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Comment Algorithmically generated feeds (Score 3, Interesting) 168

I think this is some middle ground to modify section 230. Abolishing all protections for websites for what their users post will have a terrible chilling affect on online speech. Imagine what speech limitations would look like here if Slashdot could be held responsible for whatever crazy stuff an Anonymous Coward posts. I think modifying section 230 to limit protections for large sites for algorithmically generated feeds, but retain protections for sites that don't use proprietary algorithms to decide what is pushed to users is reasonable. I'd also support removal of protections for AI/bot generated content.

Comment Cool much harder in a vacuum. (Score 5, Informative) 90

The person who wrote TFA knows very little about space. It is cold in a vacuum, but very difficult to cool objects. Getting rid of waste heat in a vacuum is far harder in space than on the ground. Thereâ(TM)s no medium to carry heat away other than EM radiation (ie black bodyradiation). At low temps, like those of functioning electronics, this is very inefficient. Cooling would be the biggest engineering challenge in putting servers in space.

Comment Price v Benefit (Score 1) 20

These drugs have price tags of > $30,000 per year. Given the modest demonstrated benefit I would suggest overall health and quality of life for Alzheimer's patients and their families would be better served by offering them $30,000 worth of supportive care (ie support cost of memory care residential facilities, respite care for care givers, etc.). But then of course pharmco CEO's might have to give up one of their yachts. Imagine only having a boat only the Atlantic. Just a horror.

Comment Re:Conflict of interest - then who should pay? (Score 1) 88

A much simpler answer is to, by statute/regulation, make the auditor share in liability. Even though they are being paid by the company, they will think twice about giving their approval to shady books, as their liability would be far greater than the payment they received for the audit.

Comment Re:Toothless tiger (Score 1) 58

I'd be very cautious about that sort of destabilization. Russia's nuclear arsenal is still potent, and even a limited nuclear exchange will have catastrophic global consequence (see this for an example of the potential consequences of even limited nuclear exchanges).

Command and control of Russia's nukes is reportedly poor, and gaming out exactly what could happen with broad civil unrest across the country would be next to impossible. I don't think the potential risk of this type of action is warranted.

Comment Re:Jury Panel (Score 4, Informative) 1198

For that, closed mental institutions exist.

Closed mental institutions don't exist anymore. Since the late 60's we have, as a society, been systematically closing these vital institutions. This has made our penal system our de facto long term option for people like this with untreatable mental disease.

Comment Re:get experience on your resume' (Score 1) 913

The person that hired me was interested not in my current knowledge, but in my talents and in my ability to learn and adapt/grow. You can't learn that in college, and the smart managers know that.

Your university degree is a concrete example of your ability to "learn, adapt/grow." Don't discount the value of the time, energy and money you invested in that degree.

Comment Re:No offense intended, but... (Score 1) 913

...how to put it politely? Nope, can't think of a gentle way to say it, so quite bluntly, you are an idiot.

You may be the best programmer in the world, but without studying the things you now consider to be a waste of your time, you do not know how to think or communicate.

Being better at what you consider your job is not everything. You need general education to be able to handle all of the other work-place and meat-space things that are not programming related.

I disagree completely. He's not an idiot, he is probably a good programmer, and that is all he wants to be, and there is nothing wrong with that. He is missing the boat, that a broad, general education will take him further, but what I got out of his question is that he wants to be a good and employed programmer. Not everyone needs to know about the Peloponnesian War, or say Chaucer.

People who have the interest and are willing to bear the work and price and acquire a general education have a significant advantage in life, politics and business. The OP, however, doesn't want that, and we don't have to force everyone through the same post-secondary general education to have a well educated and productive workforce.

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