What is Digg?99 Comments
- faulkner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+78soon? have you seen myspace?
- Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+50We're legislating ourselves into becoming a third world nation.
I recall a recent Digg post about how to replace the cells in a laptop battery pack. The comments were all about "OOhhhh that's too dangerous!" and "Ohhh I'd never attempt that!"
I see postings about the simplest projects, followed by comments reflecting people's fears of handling a simple soldering iron!
My "Jr. Pyromaniac" background eventually led me to an 8 1/2 year job in a ballistics lab. I designed and implemented equipment and procedures to measure burn rates for propellants in ways that had never been done before. To my knowledge, due to safety systems I built in, nobody has been injured doing these tests. A lot of the intuition and knowledge I built into managing the risks in those experiments came directly from my experiences in discovering the properties of energetic materials while still retaining all of my fingers (I still have all ten). I developed those skills largely by "playing" with a chemistry set, electronics, fireworks and model rocketry while I was growing up.
Today, those experiences would get me placed on a government "watch list". - DoubtfulSalmon, on 10/12/2007, -14/+51The strange thing is, I live in Australia, and it's beginning to seem like the Americans *do* have jurisdiction over here. Ever since the Americans had that little 9/11 episode, things have been tightening up in Australia as well.
I blame dubya's inability to mind his own business - we wouldn't have this silly 'terror threat' if America minded its own business and stopped tinkering in middle eastern affairs. - SpacePope, on 10/12/2007, -0/+31Yup, wasn't there an article about decreased interest in science in high school students? American's are just asking for it. Soon your kids are going to be dumb as bricks. Way to go.
- jpwhitmore, on 10/12/2007, -0/+31^^"We're legislating ourselves into becoming a third world nation."
I agree with you 100%, and the way you you summed up the problem in one sentence is brilliant. - itistoday, on 10/12/2007, -1/+30This is absolutely horrible!
These people were selling harmless chemicals and devices to such reputable clients like the guys from Myth Busters, and even to the government itself! Their house was swarmed with men in camouflage carrying M-16s and their computers and business records taken away in a van.
Now, 3 years later, the government is again after them, this time with a lawsuit. Now the stakes are even higher; according to their website ( http://www.unitednuclear.com ):
"The Government is actively attempting to eliminate all chemical sales to the public. This action has been initiated by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). Chemical suppliers are now faced with legal action. If we lose this court battle, it will be illegal to even own a chemistry set."
Ridiculous! Hundreds of great scientists, mathematicians, computer engineers, etc. existed *because* of their experiments with sciences like chemistry as children. It intrigued them and inspired them to learn more and get great things accomplished like the design of the integrated circuit (sorry to steal Wired's example).
Pretty soon, if these trends continue, America will become one large country full of self-protecting, pathetic individuals, scared of the outdoors and life in general. It will quickly lose its technological edge, as it has already lost in the field of robotics. - jo42, on 10/12/2007, -0/+28Just try and get big motors for model rocketry.
This has all become such a load of bullcrap. - leobaby, on 10/12/2007, -1/+27"little 9/11 episode? little?"
yeah, compared to Katrina, it's not that big of a deal.
Thousands dead, millions homeless for a month, hundreds of thousands houseless permenantly. - nogami, on 10/12/2007, -5/+31Your country is so absolutely f**ked. With one 9/11 attack, terrorists win...
- justdbc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+23Reading this really made my stomach churn. I fondly remember many afternoons spent at my chemistry set about 40 years ago: "No, mom, I'm not making gunpowder...", it *wasn't* gunpowder, technically speaking. Made a nice bang, though.
These days, I'm a dad, and we home school our 7 year old daughter. She *loves* "workshop time", where we build stuff (and learn a little science, engineering, math, and a few shop skills). She can't get enough bench time. Last week we built a solar marsh-mellow and hot dog cooker. How many 7 year olds can explain how to draw a parabola using a piece of string and a carpenter's square, *and* explain a bit of the math of why that works?
