that sucker is flying through a window.

The device or the trader?

Google Earth, skype, acroread, etc.. are in the medibuntu repository all with the disclaimer that they are not free. Not the latest versions, but that isn't what repos are about. You want bleeding edge, install it yourself.

Corporations are merely a symptom of the problem, not the cause. Civilization at its very core has a flawed world-view. It perceives the environment as a collection of resources. The resources are to be extracted, used up, and wasted. (Don't give me that BS about recycling. We are still way off. But granted, it is a start.) There is nothing in the perception about balance with nature/environment. The environment is not something 'out there' to be saved. It is everything. The air you breathe, the water you drink. Even sitting at your desk you are still in the environment. You've just be separated from the living environment by the dead environment. (Concrete, metal and glass.) Living things were killed and remade into a buffer called the city. The goal of civilization is to make you fear wild, living nature so that you accept the comforts of the city and work hard to amass wealth for the masters. Resources are extracted from the country into the city and cause them to grow beyond the carrying capacity of the land. This is where the 'profit' comes from. A society living in balance with the land will fluctuate in population and enjoy good healthy food (when available). The Native Americans enjoyed a life like this, each tribe adapted to the many climates on the continent. Sure, they were no match for the well-armed civilized, but that doesn't make them wrong. One can hardly turn a profit if one is a circular reciprocity with the land, giving and taking equally. Profit only comes from theft. Lands are conquered (taken), and materials are extracted for (nearly) free. Don't believe me? Check out some of our laws on mining and forestry. You may be surprised to discover how much go-ahead the companies have on our public lands.

Of course all this taking has given us so much wonderful stuff, right? I am a total hypocrite for speaking like this on a global interactive network of computers.

Well, the problem comes when you've taken so much you can take no more. Have we forgotten the laws of thermal dynamics? I can't wait to work in the garbage mines of the future.

Oddly enough, this percentage of people use this kernel release.

You have an interesting point, although your post is borderline flamebait. Western society is at its very core violent. The culture is obsessed with violence, tormenting others, and winning. Western culture is sustained by conquest abroad and repression at home. Your friend was a victim of this conquest as are many 'others' in colonized countries. But as I said, at home, there is repression. This repression causes much of the violence to internalized. Fear and mistrust run rampant. Bullying in schools is the norm. Some people are unable to cope with all that psychological trauma and either shoot up schools or commit suicide.

Often I see studies blaming the media or video games on $age_group violence and I laugh my ass off. (How long have we have been at war?) The various media violence in question is an expression of that violence that is already in us, and has always been there. Look at the history of civilization. It's ridiculous. Indigenous (outside) people get their lands and bodies raped while those inside the culture get their minds raped.

I'm sure this girl who committed suicide already had many things wrong with her before she went through with it. She was likely bipolar and this simulated heartbreaking relationship pushed her over the edge. Love and sex are very powerful feelings at that age. I'm sure you remember.

Of course, bullying and lying are not against the law in the culture. Or if they are (harassment?), no expects anyone to do anything about it - or for it to stop. It's just the way things are. And thats why they had to prosecute on the basis of violating the terms of service.

Although I'd easily agree Western Society is spoiled with material goods, I'd say that it also psychologically tormented, morally bankrupt, and cause of pain for millions worldwide.