RichardDawkins.net

Comment #189826 by MuNky82 on June 7, 2008 at 10:37 am

I am squatting first post.

EDIT: Now that I have finished listening:

I find it depressing how arrogant and stubborn the soviet government were. You truly get a feeling from their policies that they were dogmatist and threw clear thinking out the window for the sake of politics (but then again doesn't any government?). So just because a scientist had noble or wealthy background he was ignored? Just another proof that blindly following something can cloud your judgment and cost lives and valuable resources.

That is why I am not an anti-theist but rather an anti-dogmatist.

2. 1968 Supreme Court case of Epperson v. Arkansas

Comment #185817 by MuNky82 on May 28, 2008 at 5:07 pm

Guide for Windows users:
Go to www.free-codecs.com
Search for "Real Alternative" (left pane under "Tools")
Download and install (Preferably the non-"lite" version)
Run Media Player Classic (bundled with non-"lite")
Drag and drop the rtsp link into it (or copy and paste the link in File>Open File...)

I prefer to use Real Alternative because it is just the bare, reverse engineered, codec. Unlike the bloated application from Real with its annoying background processes and ads. There is a Quicktime Alternative also. Media Player Classic is a great little application if you want a light basic player that handles most audio and video formats, as long as you have the codec.

3. I Am Evolution

Comment #178568 by MuNky82 on May 11, 2008 at 3:54 pm

rickenbacker77 wrote:

Merriam Webster:
believe -- 1 a: to have a firm religious faith b: to accept as true, genuine, or real

I think the writer is applying definition 1b. And if that's the test, then I too, believe evolution.

Ah yes, but creationists (in their "fudging the truth until it feels good" way) only read the definitions that fit their views. Type in "theory" at www.merriam-webster.com and they read definition 2 or 6b, instead of 1, 3 or 5.

4. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141499 by MuNky82 on March 10, 2008 at 2:16 pm

I hope, dearly, that the pope gets a disease from which the only cure was derived from embryonic stem cell research. So he will have a choice: death or cure from the works of "sin".

5. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141491 by MuNky82 on March 10, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Cartomancer - I got level 8 - which is frustrating since on level 9 you get to meet Bubba himself. Might have to work for level 1 - want to meet the heathen philosophers and leaders, should be fun. Wonder if Bertram Russell will be there?

The secret is loyalty to authority. If you aren't loyal to your benefactor (employer) or state then you get knocked a few levels. You see religion is all about control over the masses.

6. Most religious people are moderate, and don't hurt anybody

Comment #139158 by MuNky82 on March 5, 2008 at 8:27 am

Moderates are obviously going to defend their faith against atheists, and I don't have a problem with this. However, how do they do this and at the same time denounce the likes of the Phelps?

By using a combination of the "No True Scotsman" fallacy and the "Not my God" argument.

Which I would reply with: But He is doing nothing actively to stop the perversion in His Name. And if they say heaven/hell, then I say: Meanwhile people get hurt and faith gets tarnished. Loving God my ass.

7. Survey shows Non-Religious Outnumber Those of Every Single Faith (But One)

Comment #137733 by MuNky82 on March 3, 2008 at 12:14 pm

"Evangelical Baptist at 10.8 percent"

Is that all? They sure have a lot of power then. (....scumbags)

I think Atheism needs some serious PR in the US. People still see it as a philosophical standing without morality. A lot of them utter it with disgust on their faces. Once it becomes common knowledge that this is not so, then I think we will see a higher number in these polls.

Even though Pascal's Wager is illogical for me, there is still a lot of people hedging their bets.

What bothers me is that people who live in multi religious/creed societies still don't see the logic of secularism.

@Rod-the-Farmer
Reminds me of Futurama when Bender the robot said: "Oh. Your. God" to Fry.

8. If you don't have religion, where do you find your sense of community?

Comment #134909 by MuNky82 on February 28, 2008 at 10:06 am

Does communities need God? Isn't God a excuse for some communities? Would there be more atheists if it wasn't for the sense of community that churches provide? - I think, yes.

The God meme is a virus that sucked on to culture and community.

