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Profile of thedoc
Peace & Security
Hello Sandra. The phrase 'Holy War' is a contradiction in terms, there is no such thing. Any group or Nation that wages war in the name of Religion, has preverted and corrupted that Religion beyond recognition. The only 'Just War' is a response to an attack by another group or nation. This can include an attack on an ally that you have agreed to defend.
Brands vs. Gov.
The problem is that Brands (Large Corporations) and Governments opperate is diferent areas. Corporations are ruled strictly by Profit. Governments are ruled by the will of the people to regulate and protect. Corporations are regulated by Governments, even though they attempt to influence those regulations. Both have a function, and in their place each is more powerful than the other.
Sustainability
The main problem is population growth, we need to stop the growth and let the population shrink to a point where the Earth could sustain it naturally. In that way we could use technology to support the population while intruding very llittle on Nature and if technology fails we can live off the land to survive. This would require a large reduction in population, but given enough time it is possible.
preservation
Keep the Do-gooders and Missionaries out, and let the Locals decide how much they went to participate.
Mythology
Myths are being recreated all the time in Literature (not all Books) and the Movies (not all Movies). Read Joseph Campbell 'The Transformation of Myth Through Time'. Also several other books he has writen on the subject.
Values
I believe that .Honesty' should be high on the list, along with Compassion, and Love.
God
God is Religion. God is all religions, each Religion has 'A' message from God, and together with all religions that are, and have been, and will be, we may begin to get the full message from God. But so far all Religions have stressed Love.
Motivation
Anything and everything, as much as possible, The menu is not as important as having it full. A young adult should read, do, and see, what interests them, and as much as they can. Sitting on a couch doing nothing is just that 'Doing Nothing'.
Responsibility
To say that Governments and Business is doing a bad job of taking care of the Worlds resources, is to say that we the people are doing a bad job. Governments are subject to the will of the People (Voters or Subjects, Rulers are only in power by the will ov the People), and Business is subject to the will of the People (Customers). When the people decide to manage the resources better it will be done.
spending
As long as there are Military forces and Terrorists who will attack us, It is being spent the best way possible right now.
drink
There is an old saying 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it.
action
The Leadership of the World is subject to the will of the Masses. The 'Decent People' of the world need to overcome, and convert the Masses to 'Decent People'.
Objective
Leave it up to a couple of Phlisophers to come up with totally silly comments. Science is objective because it is based on observation of what can be observed, not by one, but by everyone who cares to look, also by repeteability. When an experiment is done by one, it can be done by another with the same results, if it fails, the theory is abandoned. Do not be missled by those who base their thoughts on Subjective principals.
traffic
For one thing, if they all had cars, in the resulting traffic Jam, the entire country would grind to a halt.
Emptyness
Hello Antares I have noticed the same thing, Many contributors who were active before the round table are no longer here, or so it seems. I was dissapointed in the level of questions and answers at the round table, perhaps others have lost interest. I hope this venue continues as I have few outlets to express my thoughts.
The Definitive answer to this question.
Organized Religion is not the 'Root of all Evil', to discover that we must search more deeply. 'Religion' will be used here to refer to the original core teaching, and all have emphasized Love, Compassion, and Tolerance. 'Organized Religion' will mean the corporate church and other institutions related to it, as well as the codified dogma expressed by that organized religion. While some may argue that organized religiion does not need a building, here the word church stands for a group of worshipers coming together, as well as a building. A religion may be practiced by an individual or a group who share a common belief system. The root source of evil must be desire, not the healthy kind such as hunger for food, seeking company, Shelter or others, but that desire expressed as greed or lust. This can be manifest in many ways. The greed for money and posessions may only be self-distructive to the person involved, however if greed extends to injuring others (physically or financially) then it is evil to others aa well. The most dangerous is the lust for power and influence, here the evil becomes evident when those who have acquired power begin to abuse that athority. There are many good people who achieve a position of power and wield it with compassion and good will, but many succumb to the temptation, and corruption sets in. Often, though the abuse is morally wrong, it does not violate any law and is not prosecutable. Organized religion is only one setting for this evil to develope. Any act of violence or evil in the name of religion is a result of the perversion and corruption of that religion to the point of being diametrically opposed to that teaching. Also Religion answers to a higher authority only in a spiritual sense. The corporate church must still abide by the 'Law of the Land', churches are not exempt from obeying the law. The root of evil must lie in the individual or group of individuals who disregard the welfare of others for their own gain. This is evident in the political arena, in the corporate world where profit outweighs the common good, organized crime with a total disregard for law and authority, and organized religion where a corruption of the original teaching leads to evil and violence. Religion teaches Tolerance, Compassion and Love for others. Any teaching or practice that deviates from that must be attributed to those who advocate those deviant teachings. Organized religion is only one venue where evil men and women can indulge their perverse obsessions. We must look beyond the structure to the individual lust that leads to evil.
So many answers, So few are correct.
