Comments by severalspeciesof

701. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247939 by severalspeciesof on September 15, 2008 at 10:01 am

Off Topic

Fuck, just heard that Richard Wright of Pink Floyd has died. Bummer for the rest of my day... Going home now to listen to Pink Floyd and pay my humble respects...snif... snif...

702. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247933 by severalspeciesof on September 15, 2008 at 9:51 am

Yes,
I just watched the first three episodes (DVD) the other day, and... well... what a hoot. But I still love the series! And, regarding the gold paved streets, well it all makes so much sense now! ;)

703. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247925 by severalspeciesof on September 15, 2008 at 9:36 am

So what's up with the streets in Heaven? You can't tell me they aren't paved in gold for any other reason other than materialistic desires.

The gold paved streets are there for the Daleks that need the metal for conducting the static electricity to get around.

704. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247924 by severalspeciesof on September 15, 2008 at 9:33 am

Sarcasm alert...

Hey everyone, lay off the old man! He doesn't really 'own' any of the stuff he has, since he knows that you can't take it with you, while everyone else (pagan) knows that their money will be going with them when they die. That's the difference, don't you see?

705. The Origins of the Universe: A Crash Course

Comment #247916 by severalspeciesof on September 15, 2008 at 9:20 am

34. Comment #246862 by Apathy personified

So according to the link you gave, they might discover DRAGONS?
Cool...way cool...

706. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #247848 by severalspeciesof on September 15, 2008 at 7:33 am

From the article:

As an example of misplaced scientific certainty Winston said the traditional "determinist" approach to genetics was proving to be too simplistic.

"We can't any longer have the conventional understanding of genetics which everybody pedals because it is increasingly obvious that epigenetics �" actually things which influence the genome's function �" are much more important than we realised … One of the most important aspects of what makes us who we are is neither straight genes or straight environment but actually what happens to us during development."

What Winston fails to see is that science, and science alone, is also the thing that is proving the 'determinist' approach as too simplistic. Religion has no such power to 'correct itself' from within.

707. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246455 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 10:24 am

That was well put WP!!

Now I really will be going...

708. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246448 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 10:20 am

I've got to go now for the weekend, I might be able to pop in a bit here and there, but my blood pressure is down now and I do see where some may take away from my rants as though I think creationism should just "go away", but still....

709. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246442 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 10:16 am

Please don't encourage teachers to say
'Sit down Jones and stop asking questions.'

Never will. I was a teacher (Art) and I always loved questions and questioning the students. But creationism is as wrong as if one of my students said that mixing red pigment with yellow pigment will get you green. I'd show the student what happens, and if that student still didn't get it, well... either I failed in my teaching or the student failed in understanding, but I couldn't hold up my teaching for very long over this because that would be a disservice to my other students.

710. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246421 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 9:49 am

37. Comment #246404 by reedmiller

It's really rather upsetting how many people replying seem to have not bothered reading the article, and instead are just replying with the standard "no creation in science class" fare. I doubt anyone here needs to be convinced that creationism is not science, and should not be taught as science.

The article does not argue against that at all. So perhaps everyone replying as if it did should take a second and consider why they are reacting how they are.

I have read the article but my views are against that of Reiss' thinking that talking about and dissecting creationism in a science classroom doesn't legitimize it. I think it does. One can talk about it in a critical thinking course, or religion course.

711. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246413 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 9:39 am

36. Comment #246386 by flying goose

...then it should be tackled head on and not ducked.

And in my opinion stating the obvious "You're wrong", and go on to explain what evolution is, tackles it head on. If a student said that Pi is equal to 3 because the bible says so, as a teacher all I need to say is "Wrong, this is what Pi is." Show the student the answer (with explanation as to why you got to the answer) and if that student then puts 3 as an answer to the question of "what is Pi?" mark it wrong. Period.

712. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #246393 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 9:12 am

[Edit: this is off topic, but it's really on topic]
For what it's worth...
Those who want to get Obama into office,... start talking about McCain, forget about Palin (well, only treat her as a side issue). When it comes down the the final mark on the ballot, most people, I fear, vote only for the president and could care less about the VP (sad but true, IMO). With every day yapping about Palin, McCain becomes less the issue, and remember, while this article states that McCain has a 10 % chance of not making it to the end of his term, it means conversely, he has a 90% chance OF making it. I see a parallel here with Bush Senior, with his choice of Quayle, and Democrats went on the attack toward Quayle, thus, I believe, actually helping to guarantee Bush get into office (Yes, I know Dukakis was/is no Obama). Again, people ultimately vote for President, not VP.

713. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246357 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 8:16 am

Those who want avoid talking about the biggest threat to science on the grounds that it ain't science are not part of the solution. They're part of the problem.

Forgive me, as I know this isn't necessarily aimed at me, but who has said anything about avoiding talking about this threat. If it comes up in science class, call it as it is: not science but religion then go on, leaving the student to sink or swim. If there is a course (and there should be) about critical thinking skills, there's where it can be dissected, exposing its' superstitious bowels.

714. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246347 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 8:04 am

Quetz,

Slightly OT, but you do realize in the link you provided, that your name only appears 3 times while the god Osiris appears 7 times and Marduk 13 times. Somethings wrong there, wouldn't you agree?

715. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246323 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 7:16 am

13. Comment #246317 by John Locke

no no no no no.

no. i dont care if this guy is officially far more academically proficient than me, he is clearly a cretin...

Yes yes yes yes yes!!
Thank you!

716. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246319 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 7:12 am

Again from the article:

Evolution and cosmology are understood by many to be a religious issue because they can be seen to contradict the accounts of origins of life and the universe described in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim Scriptures

If they see it as a religious issue, tuff shit. Then their views don't belong in the science class. If they see creationism as science, then again, tuff shit, it's not and that's the way it should be promoted in science classes, if promoted at all.

717. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246314 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 6:57 am

From the article:

Just because something lacks scientific support doesn't seem to me a sufficient reason to omit it from a science lesson.

I agree with the statement, but the problem with ID is not only does it lack scientific support, it is devoid of any explanation. Let's give for an example something that lacks scientific support, but at least can be explained: The moon landings were a hoax. At least believers in that can point to the flag 'waving' on the moon and say "See, there must be wind, there is no wind on the moon, therefore they were not on the moon." But what do ID'iots have? 'I don't understand so godidit!'

Man, I'm telling you all... it's the fucking Wedge Document coming to life!

718. Science lessons should tackle creationism and intelligent design

Comment #246305 by severalspeciesof on September 12, 2008 at 6:31 am

My blood pressure is going sky high right now, so if this doesn't make sense, well....

Promoting religion (which is ID & creationism) as something worthwhile to talk about in a SCIENCE class DOES legitimize ID. Just think of what could (& probably does happen) in classes where the teacher is a creationist. Sure, you could have guidelines in place to try and prevent creationism being taught as a Viable alternative, but that can only go as far as people are willing to uphold it. This is the very thing that ID'iots want.

It's the fucking wedge document coming to life!!!!

TWP, glad to hear you're okay.

719. 'Big Bang' experiment starts well

Comment #245632 by severalspeciesof on September 11, 2008 at 8:14 am

Quetz,

I was actually thinking in terms of the screaming of and gnashing of teeth of people. ;)

720. 'Big Bang' experiment starts well

Comment #245627 by severalspeciesof on September 11, 2008 at 7:53 am

Tie (Comment #245556),

Too bad it doesn't have sound! Now that would be something else. Just what would the approach of a black hole sound like?

721. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245614 by severalspeciesof on September 11, 2008 at 7:26 am

Laurie,

The little one, as Al puts it, IS disarming in a nice way.

Wasn't all too worried about it though, just wondering. Change can be a good thing. I too have an iMac and find myself sometimes wasting mucho time with the photo shop stuff (it can be addictive!). I've got one avatar in the works that I think will put a grin on most peoples face, but it will be a while.

722. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245605 by severalspeciesof on September 11, 2008 at 7:12 am

Laurie,
You keep transforming yourself avatar-wise, what gives?!?!

