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The Heat Is On
Author: BobR
Date: 06/13/2013 18:34:12
Considering the non-stop coverage of the Snowden / NSA "affair", I'd like to change gears a little. I used to do my "Environmental" posts on Friday, but since we changed the schedule, I am going to do one today.
It's been a hard-fought battle, but Republicans (in general) have been dragged kicking and screaming to the point of recognizing that yes - global warming is a real phenomenon. There are still those clinging desperately to their fossil fuel investments, claiming that it's not man-made, but at least we've gotten most of them to admit that it it is happening, and that it is affecting the climate and - thus - the weather.
What's a little scary and urgent and needs more attention is that the planet is warming faster than previously thought:
That increase is mainly because of increased emissions from China (the U.S has actually reduced emissions by converting power plants to run on natural gas, which creates another environmental nightmare, but that's another blog entirely). There are probably multiple reasons for China's increased emissions, but one can guess that our increased reliance on cheap consumer products made there (to sustain our increasingly unsustainable lifestyles) isn't helping.
This increase in greenhouse gasses does have a very real effect on people beyond more severe weather. As expected, low-lying islands in the Pacific are getting smaller as sea levels rise:
Beyond consumption of fossil fuels and increase CO2 production, there are other gasses that cause warming as well. When it was discovered that CFC propellants were destroying the protective ozone layer, they were replace with more "environmentally-friendly" HFCs. The problem with HFCs is that once released into the atmosphere, they act like CO2 to trap heat:
As it stands now, mankind is like a cancer on the body of Mother Nature. Unfortunately for us, her antibodies - in the form of making the planet increasingly uninhabitable for us in our current lifestyle - may well be our undoing.
It's been a hard-fought battle, but Republicans (in general) have been dragged kicking and screaming to the point of recognizing that yes - global warming is a real phenomenon. There are still those clinging desperately to their fossil fuel investments, claiming that it's not man-made, but at least we've gotten most of them to admit that it it is happening, and that it is affecting the climate and - thus - the weather.
What's a little scary and urgent and needs more attention is that the planet is warming faster than previously thought:
Scientists have said that the rise in global average temperature needs to be limited to less than 2 degrees Celsius this century to prevent climate effects such as crop failure and melting glaciers, but that would require emissions to be kept to about 44 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2020.
The IEA said that the world is on a path to an average temperature rise of between 3.6 and 5.3 degrees Celsius.
That increase is mainly because of increased emissions from China (the U.S has actually reduced emissions by converting power plants to run on natural gas, which creates another environmental nightmare, but that's another blog entirely). There are probably multiple reasons for China's increased emissions, but one can guess that our increased reliance on cheap consumer products made there (to sustain our increasingly unsustainable lifestyles) isn't helping.
This increase in greenhouse gasses does have a very real effect on people beyond more severe weather. As expected, low-lying islands in the Pacific are getting smaller as sea levels rise:
The ocean laps against a protective seawall outside the maternity ward at Kiribati's Nawerewere Hospital, marshalling itself for another assault with the next king tide.
[..]
Low-lying South Pacific island nations such as Kiribati (pronounced Kee-ree-bahs) and Tuvalu, about halfway between northeast Australia and Hawaii, have long been the cause célèbre for climate change and rising sea levels.
Straddling the equator and spread over 3.5 million sq km (2 million sq miles) of otherwise empty ocean, Kiribati's 32 atolls and one raised coral island have an average height above sea level of just two meters (6-1/2 feet).
Studies show surrounding sea levels rising at about 2.9 mm a year, well above the global average of 1 - 2 mm a year.
Kiribati President Anote Tong has grimly predicted his country will likely become uninhabitable in 30-60 years because of inundation and contamination of its fresh water supplies.
