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Submission + - Arizona governor signs bill making Pluto official state planet (msn.com) 1

An anonymous reader writes: "Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) has signed legislation designating Pluto as the state planet for Arizona.

Hobbs's office announced on Friday she had signed House Bill 2477 into law on Friday, along with more than 40 other pieces of legislation.

The bill, which simply adds "Pluto is the official state planet" into state code, passed unanimously, 52-0, in the state House in February and passed overwhelmingly, 24-7, in the state Senate earlier this month.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by scientist Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and was considered the ninth planet in the solar system for most of the 20th century. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, bringing the number of planets in the solar system back to eight.

Since Pluto was stripped of its planet title, fans of the now-dwarf planet have protested the decision and insisted it is a planet alongside the likes of Neptune and Mars. Republican state-Rep. Justin Wilmeth, who introduced the bill, said the designation of Pluto as the official planet is meant to commemorate its discovery in the Grand Canyon State.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by scientist Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, "

Comment Impossible (Score 1) 151

"The core of this concern lies in the unpredictability of AGI's decision-making processes and objectives, which might not align with human values or priorities (a concept explored in depth in science fiction since at least the 1940s)."

This is impossible, "A.I" will always output exactly as it is programmed to, just like any other computer program.

The only way this changes is if we create a truly novel (i.e. true) intelligence. This is not what we are working on, and the idea that a silicon chip performing mathematical calculations could somehow become intelligent is the false assumption which this hype train is running on.

What exactly is the true measure of intelligence? Not sure, but a machine that will always output the same with the same input (all computing, without exception) obviously cannot be.

Comment Wait, What (Score 1) 196

I am with a significantly cheaper isp (BE) and on UK servers i get a ping generally between 15-30. I though ping was pretty much a non issue (with server based games at least) since the proliferation of broadband. I don't even have a bandwidth limit that i'm aware of (i'm sure there probably is but i download my large geeky share and i've never heard anything) What is it exactly they're offering for the extra money? I'm confused.

Comment Only in the US (Score 1) 298

I cannot believe there has been an outcry about this, honestly only in America could that be considered remotely innapropriate. I remember a long time ago in the UK when mobiles were just getting really popular there was an advert (I cant remember the network, sorry) for a phone where a couple kept sending each other texts that were obviously suggestive and then got home and immediately jumped on each other.

The tagline then went: "Get the flirting done before you get home" or similar.

And the UK is probably more reserved about this sort of thing on TV than the rest of Europe. It just makes me laugh when you pride yourself for beeing 'free' unlike the 'terrorists'.

Comment Re:Where do we complain? (Score 5, Insightful) 169

So true, try complaining and you will see what he means. I'd like to say that the documentaries the BBC produces, especially the new wildlife ones, are groundbreaking worldwide and worth the funding alone in my opinion. Then you have hours of original and period drama, the 24hr news service online and on the television, some sports coverage, lots of comedy, CBBC, Radio 1(current),2(old),3(classical),4(current issues),5 (sport) and local, all WITHOUT ADVERTS. Add to this that BBC pretty much kick started the whole internet TV thing, at least in this country - without adverts.

The BBC is about the only example of a 'compulsory tax' (it isn't compulsory) which has worked and continues to work in the public good to the satisfaction of pretty much everyone. The recent disputes about funding cause me to worry: it is money well spent.

If we complain to the BBC, they will listen: it is precisely because of this 'compulsory tax' that they may listen to us over the huge pockets and interests of the comercial fat cats

Comment Re:perception & reality (Score 1) 414

As a Northerner i feel i have to make the point that London is in Britain, not the whole of it. Politeness, friendliness , conversations with strangers, opinions and generally the opposite impression you're giving seem a lot more commonplace here (i live near Manchester). Consumerism isn't overboard out here especially for the men (sorry ladies) and prices are much lower.

With all the stories of a 1984 Britain here on slashdot, most of them about London, i feel it needs to be stated that out away from the capital things are generally much more relaxed, the cameras are just near shops and generally privately owned (therefore no oppressive evil overlord with the power to follow your every move). The police out here will generally turn a blind eye to you smoking weed on a quiet road somewhere or going a bit over the speed limit where safe or selling dodgy dvds in the pub (bar).

My point is whilst the cameras may be bad, we really don't live in fear of big brother and free-thinking is still encouraged strongly at many of our plentiful universities. My only fear would be that this is eroding over time.

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