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Poll

Votes: 23

Improving Adequacy

Author:

Illiterate Bum

Topic:

Diaries

Posted:

May 08, 2002

Comments:

A certain article has brought to my attention the need for an age verification system for Adequacy. I believe that this would dramatically improve the discourse here.

More diaries by Illiterate Bum

	I should've known better...
	Sauda??es!
	Kerry/McCain in 2004?
	A thought on Christianity.

So, what do you think?

	Nah (5.00 / 1) (#1)
	by NoNo on Wed May 8th, 2002 at 11:46:00 PM PST

	Not really. I mean this is not a porn site so why would we need it? It's not like there is somehting on this site that can harm a child. so there is no need for the age verification. and puting an age check just to keep youger generation out is "not really lintelegent" because they can actually learn something from the articles here, as well as you can learn from them. This suppose to be a community.

	Eh. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
	by tkatchev on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 12:58:38 AM PST

	Kicking retarded children isn't educational, sorry. It's cruel and barbaric. -- Peace and much love...

	It has educated me in the many pleasures... (5.00 / 2) (#3)
	by elenchos on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 02:30:00 AM PST

	...of kicking retarded children. I do, I do, I do --Bikini Kill

	Yes, but. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
	by tkatchev on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 04:54:50 AM PST

	Yes; but, you're a cruel and barbaric person. Imagine if everybody was like you. -- Peace and much love...

	Sorry, NoNo. (none / 0) (#5)
	by Anonymous Reader on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 07:14:41 AM PST

	The opinions of children regarding the utility of age-verification systems are dismissable for reasons that should seem obvious.

	To hell with Robotslave's IP protection! (none / 0) (#10)
	by bc on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 10:17:13 AM PST

	It's not like there is somehting on this site that can harm a child. I must strongly disagree. Young minds can be hurt by pornography, music and blunt instruments, but are damaged most by exposure to adult ideas. Remember Jude the Obscure? Ol' Jude had a son, nicknamed "Old Father Time," who was exposed to too many adult ideas and of course ended up commiting suicide. Now the entire west is full of millions of Old Father Times, I believe they call themselves "Goths." Hardy was telling us how the modern era destroys childhood, but in the twentieth century we never heeded his lessons. Children should be kept away from ideas of politics and philosophy until they can approach them from the proper perspective. Children tend to believe such ideas, rather than treating them sceptically as an adult would. So children should be kept from Adequacy, for their own mental safety. This suppose to be a community. It usually seems like more of an anti-community.. ♥, bc.

	you have a point (none / 0) (#12)
	by NoNo on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 12:53:38 PM PST

	Yeah, I agree. Sort of. I'm one of these "Old Fater Times" myself. Yes, children tend to believe. But I noticed that of all things they tend to believe ones that make the most sence. At least I did. Plus there are much worse places on the internet that are not protected. So why this? and the other thing: how are you going to do the age verification? It's really hard to do unless you going to use the same system as porn sites do. But that one is easily broken.

	Other places don't matter (5.00 / 1) (#16)
	by bc on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 02:22:48 PM PST

	Perhaps other sites do have a different policy. All that matters is that we have established that, in the case of adequacy, it is wrong to allow children here. Now, whether or not it is practical to stop children coming here I don't know. All that matters is that they shouldn't be here. We can just decide to send out a clear message that children are not welcome here, and keep up the adult tone of the site, and they will presumably stay well away. ♥, bc.

	and (none / 0) (#17)
	by NoNo on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 02:58:41 PM PST

	and how exactly you gonna keep "children" out?

	By talking above their heads (5.00 / 1) (#18)
	by bc on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 03:24:26 PM PST

	Children don't clamour to get into gentleman's clubs like White's or the Carlton, if we keep up the tone here they won't come. Simple, really. ♥, bc.

	Sir, (none / 0) (#27)
	by Martino Cortez PhD on Fri May 10th, 2002 at 09:11:46 PM PST

	Will you join our dinner party tommorow for a toast to our new board member - the CEO of E*Trade? It will be at begin sharply at 5:30 EST. Please reply post haste. -- Dr Martino Cortez, PhD CEO - Martin-Cortez Financial Corporation Copyright � 2002, Martino Cortez.

	My idea (none / 0) (#6)
	by First Incision on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 08:01:43 AM PST

	I think Adequacy would be improved with more controversy, and less meta discussion such as this. _ _ Do you suffer from late-night hacking? Ask your doctor about Protonix.

