libertyEQ's comments

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Show HN: Call Me Private Virtual Number Service

First of all, all text messages are in-the-clear (at least for the service provider). Second, this seems to be a service that is targeted to end-users and itself uses the API of one of the big "cloud telecom" providers.

If you want API access, I would suggest bandwidth.com, Plivo, or, Twilio.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Why Don’t Americans Understand How Poor Their Lives Are?

I agree with what you wrote, but why does the US have be the same as those countries? Why can't there be a variety of implementations of government such that different humans can choose different situations for their own needs? I'd still like to see Cuba change to a fully democratic communist state, for example.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Why Don’t Americans Understand How Poor Their Lives Are?

Considering the entire premise of the founding of the US was based on individual liberty, and throwing the yoke of power off from the centralized power of a monarchy across the ocean, I don't see why we need to be convinced.

Why does the whole world need to be homogeneous? Why can't some places on the earth (with ~7B people) value individualism and some value collectivism. Maybe neither one is superior, just different?

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

Saying we need less comments of some sort does not equate to saying "screw them!"

I can't DV, so you all can create an aggressive environment on HN if you want, but it won't help you IRL if you say this. If you want to create a toxic environment for discussion, that is up to dang.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

> do not have a lot of empathy for people who are unwilling to accept change

As if you are going to change the tipping culture in the US?

I use cash because there are less fees to small business, and I like privacy. You are obviously free to participate in FB or whatever privacy-compromising activity you want

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Casualties of the Cashless Society: Those Who Get Seasonal Tips

I waited tables while in college and made $2.10/hr +tips, which usually gave me $80-90 after tipping-out the bar/'bussers.' I also currently frequent a few bars, and these folks normally net $200+/shift. The lack of guaranteed wages, also allows them to under-report their earning WRT taxes.

Tipping in the service industry in the US is part of the culture, which has been historically difficult to change by declaration.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Is This Genocide?

I've read several well-reasoned comments of yours today that I agree with completely, but given that I don't want to become an expert on the Rohingya, it would be helpful if you all (i.e. in this entire subthread) were to lay out the specific facts upon which you are making these judgements.

Yes, everyone could read that entire Wikipedia page, look through its edit history, check the talk page, and check out the cited links. Most of us probably will not.

There are other well-reasoned arguments in this subthread and it seems like there is some disagreement on some fundamental facts.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Nice Threads

I quit Twitter in '10 b/c of the 'social media consultants.' I recently started simply bookmarking specific accounts related to politics and propaganda. When certain Tweets get lots of comments, I read them all (up X,000s; yes, this is problem).

I'd be curious about your thoughts WRT to this thread, and the resulting 'threaded cache.'

https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/939432544008921088

And this was turned into:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/939432544008921088

Edit: I should add that I don't have a Twitter account anymore, just a lurker.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: The FCC says Net Neutrality cripples investment, but that's not true

It was the 1930's, and since that time the baby Bells have slowly re-merged. You mentioned CenturyLink (formerly USWest) ans Cincinnati Bell also still exists, as well as some other remnants elsewhere. Many people make the argument the the Communications act of '96 stifled DSL, which pushed data heavy users to cable internet as soon as it was available.

Given how things stand, and who is in power, I think it would be best to be pushing for further deregulation in telecom, since that is the argument they are making. They need to put up or shut up.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: How Duterte Turned Facebook into a Weapon, with Help from Facebook

As an avid listener to both, Limbaugh is quite a bit more manipulative. I say that as a life-long Republican.

Edit: I should add that Limbaugh demonstrates an ability to use logic and analyze topics that makes me think he is being intentionally deceitful, mostly by leaving out relevant facts.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System (2008) [pdf]

For those of us that only follow the latest on bitcoin at a high level, I think it is difficult to determine what are the points of disagreement. When I first read about bitcoin on HN in 2010, and read the whitepaper (and went to their IRC channel), I certainly don't remember thinking that non-mining nodes were that important. However, now I'm not sure, and many people making arguments on all sides seem to have good arguments at various times. I am hoping more people with good knowledge of the issues weigh-in here, rather than the over-politicized subreddits.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Ajit Pai is right

So, you think that the age of my account specifically indicates how long I've been on HN? That is come serious lack of logic. I guess I could drag my old laptop out, and retrieve my downvote-able credentials, and come after you. I would prefer to discuss issues, but I guess you should be on the lookout...

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

No. To be clear, I don't make these regulatory decisions, I'm just relaying the reality of the situation. It's very difficult to have these discussions with people that don't even know the basics about the industry under discussion.

libertyEQ | 8 years ago | on: Living on $100k a Year

The answer to my question is "no."

The problem is that most people in the US that "know" Germany gives everyone a college edu, thinks it is literally everyone and it certainly is not the case. Could people from Germany please stop spreading partial truths?

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