Random randomness

[Kraken]

I saw a Rambler today that nobody had ever tried to restore in any way beyond keeping it running. The body was sheets of rust and the interior looked like it had housed a colony of cats. But by golly it was somebody's transportation.

[Default]

I saw a Rambler today that nobody had ever tried to restore in any way beyond keeping it running. The body was sheets of rust and the interior looked like it had housed a colony of cats. But by golly it was somebody's transportation.

Did you have rambling on your mind afterwards?

[Max Peck]

On the one hand, I had no idea that using spears to hunt bears was something that people do for fun, let alone that it is actually banned in some places. I guess I kind of respect someone a little more if he's willing to go low-tech instead of packing a lot of firepower. Nonetheless...

Mr Bowmar said he has received hundreds of death threats and has been forced to cut back on his social media use because of the backlash. The Ohio native was a competitive javelin thrower in college and currently runs a fitness company. "It's extremely frustrating to me," he told the AP. "I didn't do anything illegal. The bear died very humanely. The truth is I honestly care more about animals and hunting than anybody could." Mr Bowmar said the bear ran 55 metres (180 feet) before it died and argued that a spear was a more humane weapon than a bow, Reuters reported.

No, sir, not only is it literally impossible to care more about animals than anybody could (because that would mean you couldn't do it either), but I'm pretty sure you care less about animals than everyone that consciously decides not to stab animals to death. I will concede, however, that you may well care more about hunting than anyone else (but still not more than anybody could, again by definition).

[Daehawk]

I can only support hunting when its in the best interest of the species and relocation of amounts is not available and/or it is for emergency needed food. But spear does not sound very accurate or humane. I hunted as a kid but once I was old enough I never did again. Hell I dont even kill snakes. I catch them and move them away from the home. I hate killing the damn ants in my kitchen lol. The only thing I kill that I dont feel much bad about is wasps.

[Kraken]

On the one hand, I had no idea that using spears to hunt bears was something that people do for fun, let alone that it is actually banned in some places. I guess I kind of respect someone a little more if he's willing to go low-tech instead of packing a lot of firepower.

Especially if you're hunting an animal that can hunt you back. I'd be fine with this sport if the bears are scoring some wins too.

[Max Peck]

I'd never have guessed that the guy who invented the Super Soaker (and Nerf N-Strike) also worked on the Galileo probe and the B-2 stealth bomber.

Lonnie Johnson: The father of the Super Soaker

Lonnie Johnson was brought up in Mobile, Alabama in the 1960s, when black children were not expected to go far, but such was his talent for engineering that he worked for Nasa, and helped test the first stealth bomber. But as he explains here, the invention that made his fortune was a water pistol - the extremely powerful Super Soaker.

[dbt1949]

On the one hand, I had no idea that using spears to hunt bears was something that people do for fun, let alone that it is actually banned in some places. I guess I kind of respect someone a little more if he's willing to go low-tech instead of packing a lot of firepower. Nonetheless...

Mr Bowmar said he has received hundreds of death threats and has been forced to cut back on his social media use because of the backlash. The Ohio native was a competitive javelin thrower in college and currently runs a fitness company. "It's extremely frustrating to me," he told the AP. "I didn't do anything illegal. The bear died very humanely. The truth is I honestly care more about animals and hunting than anybody could." Mr Bowmar said the bear ran 55 metres (180 feet) before it died and argued that a spear was a more humane weapon than a bow, Reuters reported.

No, sir, not only is it literally impossible to care more about animals than anybody could (because that would mean you couldn't do it either), but I'm pretty sure you care less about animals than everyone that consciously decides not to stab animals to death. I will concede, however, that you may well care more about hunting than anyone else (but still not more than anybody could, again by definition).

That's nothing. You should go out with me sometime when I'm hunting lions with paperclips.

[Daehawk]

On the one hand, I had no idea that using spears to hunt bears was something that people do for fun, let alone that it is actually banned in some places. I guess I kind of respect someone a little more if he's willing to go low-tech instead of packing a lot of firepower. Nonetheless...

Mr Bowmar said he has received hundreds of death threats and has been forced to cut back on his social media use because of the backlash. The Ohio native was a competitive javelin thrower in college and currently runs a fitness company. "It's extremely frustrating to me," he told the AP. "I didn't do anything illegal. The bear died very humanely. The truth is I honestly care more about animals and hunting than anybody could." Mr Bowmar said the bear ran 55 metres (180 feet) before it died and argued that a spear was a more humane weapon than a bow, Reuters reported.

