Comments on: Driving Me to Digital Distraction http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/ Feeding Your Gadget and Tech Obsessions Thu, 20 Jun 2013 11:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: BeatTheChip http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-114263 BeatTheChip Thu, 19 May 2011 23:17:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-114263 You’re an idiot. All the Jersey Shore doucebags who don’t give a crap about personal liberty should  get served with Liberty – TEXAS style. Especially if you’re dumb enough to move there. If you want to flush your own rights to identity privacy down the toilet, be my guest. But you can’t possibly expect the rest of us to lay down in your pile of error because you do.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112291 Jonathan Tue, 10 May 2011 16:15:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112291 I don’t think I would lift up Medicare as your example. I’m a compliance auditor who has to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines, and have been in the industry for more than a decade, and can speak to that particular question with more than the common knowledge. Many of the root problems in the private pay systems can be squarely placed on regulations exacted for Medicare’s benefit which end up impacting the private pay systems. Most are technical issues that the general populace are entirely unaware of however… the hidden costs of healthcare which can be directly laid at the feet of CMS regs are truly staggering. If you ever take the time to gain expertise in this particular industry, I think you will have a very large surprise.
Roads (and infrastructure in general) I would actually have lifted of as an example of problems in government, rather than a shining beacon of what is right. The very fact that there is such a necessity for toll roads (which after all, is just an additional hidden tax) demonstrates the fact that problems exist. I’m not sure why you feel that “federal” roads are better than “state roads though… they pretty much use consistent processes for building these things.
Social security too. I’m not sure what you mean by “it will not take much” to keep the system solvent. That’s certainly not what the government reports to itself. On a personal note, when I look at my paycheck, and see that the amount witheld for social security is double the combined amount of both Federal and State taxes, and that even this is insufficient for the current system, let alone the projected system, I think I’d have to disagree with the “not take much to keep the system solvent” comment.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112160 Anonymous Mon, 09 May 2011 21:09:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112160 > I’m not touching your Osama point with a 10-foot pole.

I don’t travel to the US often, and if I do, I’m treated like a criminal regardless of what I do, so thats that.

Others are braver than me:
http://www.guernicamag.com/blog/2652/noam_chomsky_my_reaction_to_os/

Good deal to think about, indeed.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112153 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:43:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112153 Actually, I like Federalism. I’m one of the few people I know who supports the idea of the Electoral College. But I still think we would all be better off if there were a simplified, digital and unified identification system in this country. I think bureaucracy would run just a bit smoother.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112152 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:41:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112152 Interesting points. Actually, even worse than the Sony data compromise was a recent Texas state employee data compromise, where all of the identifying information for thousands of state workers was left on a public FTP server with little or no security. And this is a state that prides itself on being independent of the Federal government as much as it is able.

I would not support DNA as an ID only because DNA reveals too much about us. I don’t want to be denied health insurance, or a job, or a relationship even, because of something found in my DNA. Half the fun of being human is not knowing (the other half is knowing).

I’m not touching your Osama point with a 10-foot pole.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112150 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:37:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112150 Social Security has not failed yet, and it will not take much to keep the system solvent. Medicare and Medicaid are very popular, and work better than the free market systems. The government produced some very fine roadways, far superior to what the states could manage. I think this Fed-hating argument is a red herring. Nobody likes paying taxes (though some of us see the benefit more than others), and it’s easy to hate gigantic bureaucracies like the Federal government. But when you start asking people about individual programs, the hatred tends to die down, especially when you ask people about the programs that affect them the most.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112151 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:37:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112151 Social Security has not failed yet, and it will not take much to keep the system solvent. Medicare and Medicaid are very popular, and work better than the free market systems. The government produced some very fine roadways, far superior to what the states could manage. I think this Fed-hating argument is a red herring. Nobody likes paying taxes (though some of us see the benefit more than others), and it’s easy to hate gigantic bureaucracies like the Federal government. But when you start asking people about individual programs, the hatred tends to die down, especially when you ask people about the programs that affect them the most.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112148 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:33:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112148 I understand your point, but I do see this column as a “digital living” column, where I look at the ways technology and our everyday lives intersect in interesting ways. Sometimes that has to do with gadgets, often it’s about social networking, and occasionally it’s just things that annoy me that could have been handled better with technology. However, I’m not above taking requests, so I’ll try to focus more on gadgets and perhaps gaming in the future.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112146 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:28:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112146 You say that like it’s a bad thing.

]]> By: Philip Berne http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112147 Philip Berne Mon, 09 May 2011 20:28:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112147 You say that like it’s a bad thing.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112135 Aaron Mon, 09 May 2011 18:46:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112135 I tried to write this yesterday and just couldn’t come up with a nice way to do it; Johnnie did a better job than I will. Philip’s been trending further from gadget-oriented news lately and this one is an extreme stretch (though I commiserated; I had to go through the replacement birth cert to get a new SSN card so I could get my TX DL renewed a few years ago. . .the process is frustrating no doubt).

