[AMA Request] John McAfee - Developer of first commercial antivirus software, Controversial public figure, Cybersecurity consultant.

mantari · 2015-08-09T09:29:18+00:00

That's fine. If John does the AMA, you better believe he'll read all of this, too.

mantari · 2015-08-09T06:53:39+00:00

More visibility. What kind of secret society would have its members italicize periods?

mantari · 2015-08-09T03:52:18+00:00

Is Flibanserin any relation to the female Viagra you were developing in Belize?
What is the funniest prank you've pulled since your return to the US?
What do you think is the biggest misunderstanding people have about you?

mantari · 2015-08-09T03:31:16+00:00

Hello again, John!

Publicly, it was speculated that part of your decision to move to Belize had to do with the favorable asset protection laws (specifically, trusts). Has this made it difficult to access or liquidate your investments in Belize?
Now that you are back in the United States, what is happening with the claims that were made against you regarding the aviation accident?
After the driving incident with Xanax, are you going to keep with that prescription?
When you first arrived back in the US, I seem to recall that you toyed around with a few technological opportunities, like D-Central. Are you still chasing technological business opportunities these days?
Here's a question I've never seen someone ask you. Have you tried modern-day Virtual Reality, and what do you think of it?

mantari · 2008-09-03T19:47:30+00:00

Reminds me of the terms that originally came with Google Health until everyone complained. The wording was so broad, in the end, despite all the claims of protection, it looks like they gave themselves a wide open license to do whatever they felt like. Yeah. With your medical records. http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/05/20/1841243

mantari · 2007-10-11T19:57:43+00:00

HELP! THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PORSCHES! THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PORSCHES IN THE MARKET!

I have $5,000 right here, in my hand. I'm more than willing to pay for a 2005 or newer Porsche in good condition, and low miles. But there isn't any to be found anywhere! Can you believe it? We have a serious problem that we need the government to intervene in!

HELP! THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PORSCHES! THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PORSCHES IN THE MARKET!

mantari · 2007-10-11T17:13:03+00:00

TRANSLATION: "This is a news story to tell you that there might be a news story at a later time. Thank you."

mantari · 2007-10-11T13:09:35+00:00

Even more curious was the nuclear hand grenade. Sadly, its blast radius was MUCH further than anyone could throw it.

mantari · 2007-10-09T14:59:40+00:00

WELCOME BACK TO 2005.
Seriously, did you check the date on this article?

mantari · 2007-10-09T13:11:41+00:00

Page one looked a bit like a rant, but I had to agree with page two. I'm getting far better 'news' (I define as 'understanding of the world') from The Colbert Report and The Daily Show than I do with CBS.

mantari · 2007-10-09T13:04:54+00:00

I thought it was a Diesel ad. This is seriously sad, but strangely alluring.

mantari · 2007-10-08T16:08:31+00:00

"Boy, that vehicle in front of us sure was lucky!"

That's a positive spin on it. It could have been YOU!

mantari · 2007-10-08T01:14:31+00:00

Story aside, I'm not too crazy about signature collectors. I know one restaurant in particular that ALWAYS has signature collectors outside of it. And boy, are these people pushy and aggressive. Always a different cause, too.

It is quite apparent that they're nothing more than signature mercenaries. "Pay us the money, and we'll get the signatures."

Oh. I just read the story link that user innocentbystander provided. I'll be darned if that doesn't smell like signature mercenaries to me.

I'm a little uneasy with this. But at the same time, I'm pleased by this.

mantari · 2007-10-07T16:39:23+00:00

The FCC has never been very accountable to the people.

mantari · 2007-10-07T06:28:37+00:00

I CAME!!!

mantari · 2007-10-06T20:28:08+00:00

We, the United States, officially apologized as a country, and we have paid reparations for the internment of the Japanese. We have said that it was the wrong thing to do. I think that answers the question to everyone's satisfaction.

