I don’t think many of us want to be George Jetson yet with the advent of hackers taking control of many computer systems. It should be a rich environment for them and child’s play to hack cars. Good opportunity for car thieves as well or hackers whose purpose is to cause accidents when they take a car over.
Agent, the times they are a’changing! Autonomous vehicles will be on the road in the next couple of decades. I know there are many perils involved in this matter, but the truth is it’s happening, and we’re going to have to deal with the inevitability of it all.
We will let you be one of the first buyers Rosenblatt. By the way, have you been staying up with the millions of recalls from about every manufacturer? I believe GM leads the pack. What makes you think that union produced cars will be any better in the future?
“What makes you think that union produced cars will be any better in the future?” The improvements in technology (both hardware & software) are improving at an amazing rate. Anyway, they already have planes flying autonomously, not crashing into each other, and I haven’t heard of even one report of an airline’s flight system getting hacked — I’m sure they can figure it out for cars too.
Rosenblatt, apparently you didn’t hear about the massive failure of ignition switches in GM cars which I believe is electronic in nature. Many, many people have been killed or maimed as a result. By the way, GM knew they had a problem and didn’t recall the vehicles until the problem was manifested. We will let you true believers keep on believing that technology will eventually save the day and your car will drive itself.
April 29, 2015 at 10:55 am
Get your facts straight says:
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The ignition issue was not an electronic or software problem. It was due to a change in the dimensions of a physical component.
April 29, 2015 at 11:15 am
Rosenblatt says:
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Thanks, Facts. I was going to say something about how the GM engineer admitted it was an engineering issue and wasn’t an electrical problem at all, and how anything is susceptible to engineering issues (IKEA furniture, speakers, bridges, pens, lights, etc.), but I was more concerned about understanding what Agent was trying to say below with his 18-wheeler comment.
April 27, 2015 at 12:41 pm
steve says:
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ever had a mysterious gremlin cause a glitch in your computer or smartphone? ever had to back out of a program because it didn’t want to “load” right?
most of us experience those little glitches several times a day and are so used to it happening that we don’t even realize how many there are. imagine thousands of cars going down a busy freeway at 70+ mph and several of them having those glitches. it will happen, and often.
I’m a bit of a tech geek, so I wouldn’t mind more automation in my car. But only if it also came with the ability to manually override it in the case of a system glitch. The thought of the system locking up on the expressway, and having to figure out how to pull the battery to force a reset while driving 70+ mph is kind of terrifying.
Have you ever driven a vehicle with OnStar? OnStar can cut the power to your vehicle and have it stop dead in its tracks. They can do that if the owner tells them to (for example: car is stolen) or if the car gets repossessed, or if the police are on a chase and call it in.
edit: OnStar doesn’t stop your vehicle dead in its tracks, per say. Technically they can send a signal to “block the engine from starting” and also to “gradually slow the vehicle [down]”
My point is still valid: OnStar is already using the technology Adjust This! voiced concerns about in future autonomous vehicles.
Accident avoidance features — such as forward collision avoidance systems, where the vehicle will automatically stop itself if it’s about to rear-end another car — are already in use.
What does your 18-wheeler comment have to do with my response to Adjust’s concerns about the government being able to stop your car, which I was pointing out can already be done via OnStar?
April 29, 2015 at 11:24 am
Agent says:
Hot debate. What do you think?
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See if you can picture this in your mind Rosenblatt. The OnStar vehicle has been stolen and it is traveling down the Interstate at 70-75 MPH. OnStar tells the vehicle to stop. A trucker behind the vehicle who is about half asleep from driving all day cannot stop and flattens the OnStar vehicle. Got it yet?
April 29, 2015 at 11:34 am
Get your facts straight says:
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That’s not OnStar’s fault though, but the failure of the person in the 18-wheeler to be paying attention. The outcome would be the same if the vehicle needed to brake for a deer or other hazard.
April 29, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Rosenblatt says:
Hot debate. What do you think?
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As Facts said, liability in that scenario would be on the truck driver & not OnStar. But let’s see if you can picture this in your mind Agent:
The OnStar vehicle has been stolen and it is traveling down the Interstate at 70-75 MPH. OnStar tells the vehicle to stop. A trucker behind the vehicle who is about half asleep from driving all day DOES NOT HAVE TO STOP THEIR TRUCK BECAUSE IT HAS FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEMS THAT WILL ENSURE THE TRUCK STOPS BEFORE REAR-ENDING ANOTHER CAR WITHOUT THE TRUCK DRIVER’S INVOLVEMENT WHAT-SO-EVER.
Got it yet?
April 28, 2015 at 3:40 pm
You Guys Are ALL Scared says:
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These are coming – plan for it. Last I checked assembly line people aren’t doing software design and building. I’d rather have software guiding than a driver. Who do you think controls the commercial airliner you fly on regularly? It’s not the pilot – it’s called an autopilot (computer). You think the gov’t is shutting down airliners – hardly!
And no, the gov’t isn’t going to just shut your car down.
Get real, Folks! AMAZING the FUD in these comments…
I’m really not concerned about Big brother or hackers. But I certainly have some hesitations on autonomous vehicles. I am too young to have experienced the cars that anyone with a wrench could fix. Computers and software always have bugs to work out. I won’t be buying a first generation autonomous vehicle for the same reasons that I didn’t buy a first generation Prius. Let someone else iron out the wrinkles. I agree that they are the future though. It will be interesting to live through the transition.
Hey Rosenblatt, I guess you are in the arguing mood today. Please tell me what braking system on an 80,000 lb GVW truck could slow it down in time to keep from flattening the OnStar vehicle stopping in the roadway especially if it were going 75MPH and 40 yards behind. The only thing that would be happening is flattening the car and then jack knifing into a ditch. So much for automation in this instance.
