The Tallis idea seems to be one in which we have an uncaused "I". This "I"stops any crazy talk of our brains just reacting to stimuli .This does seem to boil down to a dualism that might prevent any thoughts of nihilism and amorality by some people . I suppose thats a healthy fear and one his unconscious brought to the fore as a survival technique.

Is that it then? game over ? the pope sells off the Vatican and sets up a fancy dress shop catering for pederasts and liars?

I wouldnt trust anyone who didnt make a joke out of that title

Im not sure human homosexuals kill chimpanzees although I might be wrong ;o)

Blake looked a lot older than 7 didn't he? I'd say at least 40

Doesnt everything move at a fraction of c?

Good man , gets his face in TV regularly and puts across his points forcefully without pandering to audience .

Populist crap

Totally off topic , apologies in advance . How would anyone add to the list of articles and topics shown on the home page? For example I spotted this http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-scientist-religious.html and thought it might be a worthy discussion piece . Thanks Richard

Excellent and touching , but it still doesn't seem enough to mourn Hitch's passing

I dont get it?

6.9 recurring is 7 as can be shown by the sum : let x=6.999 rec then 10x = 69.999 rec . minus 1x = 9x = 63 63/9 = 7

Ner Ner Ner Nerr Nerr told you so

Im a Christian , I dont think there are any gods and I dont think supernatural things exist outside imagination. Im also a a snooker player , I dont have a snooker table or a cue and I dont know the rules Im also a nuclear physicist , I dont know how to do the maths involved in collider analysis but whos to question my beliefs? Only the statement "Im a Christian" would allow me to persecute and abuse people on the grounds I have faith that my abuse and persecutions are divinely inspired .Well Done Comedy Dave Cameron for giving such a useless belief system credibility on the political stage.

In typical internet vernacular LOL

Really wonderfully put Paula , thank you

If Jake stays interested in physics he could be the next Sheldon Cooper . Interest in a subject is the thing the want to know what is happening .I'm certainly no Einstein but my interest in physics is a joy to me and interest is a big part of picking up the concepts , for me anyway .

To defend all the clergy . The high and mighty of the church , all religions must be respected and bowed down to . The monarchy the monsignors and very right-on super reverends all rely on a belief in faeries , Sharia is another facet of faery worship and will be encouraged by the right-on Dave Cameron and his dandies and anyone else interested in wide ranging control over the populace .

Its ok sharks are ugly , cutting them up is legitimate .But seriously , we are constantly told how sharks are endangered then this? . A Pyrhic victory if ever I heard of one, 50 sharks dissected ,I used to keep fish as a youngster , they eat whatever fits in their mouths ,

The inimitable Steve hughes on being offended please take a look Mahid and see how Humour works http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9HRLvfbauA

The thought that saying nothing wont cause offence , offends me

I get the feeling none of the godbotherers will take heed -Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth XD

Signed

Comment on persons seems a no-no unless known personally , but in my defense the Guardian made it seem to me as if John Brockman was a pretentious git . I'll stick to not commenting . Thas as near to an apology as you'll get John

Pretentious git . Perhaps he hasn't heard of The Santa Fé institute?

If anyone has the time I can heartily recommend -The Feynman Lectures on Physics - its an expensive set of 3 books but worth every penny

I can't begin to say how much both Richards have educated me and I thank them both

Krauss eh? what a great scientist .And Hitchens, for all that seems relatively unknown to people I speak to regularly , I suppose thats more a reflection of me than of Him though.

I dont Find Tim Minchin funny at all , but taking a song out of an already recorded TV programme smacks of fear and line toeing , still commercial TV cant afford to upset anyone , And in that case , why not sell it to the BBC?

Wrapping a cloth round a cylinder sort of shape doesn't leave a cylinder shape imprint on the cloth , the head portion would be flattened out , ridiculously obvious