Beyond consumption of fossil fuels and increase CO2 production, there are other gasses that cause warming as well. When it was discovered that CFC propellants were destroying the protective ozone layer, they were replace with more "environmentally-friendly" HFCs. The problem with HFCs is that once released into the atmosphere, they act like CO2 to trap heat:
Phasing out “super greenhouse gases,” which mass emitters China and the United States have agreed to restrict, could curb global warming by as much as half a degree Celsius by 2050, a report said Wednesday.
Issued on the sidelines of beleaguered UN climate talks in Bonn, the report said a new Sino-US deal to scale back hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) “can make a difference”.
[...]
HFCs are used in refrigerators, air conditioners and industrial solvents as an alternative to ozone-eating chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Driven especially by production in developing countries, HFC emissions have been projected to grow from today’s one gigatonne (Gt — a billion tonnes) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per year, to between four and nine GtCO2e a year by 2050.
The United States and China are the world’s top two emitters of greenhouse gases — together accounting for more than 40 percent.
The report also warned that global warming appeared likely to exceed, perhaps even double, the 2 C (3.6 F) ceiling set for manageable climate change.
As it stands now, mankind is like a cancer on the body of Mother Nature. Unfortunately for us, her antibodies - in the form of making the planet increasingly uninhabitable for us in our current lifestyle - may well be our undoing.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 13:25:14
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 13:25:14
morning 
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 13:41:39
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 13:41:39
you know I don't know that Snowden is a criminal - I do however think he's a coward.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 13:52:14
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 13:52:14
Comment by 
Raine on 06/13/2013 14:10:59
Good morning!
Interesting article: Feds were looking for Snowden before he went public. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/12/us-usa-security-snowden-hunt-idUSBRE95B1A220130612
Bloggie is acting very strange for me today.
Raine on 06/13/2013 14:10:59
Good morning! Interesting article: Feds were looking for Snowden before he went public. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/12/us-usa-security-snowden-hunt-idUSBRE95B1A220130612
Bloggie is acting very strange for me today.
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 14:16:08
Raine on 06/13/2013 14:16:08
Glenn beck has a miraculous recovery from his vocal cord paralyzation... reveals he has a whistleblower too and will take down the entire political power structure:
http://freakoutnation.com/2013/06/12/glenn-beck-to-break-news-in-24-hours-that-will-rock-the-nation-take-down-the-entire-power-structure/
My link button isnt working today.
http://freakoutnation.com/2013/06/12/glenn-beck-to-break-news-in-24-hours-that-will-rock-the-nation-take-down-the-entire-power-structure/
My link button isnt working today.
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 14:36:24
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 14:36:24
Beck is such a Drama Queen 
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 14:43:19
I can't wait to see the big blockbuster announcement from him. Isn't something bout jumbo shrimp, how odd is that pairing? Or why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway.
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 14:43:19
Quote by Raine:
Glenn beck has a miraculous recovery from his vocal cord paralyzation... reveals he has a whistleblower too and will take down the entire political power structure:
http://freakoutnation.com/2013/06/12/glenn-beck-to-break-news-in-24-hours-that-will-rock-the-nation-take-down-the-entire-power-structure/
My link button isnt working today.
I can't wait to see the big blockbuster announcement from him. Isn't something bout jumbo shrimp, how odd is that pairing? Or why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway.
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 14:44:20
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 14:44:20
Oh dear duplicate posts! How embarrassing! 
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 14:46:47
fixity!
Raine on 06/13/2013 14:46:47
Quote by Mondobubba:
Oh dear duplicate posts! How embarrassing!
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 14:58:22
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 14:58:22
Okay, go to Davidsimon.com and read his posts from 6/7 forward. Well thought out stuff.
Comment by 
TriSec on 06/13/2013 15:05:24
TriSec on 06/13/2013 15:05:24
< peers into blog >
Oh good, you are here. I've had some connectivity issues this am.
Oh good, you are here. I've had some connectivity issues this am.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 06/13/2013 15:09:16
Scoopster on 06/13/2013 15:09:16
Yay I'm in at last! 
And now I think I'll pass out. *collapses on fainting couch*
And now I think I'll pass out. *collapses on fainting couch*
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:10:53
It wasn't just you, Sparky.
