How is it replacing them.... it's forcing corporations to hire larger firms to handle the deluge of cases they would have otherwise not received.

You need to learn some economics. By donating the stock, he's gifted it pre-capital gains tax. Now, it's going to get cashed out by a tax exempt organization that can then spend it back on operating costs that likely go back to Bill via exempt or at least otherwise reduced taxes... likely in a country with little oversight on these things.

It doesn't help that the interface was disgusting too. It's almost as if they didn't want it to succeed but someone said "do it, we need this". I can't think of a redeeming quality Google+ had. They even tried to break YouTube with it.

Wow... some people can't take a joke.... Modded down as Flamebait (-1).

Holy shit... I finally know how to describe this to others! Thanks. I'm still trying to figure out how I didn't know about it until just recently.

NSFW: https://www.fleshlight.com/col...

I have to imagine someone is working on making a custom "Skill".

The FCC saying "fuck it, everyone do what you want" sucks, but the most significant reason this is a problem is the monopolies that local municipalities authorize. If the state/county/city levels of government where prevented in interfering, then competition would be an actual market balancer. Smaller ISPs would happily take the droves of pissed consumers.

With the Internet being an service that inherently crosses state lines, the Federal government has every right to tell these government levels that their rules/laws are invalid.

The fight for Net Neutrality should start by freeing the last mile. Give us real options for which net we get on.

Lonely includes being sad that one has no friends or company.... they specifically sad that technology would partially satisfy our social needs. That means we aren't lonely, but just living a more solitary life.

Sounds fucking fantastic to me. My Echo has never made her problems mine to deal with.

You've got it all wrong... The conspirators are as follows:
1) Government. They want people to extend their productive years so they can keep taxing the revenue and delay Social Security.
2) The Farm industry. They want you eating "real food" so they can charge their premiums for organic produce. They need the money to pay John Deer's extortion.
3) The Shoe industry. I mean, it's obvious. They want you to wear out your shoes so you go buy new ones.
4) Media industry. With all the commercial free viewing options, a half-hour less streaming is less data they need to pay for. You're monthly rate doesn't care about your usage.
5) The medical industry. Gotta drag out those Medicare payments.

I need some mod points.... This is exactly right. Net Neutrality getting undermined and killed will only serve the media industry. Cord cutting won't be possible once all the datacaps come down and streaming services get throttled.

Trusted device - Bluetooth Fitbit

I have a used Fitbit Charge HR that I only wear because it's my "trusted device". It has a short enough range that if I lose my phone, it will PIN lock.

Right!! They probably don't have their own cell phone plan either. The 90% userbase should be all they care about. That's a ton of kids who will grow up and get account for themselves.

Videos should only be 8-15 minutes long anyways :) ... after that, my ass starts to get sore from sitting on the crapper. The longer 20+ minute videos just seem to sit in my Watch Later queue and never get watched. If I have that much time, then I'll fire up Netflix/Hulu and catchup on my actual TV shows.

Tech workers have been saying the best talent is self trained for decades. No university can teach someone how to be a passionate nerd. As for their motives.... I think it's much simpler. People with degrees want more money, so they can pay off the loans.

AMC has their "Cinema Suites". They're reserved seating (recliners) with food service and are 18+ only. Theaters are learning. One mom-pop operation near me even has a child-care option for the younger families.