9. State Approves Evolution As 'Scientific Theory'

Comment #130436 by MuNky82 on February 20, 2008 at 2:11 pm

I am reposting a comment I left on "http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/19/tallahassee-debates-evolution/#comments" :

What pees me off is that YEC was unheard of in my culture. But they slowly invaded the churches of my childhood. Now we have former rational Christians (oxymoron I know, but I digress...) who accepted evolution since it was science, now denouncing it because ignorrant hicks managed the skill of video production and website design. School chums, who would have laughed if you told them the earth is 6000 years old, since science says "no", now affirming it since their Sundays was flooded with misinformation. Christianity is a mind virus, but creationism f*cked it up royally.

And it is true. I have a former friend who was an excellent science student in school. He got involved more and more with his church, which was alright with me then, since I knew his morality was enforced by the panopticon delusion. But when I ran into him now years later on Facebook, he totally changed. He was spewing YEC lunacy. He is now a former friend since our debates reached stalemate. I still have him in my friends list but I will not meet up with him when he is in town. And this case is not the only one. My former church, which I have to admit was the most liberal and forward thinking denomination in my culture, is now laden with this filth. I met a YEC returning from a sermon the other night. He is involved with a congregation of mostly students located off a univerity campus (!) and he spewed Hovind theories. I punched holes in them quickly but was shocked when I realised this shit has been growing there in the last 7 years...

OFF TOPIC - Imperion, cool avatar, where is it from?

10. The Dog Allusion

Comment #129451 by MuNky82 on February 19, 2008 at 6:42 am

Ive seen plenty of dogs and cats that wait by the door for an owner who just got home from work and they ignore the other people in the room.

I also interpreted this as love, until my mom's dog, Gina, went along to the family beach house. Grandma fed the dogs, and after a week grandma replaced mom in Gina's life. I think dogs are social creatures, for sure, but the same way the Golden Rule can be proved by Darwinian arguments, so can their loyalties and love be proven.

Another example, my grandad's spaniel, Ben (RIP, buddy). Ben grew up and loved and share everyday with my grandad, layed at his feet etc. Except when we are outside and there was a tennisball around. Ben knew I played more intensely with him, thus he flatly ignored my grandad, even though my grandad plays more regularly with him.

11. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #129445 by MuNky82 on February 19, 2008 at 6:29 am

comment 16 from jbacsa:

It also seems to me that a notable exception are a wealthy, privileged minority who have no use for God.

I have to quote RD when he was on Have Your Say (BBC):

"Well it still doesn't mean that God's existance is true"

A lot of believers use this, even my mom. She said that religion gave her hope. I said using a false belief as crutches is just mental masturbation. She frowned upon my frankness though...

12. King Me!

Comment #113962 by MuNky82 on January 21, 2008 at 5:02 am

HarryHUK:
I have a born again christian friend who,whenever we debate issues of faith,simply smiles at me and says "you really don't understand,do you",to which I reply "no"

Just add that there is nothing to understand, but being deluded is what worrying you.

13. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #111884 by MuNky82 on January 16, 2008 at 12:26 am

WTF!

EDIT: I agree with some of the comments on the original websites - I hope this fascist would be the Republican nominee, so that horrible party would fail dismally. At least the guy speaks what he thinks...

14. 'Christian God is not to blame'

Comment #102933 by MuNky82 on December 24, 2007 at 2:17 am

There's a political storm brewing in Sydney over the cost of the World Youth Day and the papal visit. State and Federal governments will be contributing at least A$95 million towards the jamboree.

Is the Aussie constitution secular? If yes, then case closed. If not then the other denominations and religions should voice their disdain. The Vatican can surely cover their own costs, (hiring a stadium/seating etc). How about charging a entrance fee to see Emperor Palpatine? The festival for ALL youths is alright for the government to cover, IMO.

15. 'Christian God is not to blame'

Comment #102931 by MuNky82 on December 24, 2007 at 2:07 am

"So too was the son of God, but every birth inspires hope, even when it is only hope against hope."

There is that h-word again, same with the f-word (faith). It seems that Church leaders like to emphasize how hope and faith gives you strength, and this can only be achieved in their mythological beings. Thus they only justify the existence of their organizations on wishful thinking since the evidence war is lost. Those who still claims evidence are shown as delusional nutters.

Seems the west is getting there slowly but surely...