I’m not arguing just to argue, Agent. I replied to Adjust This! and you’ve asked me a bunch of questions since then that I’m answering.
“Please tell me what braking system on an 80,000 lb GVW truck could slow it down” — Okay! Here is just one example that’s available in the marketplace RIGHT NOW:
Volvo’s Adaptive Cruise Control: it keeps the Volvo a safe distance from the lead vehicle so the Volvo can stop if the car in front comes to an immediate stop.
If your trailer had that feature, it wouldn’t ever be 40 yards behind another car traveling at 75MPH because the tech would know that’s not enough distance to safely come to a stop in an emergency situation!
Rosenblatt, ever travel on the Interstate? I do and I can testify that trucks do not observe safe distances between themselves and cars and the news is filled weekly on bad accidents between trucks and cars. By the way, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Freightliners dominate the truck market, not Volvo. Many of the tractors are 10 or more years old and do not have that kind of technology. What if you had a 2005 Kenworth Tractor with a huge load bearing down on you with your fancy OnStar? Think you would be safe?
Agent, you can keep changing your “what if” scenario all day long, but I’m done with it because it serves no purpose except for detracting from the only (and quite simple!) point I was trying to make:
There is a plethora of automated vehicle technology already in the marketplace and it’s only going to increase over the next few years/decades. The only thing “we” can do about it is accept this fact and change with the times.
Rosenblatt, I have been in the agency business a long time and have seen about every stupid claim that human beings have done and do every week of the year. Despite what technology promises, it will not eliminate human error, chain reaction accidents, accidents due to severe weather or any number of other factors.
April 30, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Rosenblatt says:
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Aaaaand when did I say or imply that autonomous vehicles will result in zero accidents? Never. I just keep saying “we need to accept the tech is coming and we must prepare accordingly.” Do you disagree with that statement?
April 30, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Agent says:
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Rosenblatt, the technology may be coming and if it results in fewer accidents and less serious accidents, so be it. It will help the Loss Ratio with carriers. I wonder if the Algorithms will be adjusted for the features that will be on newer cars with the technology. If one of these autonomous cars goes haywire, gets hacked and runs over someone, is that a Products claim on the manufacturer? I don’t think GM could handle another one like the ignition switch suit.
April 30, 2015 at 1:08 pm
Ron says:
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Agent,
The fact that you made the statement, “I wonder if the Algorithms will be adjusted for the features that will be on newer cars with the technology.” is further of evidence of you ignorance regarding how insurance algorithms work and used in underwriting and pricing decisions. That is not insulting your intelligence, just pointing out where you lack intelligence.
Of course they will be included.
If one them goes haywire, coverage will be determined by the exact cause of the loss and the contracts like every other loss. This really is not that complicated.
There is no such thing as a perfect world. That is why there is insurance and you are living a very comfortable lifestyle.
April 29, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Adam says:
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Autonomous vehicles are coming for better or for worse. We might look forward to the day drunk driving or distracting driving goes away but we will have to prepare for the problems that come along with technological limitations.
The algorithm comment was a slam against you Ron since you profess to be an algorithm expert and know all the factors put into the process to determine the rate (Not). Your lack of intelligence or even common sense is astounding.
By the way, I have had no correspondence, announcement from any of my carriers that they will be adjusting rates for Comprehensive or Collision on the newer technology on any of the Autos for theft prevention features, OnStar technology, collision avoidance etc etc. It must be on the very back burner for companies.
Can you please stop posting replies to people under the wrong posts? It is not hard to post under the right comment and it is difficult to follow the conversation when you are talking to one person in three different places. Can you please try to keep topics, discussions, and replies grouped together?
You correctly posted a reply to Rosenblatt when that comment did not have a reply button. In case you posted that reply correctly by accident, here is a tip for you:
Do not see a reply button on the comment you want to reply to? Scroll up to the last time the reply button showed up in that thread and use that final reply button.
You should now be a smarter internet person. Use this knowledge wisely and keep the threads clean.
April 30, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Can you please stop? says:
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I just hit the reply button on your post that started with “I reply on the button provided” in order to post a reply under my last message which does not have a reply button.
CHALLENGE FOR AGENT –> Can you successfully post a reply under this post even though this post does not have a reply button?!
April 30, 2015 at 5:29 pm
Agent says:
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Hey Can, sometimes I go up and sometimes down looking for a reply button. Sometimes on some articles, there isn’t a reply button for 8 or 10 posts. Sorry, but I will reply as I will. Get over it.
Yay – you did it! If you don’t see a reply button until you’ve gone back 10 posts, my tip is still valid – just use the last reply button you see in that conversation. It really is that simple – just use the last reply button you see in the thread you want to comment on.
Why did you post your reply to me under Adam’ post. You truly are an idiot.
How exactly was your comment about algorithms a slam against me? You did not even reference me in your post. You truly are an idiot.
I know more about algorithms than you know about running an agency.
Your statement, “Your lack of intelligence or even common sense is astounding.” does not bother me becasue all I need to do is consider the source. You truly are an idiot.
You statement,”By the way, I have had no correspondence, announcement from any of my carriers that they will be adjusting rates for Comprehensive or Collision on the newer technology on any of the Autos for theft prevention features, OnStar technology, collision avoidance etc etc. It must be on the very back burner for companies.”, is even further evidence that you have no clue about insurance pricing and algorithms. Please stop commenting on subjects for which you have little to no knowledge. Throwing out terms like algoritms and adverse selection incorrectly only makes you look even less intelligent. You truly are an idiot.
If I believed for a second that you would listen and understand, I would give you the Insurance 101 explanation of insurance pricing.