No, sir, not only is it literally impossible to care more about animals than anybody could (because that would mean you couldn't do it either), but I'm pretty sure you care less about animals than everyone that consciously decides not to stab animals to death. I will concede, however, that you may well care more about hunting than anyone else (but still not more than anybody could, again by definition).

That's nothing. You should go out with me sometime when I'm hunting lions with paperclips.

See you're another problem. Paper clips?? That is totally non environmentally friendly. Modern progressives use toothpicks as they can be replaced and not hurt the environment. The goal for the future is to improve icicle tech because they are basically free, limitless and no trees would be harmed.

[dbt1949]

What really makes it bad as paper clips are generally non lethal. I have to carry hundreds on me. I usually have a native porter or two carry thousands of extras.
After first shooting the lion with a paper clip things become pretty hectic. Everybody scatters every which way. Lost two porters the last trip. But I did finally sting him into submission. Took over two hundred hits to his testicles before he gave up.
I have his skin hanging on the wall. He has this look of immense pain on his face.

[wonderpug]

Once you see a man kill another man with a paper clip, that's when you know what's in that man: a man who can kill another man with a paper clip.

[Max Peck]

I've always thought of flying a kite as a tranquil pastime. I stand corrected.

[Isgrimnur]

The article doesn't explore it much, but kite fighting has been a thing for a long time.

[Max Peck]

The article doesn't explore it much, but kite fighting has been a thing for a long time.

Yeah, I was vaguely aware of it, although it wasn't central to my impression of what flying a kite was about. And I never conceptualized collateral kite-flying fatalities until the very moment that I choked on my morning espresso. Getting zapped because you flew a kite into a hydro line or got Franklin'd by lightning, sure, that can happen. But someone getting their throat slit by a weaponized kite string has never been on my list of Bad Things That Might Happen Today, let alone something that is common enough that there can be multiple unrelated instances in a single day.

[Isgrimnur]

2003

PETER CAVE: Every year in India and Pakistan dozens of people are killed by kites, most of them young children. The deaths are caused by special "dog-fighting" kite strings carrying razor-like metal strips and abrasives designed to slice through an opponents string but which can cause severe injury to bystanders and in some cases even decapitation.

In Pakistan alone, five children have died in the last four months and now in Punjab province police have been ordered to treat all such fatalities as murder.

As South Asia Correspondent Geoff Thompson reports.

GEOFF THOMPSON: Flying a kite is meant to be harmless fun and every year in India and Pakistan the onset of spring is celebrated by the riot of colour the kite festivals bring. But in recent years dog-fighting with kites has become hotly competitive, and well, it's all fun and games until somebody loses their life.

Every year the kites cause blackouts when they become entwined with power lines, the kites injure hundreds of birds and there are even reports of cows being killed. The animal deaths are one thing, the growing human toll is quite another.

Every year one or two children have died, but in Pakistan’s Punjab province five children have been killed in just the last four months. The deaths are caused by kite strings being turned into lethal weapons, designed to cut the string of an opponent's kite in a dog-fight. Some strings are laced with metal shards, others are treated with abrasive chemicals.

RANA EJAZ AHMAD KHAN: There is some solution or chemical and becomes a very, very sharp, which causes deaths, which cuts like a knife.

GEOFF THOMPSON: Rana Ejaz Ahmad Khan is the law and human rights adviser to the Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province. This week, he announced that from now on death by kite will be treated as death by an offensive weapon, in other words, murder.

Mr Khan says that in some cases, young children have been decapitated.

RANA EJAZ AHMAD KHAN: A number of deaths have taken place on the young people due to metallic or chemical wire. It is causing the death of innocent persons due to excessive bleeding, due to that metallic or chemical wire.

GEOFF THOMPSON: People have had their throats cut?

RANA EJAZ AHMAD KHAN: Yeah. The neck has been, you see, cut through and through because for minor children of three years, five years such incidents have taken place.

GEOFF THOMPSON: The incidents can be as serious as someone, some child having their head cut off completely?

RANA EJAZ AHMAD KHAN: Yes, yes.

GEOFF THOMPSON: That has happened?

RANA EJAZ AHMAD KHAN: Yes, yes.

GEOFF THOMPSON: Police in Punjab province have now been instructed to raid shops, which sell the banned deadly strings and make arrests.

[hepcat]

Good lord, leave it to Pakistan to figure out a way to make kite flying lethal.

[Max Peck]

Great, now ever time I see a kid flying a kite I'm going to be thinking "Ack! Decapitation!"

Thanks, Obamnur!

[GreenGoo]

I like how it's not murder, then an Advisor makes an announcement, and suddenly it's murder.

