Now THIS is an intersting political article

Post by **R00k** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:16 pm

but it's not entirely political. It's a story about Hank Asher, who pioneered some serious data-mining technology that the government has been using for the last few years. It tells a lot of his story, including his brief stint into drug smuggling and using, before his work with the government. His software, from the sound of it, is responsible for a lot of the actual terrorists that we WERE able to track down.

All in all, he sounds like an unbelievably good person in this day and age, who was ultimately a little naive regarding the government's ultimate uses for his software.

It's a great read from beginning to end:
http://www.vanityfair.com/commentary/co ... 0131roco01

Hit the printer-friendly version link at the bottom for easier reading.

Post by **Dr_Watson** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:32 pm

is this about carnivore?

Post by **R00k** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:45 pm

Nope, something different. The original software is called MATRIX. And it isn't about the political issues so much as an interesting story on how it all happened, and the guy's background.

I promise I'm not tricking you into reading a political rant.

At least I don't think so -- I've still got about 2 pages left before I finish it.

Post by **Dr_Watson** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:00 pm

well... right now i'm writing an ethics paper about the evil of pornography, so i'll have to read it later.

Post by **Nightshade** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:56 pm

I heard an interview with him on NPR last week. Guy's a freakin' genius.

Post by **boo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:01 pm

Rofl...

Its typical that the software is called MATRIX...

Is there a leaked version? ... :icon19:

Post by **R00k** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:05 pm

Try to say something humorous if you're going to post laughing emoticons please.
I was expecting something witty.

Post by **boo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:09 pm

The matrix... game... sucked... was highly anticipated.
Just thought they have some really cool software with the same name as a crappy game and trio of films funny...

Post by **R00k** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:11 pm

Did you read the article?

Post by **boo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:16 pm

No :icon26:

Ill have a look now :icon25:

EDIT: Maybe I wont, IE decided to crap out on me when opening the page :icon27:

Post by **Pext** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:08 am

Dr_Watson wrote:well... right now i'm writing an ethics paper about the evil of pornography, so i'll have to read it later.

so... what's the evil of pornography?

Post by **Canidae** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 2:17 am

Dr_Watson wrote:well... right now i'm writing an ethics paper about the evil of pornography, so i'll have to read it later.

I'll bet you do a lot of "research"

Post by **megami** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 4:44 am

Thanks R00k, I found the article to be pretty interesting- it puts a human face to what I've read so far about MATRIX.

Post by **R00k** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:54 pm

Yea, I think the reason it interested me so much was the all background on this guy. Much more human than I would have ever thought.