Ron, it is a good thing you don’t give Continuing Education courses or the students would be just as uninformed as they were before the class started and would be demanding their money back. I could hear them saying as they were leaving, what in the he– was he talking about? Do you mean they actually let him teach this subject? Really?
Having a bad day Ron? I make no post to you and you couldn’t wait to insult me. You are right about one thing. I am against Progressive Progress and yes, I am against most of the social issues you are for. You are wrong about Somalia. They are a chaotic no government country ruled by tribes of thugs who really like to hijack ships for profit. You should go over there. I hear they have great beaches.
I am having another fantastic day! Thank you so much for asking.
Like you never mention my name without me posting. Hypocrite!!
How exactly did I insult you? You really need to grow some thicker skin and stop taking things so personal.
If you like it here so much, stop complaining and start showing some humility and gratitude for what you have and the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world!!
Leave it to a Progressive troll to insult someone and then tell them to grow a thicker skin. Typical of a New Yorker like you. Anytime you insult my intelligence, I am going to go after you.
By the way, did you notice the first quarter numbers on the economy so you can troll about how wonderful it is doing? Wow, .2% growth after 6+ years of Progressive Socialist policies. I thought Obama had it turned around. The economy has grown 9.6% total in all the years of his Presidency. That is averaging about 1.6% per year. Isn’t that just wonderful? Most times in the past, a country coming out of a recession averages 3.5% at least. 6X3.5 would be our economy would be 21% growth in 6 years had the proper things been done. I hope you are happy with your selection of him to be President. Most Americans aren’t.
You still did not answer my question; How exactly did I insult you?
You said, “Anytime you insult my intelligence, I am going to go after you.” Thank you for admitting that you are thin-skinned. Try growing a pair you Texas wimp!
Thank you for finally admitting that I am right, President Obama has not destroyed nor made the economy worse.
When did I ever say the economy was booming? I only said that it has been consistently, even if too slowly, since President Obama’s first year in office.
What you do not KNOW is that the economy would have improved more under John McCain or Mitt Romney. The key word is KNOW.
I am not happy with President Obama, but still believe he was the better option when I, and most voters, made our selection.
Here Agent, I will insult you since you’re intent on finding insults:
“You’re a hillbilly idiot with bad ideas and an inferiority complex and you’re probably impotent. Also you’re dumb.”
That’s how you insult, Old Man. You’re welcome.
April 30, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Agent says:
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Ron, you are so dumb, you don’t even know you have made one. That is the NY mentality. You know what, I haven’t met one Progressive Socialist yet in my life who was a nice person and respectful. You fill the bill perfectly.
Seeing that I am not a Progressive Socialist, your statement, like nearly all of your posts, is totally useless. I am guessing you have met very few, if any true Progressive Socialists. You do not even know what is real Socialism or progress.
I have yet to meet a Conservative who is not a moronic, backwards hypoctite.
April 30, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Agent says:
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I have met plenty of Progressives and after hearing their diatribe which is much like yours, the conversation ends. You can’t possibly believe that an Obama voter like you is not a Progressive Socialist, can you? That is all Obama is 24/7 since he came on the scene. This goes to your stupidity when you believed all that Hope and Change nonsense and after the huge mess made, voted for him in 2012. Were you totally catatonic or just a true believer?
Ron & Stan for insulters of the year on IJ. It is not even close with any other Progressive Trolls. Stan, you are fond of saying Texas is barely a state. If Texas were a country, they would have the 14th largest economy in the world. Exports in 2012 grossed more than $264.7 billion, more than California at $161.9 billion and New York at $81.4 billion combined. In 2011, Texas had a state gross product of $1.332 Trillion and is surely more than that now. No state Income Tax as well. Gee, how did they do that? Texas is hardly an insignificant state. Your hatred is something to behold and you are the most stupid three degree individual I am familiar with.
Based on your posts, you believe that anyone who is not a Conservative is a Progressive Socialist. That is why you believe you have met plenty of Progressives and that thinking is blatantly false, period.
Since you want to increase my taxes and 43% of the country, without increasing yours, does that make you a Progressive?
President Obama is not a Socialist, period. Please LIST all of the ways he has turned this country toward Socialism.
How many times do I have to tell you, I did not then and do not think he has been a very good president. He has been average and on par with President GW Bush. However, I will stand by my belief that he was the better candidate when I voted.
Actually Ron, many people can have moderate views and polls have shown that Independents do lean to the Conservative views, unlike you. You know what, it is impossible to list all the ways Obama has proposed Socialism in this forum. Of course, the biggest Socialist scheme is Obamacare, the greatest tragedy of legislation passed in 100 years. By the way, you are currently a tax taker, not a tax payer. I have been on your case to step up and do your part and pay some tax since I am very tired of paying mine and yours. I had a good laugh over you saying Obama has been average. He has made Jimmy Carter the second worst President in my lifetime and Carter is breathing a sigh of relief.
You even have problems posting a reply in the right place when the previous comment has a reply button showing! What is your major malfunction, numbnuts?
You should take your own advice and “please stop” posting your nonsense. If you don’t have an opinion on any subject, we welcome you to exit the forum and play on another site.
If you want my opinion on a subject, ask me something and I will tell you. I do not think asking you to place your replies in the proper conversation so everyone can simply read the comments in order when scrolling down is a difficult request. You have already showed the capacity to do it correctly…what is the big deal?
So here is a question for you to answer stop. Are you of the opinion that Ron is that Obama has merely been an average President in his 6+ years or do you think he has been a tragedy for America like I do? Don’t dodge the question, just answer truthfully so I can see where you are coming from.
How dare you demand someone else answer your question.
You have been dodging my questions for years.
May 1, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Can you please stop? says:
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Only giving me two options to pick is absurd. How about a scale?
On a scale of 1-10, 1 being “travesty” 5 being “average” and 10 being “best President ever”, I give him a score of 2.5.