First of all Kent Keller and most of those responding do not understand this question, and are incapable of giving an answer. The problems with the question are 2 assumptions. First that the rich are hoarding wealth and thereby depriving others of it's use. Second that for some to become rich, others must become poor. When a succesful person accumulates wealth, that money does not go out of circulation. Money deposited in a bank, invested in the stock market, or used to buy good's and property, is going back into circulation, and money changing hands is good for the economy. Money in a bank is not stacks of bills with someones name on it, but is loaned out to homeowners, and businesses. Money in stocks is a loan to a company to expand or improve. Money spent on property or goods, goes to builders, suppliers, stores & manufacturers, and a lot of wages for employes. Wealthy people are therefore contributing to the health of the economy. Successfull people do not gain wealth on the work of the poor. The poor do not always have good jobs, or any job, and have little to spend on consumer goods, and contribute little to the economy. It is the working and upper class, who have good jobs and money to spend, that support the rich. The very rich are a sign of a healthy economy that can support them. Most of the answers to this question are stupid, liberal , knee jerk reactions, that of bashing the rich. They are easy targets and require little thought. The reality is that everyone gets where they are in life by choice. Either choices they make (good or bad) or by not choosing and just letting things happen. Everyone must make choices, to move to a better place, to get a better job, or just to get a job. Those who stay in one place and do nothing are the victums of their own choices. Of the 112 'Brilliant Minds?' and 5 additional postings only 13 are partially correct and worth reading. The rest are dross, and a waste of space, one (Anthony Arnove) gives a good idea but calls it incorrect. Those in poverty should be helped, but not with a handout (not as a permanent solution), but with opportunity. Those who only want a handout (a free ride) should be cut off, Those who abuse the system (having more children to get a bigger payment) should also be cut off and provisions made for the children. For those in underveloped countries, The political climate must be stabalized and help to support them selves should be provided. The wealthy in the developed countries are not the cause of poverty in the world, and many are offering help. But often that help is refused or diverted. This problem will not be solved by bashing the rich who, by hard work, have accumulated great wealth, but by rational and constructive criticism of the situation as it is. The answers worth reading are by, JustinCC, Beverly Schwartz, Brian J Weller, Jonathan Stack, Kigge Hvid, Leung Ping-Kwan, Neela Marikkar, Pico Lyer, Roland Berger, Santiago Rancagliolo, Shaobin Yang, Tavis Smiley, Valentina Melnikova.
Global Warming? No one Knows.
Global warming is an issue that is getting a lot of attention lately. It is happening, and due to human activity, at an accelerated rate. The big question is 'is it a disaster?' as some would have us believe. The truth is no one knows what the result of global warming will be. Ocean levels will rise but beyond that nothing is for sure. Will some places get dryer, or wetter? If the ocean levels rise many cities will be flooded, Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and others. Is this really a loss to society? Ocean levels will rise slowly and cities will rebuild or replace structures to accomodite the higher sea level, and will become modern versions of Venice. Cities will not be distroyed but will addapt and change. With higher sea levels there will be more ocean surface area, and with higher temperatures, the atmosphere will have more moisture, resulting in more rainfall world wide. Instead of a disaster the world will become a tropical garden of plenty. With more area of shallow sea the oceans will become the new farm land, and properly managed, will provide a bounty of sea food. In the past, when the earth was not in an ice age (perminate ice at the poles, the current climate), tropical forests and savanas could be found from pole to pole. A warmer climate would require less fossel fule to heat our homes in the winter. Global warming does not mean that high temperatures will be higher, it may be that the low temperatures will not be as low. It may be the best thing for the survival of Humans, Plants, Animals, and the Earth. Anyone who gives you a disaster scenario is only trying to sell you their particular bill of goods. NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE ! ! !
Ask the Slave.
Perhaps you should ask a slave if it is such a bad thing, I believe that most, if not all, wanted to be free. If you know where to look you can find slavery in the world today. Weather Brutal or Benevalent Slavery is not something people aspire to.
Is Quality Education possible?
There are several problems with this question and the answers that have been posted so far. The main one is the assumption that a child placed in a good school will receive a quality education, this is a serious mistake. After 7 years in the US public schools teaching 7th - 9th grades I can tell you that not all students are ready or willing to learn, and are only there because they are required to be there. The problem is not values, but attitude, and students come to school with the attitude of their parents. Fully 30% - 40% of students are unattendtive and disruptive and only work enough to get by, and some don't and are pushed thru by the staff, via grades they did not earn, because the teachers or guidance counselors do not want them back. The problem with US public education is not, lack of funds (throwing money at a problem is a Liberal, Knee-Jerk reaction that does not fix the problem), poor curriculum, or staff, but with the attitude many students bring from home. When I taught, the students were grouped homogeneously, better students in the upper sections, average students in the middle, and poor students in the lower sections. The upper sections were a joy, eager and inquisitive. The lower sections were good as well, sincere and the worked hard. The middle sections were terrible, with bad attitudes and no respect for anything. One other piont, anyone who suggests heterogeneous grouping is a FOOL! The bright students are held back, the poor students can't keep up, and the average students are bored out of their minds and cause trouble. For every child to receive an education, every parent must understand and appreciate the value of education. Untill this happens children will reflect the attitude of the parents, and many will not get the full benefit of learning because they give it no value. I have experienced all aspects of the educational system, a student in high school, and college, a teacher, and a parent of students in the public schools. By The Way, My guidance counsler was surprised to see me at a college Nite at school (1290 S.A.T. the highest total in my school) and said "I didn't know you were interested in college", a common problem. My High School was inadaquate in many respects, and the failure to reach students with bad attitudes is common to all.
Death Penalty !
The government does not 'Deal out Death' It sets penalties for certain acts and when a criminal commits that act, they choose that penalty. When a person has commited Murder, clearly demonstrating that they are not fit to be part of society, I am not ready to pay for their support for the rest of their life. The death penalty removes the violent criminal from society and eliminates the cost to society of keeping that person for life. I do not believe in killing, but the criminal has chosen their own end and I do not want to pay for their support.
The next generation?
The Human race is evolving, but individual choice is not directing it's course. The evolutionary path to the next generation is determined by those who produce the most offspring. It is not the intelectual who remains childless to pursue a career in the arts or sciences. Many responsable people see the world becoming overpopulated and limit their number of children, these are not the parents of the next generation. Technology and Medical Science has made it possible for many people to live and contribute who would not otherwise survive, many of these because of physical limits or choise do not have children. The next generation in the evolution of man is being produced by the poor in the ghettos and slums. The wealfare mother who has 6 or 8 children to as many fathers, and accepts the companionship of another male till she becomes pregnant and he leaves. Here where children grow up in gangs, dealing drugs or learning how to avoid gangs and drugs, are shaping Human evolution. Those people who produce the most children are contributing to the human gene pool, those who produce few or none will be eliminated from the gene pool of future humans. If you want to see the future of the human race, drive through the slums, but keep your windows up and don't stop. If you don't like the picture I've given you, CHANGE IT ! Prevent irresponsable parents from having more children. Provide the means for poor children to get out of the cycle of poverty. Most of all, population growth must be stopped and reversed, there are too many people for the earth to support. It is Ludicrous to think that someone can deside how the human race will evolve. What we become is not up to us, the environment will decide that, if the environment favors greed and violence, that is what we will become, for humans to become tolerant and loving toward each other, the environment must favor that. To change the course of evolution we must change the environment. The human race is evolving, is becoming, look around.
sane?
