I stopped reading at, "I stopped reading at..."

Next there will be weapons created that can literally immobilize you through fear. Funny, is this not exactly what the Scarecrow did in Batman?

Use FlexLM (license server tied to a hardware address - defeatable, but annoying) like the the majority of other vendors. Also, try to remember that you're company is in it's infancy. The more publicity and use your product gets the better. Better to lock it down after more people use it than before.

This is great, but you can bet someone will find a medication that artificially lowers brainwaves to get out of doing work.

I've read the bill's text but I haven't ascertained any rationale for it. Clearly they think there is some cost savings to be realized, but where? All that will really happen is the skilled workers will get salaries/wages to offset the loss of overtime, leaving the less skilled and fresh grads with the less desirable pay/positions. The net result is less people will want to get into IT due to this new barrier to entry.

Anyone who loves the franchise will be excited about this news and thus it's worth mentioning. Just because it's not unexpected doesn't mean it lacks relevance.

Ok, put me down for $8bil that it doesn't hit. I'll let my great x 10^37 grandchildren settle up this wager.

While they are computing devices I don't see why the comparison is being made. None of those devices are really true PC replacements in most senses of the word. Those are devices you use to get some work, or play, done when you don't have the luxury of a full-speed, full-size machine. In this sense they may as well include touch screen MP3 players and eReaders too.

What exactly is a stockpile of cyber weapons? A room full of nerds and a case of Mountain Dew?

People left to colonize North America because they were trying to get away from something, usually tyrannical rule. These are scientists who would be voluntarily accepting a death sentence that might happen in 5 years, or maybe 2, or maybe right after launch. Either way, they would be leaving for the purpose of scientific advancement whereas colonists were leaving to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Also, what happens when they get there, or are enroute, and decide they want to come home? What a public relations nightmare.