Quantum leap refers to a sudden increase in something. Given that this clock is 50% more precise than the previous record holder, I think it qualifies to be called a 'quantum leap'. So even if you are pedantic about headlines, it should still make sense. Don't you think so?

This might clarify what he meant: http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2628

True! People use Rubidium clocks only because they are inexpensive. I don't think scientists working in expensive labs rely on Rubidium clocks.

Some Rubidium clocks require very little power (700mW or less). This makes them ideal for under water applications where short term accuracy isn't an issue because the SONAR data transmission is going to be a mess anyway, and they provide much better long term stability than a crystal oscillator.

I think all the companies are technically considered startups until their IPOs.

Nobody is judging anybody! For god's sake, one is a world chess champion and the other is a tech mogul who ruled the software industry for nearly two decades. It's just fun to watch them sit together and play a game of chess.

I couldn't agree more! Why would anyone come up with "Justin Bieber of Chess"?

Freelance journalists aren't paid by the word anymore, they are paid by the Bieber. No sense writing an article without the word Bieber in it, that's not worth a dime.

No one would've been talking about it if they said Mozart of Chess.

Except in this case, the pretense is getting less convincing with each passing day.

It doesn't matter how convincing it is or isn't as long as you are just choosing to pretend you believe it.

... and yet, 9 years later, it's still news!

That's what monopoly does to a corporation in the long run! When Microsoft was completely dominating in the '90s, raking in billions of dollars in profit, they became lethargic. When they realized what was going on, it was too late.

No both of the examples are 1 showing the political naivety of Microsofts senior managers and 2 MS's HR being incompetent

Tapping Merkel's phone would have a very different meaning as compared to tapping Gates' phone.

Indeed, it is quite likely that Merkel was less interesting at the time they started tapping her phone than Bill Gates is now (or has been since Win95). Her phone was already being tapped in 2002, when she had freshly become opposition leader in Parliament.

If push comes to shove, I wonder if waving around that "US citizen" badge actually protects you from _any_ snooping.

Tapping a politician's phone is always more "interesting", especially if the politician is from another country. I don't think the "US citizen" badge means anything anymore. If you are a prominent subject who is even slightly important, you come under the radar.

Isn't that a bit pessimistic?

That's just reality. Pessimism would be saying that means no good can come of it, which GP did not say.

He is relating Bill Gates' charity to US consolidating its power. Be that as it may, it is not an aid given by one country to another country. It is like putting a pessimistic spin on something good. Don't you think so?

No there was an interesting item on the world service last night about how China is supporting Chinese artists music as a form of soft power.

Oh, I didn't know that. Can you share the link?

"Pessimism" about, say, a vaccination program is realistic these days.

Only by nutters or reactionarys

Pakistanis?