Unfortunatly NO there are many cultures world wide that are not sane in any sense, and many that will not give up their high standard of living. In this country (America) again the high level of consumption is dificult to give up, education is the key and we are about one generation behind, the only hope is for the next to revise our standards to a sustainable way of living. God help us all.
seperate creation
A lie that has been perpetuated by some, if not all religions, is that Human Beings are a seperate creation from the rest of nature. This is a very dangerous concept, dangerous to nature and to all life on Earth. It leades those who believe it to regard the Earth and the environment as expendable. After all if people are a seperate creation then God will preserve us even if we deatroy the planet. Nothing could be further from the truth ! Human beings are part of nature we come from nature. If you believe in God, Evolution is how we were created, if you don't then Evolution is still the answer. We need to understand that we are part of nature and need to preserve it or we will deatroy ourselves.
elitism
One of the greatest lies, is the idea that some people should have the athority to tell others how to live and what to do. I'm not refering to crimes or actions that hurt others, but what kind of work to do, where to live, who to associate with,... These are very insidious efforts by some, who feel superior, to control the lives of others. Everyone should have the freedom to choose their own course.
death = life
It seems that this discussion on animal rights is based on killing animals for the consumption of meat. In that sense I feel that it should be pointed out that all life survives on death. Carnivores hunt and kill animals to eat, Herbivores graze on plants for food eating and killing living tissue, Plants draw nutrients from the soil, the nutrients ? dead plant and animal tissue. All life depends on death. Do you think that killing a plant is better than killing an animal? much has been done to insure that animals are slaughtered as quickly and humanly as possible. Has anything been done to promote humane killing in nature? If an animal is brought down by a lion or a wolf, if it is lucky it's throat will be ripped out and it will die quickly, or it's rear legs will be torn apart and it will lie there in agony while the predators rip it's belly open and feed on the entrals. Do you think that harvesting plants is better? Many are chopped off at the stem and torn apart to get the good parts, or fruits torn from the branches. But plants don't have feelings, or do they? They are not aware, or are they? Vegetarians eat salads, fruit, and beans, all living tissue till you crush it in your teath. Or do you prefer to kill it by bioling it in water or oil. Salad dressing, oils pressed from plants, Olives, living tissue torn from the tree and crushed to press out the oil. Do you like wine? grapes, living organisms, torn from the vine, crushed and fermented (infected with a yeast for decomposition) for your pleasure. Quit arguing about what you are going to kill to live. If you don't want to kill anything, Good Luck. As for me I'll eat a little of everything.
no
There are 2 aspects of this issue that could benifit from further discussion. First the Earth's climate is getting warmer naturally, but is being accelerated by Human activity. The Earth is coming out of an Ice Age (perminant ice at the poles) and is warming to a more normal climate. Second nobody knows, for sure, what the result will be, apart from the rise in sea levels. The best estimate would be to look at the past, When the entire planet was more tropica,l with lush froests and plants everywhere. The warmer climate did not result in a barren lifeless world, rather a tropical place with abundant plant and animal life from pole to pole. Study the past it may give you a hint of the future.
change X 2
One way to change the world is with education, However this requires the Truth with adiquate documentation and data. The dificulty is that many people, when confronted with the Truth, will deny it. They will cling to old ideas even when the proof is in front of them. A better way is propaganda. You decide the direction of change, and make up a good story to sell it. If it sounds good people will want to believe it, no proof required. And the story will be spread by the finatical believers.
experience
The meaning of life is to joyfully participate. To experience all, Joy, Happiness, Sadness, Sorrow, Pain, Loss, Friendship, Love, Sex ! The meaning of life is to dive in unafraid and without regret. When you feel Joy or Pain embrace it ! Those who shun any of it are not really living. Life is a gift from God (by whatever name or title you use) for us to experience. Those who avoid any aspect are refusing the gift, and thereby refusing God. I believe God does have a sense of humor and is amused by our foolish attempts to define any part of life as good or bad. One point I would like to make is, God does not refuse or reject us, people reject God and therefore are seperated.
peaceful
Yes, if the violence escalates enough that there are few if any people left, then the earth will be very peaceful.
Justice
If you are personally volunteering to support these condemed criminals, Good. But I do not want my taxes going to maintain them for the rest of their lives. They have chosen their path let them go.
Myth.
I'm sorry Edgar but the Bible is not the oldest source for religion & mortality. Most of the old testament storys were borrowed from older Religions & Myths. I would like to know the source of your idea that there were 12 commandments. Sounds like an outrageous story by someone wanting to see their name in print, a college professors wet dream?
Hope for the future?
Hello Marci, I think I will weigh in on this one. I don't realy care why you asked this question, it brings up a serious problem, raceism and bigotry. The issue is wide spread. In africa some tribes are trying to wipe out others, Shiite and Sunni muslims are trying to destroy each other, Catholic and Prostant Irish were trying to kill each other. How many examples can you name? We are all human beings, WHY DO WE HATE EACH OTHER? We are taught. Adults you have been taught by your parents and relatives who to fear and hate. Think about what you teach your children. The methods are subtle, do you tell ethnic jokes, blond jokes? How do you refer to people of another race or from another country. Are they wops, jews, polocks, chinks, krauts? WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN? There is little hope for the current generation, but there may be hope for the next.
Choice?
It seems that 'God' in this question is a nondenominational, or universal reference. The question is not about which particular God, but is your belief or nonbelief in a supreme being a decision or involuntary? Is your choice to believe a result of nurture, a deliberate act, or a spiritual contact? For myself, in the end it was a deliberate personal decision. The question is how did you come to your belief/nonbelief in God?