723. Sleek Probe To Map Earth's Gravity

Comment #245600 by severalspeciesof on September 11, 2008 at 7:08 am

Wonder if this might help to appease Sir David King. (see 'brain drain' thread)

724. Anthropologists Develop New Approach To Explain Religious Behavior

Comment #245431 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 6:20 pm

Comment #245426 by Diacanu

Jeez, lotta slapfights on the boards today..

...everywhere I go, there's dust kicking up.

What phase is the moon in?

That depends on your frame of observation, just place yourself in a different orbital plane. ;-)

725. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245145 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 9:20 am

1621. Comment #245137 by rrazdan

Thanks for the link.

As usual Hitchens can cut to the chase, it is a good read.

726. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245069 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 7:24 am

Al, Quetz,

May I suggest a Quetz/Al ticket? Think about it.

727. Devolution in Education

Comment #245057 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 7:02 am

Current speculation amongst cosmologists and physicists suggests that such events as the big band...

Which Big Band would that be? I'm in favor of Woody Herman's Big Band being involved.

Sorry Roger, just couldn't resist! ;-)

[EDIT: Sciros beat me to it. Curses to my slow typing skills.]

728. Large Hadron Collider readies for world's biggest experiment

Comment #245052 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 6:59 am

Hey Folks, This just in: We're still around! The Hadron Collider had it's first successful tests this morning. (Though the real cruncher won't occur for some time yet, so there's still time to 'repent' for all those 'last days' people.)

729. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245044 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 6:43 am

Al,

You don't have the Evil Monkey, and Laurie's right, god doesn't need to worry 'bout getting his damn shirt dirty. ;-)

730. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245035 by severalspeciesof on September 10, 2008 at 6:21 am

Al,
Your top ten list would require a god to accomplish, so I hereby motion that Quetz be the one you vote for.

731. Devolution in Education

Comment #244892 by severalspeciesof on September 9, 2008 at 5:14 pm

justaminute says:

As design can be detected empirically it is not unreasonable to argue by analogy that the first cause in creation was not matter but intelligence.

Designs have matter and use matter. If the design doesn't actually use matter, it's only an idea and can be nothing more. In fact it's nothing until matter is involved.

Going until tomorrow

732. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244700 by severalspeciesof on September 9, 2008 at 10:30 am

The numerous coincidences you have pointed out surely point to the existence of a divine creator. There can be no other explanation.

It sent shivers down my back.

I'll be looking for more rock trivia coincidences to further back up your statement, but I gotta go for now.

733. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244678 by severalspeciesof on September 9, 2008 at 10:04 am

WARNING: WAY OFF TOPIC!

Scot Rafkin,

oooo...'The Alan Parson's Project'!
Did you know that Alan Parsons helped engineer Pink Floyd's album 'Atom Heart Mother'? And with the album cover showing cows, and cows have been associated with climate change (cow flatulence anyone?) And this thread showing up on the day I change my avatar (from 'Atom Heart Mother)... man that's mind boggling ;)

734. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244605 by severalspeciesof on September 9, 2008 at 8:44 am

I'm a fence sitter here (regarding Climate change caused by Humans). My take, and rip this apart if you feel, is that no one has demonstrated (to my knowledge) that climate change (with regard to warming) is a net negative for the planet. We do know that the earth has been in periods of quite a bit warmer climate, and conversely, quite a bit cooler. I do know that when the earth was quite a bit cooler, much of it was covered in glaciers, not a good thing for people occupying those areas (indeed, they could only live near the edge), but when it was much warmer, apparently plant life was much more prevalent. ANY change will disrupt certain peoples, can't get away from that.

[EDIT: added '(with regard to warming)' for clarity.

735. Devolution in Education

Comment #244576 by severalspeciesof on September 9, 2008 at 7:05 am

73. Comment #244547 by epeeist

As usual Calilasseia gets it right

Being compared to Calilasseia's intelligence makes me blush, thanks epeeist!

736. Devolution in Education

Comment #244544 by severalspeciesof on September 9, 2008 at 6:15 am

35. Comment #244152 by justaminute

Why do we have to suppose 'natural' forces? Is there a scientific test to show that this is the correct 'default' position. If not then what is the basis for the 'have to'?

