Dark One
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Posts
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Joined
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Quote:Then that behooves the People to elect representatives that are more than just talking heads sniping at each other.Originally Posted by Ironblade
But look at who holds the purse-strings for NASA.
"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."
- Mark Twain
But then that goes back to previous statements about the public only being interested in reality tv shows, which celebrity is sleeping with which other celebrity, and stuffing their craw with whatever falls near at hand. In other words, it'll never happen. -
Quote:Except for ya know, they didn't build it or delivered anywhere near what was "promised".Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
... except all that, you know, infrastructure that wasn't there before.
Link.
There was also a few stories on Ars Technica about it, but can't find the right search term to bring 'em up. -
Quote:Point 1) NASA is working in the public interest, not private shareholders. Shareholders only care about seeing stock price going up.Originally Posted by Patteroast
True, but the plan so far is to give funds to any company that tries to fill certain roles, if they get to the point of serious competition. I specifically mentioned SpaceX because it looks like they'll get there first, but they're not the only ones trying. I agree that monopolies are bad, and hope more companies catch up. Although two points make me hopeful. 1) Thus far, in the US, there had already been a monopoly of sorts on space... NASA. Sure, they contract out to multiple companies to build things for them, but everything that's been accomplished that we're proud of was under one government heading built by a handful of companies. At worst, I don't see it being too different from the past. 2) Any government funds to private companies would have very stringent safety and performance guidelines attached. So there will be some oversight.
Point 2) So long as any overseers are able to be bought off and/or "lobbied", those private companies will do whatever the hell they want. One need look no farther than the $200 billion that was given to ISPs to build out broadband services across the country, yet mysteriously, there has been no return on that investment to the public. One also needs look no further than Congress and how corporations basically write the laws and have them rubberstamped by Congresscritters. -
The thing about letting private industry do it is well...look at what private industry has done in this country. You let a private company get a monopoly on space travel/exploration and you'll end up with something that is only concerned with seeking the maximum amount of profits. There'll be little to no actual oversight, so they'll do what they want and damn the consequences.
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Molly Quinn as Mal Reynolds
Seems that Ms. Quinn made an appearance at Comic Con dressed up as Capt. Mal. Appropriate since Castle himself dressed up in one Halloween episode as Capt. Mal. -
Quote:Humans will be the perfect mercenaries for any other culture. We will fight anyone or anything, either for money/resources or just the sheer thrill of the fight!Originally Posted by EnigmaBlack
Kind of like what's happening now, but if we venture into space we can take our seemingly unending appetite for death and destruction on the road! The opportunity to be a cancer on a Universal scale instead of just one here on Earth is too much to pass up!
"There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods." A very appropriate quote...
But it should be good for the lulz, after all, can't spell slaughter without laughter...
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Quote:So, in other words, we never get to leave this planet? Because "all problems on Earth" have existed since man came down out of the trees. It is the height of naivete and foolishness to think we will ever "fix" them all. There's always been poverty, there's always been hunger, there's always been sickness and disease. If people truly thought that way, man would never have left Africa, Columbus and the Vikings would never have left Europe, and the early Americans would never have crossed that land bridge.Originally Posted by MrHassenpheffer
I'd rather man kind fix all problems on this Earth before venturing outwards, we might not be as welcome to leave this world as we may think, and yes.... I do know something.
The only thing that is going to happen if we never venture out is that the Earth will get more crowded, resources will get more scarce, and more people will die in unnecessary wars.
Working towards reducing the above stated things? A laudable and realistic goal.
Only working on those things with myopic vision to the rest of the universe? A horse of a different color.. -
Quote:It's quite interesting to see a civilization on the path to irrelevance. Of course, it sucks to actually be IN that civilization on its way out.Originally Posted by Chaos Creator
I agree with Dark One.
Stick a fork in it. We're done in space. -
The US space future can be summed up in one word...
Done.
We are more interested in what the latest plastic celebrity is doing as well as grubbing in the dirt than in going to space. If you are looking for any future expansion in that direction, look to the Indians and Chinese, because it sure as hell isn't going to come from us. We had the potential for so much more, but we squandered it on going no farther than LEO for 30 years. When America spends more money on air-conditioning the tents of soldiers than they do on NASA, something is deeply, deeply, wrong. -
This was the PSU I put into my new comp. It was about $134 when I got it, but had a coupon for $40 off. The only thing I'd say that wouldn't fit your criteria was that it isn't modular for the cables, but damn if it doesn't have a lot of 'em. Almost too many. The cables do have a sheathing around them for a bit extra protection.
(Dunno what "ATX12v (or ATX12v/EPS12v)" means. Are you talking form factor? Sorry, I are kinda newbish on that.) -
Quote:Geniuses are notoriously lacking in common sense...Originally Posted by Tenzhi
Odd thought: In a town of geniuses, no one was smart enough to put a *manual* release near the ladder that would likely be the only way to have manual access to said lever? Or to at lest have put a catwalk around the chamber so one did not have to dangle over certain doom?
