the D40 is also a perfect example why megapixels DON'T count. it has a 6MP 23.7 x 15.5 mm CCD. it is a rather small sensor, but only compared with the higher DSLRs. Fewer MPs on a relatively big CCD is less noise and better pictures. D40 is one great camera for little money.

I agree. This is Corporatism at work. But i am saddened to see that the worldview today is so straightforward and simple minded. Sure the Occupy crowd is right, but no one in it mentions that Corporatism can only be "installed" if the Government has no "UAC". We have a big and weak government (the worst kind actually), where legislation which creates Freddie and Fannie (inducting huge market distortions), Housing Acts etc, etc, which do more harm than good. And when the corporations mess up, they get bailed out whereas people have no jobs and no income. No wonder that the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street have more than 30% common variance. This is perceived unfairness. One wants the Government out, the other the corporations down. Both are right. And while I agree with you on each and single argument you have there, put one from me on that list: Screw the Government because it is the only one with legislative power and have done nothing but crap with it. Screw them because they have taken away our freedom in the name of defense. Screw them because they are in the same boat with corporations, who in my view want nothing to do a Free Market. All they want is Government protection and consumer gouging. In fact, screw them all.

i never said they don't serve a good purpose. i was just arguing that 3k$ cars are impossible.

Impossible thanks to regulations:

1. emission standards (euro V or whatever) 2. safety standards (abs, esp, airbags, etc). you can't even put a car the market without those.

Try to comply with all on this list http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/index.html and it will cost you a fortune.

Bad modelling hasn't yet stopped "scientists" from influencing policy making... [FILL IN ALARMIST AND ARMAGEDDONIST FACTOID HERE] - if you know what I mean. Yes Greenpeace, I am looking at you.

Holy S*** Sherlock. Your post alone just destroyed Friedman.

What a bunch of crap. Sorry. I am not an American, so I will not comment on the last part of your statement. I don't know the reasons why he voted that way. The first part however needs some correction.

Rejecting mathematical models and statistics.

True. But it rejects economical models and statistics. These models, never-mind how much are you inclined to believe them are full of flaws. And one of them particularly hardcore. The assumption that humans will make rational decisions based on presented facts. Despite four decades of applied psychology research showing that rational decision making in certain situations is not attainable, your statistic lovers in the "we love Keynes" Department won't listen, and won't change their models accordingly. But hey, if some multiple regression gets you off, so be it.

After your logic, psychoanalysis can also be classified as scientific creationism, nevermind that several meta-analysis have shown psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy to be effective, with outcomes comparable or greater than other kinds of psychotherapy or antidepressant drugs (Schedler, 2010). This kind of statistical onanism you preach is just bad for science.

Reference: Shedler, J. (2010), "The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy", American Psychologist 65 (2): 98â"109,

How about using a one-time pad. It is unbreakable (in a theoretical setting, of course). But better than 40BC tech.

The way I see it, one of the forms freedom can take the freedom to end your freedom. If, for example, the Swiss decide per election that communism is what they want, they will get it in a free and democratic way...

What cost $15 in 1980 would cost $38.55 in 2009 thanx to inflation. http://www.westegg.com/inflation/