Show the other position (super-natural) and then maybe you'll have a point.

What would you offer in support of your claim to have the correct, 'default' position?

No one has shown what the 'super-natural' is, and until that happens, 'natural' is the default position. Again one needs to show what exactly is the other position (super-natural). Define it please.

737. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244088 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 9:19 am

Tezcatlipoca,

Gaz seems to be always on top of things musical. Kudos to him.

738. Devolution in Education

Comment #244086 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 9:17 am

17. Comment #244067 by egobreed

Still, there might be a massive conspiracy of so-called 'scientists' to fake evidence to undermine god. Started by satan?

No faking required!
With regard to the state of this universe, that actually makes more sense than that of a benevolent god! (I'm assuming that you meant the universe was started by satan?)

739. Devolution in Education

Comment #244083 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 9:11 am

22. Comment #244075 by justaminute

Why do we have to suppose 'natural' forces? Is there a scientific test to show that this is the correct 'default' position. If not then what is the basis for the 'have to'?

Show the other position (super-natural) and then maybe you'll have a point.

740. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244079 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 9:03 am

Gosh...who on earth would have thought global warming deniers would be hanging around here.

If D.Robertson can hang around...

741. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244073 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 8:57 am

mixmastergaz,
Thanx,
Indeed, none more cow! It's from the album 'Atom Heart Mother'. The one with Ron Geesin playing with the group.

742. Devolution in Education

Comment #244063 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 8:36 am

4. Comment #244029 by justaminute

Have we any way of testing the idea that only natural forces created the world?
Well, for starters we CAN test how natural forces work today, and then work backwards from that. How does one work backwards from ID?

Wait...maybe one can, but which ID do you chose? For example... The one that created our imperfectly created eyes, or the one that created a better designed eye in the octopus?

743. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244049 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 8:09 am

Any advancement in any area of science can, in the future, bring unexpected benefits to another area. I read a while ago that scientists were studying why groups of fireflies could seem to all fire in unison or in waves. Many, many people scoffed at the 'expense' of those studies. Yet, later, using some of the information gleaned from those very studies, people involved with the internet were able to set up situations were many 'overloading' problems could be avoided. Not saying the Haldron Collider could solve climate problems, but who knows? ;)

744. 'Climate crisis' needs brain gain

Comment #244041 by severalspeciesof on September 8, 2008 at 8:00 am

Testing new avatar

745. Large Hadron Collider readies for world's biggest experiment

Comment #243260 by severalspeciesof on September 5, 2008 at 10:33 am

50. Comment #243239 by Tezcatlipoca,

Man, that brings back memories,

Now class...

class...

SHUT UP!

Now everyone, back on topic please. I gotta go now so behave...

746. Large Hadron Collider readies for world's biggest experiment

Comment #243252 by severalspeciesof on September 5, 2008 at 10:23 am

Al,
Glad to see you woke up.

747. Large Hadron Collider readies for world's biggest experiment

Comment #243249 by severalspeciesof on September 5, 2008 at 10:22 am

Comment #243235 by ggab7768

Severalspeciesof (Pink Floyd reference?)

Where is the sex talk? I could get into that.
I had sex once.
That was before I got married of course.

Yes,

and ask squinky (45. Comment #243227) about the sex talk. I'm sure he'll fill you in.

748. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #243243 by severalspeciesof on September 5, 2008 at 10:17 am

CFL
Thanks for the input, and you are right by pointing out that I am trying to rip away MPhil's foundation. And I do believe that any measurement is subjective because it is, in the end, dependent on description. I'll think about this some more, but I've got to go.

I'm very surprised at how quickly this thread had 'ended', but am glad it might pick up again, after all this site is about reason, is it not?

And Al, yes the cat is evil. [EDIT: No longer applies]

749. Large Hadron Collider readies for world's biggest experiment

Comment #243231 by severalspeciesof on September 5, 2008 at 10:05 am

Al...Are you awake yet? This discussion has now started some sex talk, right up your alley... ;)

750. Large Hadron Collider readies for world's biggest experiment

Comment #243216 by severalspeciesof on September 5, 2008 at 9:49 am