Obama is a below-average President and is closer to “travesty” than he is to “average”
How is that for answering truthfully?
May 1, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Agent says:
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Hey Stop, good answer. You are much less than Ron’s 5.0 average score on Obama. You know what, if Obama was merely incompetent and did nothing but take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide contributing to Global Warming, he would have done less damage to this country. He is just an empty suit Progressive Socialist mired in leftist ideology and unwilling to compromise his agenda to do the right thing for America.
May 1, 2015 at 4:57 pm
Can you please stop? says:
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1: Thank you for posting your last message within the appropriate thread! I do appreciate that.
2: I did not ask Ron what he would rank Obama on that 1-10 scale, so I do not know if you are right.
Hey Ron – if you are still reading this thread – 1 to 10, 1 being worst president & 10 best president, what number would you give to Obama so far? I am not demanding a response, just politely asking.
3: I do not know why you felt the need to insult Obama and Progessive Socialists. We all live in this country together and dividing us further does no good. We may agree on how ineffective Obama has been, but I do not agree at all with that insulting style of a response.
May 1, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Agent says:
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Hey Stop, you asked why I feel the need to insult Obama and Progressive Socialists. Perhaps the reason is that he has divided this country on race, class and economic issues for 6+ years. Conservatives have had enough and we are fighting back. They are the disease and we are the cure. When he was first elected, I tried to give him a chance, but it didn’t take long for him to start the division and instead of addressing the economy that he promised to do, he started in on Healthcare leaving the economy to slog on in the midst of a recession, then he passed the Stimulus which wasn’t a stimulus and didn’t create jobs and only ran up the debt. He has spent more than all the previous President’s in the history of the country and the debt is $18 Trillion and what do we have to show for it? The first quarter of this year is almost a contraction with .2% growth. Ron is happy with those numbers and think it is great. I and others don’t. Total failure of this President and yes he is incompetent to boot.
May 1, 2015 at 10:10 pm
Can you please stop? says:
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Ummmm “they are the disease and we are the cure.” Really? You’re crazy man.
You said, “You know what, it is impossible to list all the ways Obama has proposed Socialism in this forum.” Only because there are none. OK, just give me 3.
The PPACA IS NOT SOCIALISM, period. If we have Universal Health Care, then that would be Socialism.
In addition, “redistribution of wealth” is also not Socialism.
You said, “By the way, you are currently a tax taker, not a tax payer.” Technically that is incorrect. I actually pay more in taxes than I receive, FICA, property taxes, sales taxes, etc.
I have stated multiple times that I would not have a problem paying federal income taxes. I am just taking Mitt Romney’s advise and following the tax code. Unlike you, I have the capacity to listen to and follow someone wth whom I may disagree.
What have the Republicans done to address the tax code in their fist 90 days in charge? That is more than enough time to do something.
1. Redistribution of Income through Progressive Tax Code – Socialist
2. Increasing taxes on savings & investment will work exactly to the contrary to economic growth – Socialist
3. Increasing regulatory burdens and barriers, ie shutting down the Coal Industry, restricting Oil & Gas production has a negative effect on the economy. “Under my plan, electricity costs will necessarily skyrocket”. Socialist
4. Employer Mandate in Obamacare & Built in taxes in it – Socialist
5. Raising Capital Gains Tax Rates – Socialist
6. Raising Estate Taxes on businesses and farms – Socialist
When tax rates go up, revenue falls. Clearly, the redistribution President does the opposite of what it takes to grow an economy. I could go on, but I have to get back to work. Keep on spinning Ron. You are wrong on every issue.
Not one of those things are, by the true definition, Socialism.
Here is the definition: a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
Not one of your items references any means of production, distribution and exchange.
Please, for the love of God, stop using terms until you know what they mean.
You truly are an idiot.
May 4, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Agent says:
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Progressivism is a disease and people with a leaning toward being liberal are easily brainwashed into thinking it is the way to go even if the consequences have been tragic.
By the way Ron, I noticed that NY is the highest taxed state in the union for Personal Income from all sources. It ranks 49th for business tax burden. No wonder you don’t want to pay Federal Taxes on your income. NY does not have an enviable record. Why didn’t you move a long time ago to a better environment?
I do not think the word means what you think it means, Agent.
Progressivism is a broad philosophy based on the Idea of Progress, which asserts that advancement in science, technology, economic development, and social organization are vital to improve the human condition.
Confused, let me broaden your understanding of a Progressive. US Senator Bernie Sanders, a noted Socialist says that a “Progressive” is just another term for a “Socialist” in an interview with Huffington Post.
Sanders has called for Universal Healthcare, increased government redistribution of wealth, limits on political speech, additional government action on Climate Change, $1 Trillion in new infrastructure spending among other things. The New Yorker called Sanders agenda a “Progressive Manifesto”. Sanders should be the ideal candidate for Ron, Celtica, David and others. This is what Obama has been doing for 6+ years. I wonder why the liberal citizens haven’t awakened to this agenda. It is not right for America.
May 5, 2015 at 8:30 am
Confused says:
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So instead of taking the definition of a word from a dictionary, we should just use it however that Senator thought it meant?
Come on man – I posted the dictionary definition of Progessivism. That’s what the word means. End of story.
May 5, 2015 at 9:58 am
Agent says:
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Confused, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Your dictionary definition of Progressivism is not what leftist politicians practice on a daily basis in this country. Reality bears no resemblance to the words in that dictionary. End of story!
May 5, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Confused says:
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So you do not care what the ACTUAL definition of the word is and what it REALLY means – you just want to keep using it incorrectly?
That is like me saying “Joe is illiterate because he can not speak. I do not care that illiterate means unable to read or write and mute is word to use, I still say Joe is illiterate because it does not matter what words actually mean – they mean whatever I want them to.”
