1. The Neanderthal Debate

Comment #175145 by Gaffer on May 4, 2008 at 3:34 pm

I remember a TV programme a few years ago where a scientist had the theory that homosapiens, who had smaller brains, were physically smaller, and had a weaker sense of smell and hearing than neanderthals, came to dominate because they domesticated dogs (stay with me here....)

The dogs became the 'ears and noses' of the homosapiens, allowing the 'saps to focus their brain resources on developing language and creative thinking. Which then allowed them to overcome the neanderthals (either through direct or indirect competition).

I can't remember what evidence he had for any of this, but as a canine lover it seemed like a nice story.

2. Richard Dawkins and Bill Maher

Comment #159629 by Gaffer on April 12, 2008 at 4:44 pm

I don't get the whole 'who invented the phrase "imaginary friend"?' banter at the start. How can anyone claim to have invented that? And why?

3. Gay scientists isolate Christian gene

Comment #149836 by Gaffer on March 26, 2008 at 9:37 am

class

4. Contribute to science directly by volunteering some of your computer's processing power!

Comment #140901 by Gaffer on March 9, 2008 at 4:33 am

The energy-saving vs medical research thing was bugging me a few months ago, so I searched on the BOINC forums for an answer or discussion, but couldn't find one. I'm not convinced by the rebuttal provided here either. Maybe with newer, lower power chips it will be different, but my two year old PC creates a good amount of heat and noise. So I keep my PC off when not in use, and only run BOINC when it's idle or downloading something (but I never run SETI, only useful/important things...)

5. Machines 'to match man by 2029'

Comment #128622 by Gaffer on February 17, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Errr.... this is not new news. I've just watched an episode of Friends from pre-2001 (one of the ones with Elle McPherson in). In it Ross was telling everyone that computers would be as smart as humans by 2030, and we'd be able to store our memories on hard drives. ("You and I would have just 'interfaced', Janine".)

Clearly this guy has seen the same episode and taken a year off just to make it seem like an original idea.

6. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #37777 by Gaffer on May 5, 2007 at 4:42 pm

This is all very funny, except for the reporter's use of language. She says that Tipler is using "a formula of hardcore science", and that he is using concepts "that most of us, admittedly, might quite not get". All designed to make joe public close their minds and remember nothing except the headline.

7. 'No proof Jesus heals Aids'

Comment #37761 by Gaffer on May 5, 2007 at 4:16 pm

I advise everyone to click on the link to the original. In the 'related articles' box on the right, the first link is "Duracell bunny 'a fake'".

Somehow, as news stories, "No proof Jesus heals aids" and "Duracell bunny 'a fake'", are absolutely in the same league.

Bravo News24.

8. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #36472 by Gaffer on May 1, 2007 at 9:10 am

I watched it once and didn't even think about him being drunk until I read the comments. I've watched it again and still can't see it. Maybe I've just seen George Best and Oliver Reed on chat shows too many times though.