1. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Comment #147866 by Ian Armer on March 21, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Two things:

1) I notice the BBC seem intent upon endlesly suggesting Clarke was a child abuser (the above release and the news reports on the day - at least the above states the charges were false, but fails to give the full story and then makes an even more suggestive remark about Clarke's lifestyle 'raising a few eyebrows'). No other release or news channel hammered the incident home or to such disgusting extent.

2) He was a true optimist and even though his body was affected by illness, his mind was surely one of the healthiest. We need more people like Clarke in this world. He was a truly human and humane face for science and forward thinking. I will miss him terribly.

2. A hole lot of nothing found by astronomers

Comment #67129 by Ian Armer on September 2, 2007 at 4:21 am

Here's a thought: Is it getting bigger?!!

I think calling it the 'Bush Hole' would be a good idea - hmmm, maybe not...then again, maybe!!

I'll stop now.

3. Atheism is pretentious and cowardly

Comment #51074 by Ian Armer on June 21, 2007 at 11:10 am

PS - He should be in a porno with that 'tache!

4. Atheism is pretentious and cowardly

Comment #51072 by Ian Armer on June 21, 2007 at 11:07 am

Well, I'd like to say that I have friends of all religions (and indeed none) and I don't consider my friends 'bad' for choosing to believe in God. I just don't agree with them. Hang on, just let me check my clown boots...nope, not wearing them. And I would also like to say that I used to have faith but lost it years ago and, believe me, it's no fun losing God. I'm glad I did (now) but back then it was like a bereavement. Imagine grieving for something that doesn't actually exist (and realising how much life you've wasted because of this delusion). Hurts more than finding out there's no Santa, folks, trust me. Does this guy really believe that atheists are just naturally nasty and cruel and want to 'get' believers and piss on their parade? What a small minded, ignorant hack.

5. Executing Saddam Hussein was an Act of Vandalism

Comment #16165 by Ian Armer on January 5, 2007 at 6:48 am

I don't know if I agree or not with Prof. Dawkins on this one. Part of me thinks it is a wee bit creepy to suggest such a thing, but then i have to admit I didn't feel that great about his hanging either. Killing is killing. Then again, another part of me would have done the exact same thing to the guy if it had been my family...

Another thought: what could you possibly research? Does anybody here truly believe that Saddam thought himself as 'evil'? That he honestly felt that he was a 'bad guy'? I'm not defending what he did, but it just seems odd to me that this arguement seems to be conducted on a rather naive 'good guys' and 'bad guys' level. How can you 'learn' evil? It's a vast philosophical can of worms, because what I consider to be evil might not be 'all that bad' in your eyes! I'm over simplifying here, but really: what's the scientific yardstick for evil? And if there is such a degree of measurement, how can we even be sure it's still science? Hug a hoodie? Analyse a Dictator? What then? What would you do with such information? Practically, I mean?

6. A Christmas thunderbolt for the arch-enemy of religion

Comment #15342 by Ian Armer on December 30, 2006 at 1:51 pm

Cornwell is an idiot and he makes his 'God' sound an even bigger idiot. That's some going!

7. To be Read at my Funeral

Comment #9307 by Ian Armer on November 24, 2006 at 11:27 am

Heck why don't I do it?! I'm in the 'biz'! Any contributors???

8. To be Read at my Funeral

Comment #9305 by Ian Armer on November 24, 2006 at 11:25 am

Please note that I said that I was quite happy to be SOMETHING not SOMEBODY else!

And when I say 'I' - well, you know!

It's being aware of the cycle as an awe inspiring event that takes place in the universe. I personally find it amazing that I am parts of other people, stars, plants, oceans, animals etc. I'm not that bothered about 'me' surviving death. I cannot remember before I was born and I can only assume that it's exactly the same once I've kicked the bucket! Looking at it that way, I lose the fear.

It's also being aware of the scienctific reality being more amazing than the old 'Heaven' rubbish. I am friends with certain individuals in the entertainment industry that make a lot of money off being psychic, or being 'experts' on psychic phenomena - and I know for a FACT that it's all showbiz and for money. I wish somebody would do a scientific 'afterlife' programme to shut these idiots up and put forward an infinitely more complex and beautiful natural cycle of life and death and 'recycling' than what dear old Aunti Mabel has to say on the 'other side' (of sense probably).

9. To be Read at my Funeral

Comment #9271 by Ian Armer on November 24, 2006 at 9:40 am

And in response to Grace's post - another superb idea. Organ donation is a spectacularly selfless way to assist people after you're gone.

10. To be Read at my Funeral

Comment #9269 by Ian Armer on November 24, 2006 at 9:37 am

ps - forgive the spelling errors, my keyboard is knackered! Lousy recycling atoms!!!

11. To be Read at my Funeral

Comment #9267 by Ian Armer on November 24, 2006 at 9:37 am

Actually, before his spectacular U-Turn (?) in that God programme, Robert Winston addressed this issue (of our bodies breaking down and the atoms becomming part of something else again) in 'The Human Body' (BBC). THAT to me is a much kinder - and frankly much more comforting - notion of an 'afterlife' (or Continuation) than people suffering to get into God's good books.


If that awe inspiring fact is not spiritual, I don't know what is.