Philip, Get Thee To a Fry’s! You sound like you need some gadget-love and there’s usually one within 20-30 mins of most the TX metro areas.

]]> By: Johnnie http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112111 Johnnie Mon, 09 May 2011 16:32:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112111 There’s more to these “silly anachronisms” than just questions of personal convenience when you move. I for one, am very glad… even at the cost of some of the inconveniences you’ve mentioned that we’ve not moved further towards federal govt…. we’re already too far that direction and need to step back. Some things are best handled on a national level… some things are best handled at a local level. Anyone who’s ever complained of being treated like a number by some nameless corporation/govt agency knows about the downsides of too much being handled at too distant a level. Sometimes the local approach is the best one.

It’s only reasonable (as just one very minor example) that states with significant problems with illegal immigration will have different standards for documentation requirements to earn a state ID than states which do not have these problems. Forcing a national level of criteria, merely means that it has to be set to cover EVERY problem each individual state had. This would mean that everyone has to jump through every hoop, even if they are unnecessary for a given state/person combo. The alternative is that the national criteria doesn’t cover all the problems faced by individual states, thus creating more problems for the states, but now with the added factor of having removed one of the methods a state has for dealing with said issues. That’s just one of the easy issues… theres a LOT more that could be said describing serious problems with your suggestion.Phillip, at some point, ,would you mind moving back to articles that are more appropriate for a tech site? I know you’re a liberal, while I’m a conservative… which means that there will be differences in our opinions even when looking at the same data… You’ll see some things as good (such as greater federal powers) which I’ll see as a poor choice… and that’s fine… these differences are a good thing… and I think it’s unfortunate that both sides have been trending towards treating the other side as if the only way they can come to the conclusions they come to, is by being ignorant or misled. The issue is just that I’m sorta here to read tech news… not for political discussion or for quite such a strong “cultural theory” bent as you’ve tended to in most of your recent work. There was a slight tech element to your article, but only just. Do you think the topics could move just a bit more tech oriented than this one please?

]]> By: liam james booth http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112107 liam james booth Mon, 09 May 2011 16:14:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112107 we microchip our dogs…..why not humans ?

]]> By: liam james booth http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112108 liam james booth Mon, 09 May 2011 16:14:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112108 we microchip our dogs…..why not humans ?

]]> By: top reseller hosting http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112075 top reseller hosting Mon, 09 May 2011 11:41:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112075 India when will it go through this technology if it goes corruption comes around it

]]> By: top reseller hosting http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112076 top reseller hosting Mon, 09 May 2011 11:41:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112076 India when will it go through this technology if it goes corruption comes around it

]]> By: Aakashdave11 http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112066 Aakashdave11 Mon, 09 May 2011 10:37:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112066 it has been implemented in some parts…..Which is 1% of the population…..a full fledged implementation will take time……given that there are > 1 billion now

]]> By: Musaphir http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112059 Musaphir Mon, 09 May 2011 10:16:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112059 I think India has better national security system. Their plan is to use cloud computing to accomplish it.

This article says a lot about it http://www.htmlremix.com/cloud-computing/moving-indian-population-to-the-clouds

But not sure if they using it

]]> By: Musaphir http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112060 Musaphir Mon, 09 May 2011 10:16:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112060 I think India has better national security system. Their plan is to use cloud computing to accomplish it.

This article says a lot about it http://www.htmlremix.com/cloud-computing/moving-indian-population-to-the-clouds

But not sure if they using it

]]> By: Musaphir http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112061 Musaphir Mon, 09 May 2011 10:16:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112061 I think India has better national security system. Their plan is to use cloud computing to accomplish it.

This article says a lot about it http://www.htmlremix.com/cloud-computing/moving-indian-population-to-the-clouds

But not sure if they using it

]]> By: Musaphir http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112062 Musaphir Mon, 09 May 2011 10:16:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112062 I think India has better national security system. Their plan is to use cloud computing to accomplish it.

This article says a lot about it http://www.htmlremix.com/cloud-computing/moving-indian-population-to-the-clouds

But not sure if they using it

]]> By: Musaphir http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112063 Musaphir Mon, 09 May 2011 10:16:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112063 I think India has better national security system. Their plan is to use cloud computing to accomplish it.