Monogamy is advanced.
I believe that you have this backwards, It was the more primitave and ancient societies that practiced polygamy. Monogamy is a practice that has come with the advanced modern societies. If you wish to follow the hedonistic practice of polygamy it can be done outside the institution of marrage.
Subjectivism to soon?
This would depend on what concepts you propose to teach and how soon you propose to teach it. There are many ideas in philosophy that would only confuse and disturbe a young child. Even in the later years of high school many of these would be lost on most students. Much of Philosophy requires a level of maturity that some people never acheve. Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.
More Empathy? no thanks.
I would suspect that some would relish the opurtinity to know just what their victums are experiencing, and would be prone to inflict more at every opertunity. I do not want more empathy I have enough feelings of my own without other peoples problems.
Ivory Tower
Possibly the greatest and most influential Lie is that 'The Human mind can, by reason alone, determine all information and knowledge'. This was practiced by the ancient Greek Philosophers and has passed into the thinking of the Intelligentsia to this day. I refer to this as 'Ivory Tower Thinking' where reason alone is expected to provide the answer to all questions and actually examining the object in question is considered Base and Degrading. This practice has resulted in much wild speculation and misinformation over the centuries, especially in the area of Philosophy and religion.
Listening.
Paul Simon has produced a few works with a massage, however much has been adversily influenced by success, money, drugs and misinformation. Popular artists and celebrities have a big voice, that is a lot of people listen to them, but they do not have the time to become well informed on issues. Artists are often passionate and enthusiastic about issues, but are easiely influenced and mislead, and will sometimes champion a cause for the publicity. A publicist or manager will evaluate an appearance on money or the affect on the career, not on how it will help society or the environment. There is a lot of good, meaningful art to be appreciated, but there is a lot of negative, bad art to avoid. Listening to just one artist would be a mistake. Learn to think for yourself, and be careful of the information on which you base your beliefs.
Improving you mind?
The problem with this question is what Philosophy do you mean? Classical Greek, Renaissance, Modern Confused, or do you mean a practical life view, as opposed to a more esotaric view of existance. Yes practical 'Horse Sense' would be good for young people to learn, the other more intellectual concepts would be a problem and probably lost.
Peaceful Earth ?
If the violence continues to escalate the world will eventually become very peaceful, few if any people but fery peaceful. Tollerance is the key, when everyone will allow others their belief and existance, without hatred, we can find a solution. On Global Warming I have several posts on that subject, please look them up and let me know what you think.
population.
Several years ago I saw an estimate that of all the human beings who have ever lived on the earth, 25% are alive today. Based on 6.7 billion that would give 26.8 billion as the total number of humans who have ever lived on the earth.
Cozy and warm.
First the helmets used were leather or cloth, not the hard shells in use today. When flying at high altitudes the temperature is very low, so the pilots needed to dress warm. They wouldn't want to catch a cold and have the sniffels when they crash to their death ! Really they needed to keep warm to be focused and allert to better hit the target.
Reasonable Freedom.
The queston here is what do you mean by Freedom ? If it means total freedon where you can do anything to anyone without consequences, then in reality you have no freedom because anyone can assult you and do you harm. Your freedom is limited by the fear of harm. Freedom always needs to be tempered with responsability, in that you are responsibile for the consequences of your actions. Beyond that, law is a restriction of freedom and herein lies the problem. Often it is a minority (not a majority) who make a lot of noise and get restrictive laws passed that satisify a few at the expense of the many. It is not the majority who impost these restrictive rules and morals but the vociferous minority that push for restrictive laws for everyone. Sometimes a group of elitists and sometimes just a noisy minority.
Rainbow
No, The fundamental definition would be, freedom with responsibility, That is you can do what you want but are responsibile for the consequences of your actions. There are some who believe in freedom without responsability. And there are some who believe that you are only free to believe what they do and do what they think is correct. There is a broad spectrum of definitions these are only three points on that range.
With apologies to decent Germans everywhere.
Moglicherweise, wenn die Deutsche Fuhrung nicht geneigt ist andere Souverane teritory Nationen Einzugliedern, benotigen sie nicht wachhundtruppen sie in der linie zu halten
Relativity.
Lets start with "Truth is Relative" Depending on what information you have access to. The more information you share with others the more your truth should aline. However many bring a lot of different ideas and ways of looking at things, so the information gets distorted till the relative truths are different. Many when confronted with accurate information refuse to accept it because it conflicts with long held beliefs, and therefore have a false truth. A statement from a statistics class "Give a good Statistician the raw data and he will prove anything you want". So what do you want the truth to be, twist a d distort the data to suit whatever you want.
Selective Vision.
There are many parts of the Bible that the Roman Catholic church chooses to ignore, even though they see them. It has accentuated and distorted others so that they are unrecognizable as teachings based on the bible. It has been so from the begining. The goal is world domination, to become the only religion and therefore the supreme athority. Thankfully there are other religions and the Papacy will never establish such a Tyrannical rule over everyone.
Dialogue is open to all.
In this venue all are equal to ask a question, but not all questions are of equal value. All who wish to, are free to answer or comment, and again not all replies are equal. Dialogue can take place between any who are interested in a particular subject. Many who have little experience or education may seek knowledge. Others with more experience and education may provide some answers. On this site dialogue is the best way to develope and explore ideas, however many seem to be reluctant to directly address another user and will not engage in a give and take. The failing of this siet is that many post an opinion as an independent statement and do not respond or reply to others. There also seem to be many one-time users who post and do not return again. I would say all should post in a civil and reasonable manner and expect a reply in kind.
Debatable
Along with Language, as Pabloperez states, I would add fire and tool making. I believe it would be an interesting debate to determine which was the most important. Was language invented to pass on knowledge of fire and tool making to the next generation ?
Prejudice ?
I do not think that people in the developed countries lack in any respect compared with third world countries. Certainly not in material wealth, nor in spiritual, intellectual, or benevolence. Indeed it is the west that is attempting to share the bounty which they have earned. To suggest that they are lacking in respest to poor people is to express a kind of bigotry that is not in keeping with the spirit of this forum.
