But what tech czar Kendall sees is that cyber threats morph too fast for the deliberative procedures of the current military development system, and they hopscotch across geographical and bureaucratic boundaries in a way that no conventional law-enforcement agency could match.

FORBES: Pentagon Tech Chief Points To Big Problem In Protecting Networks

The model explains the power-law behaviour seen in both conventional wars and terrorist attacks.

ECONOMIST: Modelling conflict

Meanwhile, the AARP and Congressional Democrats are pushing to strengthen the law protecting older workers from discrimination in conventional jobs.

FORBES: Gulf Between Rich And Poor Seniors Could Widen

In addition, the theory of homeopathy actually defies conventional scientific understanding--in particular, the law of mass action, which demands that the rates of chemical reactions be proportional to the concentrations of substances involved.

FORBES: Homeopathic Medicine Is Homeo-Pathetic

In the past, DirecTV has tried a variety of more conventional approaches to fighting piracy, including cooperating with law enforcement to bust black market distributors and taking various electronic counter measures, or ECMs. In January, DirecTV instructed its satellites to send an ECM known as a "card kill" on Super Bowl Sunday.

FORBES: DirecTV Declares War On TV Pirates

Islamic financing differs from conventional financing in its adherence to Shariah, or Islamic law, which among other things bans the charging of interest.

WSJ: Malaysia's AMMB Seeks Partner for Insurance Business

Mr Putin's decree is apparently intended to stiffen political spines and spur the passage of a law rather than do away with the need for one, with conventional legislation seen as giving the anti-corruption drive a greater mandate.

CNN: Putin decree targets elite's foreign assets