Dec 27 2012: Not to be pessimistic but consider the factors which are necessary to create an inhabitable planet. The major one, which we all consider to be true, is the presence of water (or some life-sustaining liquid). Just to have accessible water resources requires temperature and pressure to be favorable enough to maintain a liquid or at least a solid state. Also, contrary to most people's beliefs, the only barrier protecting humans from radiation is not the O-Zone layer. The majority of radiation is actually deflected by a magnetic field created by the churning molten iron core of Earth. This means that the window of opportunity for a planet to be inhabitable is very short because the planet, itself, is cooling. Also, consider the length of time that ANY life has existed on Earth compared to the life-span of Earth herself. The probability of 1 in 1000 may be accurate for considering planets that have ever or will ever be suitable. However, The probability of a planet being suitable NOW is much less. On top of that we, as humans, have only possessed the necessary technology for < 100 years... 100YEARS! The probability for this to coincide with the same innovation of another planet is effectively 0.
We, Earthians are very unique yet very young and naive.
Dec 27 2012: We're talking about hardware that is the equivalent of WWII blanket bombing; it's overkill. Carol had a unique situation but for the general case software-based GPS spoofing should alleviate many of the issues of malicious cellphone and in-car GPS tracking.
Dec 26 2012: Great idea! Lets think a little bigger. The space within the warehouse that is occupied by product is minimal. The floor-level up to ~5ft is actually used. How can this idea be extrapolated to incorporate the volume of the warehouse rather than just the floor area? Maybe the less popular inventory can be stored higher as well as further?
An example of similar technology would be PODs (Portable On Demand Storage) units. The idea is to utilize modular storage crates with computerized inventory systems to maximize the utility of the available space. This is largely replacing the old way of simply having a fixed and stationary garage-like unit.
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A comment on Talk: Seth Shostak: ET is (probably) out there -- get ready
We, Earthians are very unique yet very young and naive.
A comment on Conversation: The time is NOW for people to stand up and say 'No More Assault Weapons" and not wait for the government to legislate the change.
It's not the weapon. You're foolish to think so.
P.S. This isn't an intellectual discussion and doesn't belong on "TED.com"
A comment on Talk: Todd Humphreys: How to fool a GPS
A comment on Talk: Mick Mountz: The hidden world of box-packing
An example of similar technology would be PODs (Portable On Demand Storage) units. The idea is to utilize modular storage crates with computerized inventory systems to maximize the utility of the available space. This is largely replacing the old way of simply having a fixed and stationary garage-like unit.