Timber.r.r.r.r.r !
Most Timber corporations harvest trees from large tracts of land that have been planted by timber companies. Much like a farmer plants corn and when it is ready, harvests the crop. No-one is protesting corn being cut down and sold, it's the same with trees that have been planted and when ready are harvested. The 'Tree Huggers' have no reason to object, its just the length ot time to maturity that is different. Hardwoods that take longer to grow are often cut on private land by the decision of the owner. If you want to save a tree, buy the land and preserve it. If its public land your say is through your government representative and the majority rules. If you do not own the land, ITS NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS. !
Relatinships
The welfare of children will depend more on the relationship of the couple than the makeup. However a child may experience a great deal of stress, outside the home, if a homosexual couple is living in an area with a strong anti-gay bias. The divorse rate is hardly a valid criteria considering how easy it is for heterosexual couples to marry, 50% does not mean a lot, and in light of how difficult it is for a homosexual couple to marry, 10% reflects the commitment required to marry in the first place. The 50% would also imply a less healthy environment in that situation. To suggest that it is difficult for heterosexuals and easy for homosexuals to find a partner is to ignore the fact that we are talking about a relationship between two people. To meet someone compatable is never easy, and there are many factors to consider. In your own life how many people have you met that you would consider spending a significant amount of time with or sharing a home with. It doesn't matter heterosexual or homosexual a relationship is never easy.
Freedom / Safety
A definition of freedom may be difficult to achieve when so many views have been expressed. I favor freedom with responsability, - see my answers 'Reasonable Freedom' & 'Rainbow'on Aug. 27 '07. Too often those in authority will get the Liberal Idea that they must protect the citizens from everything. Protecting an individual from other individuals and groups is generally a good thing. Someone once said "Your freedom to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose." Protecting an individual from themselves only erodes our freedom, and is not a good thing. This should be the relation between freedom and safety, an individual must be able to choose but is responsable for that choice. To codify restrictions on individual actions only steals the freedom of others who would carefully and responsably engage in actions or use products that may be deemed dangerous. Safety must be tempered by freedom and freedom must be tempered by responsability.
Responsability.
Definitely NOT ! It is the goal of the educational system to teach Democracy and encourage students to experience it within the student body, but teachers and adminstrators are given the responsability for the education and safety of the students, and must have authoity to insure that. Students do not have the maturity or experience to make responsable decisions on many issues, this is why they are in school to learn from those who have maturity and experience. A school is not a democracy, it is authoritarian by necessity, Without that authority students would irresponsably opt-out, and not get a proper education.
Very, Very Big.
The Universe has been described as finite but unbounded, that is it is limited in size, but has no edge or boundry. From the Earth we can only explore a Sphere approximately 30 billion light years in diameter. Cosmologists believe that the Universe extends much farther than that, but we have no way to observe it.
Point ?
You might as well ask what is the point of the Earth or the Sun or the Universe. For meaning to your existance you must look to yourself, when you discover why you exist you may also find why the universe exists.
The curve continues to rise.
Human knowledge is constantly progressing over time, The whole of knowledge is increasing. The rate of advance is not always constant, sometimes slow, sometimes fast. The share of knowledge per person is decreasing, as each individual has only a limited time to learn. Knowledge progresses from one person to the next, a scientist once said 'I have seen far because I have stood on the sholders of giants'. And at the opposite end, over the centuries many foolish people have said 'We have discovered just about all there is to know, we might as well stop trying.' While others have continued to make new discoveries.
Nothing is Static.
I would say that the existing curriculum of the american public schools should suffice for the first 8 - 10 years. It has been developed and refined over the years and it's only failing is in presentation. Beyond that relevance will change as new discoveries are made that alter our understanding of the world and the universe. It has not been that long ago that the 'Milky Way' was thought to be the whole of the universe and was infinite in age. Much has changed in the last century. It is also possible that value and relevance are relative to the time and place.
We are Unanimous ?
The problem is that it only takes a few to upset the ballance of peace. I guess the answer is that it would take everyone wanting peace for that to be acheved.
Homeless Problem ?
The phrasing of this question suggests that homeless people are a problem to be solved. It expresses a kind of Bigotry, 'I have a home, a job, and a car, and if thats good for me it should be good for you, and if you don't have these things, there is something wrong with you that needs fixed'. Why are people homeless ? Some have no choice, they have lost everything and are on the street, and may need help. Some if not most have chosen to live on the street with no stress from a job or family, and no responsability, a kind of freedom that some just talk about. Before you 'Help' someone by putting them in a shelter or a home find out what they want. You do not have the right to impose your standards on others.
World War or World Peace ?
Hello Windmill, Religion is an issue with many questions to be resolved for most people, primarily 'Is there a God?' and then 'Which religion do I follow to find a relationship with God?' Perhaps you are setteled with your belief and do not see the need for debate, a very envyable state, but many are not, and are still exploriing. your own experience may be helpful to some. The question I posted has 2 potential responses. One, if universally accepted, would lead to world peace, tollerance, and acceptance of others. The other has led to world wide violence, war (throughout human history), and intollerance. The question is subtle but careful reflection could lead to meaningful insight.
Unreasonable assumption.
The age of reason is still very much with us, do not be misled because there are masses of workers, poor, and those who do not acheave. Throughout history it was only a small minority who were philosophers, artists, and scientists. It was the achevemments of a few that are noted and give the impression of a population composed thus. The intelicitual few are still with us, some are posting on this site. A society that is barely surviving will not create much philosophy, art, or science, because they are too busy making a living. There is a theory that an affluent society that can support a very wealthy class will also support the creation of philosophy, art, and science. As the western society is alive and well, and affluent, so are the arts, sciences, and phlosophy.
Learned Behavior.
Prejudice is taught, by family, relatives, and friends. The only remedies are public awareness programs, but these have a lot to overcome, and individual action of talking and making people think about why they feel the way they do.
