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_posts/2015-02-22-More-Studies-Please-Mincome.md Normal file
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---
layout: post
title: "More Studies Please. Mincome."
date: 2015-02-22 12:00:00 -0700
categories: philosophic
---
In the United States, we have far too many social services. All these social services cost money in terms of actual money spent on the services, as well as administration.
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Social security alone in 2013 cost the taxpayer approximately $814 billion. In 2012, welfare, not including social security or medicare, cost about $950 billion. By 2024 the Affordable Care Act is expect to cost over $200 billion in today's dollars (currently $38 billion in 2014).
These numbers are pretty big. With only about 316 million people(2013 estimate), why are we spending over $1.1 trillion on these services?
For those unfamiliar with the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/23/mincome-in-dauphin-manitoba_n_6335682.html" target="_blank">Canadian Mincome Experiment</a>. Back in the 1970's, the Canadian government funded an experiment to study the effects of simply giving poor people money. They took the city of Dauphin's poor and provided them with a basic level of income.
Unfortunately, due to changes in government, the project was shut down early, and no one studied the results until 2005. Without going into too much detail, Mincome was a success.
We need to fund more studies like Mincome in order to find solutions to our growing social programs. What if we simply gave every American citizen over the age of 18, who meets certain low income requirements, $15,000 a year? If every American over 18 qualified, that would be approximately 243 million people, so about 3.6 trillion.
That sounds like a lot of tax dollars, but remember that we are already spending more than 1.1 trillion, and that doesn't include every American. The advantages, however, could be amazing. All of that $1.1 trillion of social services could easily be replaced by a system such as this, and probably cost less to administer.
How much paperwork, government jobs, court costs, and other administrative expenses could be removed by rolling all these programs into one service? How many loopholes will be closed?
Why apply for (and employ people to run) food stamps, housing, income credits, welfare, social security, energy assistance, and whatever else we have when we could apply for one benefit that gives you a base income to cover it all?
It's hard to find numbers on administration expenses, but at least social security made it easy. They claim to have spent about $3 billion on admin expenses in 2014.
<hr />
The amount and complexity of benefits is astounding. So much money is spent on simply having a hundred different service that all are trying to do one part of the same basic thing: provide a way for the downtrodden to get a leg up. Having less systems also makes it easier to focus resources on helping people.
So what do you think? Should we start funding studies so we can find better alternatives to social services? Perhaps even minimum wage itself could be abolished if we had a minimum base income. The job market would easily balance itself. How many people would work at fast food for low wages if they would get $15,000 by not working at all? The job market would have to compete with the base minimum income in order to stay in business.
Sources:
<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/admin.html" target="_blank">http://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/admin.html</a>
<a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/12/federal-spending-by-the-numbers-2014" target="_blank">http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/12/federal-spending-by-the-numbers-2014</a>
<a href="http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html" target="_blank">http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html</a>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/23/mincome-in-dauphin-manitoba_n_6335682.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/12/23/mincome-in-dauphin-manitoba_n_6335682.html</a>

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_posts/2015-03-01-Review-Logitech-M570-Wireless-Trackball.md Normal file
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---
layout: post
title: "REVIEW: Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball"
date: 2015-03-01 12:00:00 -0700
categories: Review
---
I was rather skeptical that I would enjoy a trackball style mouse at all, but not wanting to limit my experiences (and who doesn't like getting new tech?), I picked up the Logitech M570.
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<a href="http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mouse_top.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-305" src="http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mouse_top-300x202.jpg" alt="mouse_top" width="300" height="202" /></a>
I've been using this trackball for about a month now and I have had no issues with the wireless. Better yet, Logitech claims 18 months of battery life, so you don't have to worry about it going out on you at the worst possible moment. Well, actually you probably still do, but at least it will only happen once a year.
The M570 is surprisingly comfortable to hold, but if you are new to trackballs, like I am, then it may take a few days before you find what grip works best for you.