16. Three wise men just legend: archbishop

Comment #101762 by MuNky82 on December 20, 2007 at 11:11 pm

Just a thought but has any one else noticed that

Santa is an anagram of Satan?????

Yes, I have read a (alarmist) book about Satanist when I was 12 - saw it in the church bookshop. Satanist have a tendency for anagrams and such - because they believe in chaos and anarchy of society. Anyway, one of Satan's nicknames was St. Nic. The same St Nicolas that is refer to as Santa Claus (homophones if you say the names quickly)

17. Borders Tags Atheist Book with 'O Come All Ye Faithless' Cards

Comment #100586 by MuNky82 on December 19, 2007 at 12:19 am

What offends me:

- Atheism is just another religion.
- Atheists haven't discovered religion yet, or if you have lapsed into atheism, that "your faith is just weak", or "you haven't thought about God"
- The whole evil historical figures were atheist, thus you have the same ideology as those figures.
- Not "getting it" makes you stupid.

18. Borders Tags Atheist Book with 'O Come All Ye Faithless' Cards

Comment #100579 by MuNky82 on December 18, 2007 at 11:55 pm

I suspect some thoughtful Christian employee must have started this with the hope of saving a few atheists. If so this is a terrible backfire.

I personally think it was blind ignorance over intent. "Atheist" is still a bad word in my part of the world, South Africa, even though we are an extremely multi-cultured country (11 official languages!) I can hear the mosque calling in my kitchen, not to mention the 5 Christian churches in a 2 kilometer radius from my (suburbian) garden-flat. 2 Dutch Reformed, 1 Pentecostal, 1 Baptist and 1 Evangelical. The mosque is about 3km away. We even have a freakin Mormon mission in town!

19. Borders Tags Atheist Book with 'O Come All Ye Faithless' Cards

Comment #100567 by MuNky82 on December 18, 2007 at 11:21 pm

I was once in a news agent shop and they played gospel music proclaiming the greatness of Jesus over the intercom. When I was at the check-out I noticed the store-manager there, I just casually said: "Excuse me - but for a multi-cultural retail store I think the music you are playing is offensive." She asked me what I meant, so I replied that the music is offending my religion. She replied that it was just a random disk out of the music section, so I asked that they changed it, and they did!

When I see a Xmas tree in a public place I exclaim to my better half: "Look, what a beautiful Pagan tree" If I get a funny look from someone I reply with a smile: "Merry Mithras!" Usually then they slowly walk away with a frown. Love it.

20. Abstinence Programs Face Rejection

Comment #100562 by MuNky82 on December 18, 2007 at 11:06 pm

I can't remember the comedian who said:
"Abstinence-only sex education is like just-hold-it-in potty training"

Simple and quick question to ask a religious fundie who is pro-abstinence-only sex ed:
Why did god create our bodies and hormones to have such urges at such a 'young' age?

21. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98666 by MuNky82 on December 14, 2007 at 2:25 am

Steve99 - when I used VLC once because a HD .mov didn't work well on my (Windows) system, it worked beautifully, maybe VLC could work for you? http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-ubuntu.html

22. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98656 by MuNky82 on December 14, 2007 at 1:58 am

I would say Ogg Vorbis (audio) and Theora (video) even if they are obscure-ish. RD.net should just post a link to their page ( www.xiph.org ) for the latest version of the codec like they do with Quicktime. There are links to plugins for Windows (DirectShow), Mac (Quicktime) and Linux/Unix users. Shouldn't be too hard since they are multi-platform and free. Obscured by Clouds , you guys could simply post the last page for the download of the filters for every platform.

23. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98645 by MuNky82 on December 14, 2007 at 1:36 am

I don't think the Fraunhoffer institute would agree with you about the open nature of the mpeg standard.

MPEG 4 as an open container (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG & http://www.chiariglione.org/mpeg/) set forth by ISO, not as a codec. Xvid is open/free, Divx is free to use non commercially, 3ivx too. Qt is almost the same as Divx, only with more restrictions on the use. They all are superior standards to MPEG 1 and 2. Rd.net should use a free to use codec that is MPEG 4 level 2, to maintain Win9x compatibility, unlike QT v7 which is MPEG 4 level 11.

