by cynical1 October 22, 2005
Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane.
Miracle insecticide that almost completely wiped out malaria and similar diseases in the US and the third world.
Rachel Carson published a poorly-researched paper in the 60s, reporting that DDT causes birds to produce thinner eggshells and possibly cancer. This launched a major public overreaction in the US, and DDT was banned due to public pressure. It largely triggered the envronmentalist movement in the US. Seperate studies have shown however that DDT has little or no impact on bird shells, let alone cancer. DDT has been blamed falsely for declining populations in bald eagles, peregrine falcons and brown pelicans all without scientific basis. Concentration in humans doesn't even come close to causing adverse effects. Apes have been fed 30 000X more DDT than people are normally exposed with no harmful effects whatsoever. Furthermore, following the ban on DDT, more dangerous and less effective insecticides became commonplace.
It was later concluded in a 1972 public hearing that "there is no scientific basis for the ban on DDT". However, this ruling was vetoed by the EPA administrator without even reviewing a transcript.
Miracle insecticide that almost completely wiped out malaria and similar diseases in the US and the third world.
Rachel Carson published a poorly-researched paper in the 60s, reporting that DDT causes birds to produce thinner eggshells and possibly cancer. This launched a major public overreaction in the US, and DDT was banned due to public pressure. It largely triggered the envronmentalist movement in the US. Seperate studies have shown however that DDT has little or no impact on bird shells, let alone cancer. DDT has been blamed falsely for declining populations in bald eagles, peregrine falcons and brown pelicans all without scientific basis. Concentration in humans doesn't even come close to causing adverse effects. Apes have been fed 30 000X more DDT than people are normally exposed with no harmful effects whatsoever. Furthermore, following the ban on DDT, more dangerous and less effective insecticides became commonplace.
It was later concluded in a 1972 public hearing that "there is no scientific basis for the ban on DDT". However, this ruling was vetoed by the EPA administrator without even reviewing a transcript.
Banning DDT killed more people than Adolph Hitler. Estimates range that 2 to 90 million people have died senselessly.
by cynical1 January 28, 2006
Apple Computer, Inc was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
Their first computers, Apple I and Apple II - while crude - initiated the personal computing craze - the idea that a computer would be useful in every home.
Apple became a hit, going on to release many more versions of the computer. But...
In the 1980s, Microsoft's MS-DOS took the market by storm, sales took a hit, and Steve Jobs signed his resignation. (returning shortly after his new line of NeXT computers flopped)
Releasing at least a couple of new operating systems each year, each of the four additional "10th" operating systems features almost comical new content such as a calendar when you press the F11 key (Dashboard), new (but only a variation of old) visual styles, and other efficient (but generally inapplicable) bells and whistles similar to content that can downloaded directly onto a Windows XP platform (ie. See Google.com for a OSX4 Spotlight equivalent). You can easily count the new features on the fingers of your hands.
To keep from "copying" Microsoft, Apple is often left with second-best. Copying the minimize/maximize/close buttons of Windows 95, they throw them awkwardly on the left. They're use an annoying drifting "dock" instead of a clean and well-organized taskbar, and Apple users are left with the Ctrl-click while PC users simply click the right mouse button.
Apple struggles with pricing and creating a market for all consumers: You can purchase a Mac Mini for only $499, but Apple's cheapest display sells for $799. It is also hindered due to a lack of developer support. (In fact, Microsoft is the largest developer of Apple software other than Apple itself). Often software is released for Mac months after the PC release.
Sales dwindling, Apple is now shifting it's primary focus from computers to the digital music market. (see iPod)
Their first computers, Apple I and Apple II - while crude - initiated the personal computing craze - the idea that a computer would be useful in every home.
Apple became a hit, going on to release many more versions of the computer. But...
In the 1980s, Microsoft's MS-DOS took the market by storm, sales took a hit, and Steve Jobs signed his resignation. (returning shortly after his new line of NeXT computers flopped)
Releasing at least a couple of new operating systems each year, each of the four additional "10th" operating systems features almost comical new content such as a calendar when you press the F11 key (Dashboard), new (but only a variation of old) visual styles, and other efficient (but generally inapplicable) bells and whistles similar to content that can downloaded directly onto a Windows XP platform (ie. See Google.com for a OSX4 Spotlight equivalent). You can easily count the new features on the fingers of your hands.
To keep from "copying" Microsoft, Apple is often left with second-best. Copying the minimize/maximize/close buttons of Windows 95, they throw them awkwardly on the left. They're use an annoying drifting "dock" instead of a clean and well-organized taskbar, and Apple users are left with the Ctrl-click while PC users simply click the right mouse button.
Apple struggles with pricing and creating a market for all consumers: You can purchase a Mac Mini for only $499, but Apple's cheapest display sells for $799. It is also hindered due to a lack of developer support. (In fact, Microsoft is the largest developer of Apple software other than Apple itself). Often software is released for Mac months after the PC release.
Sales dwindling, Apple is now shifting it's primary focus from computers to the digital music market. (see iPod)
Today, Apple computers are primarily used in schools (as the software is severely fool-proofed and Apple offers a hefty educational discount), and as movie props.
by cynical1 July 15, 2005
There was a lot of hype around the unveiling Nintendo Revolution's controller, but all fans had to do was go into their living room and pull out the TV remote.
by cynical1 September 28, 2005
by cynical1 October 09, 2005
A definition on Urban Dictionary used by minority Apple fans to whine about Windows because there's not much else to do on a mac.
Tired of playing with the dock and dashboard widgets, the mac user opened up Internet Explorer: Mac Edition to create anti-microsoft definitions on urbandicionary.
Meanwhile, the Windows user played Half-Life 2, glad he had an OS with developers.
Meanwhile, the Windows user played Half-Life 2, glad he had an OS with developers.
by cynical1 January 04, 2006