	An excellent idea! (5.00 / 1) (#7)
	by zikzak on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 08:02:07 AM PST

	Perhaps the easiest system to implement would be to require a credit card in order to access Adequacy. I realize this is not perfect since some wealthier children also possess their own plastic, but I feel that this won't be too much of a burden. It is well known that with great wealth comes great responsibility, and I firmly believe that those of privilege can always be trusted to act in an upright manner. I see no point in wasting further time discussing this issue. All Adequacy readers are hereby requested to provide their name and a valid credit card number, with expiration, below. Failure to do so will result in access to this web site being denied. Additionally, the editors request that you contact your card issuer and add the Adequacy Corporate Headquarters as an alternate delivery location for online purchases. Thank you.

	A minor flaw: (5.00 / 1) (#8)
	by because it isnt on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 08:14:48 AM PST

	Additionally, the editors request that you contact your card issuer and add the Adequacy Corporate Headquarters as an alternate delivery location for online purchases. You'd have to tell us plebs where it is. Of course, if you recommended adding "Dr Cortez's mansion" as a delivery location, all major credit companies would know where this was without asking for the full address. No doubt Dr Cortez could then arrange forwarding the the top-secret AQ HQ for a small fee. adequacy.org -- because it isn't

	Protest. (none / 0) (#9)
	by The Mad Scientist on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 10:03:46 AM PST

	I don't have a creditcard. I don't want a creditcard for as long as possible; maybe I am paranoid, but I prefer to avoid leaving digital trails when not strictly necessary; you never know on whose toe you will step. Cash is cash; try to trace a cash-only purchase. Or try to find how much of cash is stashed in one's pillow - with a bank account you need only some kind of paper signed by a lawyer. Often not even that. Do you trust your government, absolutely and without exceptions? Or is it better strategy to deny them as much of informations about you as possible? But this is a topic for entirely another discussion. (By the way, gold/silver standard should've never been abandoned. I somehow can't find the feeling of trust to money backed by promises.) So I would be forced to use a fake creditcard number in order to maintain access, or to fool the access-verification systems by some of the hundreds possible ways.

	You're not paranoid. You're a typical crimnial. (none / 0) (#11)
	by elenchos on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 12:42:51 PM PST

	If there is anyone with good reason to mistrust the government, it is lawbreakers such as yourself. The government is, after all, exactly what will come and put you in prison for you deeds. Just because the rest of us don't steal and hack doesn't mean we can't understand your desire to leave no trail for your actions. It would be incriminating! We understand perfectly. I do, I do, I do --Bikini Kill

	I don't think that he's a criminal... (none / 0) (#13)
	by Illiterate Bum on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 12:55:54 PM PST

	...more than he is somebody who has read 1984 one too many times. Or perhaps he shares the same mindset that those kooky militiamen from back in the days had? Oh, I don't know. Except for teaching me (and many of our other readers) a vast amount of knowledge that I will never, ever use, Mad Scientist doesn't seem that dangerous... ----- "...normal, balanced people do not waste time posting to weblogs." --tkatchev

	He has no convictions (none / 0) (#14)
	by walwyn on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 01:12:32 PM PST

	There is something unsavoury about those that make a pretence of running with the fox. Our MS hero is no more than a dilettante claiming freedom to do this or that, but when push comes to shove, he'll be found hunting with the hounds.

	He's not a criminal! (none / 0) (#15)
	by tkatchev on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 01:34:03 PM PST

	He's a communist. He he. -- Peace and much love...

	He's not a criminal, he's just stupid [n/t] (none / 0) (#23)
	by Fon2d2 on Fri May 10th, 2002 at 08:07:01 AM PST

	What's stupid... (none / 0) (#26)
	by The Mad Scientist on Fri May 10th, 2002 at 06:14:14 PM PST

	...on not trusting the liars[1][3]? [1] The link could've been pointing to any governmental or corporate[2] site. [2] The difference between these is diminishing. We are in the Age of Mergers, and the ultimate merger is the one between the Governments and the Corporations. [3] The data are stored in the computers and handled by their operators. Both these components are fundamentally insecure. Security isn't, despite of what the spokespersonnel claims, and the only unleakable data are the ones that aren't stored and communicated.

	So... (none / 0) (#28)
	by hauntedattics on Sun May 12th, 2002 at 07:57:53 AM PST

	the current battles between government and corporate interests are all for show, designed to lull the masses into believing that they're not all in it together to screw everyone over? Dear God, thank you for not making me paranoid. It takes far too much effort and saps all the fun and enjoyment out of life. (And to top it off, the tinfoil hat is not an attractive fashion accessory.)

