Mail Bag
A few quick follow-ups to some responses I have received to this month’s posts.
photo: linked from goatopolis
First, after I wrote about the self-replicating machine called RepRap, I emailed the project team, and heard back from Adrian Bowyer, whose duties are such that they involve responding to people like me when we suggest that their device will eventually lead to humanity being enslaved by the Terminators and Skynet. Adrian says, “I have to say that all this stuff about our machines taking over from us is based more on an opium dream by Mary Shelly than anything either historical or scientific,” also adding that “we’ve always modified reproducing machines to help us fight our battles. But as soon as one showed even a hint of getting above its station it would be exterminated by the most ruthless and creative self-replicating machine that has ever existed. Right down to the last self-replicating memory chip…” Adrian makes excellent points, though I believe it is worth noting that IF we ever are enslaved by robot armies, the development of a self-replicating machine would probably be the first step. Just sayin’, that’s all. Igor, go empty the Roomba, will ya?
At least a couple of you are not afraid to cut the cable from the cable company, as I suggested in No-Cable Guy. Both Ryan and Mr. Monkey, among others are quite content to get their Recommended Daily Allowance of Video Nourishment from either iTunes Music Store, Netflix, and Internet sites. Mr. Monkey also suggested that one can stretch one’s movie theatre allowance by sneaking into other theatres after your main feature is over. I’m shocked, shocked I tell you, to learn that my readership includes such flagrant scofflaws. He even mentioned a website, http://doublefeaturefinder.com/, that aids and abets such behavior! My only regret is that Hollywood seldom has two films in simultaneous release that are actually worth seeing on the same day.
I had a lot of feedback on my suggestion that we add “bns” to our IM vocabulary to indicate amusement that falls short of actually laughing out loud (recognizing that when such laughter does in fact occur, lol would still be permissible). One reader who does not apparently snort with amusement (weirdo) suggested EAFOSATNETBDIYWTTMFTF, for Experiencing a Feeling of Slight Amusement Though Not Enough to be Detectable If You Were Talking To Me Face To Face as an alternative. I invite your comments.
Thanks to everyone who has come by the site this month. Please feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions.
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