Pet peeves

Here is a list of things in life that bug me.
First, the trivial stuff:

Smoking
As if it isn't bad enough that cigarette tar is carcinogenic; try telling a smoker to not smoke - some will respect your right to breathe unpolluted air. But sometimes you'll annoy the person and get some lame response like "I have the right to smoke." If smoking isn't so bad, why does taking that very first drag elicit gagging? And, if smoking isn't addictive, why is it so tough to stop? Furthermore, many smokers litter; they just toss the butt on the ground, as if other people don't mind seeing more trash.

The media giving hackers a bad reputation
The only hackers the media reports about are the malicious ones, so the non-computer-oriented public thinks that all hackers are mischievious or criminal. Well, it's just like society in general - only a very small percentage are such. The term originally meant 'computer programmer'.

Using religion to support a personal agenda
I've heard people proclaim really weird beliefs, using the bible or religion in general to lend them credit. (I'm referring to obviously anti-family or counter-cultural concepts.) If these people had a following, they'd be known collectively as cults.

Inconsiderate drivers
Some drivers don't care to use turn signals, don't pass in the passing lane, don't make the turn on red and hold up those behind that want to turn, take up more than their own parking space, etc.

Not wearing a seatbelt
They should be used so that you don't get ejected during an accident. But some people say that they're worried about being totally submerged in water. Well, a person can still think underwater; if the person can't unbuckle a seat belt, what chance is there of opening a door or window? It's also foolish to not wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

That a car's starter can grind
Why haven't car companies implemented a method to prevent the starter from engaging if the engine is running? It should be easy (especially with a computer in there): if ignition timing pulses exist, open the starter circuit.

Children at play that scream as if they were being kidnapped.
Of course it's annoying. But, more importantly, how would anyone (that can't see them) know if they're actually in trouble?

William Henry Gates, III
Doesn't he realize that he went too far years ago, and that his monopolistic methods damage the computer industry? Why does MS keep buying computer companies? (Do they not like competition?) And isn't it a conflict of business to write an operating system and programs that use it? (I've heard that the OS might have undocumented routines - thus other programmers can't use them, giving MS an unfair advantage.)

Not using the metric system
The US is one of only a couple countries that isn't metric. There was a half-hearted try in the 70s to go metric - I think we should strive for it. Even if we begin by selling milk and gas by the liter, and posting speed limits and distances in kilometers. (See sites.)

QWERTY
The layout currently used was meant to slow down typists on the first typewriters (in the 1800s!). Furthermore, there's a much better standard - Dvorak. (See sites.)

Those 'save the children' campaigns
I don't care if people want to send their money to some foreign charity. But, I do care that the way the problem is being handled isn't helping. How long have they been begging for money - 2 or 3 decades? Why don't those governments just get experts to show them how to have better agriculture, medicine/health care/hygine, and education?

The tactics of some LD phone companies

Soap operas
They seem to be windows thru which we see a despicable side of life. If they have a purpose, what is it?

Talk shows
Some give notoriety to the freaks of our society, thus lending credence to their behavior, which in turn creates more.

Astrology and psychics
It seems that they're marketing fake science. And to think that some people actually believe that stuff.

Sports has veered from its original purpose
Even tho I care very little about sports, I believe that the concept has gotten out of hand, judging by what I hear from those that do attend events, and what I see.

'Pro' wrestling
It's all showmanship, and it encourages aggression.

Taxes
Specifically, income taxes. What can be said about legalized thievery? Why should the working class support the government? It wasn't always like this; the current system was implemented in 1916 - and I think as a TEMPORARY measure. Why can't we return to what we had, or implement a budget? (eg - the gov't get a certain amount monthly from the Treasury based on past expenditure and current need.)

That politicians can determine their own salary.
Need I say more?

US companies that moved manufacturing to the Far East (and recently Mexico) to save on labor costs, then held their prices, or even raised them.

That certain products aren't made in the US
If you've shopped for sneakers, coats, eating utensils, SLR cameras, or phones, you know what I mean. Also remember that the US doesn't make CD players, VCRs (maybe GoVideo), CRTs (ie - picture tubes), and a bunch of other stuff.

Prices of new products
Have you ever noticed that an inovative product will cost more than its nearest competitor? Even if the technology or material doesn't warrant it.

Unions
They had their day - back when the Industrial Revolution was in first gear. There was no OSHA, no federal labor regulations, no real standards by which companies worked. Look at unions now; they're a significant cause of US companies moving manufacturing out of the country.

Bail that doesn't reflect the nature of the crime
How often have you heard about drug operations that net tens of millions, but the bail is $100,000?

Lawsuits making people millionaires
What sort of court system awards millions to careless people? (Remember the woman that got coffee at a fast-food place, drove off and spilled it on herself?)

Certain lawyers and trials
We've all heard about cases in which the accused is acquited in spite of evidence. Or ones where a verdict of 'innocent' seems suspicious, usually because of highly paid lawyers. Then there are cases dismissed because of a technicality - there then has to be a re-trial.

Extradition laws
Why should a criminal be immune to a crime just because of fleeing to a particular country? There should still be accountability, whatever the location.

The notion that a company's stock price is based on its net income
Would you believe that this is the basis of inflation? Read a few issues of Money; you would be amazed at how many companies boost their stock prices by artificially raising prices! "We expect 6% growth per year for the next 3 years, due primarily to price increases." (Essentially verbatim from many reports.) Wouldn't it be better if the price was determined by actual performance? (eg - according to customer satisfaction, adherence to laws/regulations, product desirability/usefulness, environmental concerns, etc.)

People that don't have a clue regarding LIFE
Some people believe that it's acceptable to steal, rape, or kill. Then there are some that think that their hardships will disappear if they dive into a bottle of booze or poison themselves with some drug. Furthermore, there are some people that exclaim "Mind your own business!" when whatever they are doing clearly affects society, making it our business (eg - child/spouse abuse, promiscuity, alcoholism/drug addiction).

These range from trivial to major - but they all bug me. For some, it's because I don't understand why they are that way. For others, it's that they affect society in a bad way. Of course, I don't let them run my life. And I don't mean to imply that a person is bad just because of 1 or 2 of these characteristics. It's just that life in general would be much better with fewer things peeving people.

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