THAT is your stance?
May 5, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Agent says:
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Confused, are you one of those word parsers that appear once in a while to argue for the sake of arguing? Maybe your hero is Bill Clinton, who said it depends on what the meaning of “is” is. I will cut you some slack since you may have been away from the country the past 7 years and have not seen what Progressive Socialists have been up to. If you haven’t been gone, perhaps you are a true believer in Hope & Change and all that came with it.
May 5, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Confused says:
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You stopped talking about the fact that Progressivism has a generally accepted definition that means something different than what you think it means. Complete deflection in your reply = argument win for me. Thank you for playing, have a good night.
May 5, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Agent says:
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Confused, I have known what Progressivism has meant to this country for a number of years now. Big Government, Big Spending, Big Waste, inept leadership all for an ideology that doesn’t work for this country. It is sad you can’t see it for what it is. Have a good night.
May 6, 2015 at 9:18 am
Confused says:
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Agent, I agree there is a major problem with big government, big spending, big waste and inept leadership in this country, and it has been a big problem for quite some time now.
All I’m saying is: that is NOT how Progressivism is actually defined.
May 6, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Confused says:
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Also Agent, what did you mean when you called me a word parser?
May 1, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Agent says:
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EPIC FAIL Ron, you voted for the biggest Socialist in American History. Actually, the polite American term for a Progressive Socialist is “Marxist”.
A Daimler-built autonomous truck can now legally operate on the highways of Nevada. Gov. Brian Sandoval has officially granted the “Freightliner Inspiration Truck” a license for road use in the state, making it the first of its kind to navigate public roads in the US. The Inspiration’s “Highway Pilot system” is loaded with cameras, radars, other sensors and computer hardware like most autonomous vehicles. However, it’s not completely self-driving — it still needs a human driver behind the wheel.
According to the big rig’s official website, when the semi-autonomous system takes over, its sensors and computers are “responsible for maintaining legal speed, staying in the selected lane, keeping a safe braking distance from other vehicles, and slowing or stopping the vehicle based on traffic and road conditions.” That frees up the driver to do other tasks, like doing the inventory, route planning and scheduling. Certain conditions require it to transfer control back to the driver, though, particularly when exiting a highway, driving on local roads and docking to drop off deliveries.
The truck had to undergo rigorous testing before it was granted a license and had to drive over 10,000 miles on a circuit in Germany. At the moment, there are two operational Inspiration trucks, and it’s unclear if Daimler’s making more of them.
I don’t think many of us want to be George Jetson yet with the advent of hackers taking control of many computer systems. It should be a rich environment for them and child’s play to hack cars. Good opportunity for car thieves as well or hackers whose purpose is to cause accidents when they take a car over.
Agent, the times they are a’changing! Autonomous vehicles will be on the road in the next couple of decades. I know there are many perils involved in this matter, but the truth is it’s happening, and we’re going to have to deal with the inevitability of it all.
We will let you be one of the first buyers Rosenblatt. By the way, have you been staying up with the millions of recalls from about every manufacturer? I believe GM leads the pack. What makes you think that union produced cars will be any better in the future?
“What makes you think that union produced cars will be any better in the future?” The improvements in technology (both hardware & software) are improving at an amazing rate. Anyway, they already have planes flying autonomously, not crashing into each other, and I haven’t heard of even one report of an airline’s flight system getting hacked — I’m sure they can figure it out for cars too.
Rosenblatt, apparently you didn’t hear about the massive failure of ignition switches in GM cars which I believe is electronic in nature. Many, many people have been killed or maimed as a result. By the way, GM knew they had a problem and didn’t recall the vehicles until the problem was manifested. We will let you true believers keep on believing that technology will eventually save the day and your car will drive itself.
The ignition issue was not an electronic or software problem. It was due to a change in the dimensions of a physical component.
Thanks, Facts. I was going to say something about how the GM engineer admitted it was an engineering issue and wasn’t an electrical problem at all, and how anything is susceptible to engineering issues (IKEA furniture, speakers, bridges, pens, lights, etc.), but I was more concerned about understanding what Agent was trying to say below with his 18-wheeler comment.
ever had a mysterious gremlin cause a glitch in your computer or smartphone? ever had to back out of a program because it didn’t want to “load” right?
most of us experience those little glitches several times a day and are so used to it happening that we don’t even realize how many there are. imagine thousands of cars going down a busy freeway at 70+ mph and several of them having those glitches. it will happen, and often.
I’m a bit of a tech geek, so I wouldn’t mind more automation in my car. But only if it also came with the ability to manually override it in the case of a system glitch. The thought of the system locking up on the expressway, and having to figure out how to pull the battery to force a reset while driving 70+ mph is kind of terrifying.
If anyone wants to drive a car the government can stop with the flick of a switch or a terrorist can crash, be my guest. I will never buy one.
Have you ever driven a vehicle with OnStar? OnStar can cut the power to your vehicle and have it stop dead in its tracks. They can do that if the owner tells them to (for example: car is stolen) or if the car gets repossessed, or if the police are on a chase and call it in.
edit: OnStar doesn’t stop your vehicle dead in its tracks, per say. Technically they can send a signal to “block the engine from starting” and also to “gradually slow the vehicle [down]”
My point is still valid: OnStar is already using the technology Adjust This! voiced concerns about in future autonomous vehicles.
Please explain OnStar slowing down a car when an 18 wheeler is bearing down on it. That should be a helpless feeling for almost anyone. No thanks!
Accident avoidance features — such as forward collision avoidance systems, where the vehicle will automatically stop itself if it’s about to rear-end another car — are already in use.
