Wiki Weapon

[nimda]

No first world government has a rational reason to fear successful revolt.

Because the people aren't starving. There's an excellent book titled The Great Wave which shows a strong correlation between food prices and revolutions. During the French Revolution, many people had a clear cut choice: starve to death and watch your family do the same, or starve while fighting the aristocracy (and maybe steal some of their bread). I believe that if conditions get so poor in the US that people can no longer afford food, then people will find a way to revolt. At that level, it's simple survival.

[vampire]

Because the people aren't starving. There's an excellent book titled The Great Wave which shows a strong correlation between food prices and revolutions. During the French Revolution, many people had a clear cut choice: starve to death and watch your family do the same, or starve while fighting the aristocracy (and maybe steal some of their bread). I believe that if conditions get so poor in the US that people can no longer afford food, then people will find a way to revolt. At that level, it's simple survival.

I can assure you, there are will be plenty of fast food available :-) Even for free. And true that, mostly most of the revolutions were due to hunger. The russian one happened because workers were starving.

[ElectricMucus]

Because the people aren't starving. There's an excellent book titled The Great Wave which shows a strong correlation between food prices and revolutions. During the French Revolution, many people had a clear cut choice: starve to death and watch your family do the same, or starve while fighting the aristocracy (and maybe steal some of their bread). I believe that if conditions get so poor in the US that people can no longer afford food, then people will find a way to revolt. At that level, it's simple survival.

I can assure you, there are will be plenty of fast food available :-) Even for free. And true that, mostly most of the revolutions were due to hunger. The russian one happened because workers were starving.

Where we are headed that doesn't matter. One way or another we gonna have the system Neal Stephenson envisioned within one generation, and I have no issues posting that here, the existing power structure has already accepted that they will only play some minor role as one of these distributed systems.

[nimda]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Wave-Revolutions-History/dp/019512121X

Recommended.

[TheBitcoinChemist]

http://defensedistributed.com/bitcoin/

Apparently they already do accept bitcoin donations.

Just sent 17.76 BTC.

[wachtwoord]

What do you think the Syrian's chances would be if Syria was a first world country with commensurate war making and intelligence capability?

Beat and overthrow? No, wear out by:

1) Guerrilla
2) Terrorism
3) Getting a majority of the population behind the cause

[TheBitcoinChemist]

Because the people aren't starving. There's an excellent book titled The Great Wave which shows a strong correlation between food prices and revolutions. During the French Revolution, many people had a clear cut choice: starve to death and watch your family do the same, or starve while fighting the aristocracy (and maybe steal some of their bread). I believe that if conditions get so poor in the US that people can no longer afford food, then people will find a way to revolt. At that level, it's simple survival.

I can assure you, there are will be plenty of fast food available :-) Even for free. And true that, mostly most of the revolutions were due to hunger. The russian one happened because workers were starving.

Where we are headed that doesn't matter. One way or another we gonna have the system Neal Stephenson envisioned within one generation, and I have no issues posting that here, the existing power structure has already accepted that they will only play some minor role as one of these distributed systems.

Are you referring to The Diamond Age?

[myrkul]

Because the people aren't starving. There's an excellent book titled The Great Wave which shows a strong correlation between food prices and revolutions. During the French Revolution, many people had a clear cut choice: starve to death and watch your family do the same, or starve while fighting the aristocracy (and maybe steal some of their bread). I believe that if conditions get so poor in the US that people can no longer afford food, then people will find a way to revolt. At that level, it's simple survival.

I can assure you, there are will be plenty of fast food available :-) Even for free. And true that, mostly most of the revolutions were due to hunger. The russian one happened because workers were starving.

Where we are headed that doesn't matter. One way or another we gonna have the system Neal Stephenson envisioned within one generation, and I have no issues posting that here, the existing power structure has already accepted that they will only play some minor role as one of these distributed systems.

Are you referring to The Diamond Age?

Damn fine book. That's the one I assumed he meant, or possibly Snow Crash.

[ElectricMucus]

yes ^^

[nimda]

http://defensedistributed.com/bitcoin/

Apparently they already do accept bitcoin donations.

Just sent 17.76 BTC.

Whoa man, $170? Do you know these people? Is there any proof whatsoever that they will make any effort to go through with the cause stated on the website?

I'm gonna stop selling bridges

[TheBitcoinChemist]

http://defensedistributed.com/bitcoin/

Apparently they already do accept bitcoin donations.

Just sent 17.76 BTC.

Whoa man, $170? Do you know these people? Is there any proof whatsoever that they will make any effort to go through with the cause stated on the website?

I'm gonna stop selling bridges

I've already checked, and the guy that managed to make an AR-15 lower receiver is involved in this effort, so I already know that these guys aren't just looking to make a quick buck.

Besides, my money, my business.

[nimda]

OK. This has given me a great scam idea though; thanks.

[myrkul]

OK. This has given me a great scam idea though; thanks.

Good idea. Piss off gun enthusiasts. 

[nimda]

Not even that. Just in general, find something revolutionary that someone has done. Create a quick website, take the credit, pretend to be that person, say you're going to do more. Accept donations. The end.

[Bitcoin Oz]

I cant wait for the replicator from star trek.

[alexanderanon]

Sent a few bitcoins.

[Explodicle]

8/8 Update – The Word Grows mentions this thread.

I don't see any reason to doubt the legitimacy of this project any more than other similar startups. My professional opinion* is that it's a good plan, and their site didn't scream "scam" to me. If anyone is seriously worried about fraud, they DO give out their real identities so you can verify them.

* I'm a mechanical engineer with ~3 years experience designing for and maintaining 3D printers.

[RodeoX]

I don't see anything scammy about this.  Although, interest could drop and the project could fall apart with your donation going to waste.
I wonder what else we could print that we aren't supposed to have?

[tgmarks]

I don't see anything scammy about this.  Although, interest could drop and the project could fall apart with your donation going to waste.
I wonder what else we could print that we aren't supposed to have?

Just like with any other project early on, in any type of currency.

Thats a good questions though.  What else are we not supposed to have?

[nimda]

Drugs. Chemical printers are presumably some distance away.