (incubation time of hours, rather than weeks to months) with the same psychological symptoms might be somewhat similar to a zombie outbreak. However, Rabies-Zombie hoards wouldn't be self-sustaining. Death follows onset of psychological symptoms (not coincidentally) in about the time it takes to die of dehydration. Zombie-Hoards are quite difficult to manage without the trick of raising the dead.

Um, people who read Slashdot? Or in other words, who are you and why are you posting from someone else's account?

It is called raw, but the other reply is otherwise incorrect. Some older DSLRs (early 2000s) used to have a TIFF option, but that isn't the same thing, just a lossless version of the processed image. RAW output is the data read off the sensor, and is pre-bayer, and other processing (usually with some lossless compression applied). Meta-data is also included, like focal length, and exposure settings.

Which has what to do with eel? Eel is fucking delicious. Its not even "weird." Its just a long thin fish fillet.

For what its worth, Eel consumption is also rather common in any area of Europe where Eel happens to be found, its not at all some "crazy" unique Japanese thing.

Dude, people routinely climb mountains with heights in the 5000-6000m range with no supplemental oxygen at all. People have even climbed Everest, at 8848m, without supplemental oxygen. You're just flat out wrong.

There is also

C) The person is a threat to others.

However, Mr. Perelman has shown no signs that I know of that he is a threat to other people. Being annoyed at harassment by the press is not a sign of such. He should be left alone. It is not a crime to be asocial, or to turn down an award you do not want.