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The way I see it is this: One of the way science and engineering advance, is when a difficult arbitrary goal is set with enough conviction. We try to reach to it, putting a lot of resources into it. Along the way, we are forced to solve difficult engineering problems and gain scientific insights. War is one way to achieve this (and certainly gets its share of resources) but trying to find life elsewhere or putting man on Mars, for example, is a much more pleasant way to do it.

Although I moved a few times in my life, I now happen to live within a short walking distance from the exact location where I was born. I guess that makes me the exception, reading other replies.

You are, of course, aware that with the exception of the first quote, the quotes are simply mangled automatic-translations (from Hebrew) by Google-Translate? For example, you may be disappointed to find out that the (excellent) new term "Open DRM" was not even used in the original text. In fact, it was something along the lines of: " I come back and see that you already managed to crack open the DRM".

Well, there's the government who's job is to handle things like war and peace, intercity roads, and fiscal policy. And there's the municipality who's job is to make sure that you have nice parks and that you don't step in dog poo. This is how a country operates.