This article says a lot about it http://www.htmlremix.com/cloud-computing/moving-indian-population-to-the-clouds

But not sure if they using it

]]> By: Sellme666 http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-112014 Sellme666 Mon, 09 May 2011 02:36:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-112014 I am a hard core privacy advocate. However, I understand that that battle was lost long ago. I have a SSN and a passport. I file a tax return. My state drivers license people, before issuing me a DL, check all the other states for outstanding citations. They check with the feds to see if there is any outstanding child support owed anywhere. They verify the SSN. Anybody that believes a national ID compromises privacy is suffering serious delusions. Implanting a subdural digital chip at birth will do nothing to further compromise privacy. The author’s advice to “get over it” is good advice — unless one advocates violent revolution.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111936 Anonymous Sun, 08 May 2011 14:39:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111936 Name one system the government implemented that actually works? Social Security Failure, The Budget Failure ………… yes there are several more Failures

]]> By: jctejada http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111934 jctejada Sun, 08 May 2011 13:50:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111934 All these arguments about Federalism and State sovereignty are pretty valid BUT the Federal Government already have ALL our information (IRS, Social Security among other things) we have to stop thinking like, “I’m a Texan” and more like, “I’m an American” All I want my State and Municipal Goverments to worry about is make sure Police and Fire fighters roam my streets, my pot holes are filled and garbage gets picked up. If yaw are worried about having all your information out there, it’s already out there. A National ID will just simplify things.

]]> By: Cary http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111932 Cary Sun, 08 May 2011 13:34:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111932 The main thing is they want taxes and fees! States’ rights or something silly like that …

]]> By: herky stubby http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111930 herky stubby Sun, 08 May 2011 13:19:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111930 Very informative post, really. As my father and two brothers always tells me to bring my driver’s license everytime I go out. To all places i will take a trip. They are very important also. Very important. Nice post again.

]]> By: herky stubby http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111931 herky stubby Sun, 08 May 2011 13:19:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111931 Very informative post, really. As my father and two brothers always tells me to bring my driver’s license everytime I go out. To all places i will take a trip. They are very important also. Very important. Nice post again.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111920 Anonymous Sun, 08 May 2011 10:05:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111920 You’re mixing up identification and authorization. And it appears you didn’t hear about the Sony customer data compromise, or anything about checks and balances, for that matter, or you would not propose to have all your authorization and identity in a central register and institution where every Joe User can copy, remove, modify or attach arbitrary data to it without telling you.

How many people in Texas have your exakt drivers license and ID? How do you proof you’re not them? Great idea about NFC. Obviously, cars should scan also for a valid ID and license before starting. How would that’ve worked out in your little story?

There is a tendency to give up control and let others worry about what people find tedious, but there are risks as well. I always thought Americans are sceptical of their government? The latest political assassination in Pakistan, again without trial or prove, should give you all the more reason.

]]> By: BillyVitaoe http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111908 BillyVitaoe Sun, 08 May 2011 07:51:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111908 I can’t get a valid drivers license in any state because I have an unpaid seat belt ticket that’s $750. This is due to the “National Driver Registry” to prevent dangerous drivers. And it’s not even against the law to drive without a seat belt in my state.

Anyway, I guess the argument against your fantastic idea is FEDERALISM. But, I doubt you understand what that means. I totally agree, 1 system to govern 300+ million people is the most logical and fair. The people closest to those they govern know least about them, right?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111878 Anonymous Sun, 08 May 2011 05:20:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111878 yes, indeed I do trust my local and state gov’t more than the Feds.. you live in Texas of all places but don’t understand state sovereignty?

digital records are easily manipulated.. stolen.. damaged… (ahem..sony.. ) I like that it takes several difficult to
obtain paper ID’s to get a drivers license..

]]> By: Lostboykev http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111819 Lostboykev Sun, 08 May 2011 02:20:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111819 Jolly idea watson

]]> By: Fez Lopez http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111772 Fez Lopez Sun, 08 May 2011 00:41:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111772 I never thought about that way. I would be fine with a national ID card. Quite frankly, it makes things easier. I come from Honduras, and we have a National ID card over there. It makes paperwork much easier and you can bet your ass it’s cheaper on the government.

]]> By: jctejada http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111759 jctejada Sun, 08 May 2011 00:09:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111759 Mr. Philip Berne you are exhibiting what is called, “forward thinking” and the response you are and will be met with is, “You really are just a little commie boot licker aren’t you?” lol

]]> By: Jamie Roling http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111719 Jamie Roling Sat, 07 May 2011 21:10:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111719 And you really are just an idiot, what’s the difference?

]]> By: Chris Kahrhoff http://www.slashgear.com/driving-me-to-digital-distraction-07150784/#comment-111629 Chris Kahrhoff Sat, 07 May 2011 19:19:00 +0000 http://www.slashgear.com/?p=150784#comment-111629 You really are just a little commie boot licker aren’t you?

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