Fraunhoffer was upset because their codec version of MPEG 1 level 3 aka .mp3 was abused - a codec for audio. That is why a lot of players & encoders now use a free standard of .mp3 - LAME etc.

24. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98628 by MuNky82 on December 14, 2007 at 12:33 am

Diacanu here is a link to Quicktime Alternative v1.56 (last version to support Win9x) http://mirror.edskes.net/.

I personally like the open standard of mp4. I hate flash based players since I prefer to download than capture streams (latency is not good in my part of the world). It also uses better compression than mp1/2, thus smaller file sizes versus quality.

If rd.net would keep the compression non qt v7 then we wouldn't have the trouble of Win9x compatibility. This file is perfect IMO. Windows users can download K-Lite basic or standard over at www.free-codecs.com . The bundled Media Player Classic is a light resource using application that handles qt, real and flash.

25. This deadly religious resistance to vaccinations

Comment #96822 by MuNky82 on December 11, 2007 at 1:31 am

The Christian compassion of the local priest, PJ Dorsman, his words as she lay hospitalised were: "If it were not for polio, you would probably have been taken by a car accident."

WTF!?!?
I would have slapped him right there and then. This is what I read:
"If it wasn't for your (preventable, but wasn't because of the organized ignorance I stand for) disease, you would probably have been taken by a car accident (as in a totally random unplanned and unintentional tragedy)."

AAAAAARRRRGH!

26. This deadly religious resistance to vaccinations

Comment #96796 by MuNky82 on December 10, 2007 at 11:31 pm

Phillips, Wakefield and the editors of Daily Mail should be charged with crimes against humanity.

We should actually petition the UN that the organized spread of any information that leads to deaths, despite the overwhelming evidence of the opposite available, should be investigated for a possible charge of crimes against humanity. Then we would probably see this behavior decline, and it could lead to an "enforced" path to reason.

Reason saved me,
yes I know,
for the court-rolls
tells me so...

27. Is Infant Male Circumcision An Abuse Of The Rights Of The Child?

Comment #96063 by MuNky82 on December 9, 2007 at 11:04 pm

Didn't Hitch mention something like "hacking at the genitals of a male baby with a sharp stone" ?

Cutting off the center three toes of your foot will decrease your chances of an Athlete's Foot infection, but one still maintains balance.

This is what the arguments for circumcision sounds like to me. A bit ridiculous, no? Don't want HIV? Wear a condom when you are having an one-night-stand!

28. Former Evangelical Minister Has a New Message: Jesus Hearts Darwin

Comment #94876 by MuNky82 on December 6, 2007 at 11:49 pm

Common ground needs to be found with Faithheads, it is called reason.

29. Sherri Shepherd needs to go away now

Comment #94872 by MuNky82 on December 6, 2007 at 11:28 pm

...continue to be swayed by ignorance through each other and the media, and then they become voters - something is going wrong here.

But the problem is that she votes and has influence on others and has a say in how everybody else's life is run. She can vote for things in the school curriculum and for who the next president will be. That poses serious problems.

I am not definite on the source but years ago I heard a quote:
"Democracy is not the best system, but it is the best system we have"
Think it was Churchill, not sure.

I sometimes wonder if their should be a rational/intelligence/ignorance test before you can register as a voter. Alas it goes against the tenets of democracy. Unless of course you account that a 17 year old can't vote but a 18 year old can, even if society influences the 17 year old almost the same on the result of the election (adulthood during the rule of the vote). So there is qualifications on eligibility of voter registration, hmmmm.

The reason this idea has been mulling in my mind is the fact that a corrupt party can stay in control because it prays on the emotion of the uneducated/ignorant masses. This is the problem
that faces South Africa (my home) with ANC rule.

30. Fox: 'Atheist Outrage' over holiday 'Tree of Knowledge'

Comment #94629 by MuNky82 on December 6, 2007 at 5:33 am

Hmmm. I can't help feeling it's no coincidence that, in the eyes of the Abrahamic religions, it was the desire for knowledge that brought all the trouble into the world. They always have favoured keeping people in ignorance.

I honestly think that that was one of the intentions of the Garden of Eden legend. I sometimes post/say "Go sit naked in your garden" when I am having an impromptu debate with a faith-head.

