Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again)
To   : comp.programming
From : Duane Bozarth
Date : Fri Sep 23 2005 12:32 pm

William wrote:
> 
....
> I have two friends and each believes the media is highly
> biased; one thinks it's a liberal bias, the other thinks
> it's a conservative bias. They are absolutely convinced
> they are right despite the troubling contradiction.

Depending on which outlet they're watching, it's quite possible (even
likely?) they're both right...

> I have a third friend who says they're all biased and
> there's no point in believing anything at all except
> one's own opinion whether or not you can support it.
> (Debating issues with him is frustrating, believe me.)

He's right to a point, I think, although it is possible to filter the
worst to get a general idea of the underlying kernel of truth if one is
careful to observe more than one source...
 
> Back to the point, though. If you read enough history,
> by enough authors, the biases tend to cancel out and
> persistent biases can be detected by working your way
> up the chain of evidence yourself.

Same recommendation as above...
 
....

> For the record, it was a 70s (I think) invention which was
> a foldable fishing "rod" and tackle that could be carried
> in a pocket (a large pocket):
> http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/pocketfisherman.htm?gid=
> The inventor said it wasn't something you actually used, it
> was something you gave as a gift. (It may stand as THE
> primary example of profit motivation at work.) -Wm

I'd nominate the Pet Rock for that "honor"... :)

.