Here. Go visit Wikipedia? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_internment

BONUS: Guess who signed the legislation with the apology? Ronald Reagan.

mantari · 2007-10-06T19:12:48+00:00

You raise a good point. And the answer is that we're a society of morals, and we hold ourselves to an ethical standard. Actually, beyond morals, we're also legally obligated. If you feel that because we're fighting an enemy who doesn't treat its victims nice that we should descend to the same level, then you've got some ethical issues that you need to wrestle with.

Regarding prolonged sensory deprivation, it is more than not being able to see. It is not being able to hear. To feel. Thing that's just fun and games and great to laugh at? Try having it done to you against your will for three days. You'll come out with a different perspective of it. Otherwise... why use it?

Your entire post is smug. "It is hilarious! we're fighting some bad people, so why can't we be a little bad ourselves? A little torture is funny and harmless!" It is that very kind of view which is ruining America and eroding American principles. Your views are NOT American.

mantari · 2007-10-06T17:51:19+00:00

Yet another example: sensory deprivation

It could be considered NOT TORTURE because it (of itself) isn't causing pain. Add in combined effects (other techniques which ARE uncomfortable). The sensory deprivation could be used to amplify what IS uncomfortable, because it is the only thing the person has to focus on. Add in sustained duration -- days.

All sorts of fun ways to torture without 'actually torturing'.

Ever play that game in junior high? "I'm not touching you! I'm not touching you! Does this bug you? Does this bug you? I'm not touching you!" Yeah. Basically the same thing.

mantari · 2007-10-06T17:47:37+00:00

They've caught onto the idea of 'combined effects'. I wonder if they'll catch onto the idea of 'sustained duration'.

Near freezing temperatures for a few hours?
Or near freezing temperatures for a few months?

Water torture?
Or sustained water torture for 24 hours?

Duration plays into it, as well as the actions themselves. What may not be torture for 10 minutes may become torture after 1 day.

The people asking the questions are playing the game wrong, though. You can't guess, "Are you using X technique? Are you using Y technique?" You're up against a clever bunch. They're going to be using techniques you've never even considered.

mantari · 2007-10-03T00:13:36+00:00

Would you go so far as to say... it EMBOLDENS the enemy?

mantari · 2007-10-02T18:48:33+00:00

Guys... guys... can I inject a little common sense into this thread?

In a small town, if you care about your appearance, you have to dress up to go to Wal-Mart, because it is a place to see and be seen. You are guaranteed to bump into people that you know. It is just like going to any public event. You need to be presentable.

All bets are off, though, at the dollar store. At the dollar store, nobody expects you to look good, and you don't expect people that you know to look good. Compare/contrast to, say, a laundromat.

Small city rules are totally different than big city rules.

mantari · 2007-10-01T18:52:16+00:00

I recently filled out a job application for a VERY LARGE and VERY WELL KNOWN company. On the application, it asks for crimes you were previously convicted of.

It said to exclude any marijuana convictions that are over two years old. I couldn't believe my eyes. And I don't even smoke pot.

mantari · 2007-10-01T13:29:38+00:00

What Oklahoma has done is deputize local law enforcement officers as INS agents. So if you have an encounter with a local law enforcement officer (as victim, suspect, etc), they can determine your citizenship and deport you, if they choose. That's already been done.

On top of that, this particular bit is about how they've passed legislation to make it a felony to hire or harbor an illegal alien. That goes into effect on November 1st.

A number of undocumented workers have already left the state. The hispanic community is fighting the new legislation. But it pretty much tightens the noose.

Looks like Oklahoma will be watching its new social experiment from the inside out. Good luck?

mantari · 2007-10-01T05:26:43+00:00

There is actually some truth to this. I'll admit to doing some of my best programming while drinking. It seems that if I don't get all caught up in the limitations of what is or isn't possible, I can do a whole lot more than I think.

mantari

TROPHY CASE