31. Chimps beat humans in memory test

Comment #93677 by MuNky82 on December 3, 2007 at 10:42 pm

Perhaps human children have a capacity for photographic memory that declines with age, just as chimpanzees do.

I watched this story on BBC World before I left the house an hour ago, where at the end they actually say that.

I would like to hear Sam Harris address this issue- maybe in "Letter to a Planet of the Apes" or "The End of Rust".

LOL

32. Interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #92135 by MuNky82 on November 29, 2007 at 11:22 pm

Off topic: I would just like say that since RichardDawkins.net got their media server, life became so much easier. I despised the YouTube links of old since I like to watch videos again at a later time, and "capturing" YouTube streams didn't always work well.

Thanks Josh, and of course Prof. Dawkins for starting this Oasis.

33. Monotheism was a con from the beginning

Comment #91023 by MuNky82 on November 27, 2007 at 2:03 am

@ crazy old man & jbblack

I think your methods are the best. Only to awaken the sense of rationality within everyone, will this nasty virus of religion be cured. Once we take care of the problems at the base, the house of cards will come flying down. Even if people are not comfortable with the "there is no god" conclusion, humans being pattern seeking and all, then at least the ridiculousness of dogmas are eliminated. Then the stupid things like mutilating a child's genitals or paying the reverend's salary is solved.

I just reached the part in "End of Faith" where Sam Harris explains how the temporary break in phone service is measured in billions of dollars, but how much must the spending on organized religion be? The resources wasted on the Crusades alone cost us about 400 years of technological advancement. What about the European Dark Ages in general? What about the burning of the library at Alexandria (last I heard about 200 years). If it wasn't for the religious connotation of weekends, how much more productive could we be? Not that I would volunteer my weekends first :). The Aztecs had a 10 day week with only one "off" day. They were used to it. We would have been too...

...Sorry, rant over....

34. Monotheism was a con from the beginning

Comment #91018 by MuNky82 on November 27, 2007 at 1:43 am

@ Rtambree (#90943)

Obviously, the masses swallow the whole con hook line and sinker, but I wonder if the further you go up the heirachy, the more atheist, cynical, power hungry and exploitative the religious leaders become.

I honestly believe that the Pope is atheist. I mean does he really have conversations with God? I believe that this is the case with most religious leaders. They honestly must doubt their dogma, and become disillusioned the closer they get to the top. The only reason I think that they stay where they are is because of the comfortable pigeonhole they have reached. Mother Theresa is a great example of this, only after her death her true convictions came out.

35. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89175 by MuNky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:27 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

36. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89173 by Munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:25 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

37. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89172 by Munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:18 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

38. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89171 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:16 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

39. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89170 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:16 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

40. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89168 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:15 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

41. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89167 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:14 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

42. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89165 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:13 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

43. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89164 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:12 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking. He even smokes in the shower as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

44. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89162 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 11:09 pm

Hitchens quite enjoys his smoking, he even smokes in the shower, as stated (and photographed) in his hilarious two part article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/12/hitchens200712

45. Mind your manners

Comment #88805 by MuNky82 on November 19, 2007 at 2:38 am

I apologize for my ignorance. Guess I should shut up if I don't know what I am talking about. I made a haphazard comparison, and for that I humbly apologize.

I just don't like freeloaders. BUT a system of support for those who cannot help themselves is needed. I just dream of a world where exploitation doesn't happen. That is why I originally made the remark that if we have non-human (and thus incorruptible) system in place it would be a better step towards the holy grail called Utopia.

We are selfish primates. We have luckily realized what needs to be done to keep civilization prosperous. We have different arguments and thoughts to achieve this. We value different things, and get frustrated with those who have different values. I am sure that a social system that works brilliantly is in our future. We all should have a part in making civilization better, but we are selfish primates. Thus corruption WILL occur......snoooze.... :-)

46. Mind your manners

Comment #88802 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 2:34 am

I apologize for my ignorance. Guess I should shut up if I don't know what I am talking about. I made a haphazard comparison, and for that I humbly apologize.

I just don't like freeloaders. BUT a system of support for those who cannot help themselves is needed. I just dream of a world where exploitation doesn't happen. That is why I originally made the remark that if we have non-human (and thus incorruptible) system in place it would be a better step towards the holy grail called Utopia.

