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Comment Re:All is proceeding as David Brin has foretold (Score 1) 78

My problem with this scenario is the same as with gun ownership: it can work, if the access to technology is more or less equal, but too much inequality in the distribution is undemocratic, causes too much imbalance in power. Like when a few economically and physically capable persons can hoard quality weapons while most of the public is left with grandpa's shotgun. In the theoretical situation, when armed citizens resist something they consider tyranny, the outcome of the struggle depends on who is better armed/prepared for fight, not who is right. All that said, that surveillance by citizens would be better, than the situation of today, where only businesses and authorities have their cameras in public places.

Comment It's not UBI (Score 1) 136

Firstly, this one is not really universal basic income, as the recipient families are selected. The fundamental idea of UBI is that *everyone* gets a certain amount of cash (or more likely credit), regardless if that one is a billionaire or a homeless person. Taxation (flat or progressive) doesn't disappear. Secondly, it's not just a leftist/sjw/marxist/reptilian-hillary-conspirator idea. Friedrich Hayek supported such a scheme himself.

Comment Re:Consider the writers and their sources (Score 1) 175

Actually, two or three are the required minimum for unnamed sources. The problem might be, that the article leans on those sources to channel an opinion about a person. Though the cited sources don't state directly the implied opinion themselves (which is a big no-no in more serious media especially if it's a negative opinion), the end result is the same. So the authors got through a questionable sentence without breaking their ethical code of conduct (I'm sure Reuters has such a thing).

Comment Capitalism is a marxist idea (mod parent up) (Score 1) 291

The word "capitalism" and "capitalist mode of production" was made popular by Marx, who also associated exploitation by capitalists (the workers get less wage than the value of their work) with it. Only problems are, it's still unclear what is the real value of a given amount and type of work, and that definition of exploitation can be fit to a number of other economic systems, which are generally not called capitalism. "Capitalism" feels to me a mishy-mashy expression perfect to be thrown around by politicians (from left and right) and other public figures eager to sell their social ideas, but it won't make those ideas clearer (perhaps that's the point).
Earth

Submission + - Does climate change affect bushfires? 1

TapeCutter writes: After the devastating firestorm in Australia, there has been a lot of speculation in the press about the role of climate change. For the 'pro' argument the BBC article points to reaseach by the CSIRO. For the 'con' argument they quote David Packham of Monash university who is not alone in thinking "...excluding prescribed burning and fuel management has led to the highest fuel concentrations we have ever had...". However the DSE's 2008 annual report states; "[The DSE] achieved a planned burning program of more than 156,000 hectares, the best result for more than a decade. The planned burning of forest undergrowth is by far the most powerful management tool available... ".

I drove through Kilmore on the evening of the firestorm and in my 50yrs of living with fire have never seen a smoke plume anything like it. It was reported to be 15km high and creating it's own lightning, there were also reports of car windscreens and engine blocks melting. So what was it that made such an unusual firestorm possible and will it happen again?
Unix

Submission + - Linux / Unix boxes sweep Amazon's 'best of" 20 (businesswire.com)

christian.einfeldt writes: "Computers and handheld devices running default GNU Linux or Unix OSes have swept Amazon's 'best of' list for 2007, according BusinessWire.com for 28 December 2007. Best selling computer? The Nokia Internet Tablet PC, running Linux. Best reviewed computer? The Apple MacBook Pro notebook PC. Most wished for computer? Asus Eee 4G-Galaxy 7-inch PC mobile Internet device, which comes with Xandros Linux pre-installed. And last, but not least, the most frequently gifted computer: The Apple MacBook notebook PC. Microsoft makes only one appearance on the list, and it wasn't in games, but in the best selling software package: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007. Microsoft fans will point out that 'all of these computers are capable of running Windows', but in years past, that line belonged to the Linux / Mac crowd."
Announcements

Submission + - Florida election ballots to be printed on-demand

davidwr writes: The St. Petersburg, FL, Times reports that Florida is going back to paper ballots, but with a twist. They are printing the ballots on-demand, right there at the polling booth. This isn't machine-assisted voting where a touch-screen fills in your printed ballot for you. It's just a way to save printing costs and reduce paper waste.
Novell

Submission + - Novell Make Linux Driver Project a Reality

apokryphos writes: "Novell have relaunched the Linux Driver Project by dedicating well-known kernel developer Greg KH to work on the project full-time. Greg KH writes:

"My employer, Novell, has modified my position to now allow me to work full time on this project. Namely getting more new Linux kernel drivers written, for free, for any company that so desires. And to help manage all of the developers and project managers who want to help out...They really care about helping make Linux support as many devices as possible, with fully open-source drivers.""
Communications

Submission + - Why municipal wi-fi networks have been such a flop

Jake writes: Hi,
Jake Melville from Slate.com here. Today, we published a story on the failed effort of municipal Wi-Fi efforts. We thought that you and your readers might enjoy it, given your recent coverage of the wi-fi issue and tech trends.
The story can be found here: http://www.slate.com/id/2174858/
Thanks very much,
Jake Melville

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