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zman's comments
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zman  ·  4050 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The Real Cost of Shrinking Government

Why does head start still receive funding when it has been proven that the program has no benefits.

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/01/head-start-...

zman  ·  4055 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Chart of gun deaths

While the amount of gun deaths is tragic, more people are killed by alcohol and car accidents each year. Also the guns commonly demonized by the media can be attributed to least amount deaths when compared to other weapons.

We can only blame the breakdown of society for these deaths, not weapons. Man will find a way to kill no matter what if he is set out to do so. Like the bath school disaster, no guns were used but it was the deadliest school killing in history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

zman  ·  4055 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Elon Musk vs. The Times: Why This Can't End Well for Tesla

The Tesla is an interesting display of what an electric car can be, but it really isn't the electric car we have been waiting for. Like others it is more of a "look at me" electric, a status symbol more than an everyday commuter. Also what happens when the batteries loose their ability to hold a charge after 10 years or so? When it is left in the cold or extreme heat daily? Batteries don't like extreme temperatures and it can shorten the life of the batteries. It is a step in the right direction, and good for working out kinks. If you expect the electric car to be everything a gas car will be you are looking for the wrong car, as the new york times failed to realize.

I like the idea of electric cars but until they can match, or approach, the reliability, ease of use, and price, of the average gas guzzler they wont get a foothold in the market.

zman  ·  4074 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The Scariest Environmental Fact in the World

I believe the population is predicted to stabilize at about 10 billion based on population growth trends and many experts opinions. If you think about it then it makes sense, the population wont grow above what is naturally sustainable because without resources it is impossible. Many people believe that human numbers will just keep expanding but that is just not feasible.

zman  ·  4074 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The Scariest Environmental Fact in the World

China seems to be going through its own industrial revolution. As the middle class grows it will be interesting to see its society develop as people become less tolerant of an intrusive government. China is also becoming a massive market for new cars and American companies are leading the charge. Look for a new china on the horizon.

Also is china not working on thorium reactors? I thought bill gates was helping out?

zman  ·  4076 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: A Truth About the Glass Ceiling No One Wants to Talk About

Perhaps the more attractive a person is the more experience they have in socializing and making a lasting impression compared to a more unattractive rival. Attractive people tend to be more outgoing because of the fact that throughout their lives people have been more prone to seek them out. Also this article fails to recognize that many studies have shown correlation between attractiveness and intelligence. This article is just one of many that points out that being attractive inst just looks http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundament...

Also many women are not in senior leadership positions simply because less women have the desire to be in those positions. You can blame it on our culture but many younger women want their husbands to be able to take care of them and feel that they should not have to take up higher positions. The real reason women do not hold as much as a grasp is that many women don't truly want it, similar to the failing of the equal rights amendment.

zman  ·  4080 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: What would happen if North Korea launched a missile at the United States?

US has recently began mobilizing the majority of its navy into the pacific.As of right now it is the area with the most dangerous potential for things to go wrong. China has become increasingly aggressive to Japan with their island disputes and North Korea seems set to cause trouble in any way possible. I see it as a matter of time before some action is taken to prevent a tragedy in the future. China may be one of the only reasons actions have not been taken, they have extreme animosity the US and Japan and I feel if we were to step in and try to stabilize the region it would only end up in a total war with China. As of right now we will just have to wait it out, but you had better believe the US is getting ready for business.

zman  ·  4080 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: An open letter to the hubski admins.

I really feel like the admins at hubski want to make this as big as twitter or digg but want it to be better than both.

I personally really like this site and end up going here instead of other social media more and more. With care and attention the only place to go is up

zman  ·  4082 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Great Public Spaces

One big problem that has happened in my city is the type of crowd that has become attracted to these public spaces. My town has a very nice historic downtown that has a waterfront and many areas to walk and shop. Over the past 10 or 20 years though the area has seen a massive rise in the amount of bars, sleazy clubs, and tattoo parlors. Thanks to this near every time I go downtown it is mainly occupied by drunks and street crawlers making the area unsafe.

Public spaces tend to breed conditions like this and limitations on what kind and the number of shops could help to promote positive, welcoming environments for people to visit. Imagine if 5 or 6 bars popped up in a mall, who would go there?

zman  ·  4083 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Third Weekly "Share Some Music You've Been Into Lately" Thread

Chemical Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mksAdOUgGw Getting into some more hardcore electronic music

Kavinsky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXzggiUalxo New album due soon

Jamiroquai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o15fCMRh2QA Incredibly funky, impossible not to like

Alex Metric https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV7gn30jrSo Probably the best little known dj/producer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX5YzMhhAmw No idea

zman  ·  4084 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Minimalist Design - What Microsoft Could've Been

I wonder if with the next Xbox Microsoft will be implementing metro and more connectivity with smart phones and computers.

Smart glass could have a lot more potential if they allow game devs to use tablets and smartphones as parts of the game or allow apps to work with Xbox in tangent

zman  ·  4084 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Harbaugh v Harbaugh!

Games were pretty awesome today, unfortunately I will have to work during the super bowl.

Rooting for 49's; Kaepernick is a very entertaining quarterback to watch play.