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:10:53
Quote by TriSec:
< peers into blog >
Oh good, you are here. I've had some connectivity issues this am.
It wasn't just you, Sparky.
Comment by 
BobR on 06/13/2013 15:10:54
BobR on 06/13/2013 15:10:54
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:12:30
David Simon, you are a god! Counter Arguements Gathered and Answered
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:12:30
Q. That is not analogous to the Verizon court order. The government now seems to be seeking the phone data of damn near every American.
A. It is analogous in the way that matters, which is the legal definition of what constitutes a violation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment. And in the Baltimore case, and in many other cases before and after it, the working logic was that the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that there is no expectation of privacy for phone caller data — what numbers you called, when you called them, from where, and for what duration. Because contractually, you as the phone user share this data with your phone carrier — a third party — the expectation of privacy has long been held to be minimal.
David Simon, you are a god! Counter Arguements Gathered and Answered
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:23:02
That is the stuff of nightmares, cute cuddly two headed kitten nightmares. Squee!
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:23:02
Quote by BobR:
Yeah - the blog ISP had some problems this morning.
Here's something both cute and creepy
That is the stuff of nightmares, cute cuddly two headed kitten nightmares. Squee!
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:29:42
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:29:42
cheez - the SMFP has become the JJ spam page
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 15:31:29
This is a lot of what I have been trying to get at the past week or so. I;m not a writer, tho.
Raine on 06/13/2013 15:31:29
Quote by Mondobubba:Q. That is not analogous to the Verizon court order. The government now seems to be seeking the phone data of damn near every American.
A. It is analogous in the way that matters, which is the legal definition of what constitutes a violation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment. And in the Baltimore case, and in many other cases before and after it, the working logic was that the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that there is no expectation of privacy for phone caller data — what numbers you called, when you called them, from where, and for what duration. Because contractually, you as the phone user share this data with your phone carrier — a third party — the expectation of privacy has long been held to be minimal.
David Simon, you are a god! Counter Arguements Gathered and Answered
This is a lot of what I have been trying to get at the past week or so. I;m not a writer, tho.
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 15:33:48
That dude needs to be blocked by whoever admins the page.
Raine on 06/13/2013 15:33:48
Quote by wickedpam:
cheez - the SMFP has become the JJ spam page
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:34:54
that's what I was thinking
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:34:54
Quote by Raine:That dude needs to be blocked by whoever admins the page.Quote by wickedpam:
cheez - the SMFP has become the JJ spam page
that's what I was thinking
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:48:12
Yep. It is amazing how much I learned about title III wiretaps, pen registers and the legal standards for both by watching a police procedural drama on premium cable.
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:48:12
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Q. That is not analogous to the Verizon court order. The government now seems to be seeking the phone data of damn near every American.
A. It is analogous in the way that matters, which is the legal definition of what constitutes a violation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment. And in the Baltimore case, and in many other cases before and after it, the working logic was that the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that there is no expectation of privacy for phone caller data — what numbers you called, when you called them, from where, and for what duration. Because contractually, you as the phone user share this data with your phone carrier — a third party — the expectation of privacy has long been held to be minimal.
David Simon, you are a god! Counter Arguements Gathered and Answered
This is a lot of what I have been trying to get at the past week or so. I;m not a writer, tho.
Yep. It is amazing how much I learned about title III wiretaps, pen registers and the legal standards for both by watching a police procedural drama on premium cable.
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 15:49:28
I sent pm's to the two admins o the page. he's just nasty as F8ck.
Raine on 06/13/2013 15:49:28
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:That dude needs to be blocked by whoever admins the page.Quote by wickedpam:
cheez - the SMFP has become the JJ spam page
that's what I was thinking
Comment by Scoopster on 06/13/2013 15:55:07
I was reading & discussing this decision with a friend of mine, and it's EXTREMELY narrow and sticks very closely to the text of the Patent Act. They ruled that natural human DNA can't be patented, but segments of synthesized "complementary" DNA (which are created using a method similar to how retroviruses function) can be because they're not 'naturally occurring in human DNA'.