It's not the concept that killing people with kites is now illegal (or more illegal), it's the idea that some dude in government can just announce that certain acts are now treated differently than yesterday. There doesn't appear to be any legislative process beyond some guy deciding to change the law.

Not to mention, holy shit, decapitated by kite!

[dbt1949]

Ben Franklin was lucky in more ways than one.

[Isgrimnur]

Mr. President, we must not allow a kite gap!

[coopasonic]

I like how it's not murder, then an Advisor makes an announcement, and suddenly it's murder.

It's not the concept that killing people with kites is now illegal (or more illegal), it's the idea that some dude in government can just announce that certain acts are now treated differently than yesterday. There doesn't appear to be any legislative process beyond some guy deciding to change the law.

Not to mention, holy shit, decapitated by kite!

I think it is more about how they would be treating/prosecuting those cases, not a change in the law really but a change in how it is applied. I think the same thing could happen here. The first case would set a precedent and if it survives appeals and challenges, then that becomes the way it is. That's just how I imagine it would work... you know, knowing nothing about anything.

[Blackhawk]

On the one hand, I had no idea that using spears to hunt bears was something that people do for fun, let alone that it is actually banned in some places. I guess I kind of respect someone a little more if he's willing to go low-tech instead of packing a lot of firepower.

Reading through it, I'm not sure what the outrage is. He didn't break the law. Is it against hunting in general? Because if so, ok, I get it. A difference of philosophies, but fine. Is it specifically against spear hunting? Then why? It is acceptable to propel a metal slug (bullet), a long stick with a point (arrow) or a short stick with point (crossbow bolt) through an animal, but not a really long stick with a point?

In the sub-linked Reuters article:

Bow hunting is legal in Alberta and 19 percent of 119,000 big game hunters in the province last year purchased archery hunting permits, according to a government website.

Why him and not them?

[Anonymous Bosch]

On the one hand, I had no idea that using spears to hunt bears was something that people do for fun, let alone that it is actually banned in some places. I guess I kind of respect someone a little more if he's willing to go low-tech instead of packing a lot of firepower.

Reading through it, I'm not sure what the outrage is. He didn't break the law. Is it against hunting in general? Because if so, ok, I get it. A difference of philosophies, but fine. Is it specifically against spear hunting? Then why? It is acceptable to propel a metal slug (bullet), a long stick with a point (arrow) or a short stick with point (crossbow bolt) through an animal, but not a really long stick with a point?

In the sub-linked Reuters article:

Bow hunting is legal in Alberta and 19 percent of 119,000 big game hunters in the province last year purchased archery hunting permits, according to a government website.

Why him and not them?

Because on Social Media, moral indignation is the coin of the realm and always trumps coherence.

[Max Peck]

Reading through it, I'm not sure what the outrage is. He didn't break the law. Is it against hunting in general? Because if so, ok, I get it. A difference of philosophies, but fine. Is it specifically against spear hunting? Then why? It is acceptable to propel a metal slug (bullet), a long stick with a point (arrow) or a short stick with point (crossbow bolt) through an animal, but not a really long stick with a point?

In the sub-linked Reuters article:

Bow hunting is legal in Alberta and 19 percent of 119,000 big game hunters in the province last year purchased archery hunting permits, according to a government website.

Why him and not them?

Because on Social Media, moral indignation is the coin of the realm and always trumps coherence.

True, but if you're going to attach a camera to your weapon-of-choice, record the animal's death and then upload the critter snuff to your social media platform of choice, you should probably expect that a few people aren't going to be happy with you. And they'll tell two friends, and they'll tell two friends, and the next thing you know you're famous. Some unpleasant consequences are entirely foreseeable.

[GreenGoo]

you know, knowing nothing about anything.

I also don't know the details. This announcement could have come after a few years of political debate and after legislature was passed, for all I know. It just sounded odd from the quote snippet.

That said, I find it hard to believe that something that was treated as accidental death (I assume?) could suddenly change to involuntary manslaughter (or murder, whatever) because someone decided to just alter how it was prosecuted.

I'm probably naive on that too though. It just sounds outlandish to me.

[Daehawk]

Why not just ban the making of, the using, and the selling of that type kite string and competition?

[LawBeefaroni]

Why not just ban the making of, the using, and the selling of that type kite string and competition?

Police in Punjab province have now been instructed to raid shops, which sell the banned deadly strings and make arrest.

[Daehawk]

Pssst hey buddy...what ya in for mate??

Kite string.

[Blackhawk]

Pssst hey buddy...what ya in for mate??

Kite string.

Phrasing, man. You'll never make it on the inside. The correct answer is, "Manufacture and distribution of prohibited lethal equipment."