	You don't need a tinfoil hat. (none / 0) (#29)
	by The Mad Scientist on Sun May 12th, 2002 at 09:48:40 AM PST

	A spectral analyzer will do - though it's expensive as hell if it has to have decent frequency range. As added bonus, though, it can help to find even "common" bugs or alert you about police radars when mounted in a car (warning: doesn't see the lasers, needs IR detector for them). If you're low-budget, a set of tuned field strength meters should be enough. You should understand that industry nor government are monolithic entities. In both of them there are cartels and cliques, individual interests that often compete. So both the alliances and the fights are to be expected. The alliances are what is suspicious. I hereby call for total ban on any monetary/service transactions between the politicians and the Industry. No campaign donations. Not a cent.

	You sir, (none / 0) (#30)
	by Fon2d2 on Mon May 13th, 2002 at 12:50:19 PM PST

	are quite high on the list of conspiracy theororists. Although your fears may have some historical basis you may be surprised to find that they are somewhat out of context due to new laws and organizations. Money is an intermediary device and as such will always be subject to some degree of volatility whether it be in the form of federally issued reserve notes or a corporate controlled bit stream. Personally, I don't see how you presume to convince me of the superiority of one without some form of risk/benefit analysis. As for your inane fears that somebody is out to get you, why would that be? Think about the feasibility of a corporation or a government keeping track of the minute financial details of billions of people worldwide. If the IRS was doing that, then why don't they fill out my 1040 for me? Or maybe you are concerned about your credit rating although I don't see why you would be being that you refuse to use credit. Perhaps you are concerned about identity theft but that wouldn't be prevented by simply not owning a bank account or credit card. Personally, I like the various securities and safegaurds provided by the current system. Also, keeping long term savings in a mutual fund will help vastly increase its spending power. And for short term savings, the interest on most bost accounts is enough to protect against inflation, something your pillowcase will never do. Also, owning and taking proper care of a credit card helps establish my credit rating which will be quite beneficial for costly expenditures. Honestly sir, the more I think about it the more I find it difficult to imagine how a person can deal solely with cash. Could you please inform as to how you are accomplishing this? I suspect either Elenchos was right and you are a criminal or you are simply a juvenile still living with his mother who failed to heed tagline "News for Grown-Ups" displayed prominently at the top of each page.

	Gold/Silver standard is not the issue. (none / 0) (#19)
	by dmg on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 03:44:37 PM PST

	Even then, there was more currency in circulation than there was gold reserves. What you seem to be advocating is that currency has intrinsic value. Well, there is nothing to stop you from keeping your own savings in precious metals should you wish to do so. In times of strife it is useful to have portable fungible and liquid assets. In the past diamonds or gemstones were the thing. Not sure about that now that the Russians have started breaking the DeBeers stranglehold on that market. What to other adequacy readers think ? Where should a paranoid nutter keep his/her financial assets in this day and age ? time to give a Newtonian demonstration - of a bullet, its mass and its acceleration. -- MC Hawking

	Papillion... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
	by walwyn on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 04:42:37 PM PST

	...knew where to keep his money.

	On an unrelated note, (5.00 / 1) (#21)
	by because it isnt on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 06:00:15 PM PST

	so did Ken Dodd. adequacy.org -- because it isn't

	Do real nutters even need money? (none / 0) (#22)
	by elenchos on Thu May 9th, 2002 at 08:46:14 PM PST

	Generally, they have some outside paymaster to keep them in tinfoil hats and bomb materials. The Unabomber's brother sent a check every few months, for example. Or you would have Osama or one of his people channel you some funds. I think Lee Harvy Oswald's paymasters were Russians (secretly working for the CIA, of course), weren't they? Really, the paranoid freaks of the world are, taken together, the first example of a modern "cashless society", needing neither money nor the apparatus to manage it. Well, them and teenagers. Hence Dylan and Eric... I do, I do, I do --Bikini Kill

	Firearms (none / 0) (#24)
	by Right Hand Man on Fri May 10th, 2002 at 09:32:06 AM PST

	Guns are a good investment. Their value typically increases as the economy gets worse, at least the value of the utilitarian guns does. Ammunition, or gunpowder in general, is also good. You can never have too much and you'll never know when you will need a huge amount. Buying it in small quantities to build up a stock helps you keep a low profile. My wife thinks Longaberger baskets are a good investment but I don't see it. Her weekly allowance can spent however she chooses though, I suppose. Some friends of mine think diesel fuel is the answer and I would tend to agree as it has numerous uses, were it not for the storage problems. ------------------------- "Keep your bible open and your powder dry."

	Tools and knowledge. (none / 0) (#25)
	by The Mad Scientist on Fri May 10th, 2002 at 10:39:02 AM PST

	These are additional investments. Firearms and ammo are good. Very good. But other handy things are a transceiver, a generator, a workshop that will allow you to repair the weapons when they get damaged, and - most important - improvisation skills which will let you to cope with minimal resources.

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