OK, I'm wandering... back on point.... This article really made my stomach churn. How am I supposed to teach my daughter anything if I can't get the materials? I refuse to let the government (or anybody else, like for instance the public school system) make my daughter stupid. This is insane. We have too much government. When kids can't buy rocket motors we have too much government. When kids can't get the basic materials for a few experiments, we have too much government. - STDOUBT, on 10/12/2007, -16/+39@FunkyGuy & Koskun
In terms of lives lost, and compared to what the US and Israel have
done to Arab peoples in just the past few years....yeah. LITTLE. - Tiabin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+25If we're not poisoning ourselves with junk food and pharmaceuticals, we're rotting our minds with excessive TV and punishing people for intelligent pursuits. God bless America, and heil Bush.
- Everman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17Summary of the article: Terrorists Win!
You can't do anything now without being suspected of terorism. Do you have a permit for that science fair volcano?
That moldy bread experiment, yes you know what I'm talking about, trying to grow anthrax I bet. Off to jail for you until proven innocent. - STDOUBT, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18@Petronski
No, in late 2001, it just became clearer that being stupid is "cool", and pollution can't hurt you,
and pharmaceuticals are OK only if sold to you by BigPharma.
Now go take a pill, watch some mTV, and suck down another sugar-drink.
But if we catch you smoking pot and reading a book, we'll send over the Stazi.
And just BTW -if GWB is so smart why does he act like such a goddamned idiot? - STDOUBT, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16Could someone please tell me exactly when the US lost its nutsack?
- Tiabin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18Petronski, your reply put a smile on my face. Lay off the crack, man. None of the things I said were directly related to each other. Bush didn't cause any of that, he's just one a very good example of the stupidity embodied in our American society.
- geminitojanus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14This is a very well written article by Wired, and I agree wholeheartedly. I probably wouldn't have gotten my start in engineering if I didn't care about chemistry and physics first (especially chemistry). I'm absolutely fascinated by new drugs and compounds and the alternatives fuel industry, and if I had my chance to start over as an engineer, I'd probably do chemical or bioengineering instead of computers.
I can't believe how many of those things resonated with me as a kid; I rememer building potassium percholorate rockets powered by powered sugar and launching them out on my Aunt's farm. I remember adding sulfuric acid to sugar in 8th grade to generate pure carbon (and the world's most rotten stench, *snicker*). Nowadays I'd be considered a terrorist for doing any of those activities.
Oh well. I'm going to be damn sure my kids get to live those experiences, even if the government doesn't want us to. Kids should be exposed to this stuff, it makes them think about the world around them and how they can manipulate it.
(And I especially love the comment about the Coffee Maker in the article). - chewbaccapits, on 10/12/2007, -4/+18From WIKIPEDIA:
Oligarchy is a form of government where most or all political power effectively rests with a small segment of society (typically the most powerful, whether by wealth, family, military strength, ruthlessness, or political influence)...Oligarchies are often controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised and mentored to be heirs of the power of the oligarchy, often at some sort of expense to those governed.The most likely mechanism for this transformation is a gradual accumulation of otherwise unchecked economic power. Oligarchies may also evolve into more classically authoritarian forms of government, sometimes as the result of one family gaining ascendancy over the others. - redneckblues, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13This terrorism ***** is a scapegoat. It's such a shame too. Thermite is no longer available on their site, it seems.
- masamunecyrus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Benjamin Franklin, 1759, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin
Mod this one up for all to see. Our founding fathers would not condone of such actions. - DigeratiPrime, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12"that's very nice dear, now go eat your bag of sugar"
- Tiabin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13Yeah, you're right. Why be paranoid? We have the perfect system setup. Our government is flawless. Go back to bed, America. Drink more beer.
- Tiabin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Haha.... Ooooh the things I did with lighter fluid, rubbing alcohol, gasoline, lighters, matches, magnifying glasses, and any paper or leaves I could find in my youth.