What does your 18-wheeler comment have to do with my response to Adjust’s concerns about the government being able to stop your car, which I was pointing out can already be done via OnStar?
See if you can picture this in your mind Rosenblatt. The OnStar vehicle has been stolen and it is traveling down the Interstate at 70-75 MPH. OnStar tells the vehicle to stop. A trucker behind the vehicle who is about half asleep from driving all day cannot stop and flattens the OnStar vehicle. Got it yet?
That’s not OnStar’s fault though, but the failure of the person in the 18-wheeler to be paying attention. The outcome would be the same if the vehicle needed to brake for a deer or other hazard.
As Facts said, liability in that scenario would be on the truck driver & not OnStar. But let’s see if you can picture this in your mind Agent:
The OnStar vehicle has been stolen and it is traveling down the Interstate at 70-75 MPH. OnStar tells the vehicle to stop. A trucker behind the vehicle who is about half asleep from driving all day DOES NOT HAVE TO STOP THEIR TRUCK BECAUSE IT HAS FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEMS THAT WILL ENSURE THE TRUCK STOPS BEFORE REAR-ENDING ANOTHER CAR WITHOUT THE TRUCK DRIVER’S INVOLVEMENT WHAT-SO-EVER.
Got it yet?
These are coming – plan for it. Last I checked assembly line people aren’t doing software design and building. I’d rather have software guiding than a driver. Who do you think controls the commercial airliner you fly on regularly? It’s not the pilot – it’s called an autopilot (computer). You think the gov’t is shutting down airliners – hardly!
And no, the gov’t isn’t going to just shut your car down.
Get real, Folks! AMAZING the FUD in these comments…
I’m really not concerned about Big brother or hackers. But I certainly have some hesitations on autonomous vehicles. I am too young to have experienced the cars that anyone with a wrench could fix. Computers and software always have bugs to work out. I won’t be buying a first generation autonomous vehicle for the same reasons that I didn’t buy a first generation Prius. Let someone else iron out the wrinkles. I agree that they are the future though. It will be interesting to live through the transition.
Hey Rosenblatt, I guess you are in the arguing mood today. Please tell me what braking system on an 80,000 lb GVW truck could slow it down in time to keep from flattening the OnStar vehicle stopping in the roadway especially if it were going 75MPH and 40 yards behind. The only thing that would be happening is flattening the car and then jack knifing into a ditch. So much for automation in this instance.
I’m not arguing just to argue, Agent. I replied to Adjust This! and you’ve asked me a bunch of questions since then that I’m answering.
“Please tell me what braking system on an 80,000 lb GVW truck could slow it down” — Okay! Here is just one example that’s available in the marketplace RIGHT NOW:
Volvo’s Adaptive Cruise Control: it keeps the Volvo a safe distance from the lead vehicle so the Volvo can stop if the car in front comes to an immediate stop.
If your trailer had that feature, it wouldn’t ever be 40 yards behind another car traveling at 75MPH because the tech would know that’s not enough distance to safely come to a stop in an emergency situation!
Got it yet?
Rosenblatt, ever travel on the Interstate? I do and I can testify that trucks do not observe safe distances between themselves and cars and the news is filled weekly on bad accidents between trucks and cars. By the way, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Freightliners dominate the truck market, not Volvo. Many of the tractors are 10 or more years old and do not have that kind of technology. What if you had a 2005 Kenworth Tractor with a huge load bearing down on you with your fancy OnStar? Think you would be safe?
Agent, you can keep changing your “what if” scenario all day long, but I’m done with it because it serves no purpose except for detracting from the only (and quite simple!) point I was trying to make:
There is a plethora of automated vehicle technology already in the marketplace and it’s only going to increase over the next few years/decades. The only thing “we” can do about it is accept this fact and change with the times.
Rosenblatt, I have been in the agency business a long time and have seen about every stupid claim that human beings have done and do every week of the year. Despite what technology promises, it will not eliminate human error, chain reaction accidents, accidents due to severe weather or any number of other factors.
Aaaaand when did I say or imply that autonomous vehicles will result in zero accidents? Never. I just keep saying “we need to accept the tech is coming and we must prepare accordingly.” Do you disagree with that statement?
Rosenblatt, the technology may be coming and if it results in fewer accidents and less serious accidents, so be it. It will help the Loss Ratio with carriers. I wonder if the Algorithms will be adjusted for the features that will be on newer cars with the technology. If one of these autonomous cars goes haywire, gets hacked and runs over someone, is that a Products claim on the manufacturer? I don’t think GM could handle another one like the ignition switch suit.
Agent,
The fact that you made the statement, “I wonder if the Algorithms will be adjusted for the features that will be on newer cars with the technology.” is further of evidence of you ignorance regarding how insurance algorithms work and used in underwriting and pricing decisions. That is not insulting your intelligence, just pointing out where you lack intelligence.
Of course they will be included.
If one them goes haywire, coverage will be determined by the exact cause of the loss and the contracts like every other loss. This really is not that complicated.
There is no such thing as a perfect world. That is why there is insurance and you are living a very comfortable lifestyle.
Autonomous vehicles are coming for better or for worse. We might look forward to the day drunk driving or distracting driving goes away but we will have to prepare for the problems that come along with technological limitations.
The algorithm comment was a slam against you Ron since you profess to be an algorithm expert and know all the factors put into the process to determine the rate (Not). Your lack of intelligence or even common sense is astounding.
By the way, I have had no correspondence, announcement from any of my carriers that they will be adjusting rates for Comprehensive or Collision on the newer technology on any of the Autos for theft prevention features, OnStar technology, collision avoidance etc etc. It must be on the very back burner for companies.
Can you please stop posting replies to people under the wrong posts? It is not hard to post under the right comment and it is difficult to follow the conversation when you are talking to one person in three different places. Can you please try to keep topics, discussions, and replies grouped together?