[Max Peck]

If Uber rolls out a fleet of autonomous vehicles, how do they position themselves as anything but a taxi company rather than a "ride sharing" coordinator?

The ride-sharing firm Uber will, for the first time, allow users to hail self-driving cars within a fortnight, the company has confirmed. Uber said the launch would take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It added that it was teaming up with Volvo. At first, the vehicles will be supervised by a driver, who can take control if necessary, and an observer, Bloomberg reported. Uber eventually hopes to replace its one million drivers, Bloomberg said.

A spokeswoman for the firm told the BBC: "Starting later this month, Uber will allow customers in downtown Pittsburgh to summon self-driving cars from their phones, crossing an important milestone that no automotive or technology company has yet achieved. "In Pittsburgh, customers will request cars the normal way, via Uber's app, and will be paired with a driverless car at random. Trips will be free for the time being, rather than the standard local rate of $1.30 [£0.98] per mile." She added that Volvo had already sent a small number of sensor-equipped XC90 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to Uber, which would be used in the initial trials. The carmaker intends to have delivered 100 such cars to its partner by the end of the year.

[Paingod]

If Uber rolls out a fleet of autonomous vehicles, how do they position themselves as anything but a taxi company rather than a "ride sharing" coordinator?

Maybe they plan to "lease" the cars to "owners" who will be responsible for maintenance and insurance, and in turn the owners keep a portion of the fees the cabs cars generate for them, and Uber gets the rest. They just need a pilot program to prove it can work, then a bunch of investors to make it a reality.

I think Tesla had already thought about letting your autonomous car be used as a ride-share device, too.

[Pyperkub]

Good lord, leave it to Pakistan to figure out a way to make kite flying lethal.

I first remember reading about Kite fighting when Aiken Drum introduced it to the Tanu and Firvulag in The Many Colored Land...

[stessier]

The deadliest garden in the world.

Sadly, it's a video and not text, but still quite interesting (and short - only about 2 minutes).

[Daehawk]

Cookout

So we have one of these now. Never heard of it before. Found out its a chain. Supposed to have really good food cheap too from some friends who have been there. You get a main item, 2 sides, and a drink for $5. Add $1 if you get a shake instead. Huge amount of shakes to choose from too.

[hentzau]

I hate change weekends. Dreading tomorrow night.

[stessier]

Cookout

So we have one of these now. Never heard of it before. Found out its a chain. Supposed to have really good food cheap too from some friends who have been there. You get a main item, 2 sides, and a drink for $5. Add $1 if you get a shake instead. Huge amount of shakes to choose from too.

We have them here. I wasn't impressed.

[Smoove_B]

I hate change weekends. Dreading tomorrow night.

You gotta take lesson from mother nature and if you do you'll know.

[Blackhawk]

I hate change weekends. Dreading tomorrow night.

This post confuses. Change weekend? Is this a regional thing? Lingo I've never heard? A case of word missing?

[wonderpug]

I hate change weekends. Dreading tomorrow night.

This post confuses. Change weekend? Is this a regional thing? Lingo I've never heard? A case of word missing?

Ugh, how lazy can you get? Just google it to find the answer.



See? Now it all makes sense.

[coopasonic]

I hate change weekends. Dreading tomorrow night.

This post confuses. Change weekend? Is this a regional thing? Lingo I've never heard? A case of word missing?

A weekend in which the technology group is implementing a system or application change or set of changes in order to punish the business for learning how things used to work.

These are often done on the weekend to minimize disruption to the business directly. Indirect disruption related to poorly communicated changes, however, provides the tech team endless amusement.

[hentzau]

I hate change weekends. Dreading tomorrow night.

This post confuses. Change weekend? Is this a regional thing? Lingo I've never heard? A case of word missing?

A weekend in which the technology group is implementing a system or application change or set of changes in order to punish the business for learning how things used to work.

These are often done on the weekend to minimize disruption to the business directly. Indirect disruption related to poorly communicated changes, however, provides the tech team endless amusement.

Thanks, coop.

Yeah, we have a set number of weekends in which we can implement production changes. These changes can start no earlier than 10 PM Central on the Friday of the change, and usually a change will take a minimum of 3-4 hours, so the moment that you should be your sharpest you are playing with computer systems when you are wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed. I'm expecting this change we are doing (which isn't really a change, but it's reading from a production DB, so we have to classify it as a change) to take about 6 hours, maybe more.

I mean, I get why we have to do it. And I'm lucky that I'm at that point in my career where I have underlings that handle 90% of the changes we have to do. But the 2-3 times a year I have to be on deck for these changes I just hate.