On the second day of using this device I started noticing some pain in my thumb. I was considering returning it at this point, I don't want a RSI in my thumb, but I decided to switch back to my good ole mouse and wait it out for a bit.
Something new that I hadn't noticed before. Now that I've had a taste of what it was like to not use my wrist to control my pointer, I started to notice quite a bit of discomfort.
I went back to the M570 and still had a bit of pain in my thumb, but instead of switching back to the mouse, I decided to simply take more breaks from the computer until my thumb could get used to using it for longer periods of time.
This worked well for me, but if you experience any pain while using a mouse or anything else, pay attention. You don't want to mess up your hands or wrists.
So yes, Logitec made a good device, surprise surprise right? Well, I believe it's important to talk about trackballs in general, since they are foreign to many people.
Things I've learned since using the trackball:
<ul>
<li>Mice hurt my wrist, guess I just didn't notice it before</li>
<li>A lot of skin comes off on trackballs, they need to be cleaned fairly often. Especially those of us with dirty hands</li>
<li>My mouse accuracy is terrible. I am still much faster with a mouse when it comes to a general area, but the trackball feels easier for precise movements</li>
<li>Buying a trackball makes me want to buy more trackballs. Looking forward to picking up a finger style trackball when I have the spare funds</li>
<li>Being able to have my laptop on my lap and a mouse on the arm of a recliner is amazing</li>
</ul>
Thankfully cleaning isn't too terribly difficult.
<a href="http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mouse_bottom.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-304" src="http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mouse_bottom-300x203.jpg" alt="mouse_bottom" width="300" height="203" /></a>
I just use a pen to press the ball out and then clean off all the little bearings with a finger. When I'm satisfied I just stick the ball back in and remember how amazing it is when its clean.
Would I recommend a trackball? Anyone who has access to a track ball, both thumb and figure style, should try them out. I wouldn't tell a guy he should drop $40 on a new device if he is happy with what he has.
That said, if you find that a standard mouse is uncomfortable or inconvenient, give the M570 a try. There are not a lot of options in the trackball world these days, but for $40... I'm satisfied.
<hr>
Hmm. Being a review where I let myself use words such as "you" and "I" it feels awkward even bothering with my end of article commentary. Anyway, trackballs are pretty awesome. Try em out if you can, but if you can't, and you are still interested in one, the M570 is pretty awesome.
So what do you think? Do you see a trackball in your future? Discuss below!

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_posts/2015-03-08-ye-olde-bait-and-switch.md Normal file
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---
layout: post
title: "Ye Olde Bait And Switch"
date: 2015-03-08 12:00:00 -0700
categories: philosophic
---
<em>They Might Be Giants is going on tour in your area!</em>
<em>Awesome! How much are tickets?</em>
<em>$26</em>
<em>Cool, I'll take two.</em>
<em>That'll be $75 please.</em>
<em>What the fuck?</em>
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Is entertainment so special that it's ok for the inudstry to fuck us at every turn?
Want to go to a concert? Well, the ticket price is $30, but we will be adding in another $10 in bullshit fees.
With the prior mentioned band, the ticket was ~$25, a venue fee of $1, and a convenience fee of $7. Much better than some venues, but this form of advertising is fucked up, and no amount is justified.
<b><em>*At the grocery store*</em></b>
<em>Three packs of $1 hot dogs sounds good.</em>
<b><em>*Head to checkout counter*</em></b>
<em>Yes ma'am. That will be $32.<em>
<em>How?</em>
<em>Well, all those hot dogs come to $3, and then we have a convenience charge of $10 per item since we are located in a small town. Then taxes account for the rest.</em>
<em>What the fuck?</em></em></em>
Imagine the situation above happened. People would outrage.
Information on where the money from the ticket price ends up is hard to find, aside from hearsay. However, all the bullshit fees should be contained in a single advertised cost.
What the fuck is $1 going to do? This venue is in a major city. There is no way a venue would host a concert for only $1 per ticket, just include that shit in the regular ticket price. The $7 convenience fee was claimed to be an <em>online</em> fee, but in 2006 Ticketmaster locations charged a convenience fee. To make things worse, they were usually hidden in some scummy location (in this author's experience). Not very convenient.