Which is ridiculous IMO. NO DNA, human or not, should be eligible for a patent. The methods for synthesizing segments of DNA, sure that's fine. But NOT actual genetic coding.
Scoopster on 06/13/2013 15:55:07
Quote by Raine:
SCOTUS NEWS: human genes cannot be patented
I was reading & discussing this decision with a friend of mine, and it's EXTREMELY narrow and sticks very closely to the text of the Patent Act. They ruled that natural human DNA can't be patented, but segments of synthesized "complementary" DNA (which are created using a method similar to how retroviruses function) can be because they're not 'naturally occurring in human DNA'.
Which is ridiculous IMO. NO DNA, human or not, should be eligible for a patent. The methods for synthesizing segments of DNA, sure that's fine. But NOT actual genetic coding.
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:55:45
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 15:55:45
Florida Man Accused Of Bank Robberies, Demands NSA Phone Records To Clear His Name Good luck with that, Mr. Brown.
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:56:37
I was a bit more passive aggressive with my request - simply asked if they have a behavior policy for posting
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:56:37
Quote by Raine:I sent pm's to the two admins o the page. he's just nasty as F8ck.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:That dude needs to be blocked by whoever admins the page.Quote by wickedpam:
cheez - the SMFP has become the JJ spam page
that's what I was thinking
I was a bit more passive aggressive with my request - simply asked if they have a behavior policy for posting
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 15:56:50
Raine on 06/13/2013 15:56:50
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 15:58:14
To that I agree, but was that what was being argued?
Raine on 06/13/2013 15:58:14
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
SCOTUS NEWS: human genes cannot be patented
I was reading & discussing this decision with a friend of mine, and it's EXTREMELY narrow and sticks very closely to the text of the Patent Act. They ruled that natural human DNA can't be patented, but segments of synthesized "complementary" DNA (which are created using a method similar to how retroviruses function) can be because they're not 'naturally occurring in human DNA'.
Which is ridiculous IMO. NO DNA, human or not, should be eligible for a patent. The methods for synthesizing segments of DNA, sure that's fine. But NOT actual genetic coding.
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:59:20
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 15:59:20
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 16:03:59
Raine on 06/13/2013 16:03:59
Comment by 
livingonli on 06/13/2013 16:39:15
livingonli on 06/13/2013 16:39:15
I got in but I will be busy today since it's payday and I have to make out some money orders so I can pay a few bills and my lawyer.
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 16:39:27
Ohh no, thankee for the linkee.
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 16:39:27
Quote by Raine:
I just love this blog. Mondo and Mala Have you ever perused it?
Ohh no, thankee for the linkee.
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 16:41:34
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 16:41:34
Scoop, did you prevail and crush all opponents last weekend at the nerdfest?
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 16:53:02
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 16:53:02
Have I mentioned that I must carry an epi pen with me? My allergy to stupid is so strong I might go into anaphalatic shock when exposed to it.
Comment by Scoopster on 06/13/2013 16:55:22
Nay.. we started off well, winning the first two matches. Then we ran into a wall of players with ridiculous decks. I personally stunk it up hard - I didn't win any of my matches, and only 2 of 14 games.
Scoopster on 06/13/2013 16:55:22
Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, did you prevail and crush all opponents last weekend at the nerdfest?
Nay.. we started off well, winning the first two matches. Then we ran into a wall of players with ridiculous decks. I personally stunk it up hard - I didn't win any of my matches, and only 2 of 14 games.
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 16:58:36
oh dear
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 16:58:36
Quote by Mondobubba:
Have I mentioned that I must carry an epi pen with me? My allergy to stupid is so strong I might go into anaphalatic shock when exposed to it.
oh dear
Comment by 
clintster on 06/13/2013 16:59:53
clintster on 06/13/2013 16:59:53
Gmmmnnn, grrrrrr Bkhhhhhkkks. Nnnnndd cffffffeee.
