a blog for j z dot net

The uncanny valley (or divide) still has a way to go, but it seems this software has brought it a bit closer.

CITIZENS UNITED, APPELLANT v. FEDERALELECTION COMMISSION

ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

[January 21, 2010]

JUSTICE STEVENS, with whom JUSTICE GINSBURG, JUSTICE BREYER, and JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR join, concurring in part and dissenting in part.

The basic premise underlying the Court’s ruling is its iteration, and constant reiteration, of the proposition that the First Amendment bars regulatory distinctions based on a speaker’s identity, including its “identity” as a corporation.   –J. Stevens

from: Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm’n

Capitalism wins!

sage advice: (How-to) Not be a noob:

Noobs are the players you meet who are selfish, rude, inconsiderate, unskillful, seem to have no concept of spelling or grammar, and are always bored – because the pleasure they derive from annoying others never quite seems to satisfy. Does this describe you? Don’t worry – there is hope!

Please note that noobs are not all to be confused with newbies – as the latter are friendly, willing to learn, and busy developing their skills – while the former are diametrically opposite.

* If you think that being a noob is fun, you are missing out! Wait ’till you see how much more fun is is to be a respected member of the Mars Explorer community – and the world in general!

* Though this may seem counter intuitive, the first step towards attaining the esteemed position of non-noobishness is to work on your communication skills. Once you establish yourself in the habit of fluently articulating everything you enter into a computer, not only will everyone else respect you more – but you will also be forced to think before you speak – and best of all, you won’t be automatically identified as a noob by others you come in contact with.

* Once you are communicating with ease, the only other skill you need to master is courtesy. When you begin treating others as fellow human beings with insightful ideas, valuable time, and intrinsic worth – instead of just objects to freeload from and annoy – you will no longer be a noob.

* Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It is easy. All you need is dedication and will, and you already have both of these – Exercise them!

* In closing, imagine what you will be able to do with all the time you are no longer investing in pointless activities! Find something productive that you enjoy, and become the best that you can at it – whether it’s rocketry, knitting sweaters, playing a musical instrument, entrepreneurial endeavours, or hacking.

via Mars Explorer – FAQ.

Boeing’s Latest Mobile Laser Weapon Tracks and Shoots Down Drone

By Clay Dillow Posted 11.18.2009 at 11:49 am 13 Comments

Laser Defense: Boeing's MATRIX high-energy directed weapon knocks a UAV out of the sky. U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

via Boeing’s Latest Mobile Laser Weapon Tracks and Shoots Down Drone | Popular Science.

just returned from an amazing week spent in Belize – sailing the Turneffe Atolls and hiking the Mayan pyramids at Lamanai – from finding a long-forgotten rusty machete and using it to harvest and enjoy some fresh young coconuts, to the still, glassy waters of the New River – it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Belize.