It probably costs an insane amount of money, like most new technology on a tiny scale does. Refining the techniques, finding better ways to power it, and ramping up to a commercial scale could make a real difference, especially when you consider the fact that oil will become more expensive and scarce over time.

Bingo! If nothing else, it is a useful way to store collected energy that would otherwise (and is currently) going to waste.

Actual coders have a hard enough time writing useful code, so I can't even imagine what kind of hell that place is. Maybe it is a mass suicide experiment?

Well that's just the thing, you can't actually patent plans for a house, but you can copyright them. The whole point of the article is that the patents need to be revisited because they are patenting general ideas, and not actual ways in which the ideas can be put to use, which is another reason why you can't patent plans to a house and think that all other houses are in violation.

Copyright doesn't solve the problem because they would simply protect the "text" and not the actual invention itself, which is why patents are used for software (in conjunction with copyright).

TI-83

Tell that to Orly Taitz and her Kenyan birth certificate.

When he chose to wear a t-shirt that to the airport that openly mocks the TSA (we call this 'poking the bear'). The guy is obviously aware of how annoying and overzealous airport security can be, so he picked this t-shirt out for the sole purpose of attracting that kind of attention, which is exactly like something a jackass would do. To compound the jackassery he even explains his message in an insulting and pointed way (even though offensive words were not used) by stating, "...it was ‘mocking the security theater charade...’” When you tell the gate manager, or a TSA agent that security is a 'charade' or 'theater' (or any professional about their job for that matter) you are aiming to insult or offend them. Meanwhile, it should be plain as day by now that he wasn't removed from the flight for his shirt, he was removed because he caused a scene, which either genuinely made people uncomfortable, or just plain annoyed the staff to the point where they don't want to deal with it. This kind of stuff happens with any passenger on any airline that makes any scene for any reason, even the ones that are smart enough to not purposefully attract and provoke security.

Nobody said it gave them the right, and this guy's right to bitch about it hasn't been denied. The point is that there are consequences, right or wrong, to going out of your way to be a jackass.

How about if I go to the policeman's ball with a t-shit that says "Cop Killer" on the front, and "Die Piggy Die" on the back. Or how about if I go to any place with any gathering of professionals and wear a t-shit that is made to be insulting to them. Should I expect to be received with open arms? This guy wanted to be a pain in the ass, and it turns out that all sorts of pain in the ass behaviour (not just wearing offensive t-shirts and making a fuss about it) will get you kicked off the plane. Remember kids, don't poke the bear.

Non-aggressive driving, taking stuff out of your trunk, filling your tires, and changing your air filter are actual ways to improve fuel economy. Your computer braking example is obviously something that happens in a lab and not in the real world, where people actually drive. Just for curiosities sake, I would please like an example of how much my efficiency can be improved by computer controlled brakes.

Google has just informed me that the year 2012 is magic, and because of this, stuffing cars with extraneous computers and cup holders actually does make them more efficient and boosts their performance! Wow!

I think the problem is everyone wants a bunch of creature comforts in their car (and they are kind of a status symbol, at least in The States). Then there is marketing, because hi tech stuff is cooler (and it is). Also, safety standards and mandates sort of push the need for all of this extra gee-wiz stuff too (daytime running lamps + mandatory traction control). Let's not forget the mileage thing too.... Anyway, I'm with you, I think that a reasonable blend of hi and low tech could be achieved, but there just isn't a market for it. Meanwhile, no consumer vehicle can survive an EMP, but a classic car could be repaired with hand tools, if you had the ability to replace the wiring of course.

Yes, because a mostly analog computer (with only a couple inputs) controlling the fuel, timing, and emissions have everything to do with steering, brakes, etc. I must have missed the part where tying all of these things together with a neat touchscreen interface, hard drive, USB port and an internet connection improved efficiency and performance.

not let a computer drive your car. They've been doing this for years, and it works pretty well. Problem solved.