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 17:08:21
Bummer. One of my issues with card games like Magic is there are the people who build these decks that can't be beaten. What is the fun or skill in that for you, killer deck owner??
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 17:08:21
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, did you prevail and crush all opponents last weekend at the nerdfest?
Nay.. we started off well, winning the first two matches. Then we ran into a wall of players with ridiculous decks. I personally stunk it up hard - I didn't win any of my matches, and only 2 of 14 games.
Bummer. One of my issues with card games like Magic is there are the people who build these decks that can't be beaten. What is the fun or skill in that for you, killer deck owner??
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 17:10:08
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 17:10:08
Scoop, what the hell is up with Microsoft, X-Box and used games? Are they being dicks?
Comment by TriSec on 06/13/2013 17:17:23
TriSec on 06/13/2013 17:17:23
Say, Mid-Atlanteans....any of you under threat from that "derecho" thingy?
We've just got heavy rain up this way, nothing as organized as that. I did check the radar, there's a couple of red-looking arcs headed in that general direction.
We've just got heavy rain up this way, nothing as organized as that. I did check the radar, there's a couple of red-looking arcs headed in that general direction.
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 06/13/2013 17:19:06
Will in Chicago on 06/13/2013 17:19:06
Hi, bloggers!!
I hope that everyone is well. I was up late watching the triple overtime hockey game. Today, I am doing housework and job hunting before I watch a friend's kids. (He works late.)
No word on any interviews, but I am optimistic.
I hope that everyone is well. I was up late watching the triple overtime hockey game. Today, I am doing housework and job hunting before I watch a friend's kids. (He works late.)
No word on any interviews, but I am optimistic.
Comment by Scoopster on 06/13/2013 17:34:54
Well actually this was a "sealed deck" tournament. You get a random pool of cards when you sit down and have to mash together a competitive deck (or in this case three decks). There's a lot more randomness to it (your neighbor's card pool could be INSANELY better or worse than yours). I actually prefer this kind of format (and another limited format called draft where everyone opens packs, picks one card & passes the rest to a neighbor, then repeat until all the cards are gone) because it's like a puzzle choosing which cards work best & building your deck. Unlike a constructed format where you just jump on a website, grab the decks that did well, and put them together.
Scoopster on 06/13/2013 17:34:54
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, did you prevail and crush all opponents last weekend at the nerdfest?
Nay.. we started off well, winning the first two matches. Then we ran into a wall of players with ridiculous decks. I personally stunk it up hard - I didn't win any of my matches, and only 2 of 14 games.
Bummer. One of my issues with card games like Magic is there are the people who build these decks that can't be beaten. What is the fun or skill in that for you, killer deck owner??
Well actually this was a "sealed deck" tournament. You get a random pool of cards when you sit down and have to mash together a competitive deck (or in this case three decks). There's a lot more randomness to it (your neighbor's card pool could be INSANELY better or worse than yours). I actually prefer this kind of format (and another limited format called draft where everyone opens packs, picks one card & passes the rest to a neighbor, then repeat until all the cards are gone) because it's like a puzzle choosing which cards work best & building your deck. Unlike a constructed format where you just jump on a website, grab the decks that did well, and put them together.
Comment by Raine on 06/13/2013 17:35:25
Yes we are. and I hope it doesn't pan out. They are a lot like tornadoes.
Raine on 06/13/2013 17:35:25
Quote by TriSec:
Say, Mid-Atlanteans....any of you under threat from that "derecho" thingy?
We've just got heavy rain up this way, nothing as organized as that. I did check the radar, there's a couple of red-looking arcs headed in that general direction.
Comment by clintster on 06/13/2013 17:35:26
Great big blue-veined ones. To wit:
You have to connect your Xbone to the Internet once a day or risk bricking it
You can't play XB 360 games on the Xbone
It starts at $500 (before buying games, an extra controller, Xbox Live, etc.)