Labels are not always correct.
Some like to show off with what they think they know, but by labeling others, clearly label themselves.
No Boycott.
A boycott of the Olympics would be counterproductive, and a surrender to the Junta by allowing them to effect the actions of the rest of the world. The only viable action is to totaly isolate the country, no aid, no trade, freeze all assets, cut them off completely from the rest of the world with the condition that failure to allow full access and inspection by UN inspectors would result in massive military strikes to government assets within the country. But you tell me would the Buddhist Monks approve such action. How many nations in the world have the backbone to stand up to this petty little dictator and kick him out. European countries have the military might to take action but are gutless to move, but criticize anyone who will act decisively. The only mistake the US made in Iraq is to capture and release combatants, any P.O.W. should be in a camp till order is restored, as it would reduce the number of insurgents.
Limits.
No, The Exponential Function only relates to a system where there is steady growth, and can only project as long as there are no limits. Our Global Growth is limited by the size and resources of the Earth itself. There is some debate on when we will reach that limit, or can we stop growth and stabalize before. It is possable for the human race to intentionally stop population growth and stabalize or reduce the population. Any natural ecology unmolested by man will exist in a steady state, the numbers may very up and down but over the long term the populations will remain the same till something changes in the environment. Several factors of humanity have limits, total population, production of goods, both limited by resources, cost of goods can grow (inflation) without limit, the only problem is printing larger denominations of currency. The exponential function will not predict indefinitetly.
Seek and ye shall find.
God's love is manifest in his gifts. God's gifts are many and varied, different to each. What are your tallents, what gives you pleasure, these are the gifts of God and in these you will find God's Love. Do not be misled by those who tell you, that you must do this, or feel that. They are only speaking from their own experience and the gifts may not be the same. Follow your Bliss and there you will find God's love.
Partly Man Made.
Because it is only partly man made, it is a natural event that started at the end of the last Ice Age (10,000 years ago) and continues today. The effort to raise awareness is hampered by the fearmongers who are trying to profit, by calling it a crisis, and predicting a catastrophe. There is certainly a lot of money to be made from preventative measures sold to the public. Be careful what scemes you buy into or contribute to.
Wisdom - Evolution.
Wisdom has nothing to do with the evolution of the Human race, that is determined by those who produce the most offspring. Certainly most who contribute to this site will not have large families, with the awareness of world problems, such as over population, The choice will generally be made to have few, if any children. The future of the human race is being determined by those without recources, who are uneducated, and don't care about the future. Those living in the slums and ghettos of the large cities, and those in the poor countries. In the US it's the welfare mother with lots of childres, who doesn't know where they all are. Where the man will only come around till she is pregnant again, and the system will increase her benifits with each child, rewarding her for having more children. This is the future of Human evolution, not very wise, for the US and other developed countries. The poor countries are no better off, with too many children and no support. There are constantly TV programs asking for support to feed the starving poor in other countries. But they always show a pretty little child, plump, well fed, and healthy, not an actual starving child, thin and drawn with a bloated belly from lack of food, and flies swarmiing about. Its dificult to sell the truth. Wisdom may come if we can understand what determines our future.
Respectful Cynicism.
Respect is alive and well in todays society, however the means of gaining that respect has changed. No longer can a Degree or an Office guarantee the regard of others but the individual must do well. The office or degree will gain some respect for the position but if the individual does not do will they will not be highly regarded, and in the case of elected officials, may be removed at the next election. Perhaps citizens of a country are aware of issues that outsiders do not know about. They certainly have a different perspective than foreigners. Modern medecine has fallen into a trap of standard answers for particular problems. If a doctor does not examine carefully enough an incorrect diagnosis can be the result. It is up to the patient to become educated and ask questions and suggest alternatives when a condition falls outside the norm. 'Blind Faith' is out of fashion, and a doctor who fails to treat each patient as an individual will loose credibility.
When left alone.
One of the primary concerns of any country or nation is for other Countries to leave them alone, to be able to work out their own problems, in their own way. The difficulty arises when an internal situation is perceived by some watchdog do-gooders who then start making a lot of noise about helping or fixing the problem. These individuals or groups are common everywhere but do not represent a majority anywhere, but they make enough fuss to move others to act. If there is a natural disaster they are the first to cry out for help, and when it is given are the first to complain that it is too slow, the wrong kind, or the wrong place. With an oppressive government, the cry is to stop the violence and killing, but when intervention happens they complain about outsiders interfering with a foreign government. These complainers are primarily Journalists who have a big voice and can stir things up, They complain about the problem and then complain about the cure. Each Sovereign Nation should refrain from interfering with the affairs of other countries. But most, if not all, have interfered at one time or another. The European countries are the worst of all, with world wide colonies which amounted to nothing less than the invasion and occupation of another land, primarily for recources. Apartheid is just one example of the brutal subjugation of native people by the invading military of a foreign power, and something similar was common practice in all the European colonies. These current rants against the USA overlook the fact that America has never occupied a foreign land longer than necessary to establish a stable situation. America has always voluntarily left, as opposed to the Europeans who have been forced out one way or another. We are not in the middle east because we want to be but because the Whiney Liberal Perss constantly called for action and now complain about that action. They are not part of the solution, but are certainly part of the problem. You just can't please these people.
You're Joking ?
Because it is very difficult to see events before they happen. You can't arrest someone before they commit a crime. You can't depose a dictator before they come to power. Natural disasters are very hard to predict. Those who study History have the best idea of future events, but most dismiss history as the dead past. We act after the fact because that is the only choice we have. If you predict future events and try to prevent them, you will be burned at the stake for witchcraft.
Mistaken Again.
Jimmy Carter did not know how to get things done in Washington. He may have had someone else's good ideas, but he could not work with Washington. He was a mean little man who tried to bully his programs through, so he wasn't very smart after all. In the end his own people prevented him from a second term. His volunteer work after office is just photo opps for the press and not real careing about others. Apparently you have been decieved by his publicists, not unusual for those on the outside, who do not see things as they really are. .
