enfilade's comments

Here is a link (PDF) to the paper:

http://cybertron.cg.tu-berlin.de/eitz/pdf/2012_siggraph_clas...

This is a critical point. Energy return on energy invested (EROEI) is a concept everyone should be familiar with.

I suggest beginning with the work of Professor Charles Hall of SUNY-ESF.

http://www.esf.edu/efb/hall/energy.htm

In a sense, yes. Epigenome refers to the overall body of regulatory modifications made to DNA and the DNA storage mechanism. A lot of these modifications involve the attachment of small chemical groups to a distinct bit of DNA, or alternately the proteins which DNA is wrapped around while in storage, or a number of other possible mechanisms.

Let's say your identical twin is known to be a 1-pack-a-day smoker (assume that the hypothetical panopticon has access to his history of credit card purchases). Assume that you, however, abstain from smoking and also avoid secondhand smoke.

There will be certain modifications to your twin's genetic material which may be detectable in the next few decades. These modifications may allow the tracker to positively distinguish between you and your twin.

Regarding your question -- smoking (or exercise, or severe depression, etc.) affects your physiology, which in turn may cause changes to your epigenome.

Eventually they'll be able to distinguish the minute differences in identical twins' epigenomes.

A quote from the article: "So far, teeth have been regenerated in mice and monkeys, and clinical trials with humans are underway, but whether the technology can generate teeth that are nourished by the blood and have full sensations remains to be seen."

I understand the vital importance of pain as a signal that damage has occurred or is occurring. One of the real design flaws in the body, however, is the inability for humans to consciously shut off pain (at least temporarily) after they are aware of it.

The pain from a severe toothache is one of the worst sensations possible, and doesn't seem to accomplish much. If dental regeneration can become commonplace and relatively cheap, I think I would prefer new teeth without nerve endings and "full sensations."

Have you tried http://www.startpage.com?

I agree with your overall line of thinking.

In your last sentence you wrote: "There is a shortage of talent in computer science, but never in the other disciplines, it may take another 30 years for the suits to have the ability to understand why."

Could you elaborate on this point -- do you feel that there is not a shortage in disciplines such as dentistry and law because many people are willing to work very hard for only 4% raises?

Thank you!

Former Marine infantry corporal here -- I think lbo's advice to you is outstanding. He/she wrote:

"Anyway, don't defeat yourself and don't underestimate how critical this knowledge will be in 10, 15, 25 years when the world will be a whole new place filled with much much more software."

Maintaining a long term perspective is key. The skills you are seeking will only rise in value in the coming years as computing becomes more and more ubiquitous and distributed. Maintain the mindset you have at the beginning of a 20k hike with crew-serve weapons and full packs.

You are 25, technically oriented/interested, and you're a former grunt NCO. As long as you stay healthy and avoid stepping in front of a bus you will be working for decades to come. You may feel old, but in the big scheme of things you are not.

I understand your problem is short term money. Have you considered working for a year with DynCorp or Xe as a security contractor? You could have 125,000 after a year and could keep coding when you're inside the wire. With that financial cushion things could be smoother.