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by kergonath 1398 days ago
No they should not. They need to live in the same world we do, using the same tools we have. The example being politicians should make one think: do we really need more of this greasy pole and lust for power and freebies in computing? The whole elite mindset is corrosive.

Besides, where would you put the bar for “distinguished”? Who would take the decision?
2 comments
Aeolos 1398 days ago
Other “distinguished” people, obviously.

Which should make the problems of any such system obvious: it inevitably becomes yet another “in club” for people with connections and power.

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mlyle 1397 days ago
> No they should not. They need to live in the same world we do, using the same tools we have.

Grand prizes with honorariums and perks of various kinds are a longstanding tradition with value.

I was mostly kidding, but: Kernighan totally can afford a big internet connection wherever he is. But he chooses not to buy it. The social benefit from him having one likely outweighs the personal benefit from him buying it.

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z3t4 1397 days ago
You should start a fiber/ISP company
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mlyle 1397 days ago
It would be more of a grand prize with an internet access component. :P

Of course, if I still operated internet access and Kernighan was in my area, I'd definitely comp him a circuit. :P

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