h a l f b a k e r yNot so much a thought experiment as a single neuron misfire.
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One of ascendent threats ushered in by the rise of molecular
biology is the risk of bioterrorist attacks, which are
becoming
ever easier to arrange. There is an enthusiastic hacker
movement doing things in kitchens that would have been
beyond the abilities of a large lab just two or three
decades
ago. So far, these activities are mostly benign, but only so
far.
Now, it's come to my attention that there are relatively few
terrorist lawyers. The reason for this is that the law long
ago
understood the need to keep its knowledge from the
common
folk. Thus, we have legal sentences along the lines of "In
foreseizure of the arraignment, which was in statu non ipso
quondam, the lien has been esconced on the grounds of non
habeat re ut epsi, m'lud." In this way, the law has remained
a
closed shop for centuries.
Quite clearly, and with no little urgency, we need to
transition
molecular genetics to an equally impenetrable language.
When on-line papers include phrases such as "2.5ml of
recondite distillate, prepared in situ aperitivus using a
follectis
retort in modus operandi, were foremixed without
assizement
before a totic aromandius", we will all rest easy in our labs.
Voynich manuscript
https://en.wikipedi.../Voynich_manuscript
Cryptic ... [8th of 7, Jan 24 2019]
the Rockwell Retro Encabulator
https://youtu.be/RXJKdh1KZ0w
[xenzag, Jan 24 2019]
Original turboencabulator overview video
https://www.youtube...watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag
This is the model I have. I didn't pay the price at the end—I got it as a government surplus item once it was obsolete. [notexactly, Jan 26 2019]
Encabulator type history
https://en.wikipedi...ki/Turboencabulator
Apparently incomplete—it doesn't list the new digital retro–turbo model I've heard of [notexactly, Jan 26 2019]
[link]
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WKTE, and also a dismal failure. Anyone wanting to wield Biology to evil ends or the far more evil group of people who want to wield the law can each simply study the language involved, and that second set is more motivated to do so. |
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Voice is right, the terrorist factions wishing to wield et legis
for evil ends have already de facto won, to such
an extent their hold on it is now considered both de jure
& de rigueur. |
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I think the way fly people name genes is an example of prior
art. If cholera toxin were derived from Drosophilla, is would
probably be called "Mother of Holy Chloride" or something. |
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Wait a minute, I just checked and cholera toxin works via
CFTR, I always thought it was a Cl- ionophore. Does that
mean people with cystic fibrosis are immune? |
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You might want to look up the Rockwell Retro
Encabulator |
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//simply study the language involved, and that second set is
more motivated to do so// I think you misoverestimate the
abilities, aptitudes and diligence of the average terrorist.
Yes, a very small number of terrorists will study and learn
how to fly a passenger jet regardless of difficulty; but aircraft
manufacturers have taken to concealing the big red button
marked "PRESS TO FLY INTO BUILDING". |
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(To be fair, this may also be a safeguard against careless
pilots.) |
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Ah yes the Retro Encabulator, the ultimate expression of
that
old wheeze sending the new apprentice off to stores to ask
someone for a bag of damp sparks for the grinder, one blue
one, & two green ones, & while you're at it get a can of
striped
paint. |
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Oops, I forgot about the left handed screwdriver.. we'll just
have to send him back again when he gets back with those
damp
sparks. |
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//Rockwell Retro Encabulator// I have two of them. I would
not encabulate with any other product. |
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//Does that mean people with cystic fibrosis are immune?//
You're doing the ethics paperwork on that one, mate. |
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That sounds a bit like the sickle cell/malaria resistance* (mal)adaptation. |
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// but aircraft manufacturers have taken to concealing the big red button marked "PRESS TO FLY INTO BUILDING". // |
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No, they haven't. OK, so it's not a big red button as such, but the autopilot controls are right there at the top of the instrument panel. Anyone with a knowledge of simple 2D geometry and the ability to use a basic oscilloscope can work out - from first principles, mind - how to set the system to fly the plane to a predefined point at a specific height in about 15 minutes of tinkering. You can actually do most of the hard sums beforehand, then it's just a matter of getting the right numbers to come up on the displays and selecting the correct operating mode. |
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*Which in this case may not be futile. |
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Given the prevalence and long history of malaria, and the
abundance of the sickle cell trait, I'm surprised humans
haven't evolved a reliable resistance that avoids the risk of
sickle cell anaemia. |
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We already have several globin genes. It wouldn't take much
for the sickle variant to become part of the normal genome,
but downregulated alongside the normal beta globin gene, to
confer protection against malaria without sickle disease. |
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//Anyone with a knowledge of simple 2D geometry and the
ability to use a basic oscilloscope// I respectfully refer you to
my earlier comment. |
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Google Translate’s next frontier. |
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The alpha-test version was abandoned because the results were too scary. Dogs don't have a very high opinion of humans, but the output from the cat module was all about "Soon, very soon, when we are the new masters of the planet ..." and "Brothers and sisters, let us now rise up and slaughter these pitiful ape-descendants who oppress us !" |
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An app that could translate from cat to human, and access to Alexa, and your species would be even more doomed than it already is. We've been warning you, but you don't seem to be paying attention. |
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[8th] I seem to recall an article /short story where a cat-like species was the most warring in the universe so was scattered and hunted to extinction. The Borg must have had a few converts. |
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If animals do ever take over, it'll be reigning cats and dogs. |
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//have taken to concealing the big red button// |
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No, it's OK, I've found it. |
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^ <Obligatory Father Ted reference/> |
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// The Borg must have had a few converts. // |
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Innumerable ... but the battle against feline evil continues. |
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// //Rockwell Retro Encabulator// I have two of them. I
would not encabulate with any other product // |
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I'm still happy with my original first-generation
turboencabulator—it's never broken down: [links] |
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I've heard they've come out with a new digital one that
combines the turbo and retro versions, though. Might have
to look into that. |
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The main benefits of those are lower power consumption, some self-diagnostics, and (on the high-end model) Wi-Fi connectivity. |
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If you don't have one at all, or it's a replacement unit, then they're worth considering; but if you have an older analog unit that's still OK, then the extra cost certainly isn't worth it. |
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Besides, the older ones you can fix yourself with basic tools - when a digital one goes wrong, it could be strong money for a replacement control board - if they'll even sell you one. They recommend that you to sign up for their ridiculously expensive extended warranty, of course. |
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I got a bargain encabulator at a military surplus auction. Or
so I thought - turned out the prefabulated amulite had been
overheated and warped. Could never get the marzlevanes
aligned so the side-fumbling was terrible.
Sold it for scrap. Wouldn't recommend. |
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