Don't forget (1) type declarations; (2) array initializers, (3) storage class identifiers; (4) interfaces; (5) generic types; (6) more verbose API's for reflection (and damn near everything else); and (7) mandatory class "container" for static methods, constants, and globals. And at the design level, there's even more opportunity for brevity since various cheats are available, such as defining classes and methods at runtime, etc.

Of course, that's talking in generalities. Static langs are doing more now to reduce verbage and copy some dynamic-language "feel". C# especially since it introduced local type inference, anonymous methods/closures, LINQ, and DLR...

Ok, for the array, that's weird... I've done my share of C and C++ programming and reading this I was like "I don't know what parametrised types are". So, I googled it and it seems you talk about templates. See, there... failed your interview already. I know about them, don't particularly like them because you never know who will maintain your code and this stuff isn't exactly simple.

Anyway, just wanted to say that.

There is a benefit that no one has mentioned yet: HFT can cause the market for a stock to oscillate out of control very, very quickly, and that oscillation can disrupt the trading in the stock. The "circuit breakers" the NYSE put in to damp out-of-control oscillations are pretty much defeated by HFT. Further, HFT disassociates the value of the stock itself from the perceived value created by short-term movement in the market, and so affects the capitalization of a company trying to do business. HFT is also a way to quick ruin, if the algorithms used are not tuned carefully enough -- and particularly if two trading algorithms get into harmonic resonance: think Galloping Gertie, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940.

One thing that everyone here who is making some variant of this argument is conveniently forgetting is the opposite end of what can happen. What if instead of bones his shovel had turned up gold lumps? Would the public get a cut if it was standing by with a check because of what might turn up? Is this the one man version of "socialize the cost, privatize the profit"?

It pretty much is BS... one tell-tale sign is the outer "wrapper" story explaining how he got the news. This is a common narrative crutch that lets an author "ease into" introducing his world. Instead of saying "I got a message and met my contact in the middle of the night", there is a slow, omnious build-up to the dramatic unveiling of the story's payload.

Then there the dialog... it's very tight, TV-like script with a lot of back-and-forth that reads punchy (“You don’t know jack") while chopping up the message into narrative-sized bites. There's even the obligatory recap that's followed by the journalist character saying "We know all this already." You see this type thing all the time in the movies: character A explains to character B some background info that the audience needs to know but that character B should already know; the author then papers over the narrative mismatch by having character B object to the unnecessary sharing.

The informant's pleading to "get the story out" is a very efficient mechanism: (1) it adds more drama, (2) it lends a sort of fake credibility to the unnamed informant, and (3) it simultaneously solicits the reader to take action/forward the story/whatever.

Hilariously, notice how the author promises more at the end... "My source provided additional information, but I am abiding by his wish to get this much out... Stay tuned." Four days later, he's forgotten about it and has move on to his next agit-prop piece.

Ow, sorry... For some reason it looked as if you replied to my comment. My mistake.

Uhm, that's a quote from the Wizard of Oz. What prompted this tirade?

Don't mind the man behind the curtain....

I can provide an ISO for Vista Business EN. You need to have the license sticker, though. If it's not "Business", I can't help. A Home variant will not work with Business.

Worker protection and Luxembourg? You do realize you can be pretty much fired at will in my country of residence, don't you? Luxembourg has pretty liberal employment laws. Also. Unemployed? Got one year to find a job... Then you're on your own. Just you know.

Luxembourg is a nice country, but you're highly mistaken about worker rights. Go read the Code du Travail if you've got some time. You can find it on legilux.lu.

Suppose we'd have the chance to upload ourselves into an AI. Let's say, a reasonably powered computer capable of emulating a large and well structured human brain, including backups, spare hardware, etc. Would you do it? Replace your human body and brain for an AI construct?

I'm not quite sure I would. I think it's best asked the other way: If you were an AI in a mechanical body with an external computer for a brain, would you trade in all that for the experience of being human? Breathing, living, being excited, ultimate fear of death, ultimate joy of love, etc.

I imagine it could sound intriguing to an AI.
Maybe we aren't to bad of as humans as we are after all.

Game of Thrones pirated; HBO doesn't mind.

Also, those media companies are run by Techno-Luddites who couldn't manage their way out of a wet paper sack with a flashlight and a jackhammer, so no wonder they don't understand how to watch shows on teh intertubes without a cable subscription.

People pirate because it is easier than being legit. If it was easier to pay, many would.

Great, now apple will sue every brewery for their innovative design of the beer can. Guess beer will have to come in milk cartoons soon.

"The individual, via insurance premiums." No, the pool pays. Therefor your 'liberty' costs me money. You have no right to my money. Wear your helmet or out of the pool. No pool, no driving, no appeal, just contracts. Ain't no government grand? Now put on your helmet, water wings, padded vest, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, leather gloves, and get that roll cage mounted on that bike. Oh, and get the extra two wheels welded on as required. You have no right to my money. No pool, no driving, no appeal, just contracts. Ain't no government grand?

Exactly. If WalMart isn't the new Company Store for its own employees, it is darn close.