David L. Jones said:
And that's the point. If something CAN happen or be used, it's a threat.
How can being able to almost completely wipe out the human race within a
matter of hours or days at the push of a button, NOT be the biggest threat
facing this planet?
Well it may be a "threat", and still not a "major problem". The severity of
the problem depends on the liklihood of the threat occurring.
The only equivalent threats would be cosmic borne catastrophes.
Yes indeed. So one learns to live with what is totally out of human control.
That does not include population increase and baby bonuses IMO.
As Phil and KR have mentioned, there are many other benefits (and the
occasional problem) with getting something published. So you aren't just
"generating income for someone else", far from it.
Phil summed it up nicely when he said "Time spent that benefits both oneself
and others is never wasted."
Sure, but only the individual concerned can make the judgement of how his
time is best utilised. No one has infinite time available to them.
You can have your cake and it eat it too.
You can put a project up on your your webpage as well as getting it
published. And getting it in SC or some other mag gives you large direct
exposure to people who otherwise generally won't find your stuff unless they
went specifically looking. And SC will pay you too, not a large amount, but
a nice bonus.
And what I object to is that they make more money from my endevours than I
do. YOU may not care, and that is your right, however I am happy to forego a
small amount of money, and some ego stroking, just so someone else can make
even more money. For those who are real professionals, having their name
printed in SC is hardly something to get terribly excited obout IMO
.
However your personal situation may indicate otherwise perhaps.
While it may be a profit generating magazine, there are those who like to
think of the aussie electronics magazine scene as a more of a "community"
they grew up with, and therefore like to give something back in return for
what they have gained over the years. Thinking you are just helping a
magazine make a profit is a very narrow minded view IMO.
Nope, this very newsgroup and thousands of web sites now provide what we
needed the magazines to do once upon a time. We no longer need to pay the
cost of the magazine to read some stupid opinions on climate change etc. Nor
to read contruction articles for Jaycar/DSE/Altronics etc. kits.
I once bought EA, ETI, and SC every month, but not for a LONG time, I just
don't see the value any more.
Sure, I agree.
But you have to look at my critisim in context to "Peter K"s post at which
my comments are directed.
He criticised the magazines content, of which he claims to be quite capable
of contributing to. He even mentioned he would be happy to contribute, but
then chucked a hissy when he found out SC won't pay his consulting like fees
(LOL!). Anyone who just criticises something but is in a position to help
change for the better, deserves a serve in my book.
That's my point, he IS entitled to criticise it (and you are entitled to
disagree)
Just because he chooses not to "donate" his time to help improve a "for
profit" magazine, doesn't mean he is wrong. You just have different
agenda's.
MrT.
