Overnight Open Thread (14 Sep 2013)

This news isn't gonna get my kids to move out when they're old enough damn it. Nearly half of American jobs will be done by computers in 20 years.

The authors believe this takeover will happen in two stages. First, computers will start replacing people in especially vulnerable fields like transportation/logistics, production labor, and administrative support. Jobs in services, sales, and construction may also be lost in this first stage. Then, the rate of replacement will slow down due to bottlenecks in harder-to-automate fields such engineering. This “technological plateau” will be followed by a second wave of computerization, dependent upon the development of good artificial intelligence. This could next put jobs in management, science and engineering, and the arts at risk.

A Very Bad Movie Rumor

I'm sure this is just a joke/hoax/ploy, but if it is true, I think it will just kill the Superman/Batman movie. Could Justin Bieber be cast as Robin?

Vera Wang Cheerleader Outfits

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders getting Vera Wang threads.

Ig Nobel Prizes

Heh. Beer goggle study wins Ig Nobel Award.

The Cost Of Leaving Afghanistan

The logistical challenge of withdrawing from Afghanistan.

By the end of next year, U.S. officials say, they need to pull out 24,000 vehicles and 20,000 shipping containers, one way or another.

The Pentagon has budgeted $5 billion to $7 billion to ship all that gear home. But the final tab will hinge greatly on the extent to which the military can rely on the ground routes through Pakistan.

The primary alternative is to load the equipment on cargo planes and fly it out — either all the way back to the United States, or to seaports in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. But those options are three to seven times as expensive as the route through Pakistan.

Another alternative is to ship cargo by rail or truck across Afghanistan’s northern borders into Central Asia and Russia. But the Defense Department, after working for years to secure transit agreements with those countries, expects to move only 1 or 2 percent of its equipment along those corridors, according to a senior defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Pentagon.

The northern land routes, though cheaper than air cargo, take the longest and are more expensive than the Pakistan option, the official said.

Infidel

C'mon now. I bet we're called this every day in a mosque near you. Michigan refuses veterans request for a vanity license plate that says "Infidel".

Michigan rejected Michael Matwyuk's request for INFIDEL plate under its "offensive to good taste and decency" provision.

Text To Speech Theater

It does have some harsh language so watch volume if you are at work.

Powderpuff Game Cancelled

High school cancels powderpuff football game over gender politics.

The gender-specific nature of the game also resulted in its cancelation.

al Queda's Global Network

Funny. This does not look like it is in decline.

And it looks like al Queda has declared war on two other insurgent factions in Syria. Good thing we're probably stopping arms shipments.

Microwave Energy Gun

I wonder what the range on this is. Ray gun fries electronics, disables car bombs.

Inventions

Inventions that were originally intended for other uses.

Clear Bras

Don't be afraid to ask how clear bras work.

Cat Video

Lazy cat fight.

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posted by CDR M at 10:02 PM

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