A few years ago, Fleetwood Mac concerts had a $30 convenience fee. Let's see what Ticketmaster charges today.
<a href="http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fleetwoodmac.png"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-327" src="http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fleetwoodmac-300x262.png" alt="fleetwoodmac" width="300" height="262" /></a>
The above is simply the first seat found. Ticketmaster's site is more confusing than it needs to be.
<b><em>Me:</b> Ticketmaster, just find a seat for me.</em>
<b><em>Ticketmaster:</b> Okay, please select a seat map.</em>
<b><em>Me:</b> What? I wanted you to... whatever. Wait... Miley Cyrus is a seat map?</em>
<b><em>me:</b> What the fuck?</em></em>
But yes, just shy of $30 for a service fee. What makes that venue so special? Oh, perhaps it's not, perhaps you simply charge higher service fees for bigger name bands. However, there is something special about this Ticketmaster page. All fees are included in the first place a total is shown, not after the fact.
It's much more comfortable when all fees are included in the first total shown with the option to see a break down. None of this bullshit where the first total is $30 less than the second.
<hr>
I ended up missing out on a TMBG's show because I refused to buy tickets that were listed in a <em>bait and switch</em> manner. Sure I would have loved to see the show, hell, I probably would have bought them if they were $40 a ticket with all costs included, but ethics come first. I can't very well say "I hate Walmart" and then shop there the next day and be an ethical person can I?
The bait and switch bullshit has to stop. Glad to see Ticketmaster isn't doing it anymore.
So what do you think? Would you rather eat the fees when they are presented to you after the fact? Would you be willing to boycott these misleading practices?
Let me know below ^_^

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---
layout: post
title: "College Is A Horrible Thing"
date: 2015-03-15 12:00:00 -0700
categories: philosophic
---
College is a terrible thing. Growing up we're told about the glories of college. College will help you get a job. College is a place of free thought. College will make your dreams come true. This is bullshit.
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What's so great about college? It helps you get a job? The purpose of college was to foster the growth of intelligence among the elite who could afford it.
Why does it seem like everyone needs college to do well in life these days? This author currently goes to college, but he does so for self improvement, not some grand idea of landing a great job.
This begs the questions:
<ul>
<li>Does (s)he who earns the most money win?</li>
<li>Is making more money the only way to be comfortable?</li>
</ul>
There is another option. Consume less.
At least in the United States, outside of expensive cities, living on $1000 a month (assuming no debt) is entirely practical. So long as the money isn't wasted, $1000 a month allows for plenty of excess income for fancy gadgets and pretty meals.
So is college really the only way? Will we immediately make $3000 a month straight out of college? Probably not going to happen.
College is for those who don't know what to do, want a very specific job that requires formal education, or those who simply wish to learn.
Hell, college probably makes it harder to get a decent job if student loans are involved. Employers like to look at credit ratings these days, student loans don't make for a good credit rating.
College is a business. As a business they sold to the wealthy in order to help bolster the separation of the rich and poor. To play on their ego that they are better. The rich are smart and the poor are dumb.
Now college realizes it is able to target everyone. Why not? It's easy to get a loan for college, we can target everyone in the country and raise prices to boot. This reminds me of insurance companies. As soon as it's required... Prices skyrocket. College is becoming required.
All of this could be forgiven, if only college was actually an institution of free thought. Oh, you have a problem with Times New Roman or Microsoft? You don't want to support the destruction of freedom? Well too bad. Do it or you get a zero.
<hr>
Yea, I attend a Jr. College. I use Linux/OpenBSD for my school work along with libreoffice. When I ask if I can use a font that's not proprietary but is still metrically compatible with Times New Roman (liberation serif) I'm told, "I require Times New Roman. However, I don't want my students to be uncomfortable, so if this is a problem I suggest you drop my class."