- olliholliday, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11how long before Lego's banned because it enables you to make gun-shaped items, or even real spring loaded guns! (not that powerful though or the plastic snaps :()
Better yet, a lego vhs player WITHOUT macrovision!! omg the MPAA will sort that out. - willcode4beer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10Funny that you can buy big buckets of powdered aluminum at West Marine.
A lot of people use it for a filler in epoxy mixes.
Gotta raid Walmart too. Some things you can get there include:
• Muriatic Acid by the gallon (otherwise know as hydrochloric acid).
• Sulphuric Acid in the automotive section.
• Sodium Hydroxide (red devil lye)
• Magnesium Blocks (for fire starting)
• Files (in hardware, to reduce the magnisium blocks to power)
• Ether (starter fluid)
• Calcium Hypochlorite (for your swimming pool)
• Propane
• Black Powder (by the guns)
• Pipes (why is plumbing next to the firearms anyway?)
• Sodium Nitrate (food preservative)
In the painting area you'll find acetone, xylene and benezene
Walmart, terrorist supercenter or the savings place.
I'm being sarcastic of course. Everything can be dual purpose - doomgoat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10this has become absurd, i get dirty stares because i bought two boxes of ***** MATCHES at a store. at another store i get tailed by security because im purchasing lighter fluid. am i an evil terrorist with devious intent to blow up the city, or do, perhaps, i enjoy having a fire in the yard and grilling food once in a while?
- AeonTorpor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10Sometime between WWII and Vietnam... maybe after Korea.
- theRIAA, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9we really need to start teaching children lessons like what NOT to eat and what SMART choices are instead of pampering them with this crap
- soogy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9By the way, Joy White is pretty hot for a chick scientist. Had no idea she was 47 years old!
http://www.unitednuclear.com/vande2.jpg - bufo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9I find the idea that the American Government has to legislate all of my actions for fear of me hurting myself insulting. It was bad enough when they labeled everything with warnings, but now they just decide to make it illegal. I think freedom is dead, its just a matter of time.
I also remember making thermite as a kid, if i am not mistaken all you have to do is mix aluminum shavings with rust shavings in a ratio of 3 : 1 respectively and ignite it with magnesium strips. Although I do believe black iron oxide not red is the better substance. - redneckblues, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9As Isaac Asimov once said, "If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them."
- chess007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8 This is retarded. Did you know one of the ingredients in thermite (a material that burns so hot it can burn a hole through an engine block) is iron oxide? Oh the dangers of rust! Quick send someone to seize all rusty vehicles as "evidence" of "bomb making materials."
Gas is entirely flammable and much more dangerous than these chemicals. Molatav cocktails are extremely dangerous. So now we need to:
Quickly ban all glass containers
Quickly ban gas
Quickly ban rags that could be used as wicks
Pure oxygen is extremely flammable. Lets arrest old people, scuba divers, and emt's for having oxygen tanks. Damn it they're all terrorists!!
"Thats why scuba divers wear masks...to hide their true terrorists selves." LOL The sad thing is I can imagine some politician saying that.
Here's a great new charge "possession of potential bomb making material." *sigh*
This anti-terror stuff is getting so looney. - Justice101, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8If you live in Isreal your gonna need something a little bigger than a potato gun, maybe some sodium and water. ;-)
- Daem0nX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9"Consumer Product Safety Commission" so basically because it has the word "Safety" it will pass with the majority of Americans approving it? Or at least in the media all you'll hear is from people who want to give up yet another freedom for so called safety. I guess they better start banning chlorine and ammonia since those when mixed create chlorine gas - but I highly doubt those will be banned. Why does it seem like very little of our population will look at our history and realize how much damage this could do to us? Yesterday science didn't have enough people majoring in it, and yet this kind of crap is going to some how make more people want to get into it?
- MalDON, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Actually, I do think 9/11 is small compaired to all the other terror attacks around the world. How is it that America hits once in a long time and everyone gets scared, but you hear all the time on the news, infact at leas tonce a day that a car bomb has killed people.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Tap my phone, limit my education, call me a terrorist for owning rubbing alcohol, ______, _______,_________. Fill in the blanks I guess.
