They could pay a dividend if Bush's tax plan passes.
From the infamous Wrestleline SS interview:
DTD: If you were to make changes in WCW, if you were in charge and not Ric Flair, what would they be?
SS: I'd get rid of all the old guys, and push the talent that has waited to get the push. The things they are doing, it's back in the 1980s. It's just bad, man. Flair doesn't even deserve to be on the show. You've got to get rid of all the old guys. Like what Vince did, they started pushing guys. Nobody knew who The Rock was 2 years ago. He made The Rock. Now The Rock just did Saturday Night Live. You've got to start with the young talent, talent people can relate to. Who are we trying to relate to if we've got a 50 year old man out there? Are we trying to relate, so a 50 year people and above will go out and buy a f*cking little toy? That ain't gonna happen. It's a f*cking joke.
I think when they start making TVs that watch you, then you can start making the Big Brother comparisons. But a watch that will give you a damned recipe, and maybe eventually replace the celphone? RELAX dude... the government is not going to use "SPOT" to track your movements. Oh, and 1984 is a FICTIONAL NOVEL. It is not prophecy.
Am I missing something or is this just a small mobile phone with internet access and maybe a radio? I don't see why you are worried about this as Big Brother? I say that any technology that takes us one step closer to Dick Tracy is a good technology :)
Calling this "one step closer to Big Brother" is probably a bit of a stretch. I think I see what you're getting at (maybe), but it's only contingent on everybody getting a watch with a Microsoft chip in it. (However, since it's also Microsoft, I have my doubts as to whether it would actually work consistently, too.) If you don't get one, how is it Big Brother to you?
We have cameras on street corners. Airports are now virtual police states. Our rights under the Constitution are being whittled away. People are not responsible for their own actions. The USA PATRIOT Act. The TIPS program. Fighting a perpetual war against terrorism for perpetual peace. It's all right there.
Tank: So what do you need? Besides a miracle. Neo: Guns. Lots of guns. The Matrix
The thing that worries me about that announcement is that they're also selling fridge magnets with similar technology. Who the hell would buy a magnet from Microsoft? (INSERT RELIABILITY JOKE HERE)
Just a combination of various thoughts going through my mind at the time I read this article. Grimis hits pretty close to the target. We all know that Microsoft's products are not the most reliable in the world. How long do you think it will take for someone to hack these products and turn them around (although people have yet to hack the XBox and put Linux on there.)
Microsoft's attempts at diversification have been as successful as the WWE's. They have about $55 billion dollars with most of it invested in US Treasury securities. Is there any rational reason they need to hold that much cash? If they were to pay a pretty hefty dividend how much of those securities would they sell and would it have an effect upon the market?
Or maybe I have been working a bit to much lately and need a couple of good nights sleep.
From the infamous Wrestleline SS interview:
DTD: If you were to make changes in WCW, if you were in charge and not Ric Flair, what would they be?
SS: I'd get rid of all the old guys, and push the talent that has waited to get the push. The things they are doing, it's back in the 1980s. It's just bad, man. Flair doesn't even deserve to be on the show. You've got to get rid of all the old guys. Like what Vince did, they started pushing guys. Nobody knew who The Rock was 2 years ago. He made The Rock. Now The Rock just did Saturday Night Live. You've got to start with the young talent, talent people can relate to. Who are we trying to relate to if we've got a 50 year old man out there? Are we trying to relate, so a 50 year people and above will go out and buy a f*cking little toy? That ain't gonna happen. It's a f*cking joke.
I don't think any rights have been whittled away. I admit the thought of your neighbors informing on you is scary, but I believe the TIPS program was cancelled. But, as a citizen, you still can confront your accuser.
I became a citizen last fall and still am incredibly thrilled with that fact. I was definitely put through the wringer with the INS folks and the FBI. But I had nothing to hide.
We live in an open society that continually springs more ways of communicating. A governments natural response is to maintain control. Smart business people will try to exploit this contradiction.
So if Big Brother is watching...so what! If you aren't doing anything wrong, there is no issue. If you are scamming...you're a little fish in a big pond. If you come to the attention of the government (local, state or federal) it's probably because you did do something illegal.
And yeah, Dick Tracy watches would be cool... I wait for molecular/nano technology though Then I'll fear the marketers, not Big Brother!
We have cameras on street corners. Airports are now virtual police states. Our rights under the Constitution are being whittled away. People are not responsible for their own actions. The USA PATRIOT Act. The TIPS program. Fighting a perpetual war against terrorism for perpetual peace. It's all right there.
Wait a minute, wait a minute... Did Grimis write that or did I? Is it April 1st already?
Originally posted by evilwaldopeople have yet to hack the XBox and put Linux on there.)
Actually, they have. Of course, no one has figured out how to trick Xbox Live (the online service) into thinking that the machine hasn't been tampered with.
Originally posted by OlFuzzyBastardWait a minute, wait a minute... Did Grimis write that or did I? Is it April 1st already?
Yes, I wrote that...
Originally posted by lazzzloSo if Big Brother is watching...so what! If you aren't doing anything wrong, there is no issue.
I don't know, maybe it's that whole issue concerning right to privacy, innocence until proven guilty 4th Amendment thing. I don't know MAYBE it has something to do with the fact that we fought TWO wars against the English to ensure that we have unalieinable rights, among these being life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And the best you can so is "So what?
I fear for our future.
Tank: So what do you need? Besides a miracle. Neo: Guns. Lots of guns. The Matrix
I think I was slightly taken out of context there.
I don't run from the cops...I have no reason to do so. If I commit a crime...I have to pay the penalty...me Mum would never look at me again.
That being said, I don't want anyone looking over my shoulder. I see another cool toy that has obvious multiple purposes. Look at ARPA and DARPA...it's the Internet.
The world did swivel a bit after 9/11. My personal philosophy is to not live in fear of the future. Change it and embrace it...it moves in a blink of an eye.
And always know your rights (Joe Strummer tribute).