I reply on the button provided. If you noticed, sometimes there is no reply button for several posts. Get over it.
You correctly posted a reply to Rosenblatt when that comment did not have a reply button. In case you posted that reply correctly by accident, here is a tip for you:
Do not see a reply button on the comment you want to reply to? Scroll up to the last time the reply button showed up in that thread and use that final reply button.
You should now be a smarter internet person. Use this knowledge wisely and keep the threads clean.
I just hit the reply button on your post that started with “I reply on the button provided” in order to post a reply under my last message which does not have a reply button.
CHALLENGE FOR AGENT –> Can you successfully post a reply under this post even though this post does not have a reply button?!
Hey Can, sometimes I go up and sometimes down looking for a reply button. Sometimes on some articles, there isn’t a reply button for 8 or 10 posts. Sorry, but I will reply as I will. Get over it.
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Ron, it is a good thing you don’t give Continuing Education courses or the students would be just as uninformed as they were before the class started and would be demanding their money back. I could hear them saying as they were leaving, what in the he– was he talking about? Do you mean they actually let him teach this subject? Really?
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Having a bad day Ron? I make no post to you and you couldn’t wait to insult me. You are right about one thing. I am against Progressive Progress and yes, I am against most of the social issues you are for. You are wrong about Somalia. They are a chaotic no government country ruled by tribes of thugs who really like to hijack ships for profit. You should go over there. I hear they have great beaches.
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Leave it to a Progressive troll to insult someone and then tell them to grow a thicker skin. Typical of a New Yorker like you. Anytime you insult my intelligence, I am going to go after you.
By the way, did you notice the first quarter numbers on the economy so you can troll about how wonderful it is doing? Wow, .2% growth after 6+ years of Progressive Socialist policies. I thought Obama had it turned around. The economy has grown 9.6% total in all the years of his Presidency. That is averaging about 1.6% per year. Isn’t that just wonderful? Most times in the past, a country coming out of a recession averages 3.5% at least. 6X3.5 would be our economy would be 21% growth in 6 years had the proper things been done. I hope you are happy with your selection of him to be President. Most Americans aren’t.
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Ron, you are so dumb, you don’t even know you have made one. That is the NY mentality. You know what, I haven’t met one Progressive Socialist yet in my life who was a nice person and respectful. You fill the bill perfectly.
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I have met plenty of Progressives and after hearing their diatribe which is much like yours, the conversation ends. You can’t possibly believe that an Obama voter like you is not a Progressive Socialist, can you? That is all Obama is 24/7 since he came on the scene. This goes to your stupidity when you believed all that Hope and Change nonsense and after the huge mess made, voted for him in 2012. Were you totally catatonic or just a true believer?
Ron & Stan for insulters of the year on IJ. It is not even close with any other Progressive Trolls. Stan, you are fond of saying Texas is barely a state. If Texas were a country, they would have the 14th largest economy in the world. Exports in 2012 grossed more than $264.7 billion, more than California at $161.9 billion and New York at $81.4 billion combined. In 2011, Texas had a state gross product of $1.332 Trillion and is surely more than that now. No state Income Tax as well. Gee, how did they do that? Texas is hardly an insignificant state. Your hatred is something to behold and you are the most stupid three degree individual I am familiar with.
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Actually Ron, many people can have moderate views and polls have shown that Independents do lean to the Conservative views, unlike you. You know what, it is impossible to list all the ways Obama has proposed Socialism in this forum. Of course, the biggest Socialist scheme is Obamacare, the greatest tragedy of legislation passed in 100 years. By the way, you are currently a tax taker, not a tax payer. I have been on your case to step up and do your part and pay some tax since I am very tired of paying mine and yours. I had a good laugh over you saying Obama has been average. He has made Jimmy Carter the second worst President in my lifetime and Carter is breathing a sigh of relief.
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You should take your own advice and “please stop” posting your nonsense. If you don’t have an opinion on any subject, we welcome you to exit the forum and play on another site.
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If you want my opinion on a subject, ask me something and I will tell you. I do not think asking you to place your replies in the proper conversation so everyone can simply read the comments in order when scrolling down is a difficult request. You have already showed the capacity to do it correctly…what is the big deal?
So here is a question for you to answer stop. Are you of the opinion that Ron is that Obama has merely been an average President in his 6+ years or do you think he has been a tragedy for America like I do? Don’t dodge the question, just answer truthfully so I can see where you are coming from.
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Only giving me two options to pick is absurd. How about a scale?
On a scale of 1-10, 1 being “travesty” 5 being “average” and 10 being “best President ever”, I give him a score of 2.5.
Obama is a below-average President and is closer to “travesty” than he is to “average”
How is that for answering truthfully?
Hey Stop, good answer. You are much less than Ron’s 5.0 average score on Obama. You know what, if Obama was merely incompetent and did nothing but take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide contributing to Global Warming, he would have done less damage to this country. He is just an empty suit Progressive Socialist mired in leftist ideology and unwilling to compromise his agenda to do the right thing for America.
1: Thank you for posting your last message within the appropriate thread! I do appreciate that.
2: I did not ask Ron what he would rank Obama on that 1-10 scale, so I do not know if you are right.
Hey Ron – if you are still reading this thread – 1 to 10, 1 being worst president & 10 best president, what number would you give to Obama so far? I am not demanding a response, just politely asking.
3: I do not know why you felt the need to insult Obama and Progessive Socialists. We all live in this country together and dividing us further does no good. We may agree on how ineffective Obama has been, but I do not agree at all with that insulting style of a response.