The camera connector on the Kinect can't be turned off, even when the console if "off"
AND you can't buy used games once they're out. You can loan out a game to a friend or family member, but they have to pay for the privilege, and can only borrow the title once.
In addition, Microsoft has been rather arrogant about the Xbone, essentially telling potential buyers that if they don't like it, they can suck it.
And then there's this charming little moment from the E3 expo earlier this week. While playing a game with a female gamer, a game producer taunted her losing ways by telling her to "Just let it happen. It'll be over soon."
I'm not in the market for a next-gen console any time soon, but when/if I do, it most likely won't be an Xbone.
clintster on 06/13/2013 17:35:26
Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with Microsoft, X-Box and used games? Are they being dicks?
Great big blue-veined ones. To wit:
You have to connect your Xbone to the Internet once a day or risk bricking it
You can't play XB 360 games on the Xbone
It starts at $500 (before buying games, an extra controller, Xbox Live, etc.)
The camera connector on the Kinect can't be turned off, even when the console if "off"
AND you can't buy used games once they're out. You can loan out a game to a friend or family member, but they have to pay for the privilege, and can only borrow the title once.
In addition, Microsoft has been rather arrogant about the Xbone, essentially telling potential buyers that if they don't like it, they can suck it.
And then there's this charming little moment from the E3 expo earlier this week. While playing a game with a female gamer, a game producer taunted her losing ways by telling her to "Just let it happen. It'll be over soon."
I'm not in the market for a next-gen console any time soon, but when/if I do, it most likely won't be an Xbone.
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 17:35:31
local Ch9 is starting to back off on the threat as now being "slight" and the worst to hit the Raleigh area - so its hard to say. Don't think it got at hot as they were thinking it would to fuel this thing
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 17:35:31
Quote by TriSec:
Say, Mid-Atlanteans....any of you under threat from that "derecho" thingy?
We've just got heavy rain up this way, nothing as organized as that. I did check the radar, there's a couple of red-looking arcs headed in that general direction.
local Ch9 is starting to back off on the threat as now being "slight" and the worst to hit the Raleigh area - so its hard to say. Don't think it got at hot as they were thinking it would to fuel this thing
Comment by Scoopster on 06/13/2013 17:45:55
There was also an interview with the head of MS' Xbox division where he basically said people who don't want the new system should get the old one. Now I saw this, and having watched about 5 seasons of Mad Men in the past two weeks I thought "that was the DUMBEST POSSIBLE THING he could have said!"
And to make it worse, Sony is right on top of every single marketing fuck-up that MS has made. Their system is more powerful, less expensive, takes up less space, is backwards compatible (to an extent), doesn't "snoop" and doesn't prevent people from buying or using pre-owned content. And some of the exclusive game titles look really good.
Scoopster on 06/13/2013 17:45:55
Quote by clintster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with Microsoft, X-Box and used games? Are they being dicks?
Great big blue-veined ones. To wit:
You have to connect your Xbone to the Internet once a day or risk bricking it
You can't play XB 360 games on the Xbone
It starts at $500 (before buying games, an extra controller, Xbox Live, etc.)
The camera connector on the Kinect can't be turned off, even when the console if "off"
In addition, Microsoft has been rather arrogant about the Xbone, essentially telling potential buyers that if they don't like it, they can suck it.
And then there's this charming little moment from the E3 expo earlier this week. While playing a game with a female gamer, a game producer taunted her losing ways by telling her to "Just let it happen. It'll be over soon."
I'm not in the market for a next-gen console any time soon, but when/if I do, it most likely won't be an Xbone.
There was also an interview with the head of MS' Xbox division where he basically said people who don't want the new system should get the old one. Now I saw this, and having watched about 5 seasons of Mad Men in the past two weeks I thought "that was the DUMBEST POSSIBLE THING he could have said!"
