Comment Phil Plait (The Bad Astronomer)'s take on it (Score 2, Informative) 435
If We Have Free Will, Then So Do Electrons 610
snahgle writes "Mathematicians John Conway (inventor of the Game of Life) and Simon Kochen of Princeton University have proven that if human experimenters demonstrate 'free will' in choosing what measurements to take on a particle, then the axioms of quantum mechanics require that the free will property be available to the particles measured, or to the universe as a whole. Conway is giving a series of lectures on the 'Free Will Theorem' and its ramifications over the next month at Princeton. A followup article strengthening the theory (PDF) was published last month in Notices of the AMS." Update: 03/19 14:20 GMT by KD : jamie points out that we discussed this theorem last year, before the paper had been published.
Breach Exposes 19,000 Active US, UK Credit Cards 232
pnorth writes "A defunct payment gateway has exposed as many as 19,000 credit card numbers of US and UK consumers in a major worldwide breach. The data, held in Google cache, includes credit card numbers, CVVs, expiry dates, names and addresses. The credit card numbers are for accounts held with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Solo, Switch, Delta and Maestro/Cirrus. Within the address bars of the cached pages are URLs of e-commerce sites that have become victims of the breach. They include clothing, science, health, sports and photo imaging stores. The cause appears to be a known issue with the Google search engine, in which the pages of defunct web sites containing sensitive directories remain cached and available to anyone."
Tribes 1 Returns In-Browser At GDC Next Week 55
An anonymous reader writes "GarageGames purchased the IP rights to the entire Starsiege Tribes universe, and next week at GDC they'll be showing off their updated version of Tribes 1 running in a browser, using all the original artwork. Afterwards, it will be available to play standalone or via the Instant Action website. While you wait, you can play Fallen Empire Legions in your browser, which is based on the Tribes 2 engine. Their blog entry about the Tribes 1 preview at GDC has further details."
Mass Effect 2 Announced For Early 2010 72
Bioware has confirmed rumors that development for the sequel to Mass Effect is well under way, and they're planning on a release in early 2010. They mentioned PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game, but no information was given about a possible PS3 version. CVG has a write-up of what we know about Mass Effect 2 so far. Quoting: "In the shooting department the developer's official announcement promises 'intensified combat' and 'expanded weapon options.' We're hoping some of the work goes on improving the game's shooting mechanics, which were solid enough but could certainly do with some polishing to meet 2010 standards — especially in the cover system department. As for 'expanded weapon options,' we can only assume this refers to the in-depth gun tweaking and customisation options available in Mass Effect 1."
Comment Re:Evidence of atheist's cultural successes, pleas (Score 2, Insightful) 1854
You are confusing corralation for causation and making an argument from ignorance. That, for example, Chairman Mao was atheist has not been shown to be the cause of his actions as a dicatator. If such were true, then it could be said that all Seventh Day Adventists are cult leaders because David Koresh was one.
Additionally, lack of precedent does not indicate impossibility. That you can not imagine how a society, that is not permeated by religion, can be peaceful, joyous, and enlightened does not preclude it from occurring, or having occurred.
So, unless you are planning on proving that the failures in Hitler's Germany, USSR, and Communist China are a direct result of atheism your argument holds no water.
Additionally, lack of precedent does not indicate impossibility. That you can not imagine how a society, that is not permeated by religion, can be peaceful, joyous, and enlightened does not preclude it from occurring, or having occurred.
So, unless you are planning on proving that the failures in Hitler's Germany, USSR, and Communist China are a direct result of atheism your argument holds no water.
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"The pathology is to want control, not that you ever get it, because of course you never do." -- Gregory Bateson