She suggested I drop the class instead of letting me use free fonts. What the fuck? This is an affront to freedom. "Use this anti-freedom device, or get out of class."
I don't blame the teachers, I'm sure they are not well versed in such facets of technology and they shouldn't have to be. However, I believe it is the responsibility of the schools to allow for free alternatives.
Even if liberation serif is the only Times New Roman alternative, at least it allows us, as students, to choose to support freedom.
Instead of teaching us how to open our minds and be free, we are being taught to open our minds, but still be subservient. Think all you want, think well, think grandious, but you are only allowed to do this my way.
Anyway, what do you think of college? My perception is based on my experiences from one college, and a Jr. College at that. So please, share your experiences below!

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_posts/2015-03-22-Freewrite-Wut-Just-Happened-I-Suppose-I-Hate.md Normal file
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---
layout: post
title: "Freewrite: Wut Just Happened? I Suppose I Hate"
date: 2015-03-22 12:00:00 -0700
categories: freewrite,philosophic
---
*New audio format! Enjoy my horrible voiceover of my own work!
[AUDIO](http://sudotask.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Freewrite_wut_just_happened.ogg)
Well, there I was. All ready to write about something else that irritates me, but then... I didn't feel like it. I suddenly felt it was time for a freewrite, well, perhaps a stream of consciousness, but whatever.
What do I hate? I suppose more things than I should. Why hate anything? How silly is that? I suppose I could begrudge someone... but I don't. I never do. However, I do feel hate towards actions people make.
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If someone is recklessly endangering lives, I feel hate. That's about it. Sure, I might be annoyed by someone, but I'll only hate their actions.
I suppose I also hate ideals. My last article, <a href="http://sudotask.com/2015/03/college-is-a-horrible-thing/" target="_blank">College Is A Horrible Thing</a> I mentioned schools not embracing freedom. That's something I feel a hate for. Hell, it encourages me to try to figure out who to talk to, and perhaps try to make some change in the system.
Of course, my experience is only with one Jr. College. Before I go on a freedom rampage, I should first go to various schools in a particular district and see what the teachers allow, and how the schools handle these requests. School!= free thought and it saddens me. Oh well. On to something else....
Drivers who recklessly endanger lives. I'm willing to believe there are a few people who speed, weaving through traffic that feel they need to, but I fear that most of them simply want to be in front of the pack. Perhaps not even that, maybe they simply want to be home second earlier. I don't know.
I hate socialist movements. I do not agree with the suffering of all in place of the suffering of few. The taxpayer should not be forced into helping people who won't/can't help themselves. Especially when those programs are in desperate need of reform.
How much money is wasted due to stupid bureaucratical bullshit? The only welfare option that makes since is a basic income. Hell, giving everyone free money would probably cost less than just the infrastructure that could be replaced by that. No forum. No contacting 10 different agencies. No 50 different forums for each benefit. No shame. Just the basic income.
Gotta love freewrites, I clearly contradicted my point above by supporting the argument for socialist movements. Well, oh well. My above suggestion is simply a way to fix what we already have, not create new socialist programs.
We can be organ donors. We can choose not to be. Opt in. That's how socialist programs should be run. But what if the program only works if everyone contributes? Well, then the program is wrong. It's the program that's the problem, not the people who want to be in control of their own destiny.
I am a believer in absolute freedom. At least up to the point of harming others. Want to use cocaine? Fine. That's your choice. Who am I to say you can't put that in your body? However, when you are driving on the road strung out, you are risking my freedom. So no, you cannot drive with your mind all fucked up, but if you want to fuck up your mind, who am I?
<hr />
Well, enough of that ramble. Yay hate! But only in moderation.
So what do you hate? Can you justify this hate? Is any hate justifiable? Clearly I feel it is, but only if it's ideological... apparently.
<h3>Comments</h3>
Mollusk
March 28, 2015 at 3:28 am Edit
I enjoy reading these, and the added audio is nice when I don’t feel like reading. I look forward to seeing and hearing more of these.