Oh and lets not forget how ***** of an experience it is to catch a flight at the airport.
Ya I'd say the terrorists won this war already - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8I feel like a terrorist just reading that article. Actually I feel more like a terrorist when I fill my gas tank up in my car. I mean, gas is explosive. What if I use it to make a bomb? I certainly buy enough of it to suspect that I might be up to something. GOSH better have homeland security bust down my door and steal my computer because I'm up to no good.
if you bust down my newly installed door though, I will shoot you with my AK before the door even hits the ground. - stonedgeek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7What about the legal fireworks which cause 98% of reported fireworks injuries?
- localzuk, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11To those who say '9/11 wasn't little'. In comparison to the number of people who die from starvation, lack of clean drinking water and civil war around the world, it is little.
The UK has had terrorist attacks for many years, by the IRA and others. The UK is only now creating ridiculous laws (since 9/11) that infringe on freedom so majorly, it is now difficult to know if saying your government are criminals is illegal. - aquax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7It was less than a year ago that a friend of mine's younger brother was tried under felony terrorist laws because he and his friends were blowing up soda bottles with dry ice and hot water, in the middle of the street.
Granted, they were being stupid high school kids, but they never threatened anyone, plus the "bombs" (if you could even call it that), were hardly dangerous at all.
It's sad how it took 6 months of various courts to get the case reduced to some community service, and only a misdemeanor. - SpacePope, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Petronski:
Do you realize that Tabin's comment has two sentences and one may not have anything to do with the other? Do you realize that the second sentence may actually be a praise and not a sarcastic remark (although it probably is)? Did you notice that Tabin didn't say that Bush is responsible for any of that? Do you think I didn't notice you altered your comment? Do you understand that I'm not bashing Bush or defending Tabin? I just hate flamers. - soogy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Heh, it does seem strange. But, I have to say United Nuclear is great. I haven't purchased from them myself, but I know people who have, and they were very pleased with them. Kind of like the Mom & Pop store of physics.
- Aztec, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Are you not digging this story solely because the poster had some ambiguity in the title? At the very least, I would hope you'd have read the article in its entirety...
This article is just another reminder as to where are country is headed if things do not change. My worries are that protesting is losing its power... :/ - Nichevo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I suppose it would be prudent to point out that the physicist in question is Bob Lazar, a man who claims to have reverse engineered alien UFO's at area 51. He is somewhat famous in the UFO community. Make of this what you will, I am sure it will be twisted both ways though...
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7 @STDOUBT.
"And just BTW -if GWB is so smart why does he act like such a goddamned idiot?"
Maybe because of brain damage caused by excessive drug abuse?
And yes, he's a drug addict. - mikesum32, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6This is the same Bob Lazar of area 51 fame. Payback?
- umdigger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Speakin of little things....how about 1 girl going missing in Aruba and the US spending MILLIONS of dollars on searches and still nothing new!! Wasn't there a study done about how much the cost of life is. Well I think it's time to call it quits on that one. Sorry Mrs. Halloway, but tragic things happen, people go missing every day.
- RedMage44x, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5While the incidents on 9/11 were tragic, they are nothing compared to the amount of terrorism the world is exposed to on a daily basis. True terrorism is living in fear of being maimed or killed at any moment. Most American's were back to business as usual within a couple of months after the Twin Towers fell. It's as if we feel entitled to some international pity for what happened. The actual goal of terrorism is not the kill all of the "infidels." That would be nearly impossible. Any freshman political science student knows that it is a terrorist's goal to change his target's way of life. Well GG Mr. Bin Laden, you seem to have bested the most "powerful" country in the world.
We Americans must accept the fact that true security is an illusion. Until we do, we will live with the notion that by sacrificing our freedoms, we can live our lives in safety. - tastypastry, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Things seem to be getting worse everyday here in the Police State of America.
- redneckblues, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Overused, but still true as ever. High School chemistry teachers can't even do a sodium demonstration because of liability (AP class by the way). It's ***** ridiculous.
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