Hey Stop, you asked why I feel the need to insult Obama and Progressive Socialists. Perhaps the reason is that he has divided this country on race, class and economic issues for 6+ years. Conservatives have had enough and we are fighting back. They are the disease and we are the cure. When he was first elected, I tried to give him a chance, but it didn’t take long for him to start the division and instead of addressing the economy that he promised to do, he started in on Healthcare leaving the economy to slog on in the midst of a recession, then he passed the Stimulus which wasn’t a stimulus and didn’t create jobs and only ran up the debt. He has spent more than all the previous President’s in the history of the country and the debt is $18 Trillion and what do we have to show for it? The first quarter of this year is almost a contraction with .2% growth. Ron is happy with those numbers and think it is great. I and others don’t. Total failure of this President and yes he is incompetent to boot.
Ummmm “they are the disease and we are the cure.” Really? You’re crazy man.
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1. Redistribution of Income through Progressive Tax Code – Socialist
2. Increasing taxes on savings & investment will work exactly to the contrary to economic growth – Socialist
3. Increasing regulatory burdens and barriers, ie shutting down the Coal Industry, restricting Oil & Gas production has a negative effect on the economy. “Under my plan, electricity costs will necessarily skyrocket”. Socialist
4. Employer Mandate in Obamacare & Built in taxes in it – Socialist
5. Raising Capital Gains Tax Rates – Socialist
6. Raising Estate Taxes on businesses and farms – Socialist
When tax rates go up, revenue falls. Clearly, the redistribution President does the opposite of what it takes to grow an economy. I could go on, but I have to get back to work. Keep on spinning Ron. You are wrong on every issue.
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Progressivism is a disease and people with a leaning toward being liberal are easily brainwashed into thinking it is the way to go even if the consequences have been tragic.
By the way Ron, I noticed that NY is the highest taxed state in the union for Personal Income from all sources. It ranks 49th for business tax burden. No wonder you don’t want to pay Federal Taxes on your income. NY does not have an enviable record. Why didn’t you move a long time ago to a better environment?
I do not think the word means what you think it means, Agent.
Progressivism is a broad philosophy based on the Idea of Progress, which asserts that advancement in science, technology, economic development, and social organization are vital to improve the human condition.
Confused, let me broaden your understanding of a Progressive. US Senator Bernie Sanders, a noted Socialist says that a “Progressive” is just another term for a “Socialist” in an interview with Huffington Post.
Sanders has called for Universal Healthcare, increased government redistribution of wealth, limits on political speech, additional government action on Climate Change, $1 Trillion in new infrastructure spending among other things. The New Yorker called Sanders agenda a “Progressive Manifesto”. Sanders should be the ideal candidate for Ron, Celtica, David and others. This is what Obama has been doing for 6+ years. I wonder why the liberal citizens haven’t awakened to this agenda. It is not right for America.
So instead of taking the definition of a word from a dictionary, we should just use it however that Senator thought it meant?
Come on man – I posted the dictionary definition of Progessivism. That’s what the word means. End of story.
Confused, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Your dictionary definition of Progressivism is not what leftist politicians practice on a daily basis in this country. Reality bears no resemblance to the words in that dictionary. End of story!
So you do not care what the ACTUAL definition of the word is and what it REALLY means – you just want to keep using it incorrectly?
That is like me saying “Joe is illiterate because he can not speak. I do not care that illiterate means unable to read or write and mute is word to use, I still say Joe is illiterate because it does not matter what words actually mean – they mean whatever I want them to.”
THAT is your stance?
Confused, are you one of those word parsers that appear once in a while to argue for the sake of arguing? Maybe your hero is Bill Clinton, who said it depends on what the meaning of “is” is. I will cut you some slack since you may have been away from the country the past 7 years and have not seen what Progressive Socialists have been up to. If you haven’t been gone, perhaps you are a true believer in Hope & Change and all that came with it.
You stopped talking about the fact that Progressivism has a generally accepted definition that means something different than what you think it means. Complete deflection in your reply = argument win for me. Thank you for playing, have a good night.
Confused, I have known what Progressivism has meant to this country for a number of years now. Big Government, Big Spending, Big Waste, inept leadership all for an ideology that doesn’t work for this country. It is sad you can’t see it for what it is. Have a good night.
Agent, I agree there is a major problem with big government, big spending, big waste and inept leadership in this country, and it has been a big problem for quite some time now.
All I’m saying is: that is NOT how Progressivism is actually defined.
Also Agent, what did you mean when you called me a word parser?
EPIC FAIL Ron, you voted for the biggest Socialist in American History. Actually, the polite American term for a Progressive Socialist is “Marxist”.
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Enjoy Joni Ernst Planet. She will help Iowa get straightened out from all the years of Harkin and others.
Like I was saying, Agent – the future is now:
Like I was saying, Agent:
A Daimler-built autonomous truck can now legally operate on the highways of Nevada. Gov. Brian Sandoval has officially granted the “Freightliner Inspiration Truck” a license for road use in the state, making it the first of its kind to navigate public roads in the US. The Inspiration’s “Highway Pilot system” is loaded with cameras, radars, other sensors and computer hardware like most autonomous vehicles. However, it’s not completely self-driving — it still needs a human driver behind the wheel.
According to the big rig’s official website, when the semi-autonomous system takes over, its sensors and computers are “responsible for maintaining legal speed, staying in the selected lane, keeping a safe braking distance from other vehicles, and slowing or stopping the vehicle based on traffic and road conditions.” That frees up the driver to do other tasks, like doing the inventory, route planning and scheduling. Certain conditions require it to transfer control back to the driver, though, particularly when exiting a highway, driving on local roads and docking to drop off deliveries.
The truck had to undergo rigorous testing before it was granted a license and had to drive over 10,000 miles on a circuit in Germany. At the moment, there are two operational Inspiration trucks, and it’s unclear if Daimler’s making more of them.