And to make it worse, Sony is right on top of every single marketing fuck-up that MS has made. Their system is more powerful, less expensive, takes up less space, is backwards compatible (to an extent), doesn't "snoop" and doesn't prevent people from buying or using pre-owned content. And some of the exclusive game titles look really good.
Comment by wickedpam on 06/13/2013 17:49:04
it sounds like they missed the mark with this, if I were to get a new system I'd change back the the PS4
wickedpam on 06/13/2013 17:49:04
Quote by clintster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with Microsoft, X-Box and used games? Are they being dicks?
Great big blue-veined ones. To wit:
You have to connect your Xbone to the Internet once a day or risk bricking it
You can't play XB 360 games on the Xbone
It starts at $500 (before buying games, an extra controller, Xbox Live, etc.)
The camera connector on the Kinect can't be turned off, even when the console if "off"
AND you can't buy used games once they're out. You can loan out a game to a friend or family member, but they have to pay for the privilege, and can only borrow the title once.
In addition, Microsoft has been rather arrogant about the Xbone, essentially telling potential buyers that if they don't like it, they can suck it.
And then there's this charming little moment from the E3 expo earlier this week. While playing a game with a female gamer, a game producer taunted her losing ways by telling her to "Just let it happen. It'll be over soon."
I'm not in the market for a next-gen console any time soon, but when/if I do, it most likely won't be an Xbone.
it sounds like they missed the mark with this, if I were to get a new system I'd change back the the PS4
Comment by clintster on 06/13/2013 17:50:17
I think this sums up the whole Sony vs. Microsoft presentation battle at E3 this week:
clintster on 06/13/2013 17:50:17
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by clintster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with Microsoft, X-Box and used games? Are they being dicks?
Great big blue-veined ones. To wit:
You have to connect your Xbone to the Internet once a day or risk bricking it
You can't play XB 360 games on the Xbone
It starts at $500 (before buying games, an extra controller, Xbox Live, etc.)
The camera connector on the Kinect can't be turned off, even when the console if "off"
In addition, Microsoft has been rather arrogant about the Xbone, essentially telling potential buyers that if they don't like it, they can suck it.
And then there's this charming little moment from the E3 expo earlier this week. While playing a game with a female gamer, a game producer taunted her losing ways by telling her to "Just let it happen. It'll be over soon."
I'm not in the market for a next-gen console any time soon, but when/if I do, it most likely won't be an Xbone.
There was also an interview with the head of MS' Xbox division where he basically said people who don't want the new system should get the old one. Now I saw this, and having watched about 5 seasons of Mad Men in the past two weeks I thought "that was the DUMBEST POSSIBLE THING he could have said!"
And to make it worse, Sony is right on top of every single marketing fuck-up that MS has made. Their system is more powerful, less expensive, takes up less space, is backwards compatible (to an extent), doesn't "snoop" and doesn't prevent people from buying or using pre-owned content. And some of the exclusive game titles look really good.
I think this sums up the whole Sony vs. Microsoft presentation battle at E3 this week:
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 18:11:06
So there are ways to mitigate power decking. Good.
Mondobubba on 06/13/2013 18:11:06
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, did you prevail and crush all opponents last weekend at the nerdfest?
Nay.. we started off well, winning the first two matches. Then we ran into a wall of players with ridiculous decks. I personally stunk it up hard - I didn't win any of my matches, and only 2 of 14 games.
Bummer. One of my issues with card games like Magic is there are the people who build these decks that can't be beaten. What is the fun or skill in that for you, killer deck owner??
Well actually this was a "sealed deck" tournament. You get a random pool of cards when you sit down and have to mash together a competitive deck (or in this case three decks). There's a lot more randomness to it (your neighbor's card pool could be INSANELY better or worse than yours). I actually prefer this kind of format (and another limited format called draft where everyone opens packs, picks one card & passes the rest to a neighbor, then repeat until all the cards are gone) because it's like a puzzle choosing which cards work best & building your deck. Unlike a constructed format where you just jump on a website, grab the decks that did well, and put them together.
So there are ways to mitigate power decking. Good.