To stop terrorism.
There is a small segment of the Islamic religion that is extremely fundamentalist and support terrorism. There is also a small violent, fundamentalist segment in most religiions. The majority of Muslims are peaceful and tollerant of others, but this group is unwilliing to accept the existance of any other religion on earth. They do not want freedom, except for the leaders, and their stated aim is to destroy anyone who is not of their faith and practice it as they do. There can be no peace with these radicals, and the only way to stop terrorism is to eliminate them. Our destruction is their business. Everyone must understand that these are not rational civilized human beings, but are vicious beasts and the only remedy is to lock them up or kill them.
It is not.
Enlightenment does not relate to the Earth or physical existance, but is spiritual. It is to acheave an understanding of our spiritual nature and its relation to the nondualistic relm of no-mind. Enlightenment is a state that is undescribable and words can only suggest its meaning.
Egg then Chicken, final answer.
Biologically and genetically the egg and the chicken that hatches from it are the same creature. The animal does not magically change from one species to another on hatching. When the ovum is fertalized the form of the animal is fixed and does not change on hatching. The animal that layed the egg did not need to be exactly a chicken. With cross breediing or genitic mutation, the animal could be close, but not quite a chicken, to lay and hatch a chicken. That should settle it.
Blaming God is a cop-out
Do not blame God for the bad things that people do to each other. God gave us free will that some misuse that gift to do evil is the fault of people, not God.
Having and Using
Someone once said 'Knowledge is what you know' ' Wisdom is how you use it'. I'm sure this may be an oversimplification but it may get things started.
Fast lane?, Slow lane?, Middle of the road?
All of life is a choice, anyone can choose to 'Stop and smell the Roses', and that is good, it gives you time to contemplate the world. But some choose to continue the rush of progress, seeking new knowledge and discoveries, and that is good for them. Pick whatever path is best for you, but do not object to those who choose differently. The Past is always with us to reflect on, The Future is always there to discover, The best is to enjoy both.
Looking for a Wise answer.
There seems to be some agreement that knowledge is the gathering of information and data. Weather it be facts about some object, the record of some event, or anything that can be verified, even that an author wrote a particular work of fiction, that is still a fact and knowledge. Wisdom on the other hand does not seem to be so well settled. Ozm8 suggests in 'The getting of Wisdom' That the acclumulation of much knowledge will lead to wisdom. Nmgarnett and Thai Sean point out that wisdom comes from experience. Both are probibaly true, but each alone is problematical. A great deal of knowledge can be attained by an individual who has specialized in a particular field, but without an overall view, wisdom may not be acheived. In the medical profession a doctor can work in a very narrow field but when treating a patient must consider the overall health. Cancer is treated with Kemo therapy which destroys the cancer and also the white blood cells. Other medication must be given to boost the imune system so the patient can survive the Kemo. Both medications must be processed by the liver and treatment too long and too strong can lead to Cirrhosis of the liver, which is also life threatening. In Cardiology most patients with heart conditions have high blood preasure, so all medications have the effect of lowering the B P. Bad news for someone with lower than average B P to start with. Many people have a lot of experience but little education, so lack the information on which to make good decisions. A young person may be 'Street Smart' and know how to deal with others on the street, but without the knowledge of the effects of drugs may get caught up in the idea that drugs make you feel good. Not everyone has access to knowledge. I would suggest that the best course to wisdom, is to gain knowledge, and try as many things as you can and travel as much as you can, as well as looking for as broad a perspective on the world as you can.
The truth.
A Belief is any idea or fact that you accept as True. Ideally you should be able to verify all your beliefs, but practically you do not have the time or recources to do this, so much must be accepted on the athority of others. All that you accept as true, weather personal experience or related to you by others, is what you believe.
Broaden the scope of posts, please.
It has been said that knowledge of God is the begining of Wisdom. There have been several good posts on this thread, I especially enjoyed Ozm8's latest. Much wisdom is in the original teachings of most Religions, but too much Dogma and commentary have been layered onto Religions to become unrecognizable. We are taught to Love our neighbors (neighbors being the entire population of the Earth). Such a sentiment if sincerely felt would solve many of the world's problems. Can you imagine the Terrorists realizing that they should Love the rest of Humanity including Americans? Israel and the Arab nations? We are taught in the garden of Eden to be caretakers of the Earth and not to destroy it. That kind of Wisdom would solve the problems of the environment. Caring for the Earth is a lot diferent than using it. I believe this site, by exploring knowledge and ideas, and presenting them in different, ways can inspire many to speak up outside this forum or take some action based on contributions here. It is probably not wise to try to direct a thread to closely, as concepts may come in from other areas that will inspire thought and posts. Solutions are not always found in a rigidly defined set of parameters, sometimes ideas from outside a dicipline will point the way to an answer.
Environmental Inactivity.
This Question is OK, commenting on your own question like that is a bit lame. The reason the USA is not doing much about Global Warming is the same reason that no other nation is doing anything, no one has found a way to make a profit from it. Develop a quick economic return and everyone will be working on it.
Choices.
The meaning of life is whatever each individual chooses to make of it. Some do not choose, or do poorly and their life does not have a good meaning. Others choose wisely and life is rewarding and of great value. Everyong must take responsability for their decisions and the result.
AC adding heat.
Hello, in an air conditioning system the transfer of heat from the inside of a building to the outside is done with a minimal amount of additional heat being generated. But the electrical and mechanical equipment will generate heat that will be added to the outside atmosphere. If you can find the Wattage rating of the motor used in the AC system (watts = volts x amps) you can multiply that by 3.412 to get the BTU/Hour of heat that the system will add to the outside. Someone else will need to translate that number in to temperature rise per volume of air. An example, if you have a motor at 120 volts and 2 amps it will use 240 watts and generate 818 BTU per Hour. Good Luck.
There is value in trying.
Many who pursue a cause do not see the result in their lifetime, sometimes change occurs, due to their efforts, after they are gone. If you give up, you have failed. If you become disillusioned and stop trying, you have failed. As long as you keep trying and working toward your goal, you will have an effect, you will move the world closer to change.