We are selfish primates. We have luckily realized what needs to be done to keep civilization prosperous. We have different arguments and thoughts to achieve this. We value different things, and get frustrated with those who have different values. I am sure that a social system that works brilliantly is in our future. We all should have a part in making civilization better, but we are selfish primates. Thus corruption WILL occur......snoooze.... :-)

47. Mind your manners

Comment #88800 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 2:31 am

I apologize for my ignorance. Guess I should shut up if I don't know what I am talking about. I made a haphazard comparison, and for that I humbly apologize.

I just don't like freeloaders. BUT a system of support for those who cannot help themselves is needed. I just dream of a world where exploitation doesn't happen. That is why I originally made the remark that if we have non-human (and thus incorruptible) system in place it would be a better step towards the holy grail called Utopia.

We are selfish primates. We have luckily realized what needs to be done to keep civilization prosperous. We have different arguments and thoughts to achieve this. We value different things, and get frustrated with those who have different values. I am sure that a social system that works brilliantly is in our future. We all should have a part in making civilization better, but we are selfish primates. Thus corruption WILL occur......snoooze.... :-)

48. Mind your manners

Comment #88799 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 2:29 am

I apologize for my ignorance. Guess I should shut up if I don't know what I am talking about. I made a haphazard comparison, and for that I humbly apologize.

I just don't like freeloaders. BUT a system of support for those who cannot help themselves is needed. I just dream of a world where exploitation doesn't happen. That is why I originally made the remark that if we have non-human (and thus incorruptible) system in place it would be a better step towards the holy grail called Utopia.

We are selfish primates. We have luckily realized what needs to be done to keep civilization prosperous. We have different arguments and thoughts to achieve this. We value different things, and get frustrated with those who have different values. I am sure that a social system that works brilliantly is in our future. We all should have a part in making civilization better, but we are selfish primates. Thus corruption WILL occur......snoooze.... :-)

49. Mind your manners

Comment #88797 by munky82 on November 19, 2007 at 2:27 am

I apologize for my ignorance. Guess I should shut up if I don't know what I am talking about. I made a haphazard comparison, and for that I humbly apologize.

I just don't like freeloaders. BUT a system of support for those who cannot help themselves is needed. I just dream of a world where exploitation doesn't happen. That is why I originally made the remark that if we have non-human (and thus incorruptible) system in place it would be a better step towards the holy grail called Utopia.

We are selfish primates. We have luckily realized what needs to be done to keep civilization prosperous. We have different arguments and thoughts to achieve this. We value different things, and get frustrated with those who have different values. I am sure that a social system that works brilliantly is in our future. We all should have a part in making civilization better, but we are selfish primates. Thus corruption WILL occur......snoooze.... :-)

50. Mind your manners

Comment #88756 by MuNky82 on November 18, 2007 at 11:42 pm

Me? Right-wing? Well maybe, even though I never thought of myself that way. Yes I do admit I am not up to par with UK Politics (or any politics for that matter, since I am performing a self study and my studies are still young) thus my statements was out of ignorance, I apologize. I don't enjoy the ad hominem attacks. I just feel that freeloading is not nice, from the government (funded by everybody) or rich daddies. I do support socialism for people who truly are in a pickle. I am in South Africa where proper health care can be bought at more than 10-30% of the average income. Thus the ones who need it most cannot afford it. The state hospitals are a joke and our health minister is a clown. My links are old but trust me this happens sadly quite regularly. (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=14&click_id=125&art_id=vn20060702114915729C597453) (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20060821101244617C573099). Marx' writings were popular in Europe (and in the last 60 years in Africa) since there were a noble class living of a working class, and in Africa colonials exploiting the locals.

I am sorry if I touched a nerve. But having a child out of ignorance and exploitation (even if the story is fictional) is horrible. Children should be received and reared in a loving, able home. I was using a (fictional, it seems) example since most of the readers here are First Worlders.

I know that the loyal readers of this site is secularists. We dislike it when our tax money fund religious activities. Correct? Now use the same argument - I dislike it when my tax money fund exploitive (of the social system) activities. It is not nice when tax money is wasted on viral memes, social or spiritual.