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Quote:Well...the previews show thatOriginally Posted by Father Xmas
I think it's more likely that the bank simply goes "missing" than intentionally robbed. Somebody probably painted the lobby with Cavorite or put so dohicky or rock sample into their safe deposit box.
*SPOILER*
Someone actually stole the bank. Somehow. And it's floating. Above a river/lake. Along with Carter's car, which he just happens to get out of with predictable results. -
Quote:A combination of Questionable Content, a webcomic about a bunch of hipsters in a coffee shop and the drama therein, and Something Positive, a webcomic that...well...one of the characters is a hairless and boneless cat named ChooChoo Bear (affectionately known as a plastic kitty...he likes to travel through plumbing and steal underwear). SP cannot be summed up, it needs to be read to be believed.Originally Posted by Inazuma
I have no idea what this thread is about. What is this? Some webcomic?
In particular, this thread and the individual comic is about a recurring character called Pizza Girl who works for a pizza place, delivers pizza, and is a superhero on the side. One of the other characters (Penelope) looks pretty much exactly like her. A recurring joke is that Penelope is the secret identity for PG. Garlic Bread Kitty (ChooChoo Bear) is her sidekick. -
Quote:I believe that one was in the manner of Penny telling Faye about what happened. Meaning that yes, it could in fact be her trying to throw Faye off the trail.Originally Posted by Adeon Hawkwood
Just as a counterpoint there was an older one where Penny met Pizza Girl (unless of course she was lying to throw Faye off her trail).
Also, Garlic Bread Kitty is an awesome character. >.< -
Quote:Yep...and because of that, I'm not getting too attached to Alphas. Firefly, The Cape, Dollhouse, Terminator, The 4400...history does not speak well...Originally Posted by Father Xmas
Did anyone else see Summer Glau in the extended coming attractions for Alphas?
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That was a nice touch. Especially since The Man was playing a General-type character in Captain America. Stan's always good for a laugh and glad to see him on tv. Felicia Day is just too kewt as well.
Oh, previously there was some confusion/wondering about the on-screen guide/episode numbering for Alphas. It looks like that's an error on the part of the guide makers. They seem to be in correct order, despite last week's saying it was #3 and this week's saying #2. Last week, they were just moving into that office building and Gary noticing the hum. They look much more settled in and continuing with the hum. Doesn't appear that they are pulling a Firefly with the series.
Myka in a see-through shirt....rawr... Wasn't too big on the blondeness, but forgiveable. Always fun to see some of the lesser artifacts in the Warehouse and the bronzers getting some play. -
Quote:Get back to us about Wednesday. If you're still healthy by then, then ya, you escaped Con Crud.Originally Posted by Unknown_User
Yahoo!!! No Con Crud for me
So long Comic Con and thanks for the memories! -
Quote:Except for the one that'll be used to reboot this reboot.
Didio then told the audience there are no more big events planned for the foreseeable future and the crowd wildly applauded.
Then the one after that.
But other than that, ya, no more big events planned...
/sarcasm -
Quote:It does, however, count as a foodstuff. Namely, bread.Originally Posted by ObiWan
Rest and plenty of liquids. And in THIS case beer does not count as a liquid.
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Quote:A KFC double down Luthor...my brain 'sploded.Originally Posted by Chaos Creator
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Ya know...I could be hit by a car or have a tree fall on me tomorrow. I don't want my last meal on Earth to be plain tofu with a side of cottage cheese and a glass of skim milk. Whenever articles trot out these "unhealthy" foods, I get the immediate desire to have one of them. Am I going to have it every day? Of course not. But neither am I going to limit myself to bland rabbit food in an attempt to live an extra five years (notice that those five years are at the end of your life, no desire to live to 95 with the current state of quality of life expectency at that age, especially with my family history).
I want my body to be a worn out mess in the coffin. I want to skid into home plate with a cigar in one hand, a beer in the other, and my arm wrapped around a twenty year old. I want to live, not to deny myself everything in the attempt to exist longer. -
That list makes me a sad panda...
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Quote:My old PSU managed to take a DVD drive with it when it went. Found scorch marks on the power attachment point and a partially melted power cord. Very scary. I was lucky enough to be awake when it happened, otherwise, decent chance of a fire.Originally Posted by Call Me Awesome
It's not unheard of for a PSU to take other things with it when it finally bites the dust either; I'd suggest replacing that sucker. I've had good luck with Antec PSU's and they've a new budget line that seems pretty solid without a lot of frills like modular cables.
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Read on The Daily What - Geeks that it was because the Hobbit movie was coming out the same time and WB didn't want to crowd the plate with both blockbusters. Hence, turning Superman into a summer one. Doesn't seem that its affected production.
Dunno how accurate that is though. *shrug* -
Ya, but still. Some of the dvds are already hitting $40+. On Amazon, disc 50 only has one available (Used) at over $150! I've got about 40 of the discs so far, but eesh. Filling this one out is gonna put a dent in my normal purchases for a while.
The upside? If I ever need to sell, I can make a pretty penny.