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Lu's comments
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Lu  ·  4011 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Squatting

Thank you so much for sharing this, I am really interested in hearing stories of fellow squatters. I actually lived in Rotterdam for 1 1/2 years, and for a short time I lived in an antikraak in the center of Rotterdam. It was a office building from the 70's, slated for demolition, and the owners let people squat in it if they paid the utilities. The building was eventually demolished and everyone was told they had to move, but it was great while it lasted. I did a lot of research about squatting in the UK, and NL, they pretty much started the whole thing off, and legalised it for a time. I hope you can help support my project, http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-practical-guide-to-squat..., and spread the word. Thanks again!

Lu  ·  4012 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Squatting

Well actually, it was more of a hypothetical. I would love to however. The building that I studied is for sale, and if only I had a heap of cash I would buy it in a second.

Lu  ·  4013 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Squatting

Thanks for helping my spread the word. Actually most of the things in the book I have done, some I revised. The solar over I made, but a different version of it, I cooked hot dogs and hot chocolate in it in the dead of winter, under the sun when it was nearly -25 Celsius. No wifi at the orchard, I spend a lot of time at the library or at MCDonalds siphoning free wifi.

Lu  ·  4353 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What is your lame claim to fame?
When I was 11 the CBC interviewed me about a Cankerworm epidemic in the city of Winnipeg. I think I told them "I hate how they get stuck in my hair, and sometimes my mouth" - my one true moment of brilliance!
Lu  ·  4373 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: One space or two?
Brilliant, my general practice has been confirmed! I always disliked the two space rule; too roomy. I am not sure who opened my eyes to just once space, but I have been a one spacer ever since.
Lu  ·  4390 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Has the iPad saved the book business?
What is potentially dangerous is that companies like Amazon will become the curators of literature instead of the publishers. While both are of course concerned with turning a profit, I doubt if Amazon really cares as much about the integrity of its publications. Like the article pointed out huge stores like Wal-mart and Costco account for 40% of the market mostly pandering very popular mainstream books that create larger revenues. The industry will follow suit and produce more books of this kind and less independent and obscure works. I think it will change the way authors write and what they write about.
Lu  ·  4415 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: 360° panoramas of sites and structures from all over the world.
This site is pretty good too...I just can't get enough of these sorts of images http://www.airpano.com/
Lu  ·  4418 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Seeking Ways to Make Computer Passwords Unnecessary
Yeah I think that would be great! I just remember that scene in Minority Report when Tom Cruise walks into the gap and triggers a sensor that recognizes your identity and purchase history....that is the future.
Lu  ·  4431 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Can you build a human body?
For sure, but where does it end? I am all for exploring what technology can do to help save or extend the life of people, the scary part is when people become more machine then human. Also is there a moral or ethical issue with relying on technology to extend ones life? What if technology allows us to live till 150 or even 200 years, should we? The human body, its organs, tissues, cells etc. have limits, once we go beyond the capacity of our physical body its almost like you are living on borrowed time.
Lu  ·  4431 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Why Do Innocent People Confess?
One of my favourite photographers; Taryn Simon, has a project called 'The Innocents' http://tarynsimon.com/works_innocents.php, where she photographs people who served time in jail for violent crimes which they did not commit. She photographs them at the scene of their supposed crime. All of these people were wrongfully incarcerated based on mistaken identification from a line-up. While these people didn't confess to a crime they didn't commit it does certainly cast a shadow of doubt on a legal system that knowingly or not tries to convict the wrong person.
Lu  ·  4444 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: America's Deep, Dark Secret
Naomi Klein is one of the best economic theorists and writers of our time. I would try and get my hands on anything she has written, No Logo is also a great read. You should check out this interview with her and Charlie Rose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPmYvfYzBsw.
Lu  ·  4444 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: America's Deep, Dark Secret
Excellent book, I recommend it!
Lu  ·  4460 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What is the best hacker movie ever?
What about Hackers...it's a mid-nineties classic, and Bunk from The Wire is in it!
Lu  ·  4468 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Citizen Philosophers
If philosophy were a mandatory subject in North America we might see some surprising results. One of the most inspiring things about philosophical issues is how it brings democracy, conduct and morality into question. If young people were provoked to examine not only historical precedents but their own lives through a philosophical lens perhaps it would lead to a heightened level of awareness among young people. There might be a reduction in crime, dropouts and drug use as students become more critical of their choices. Perhaps I am being a tad idealistic, but its a possibility worth exploring.
Lu  ·  4469 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Eastern vs Western Civilization
I think more so the point is to recognize that many of the advancements of the West are in part due to the many innovations and discoveries of the East. I don't think her argument is meant to undermine Western advancement, but rather to trace back the origins of language, science and culture. I think most civilizations throughout history have been built upon their predecessors. What is most fascinating to me is how information or technology transcends as different cultures interpret and synthesize that information.
Lu  ·  4484 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Presented without comment: The Sea Tree
I appreciate the radical nature of proposals like this. I think solutions for our environmental problems will in the future, need to be more and more imaginative. There is a place for a whole new typology of 'environmental infrastructure' that hopefully people will be able to inhabit.
Lu  ·  4488 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Ideas for Cities: Share Physical Things
I think the way of the future is more sharing and more open source. I was just reading this article http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/green-driving/new... talking about predictions for the future and it talks about companies setting up apps and website so that people can rent out their cars when they are unused and even their backyards for campers. What an idea!
Lu  ·  4490 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: A question of conscience.
I think that to never let yourself live down your mistakes and move on is a defiant move against personal progress and growth. While endangering someones life in such a careless way is a terrible and almost unforgivable thing, I would like to think that what makes us human is our ability to forgive (and to forgive oneself). Without that I think we remain entrenched in a vicious and relentless past.

As for the Heroine, I would like to think that I would embrace the desire for experimentation from my child. I actually put my mother in this situation when I was young (not with heroine but other drugs and alcohol). She accepted that I would try these things regardless of her acceptance and thus let my sister and I do what we were going to do anyway at home. And I have to say in hind sight, she did the right thing. I feel like that experience led me to develop a better sense of self-control and judgement, because it really was up to me.

Lu  ·  4509 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Is Facebook Becoming a Digital Cemetery?
I think the whole idea of a digital presence after our death is a little erie. I read somewhere that the applause we hear on many sitcoms was actually recorded in the 50's and is just being reused over and over again by networks, which essentially implies that we may be listening to the clapping of dead people.
Lu  ·  4533 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: City in the sky
What do you mean "what would you do"....gaze in wonderment at the world below of course, and think to yourself how amazing it is that you are floating in the clouds!
Lu  ·  4536 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The Tragedy of the Forever Renter
I think the real estate market is pretty inaccessible to a lot of people. I live in a great apartment right now but I would never be able to afford it if I were to buy. I can live in a nicer place as a renter than I could as an owner. Plus I live in the center of the city, which is hard to afford as a buyer.