What have you done?
I would say if you have helped more people than you have hurt, but that is something you may never know, as many helps and hurts go unnoticed or unacknowledged at the time. Even if your intentions are good you must account for other peoples needs and desires. You really have no way to judge another persons actions, some that appear good may in fact be selfish, ego boosters.
Nature wins !
In the long run nature will assert its rights, and human activity, that attempts to subvert those rights, will suffer. Nature will win out and survive when humans are no longer a factor. People who try to dominate and control nature will loose.
Neither.
Education is neither a right nor a privilege, it is the responsability of the individual to learn.
One step at a time.
First define what you mean by 'Enlightment' or is it 'Enlightenment'. Encourage the members of the club to help with this, I assume that you are refering to a wise use of their intelligence. Then have them invision methods to achieve this state. When practical let them try the methods and discover what seems to work.
Semantics ?
Perhaps this is just a mater of semantics. Is it possible that in God's understanding 'creating' and 'becoming' are the same.
Adolescent Fantasy.
'Whatever does not kill, me makes me stronger', What a bunch of adolescent stupidity. If you survive a dangerous situatiion it is because you are strong to start with, or you use 'George's secret weapon' (Dumb Luck). This is an excuse for iresponsible, weak, people to boast about surviving. Strength is either in you or not. Nothing external makes you stronger. Many are like the cowerdly Hero in 'Jabberwocky' who duck down when danger aproaches and by accident survive, and later brag about their exploits. 'Whatever does not kill me, makes me stronger' Don't make me Laugh ! Those who are strong walk into danger and many do not survive, Most who survive have ducked or run away and boast about it later. Hopefully those who use this lie will stumble into danger, and not survive and will not contribute to the future human gene pool.
Quit whining.
I don't know what you are complaining about, the German Press has been celebrating mass murder for centuries, why stop now? And you do not seem to understand the difference between Terrorism and retaliation in self-defence. Terrorism is directed against innocent people who have no harm, retaliation is against those who perpuate violence for no good reason. Of course a little whiskey helps to put up with your senseless whining. Also don't expect a reply to your irrational rant to this post.
Benevolent Nature ?
I am not sure I understand benevolence in nature. Nature is about survival, 'Kill or be Killed' 'Run faster or Die'. I do not see the predator allowing the weak prey to escape out of kindness. That is a human trait that may be misplaced. Civilization is about rules to protect the weak, 'Do this and be punished'. When Disney created 'Bambi' he produced a generation that totally misunderstood nature. There is no Lord of the forrest that protects all there-in. The Lion will not lay down with the Lamb and eat grass, the Lion will eat the Lamb ! When civilization eliminates large predators then Human hunters must control the remaining population, anything else is Stupidity. There are as many (if not more) examples of polygamy in nature than monogamy. This also warrants further dialogue.
Common unknowledge.
Aries4548 is correct that personal beliefs should be examened, but also 'Common Knowledge' should be questioned. Any phrase that begins 'everyone knows that....' should be tested. one example - Many years ago during a gasoline shortage in the summer, a memo was issued to all driving a Pennsylvania state owned vehicle, that 'to save fuel, turn off the Air Conditioning and roll down the windows'. For many years the common knowledge was that windows down was less expensive than running the air conditioning at Highway speeds. Then someone tested it, and found that the aerodynamic drag, with the windows down, increased fuel consumption, more than running the air conditioning. One bit of common knowledge disproved. Question what you think you know, and what other people tell you.
History lesson.
Everyone has gotten a raw deal at one time or another, some more than others. If you have a passon for it, do the research, document it, and make what you find avalable to others. Then the best we can hope for is that others will learn from the past and make the future better. Good luck on that one.
Big Difference.
Knowledge and wisdom, while closely related, are fundamentally different. Knowledge is quantitative, facts and data can be recorded, counted, and categorized, Indeed much is in books and Libraries. And yes much knowledge is incorrect but this can be corrected, See my post 'Common Knowledge' Feb 25 '08. Wisdom is qualitative and is reflected in what we say and do, It is also fluid as what is wise one day may not be another. Also actions and words are not always completely right or wrong. They may be so-so, inconclusive, or rude without being correct or incorrect. Analyzing the brain may show where data are stored and processed but no analysis will show wisdom, as it is almost spiritual. Religion is not necessary for wisdom, but most wise people are somewhat spiritual. However many religious people are very unwise due to man's corruption of most, if not all, religious teaching with layers of dogma and rules. Instinctive behavior should not be considered here because it does not require thought or consideration, and many instinctive behaviors are not very wise. Young children acting on instinct often do unwise things. While we are talking about being unwise, I just heard on the news that the Catholic Church has added 7 more deadly sins. the last being 'Becoming Obscenely Wealthy', talk about 'the pot calling the kettle black' this one' takes the cake'.
Heat
CO2 acts like a kind of blanket in the atmosphere. It is transparent to sunlight coming in and allows the Sun to warm the Earth. Then in the natural cycle the Earth radiates heat back into space in the infrared part of the spectrum. However CO2 blocks the infrared, and reflects the heat back to the Earth keeping the heat on the surface and warming the planet. CO2 is probably responsable for Venus having a surface temperature of aprox. 600 degrees F. It is a serious issue. The higher the level of CO2 the more heat is reflected back to the Earth.
Patterns of light.
A collection of atoms could just be a cloud of particles with no organization or structure. If the cloud were evenly distributed it would not coalesce into larger bodies because all the forces of attraction would be in ballance with nothing to form structure. Multiverse is the idea that there are parallel universes coexisting with our own but undetectable. It is believed that there may be many such universes, even an infinite number, along with ours. There is an experiment that seem to suggest that this is true. If a beam of light is directed thru a small hole there will be a pattern formed on a screen. This is due to the Photons interacting with each other as they pass thru the aperture. When the beam of light is reduced to a single photon at a time passing thru, there is still the same pattern even though there seem to be no other photons to interact with. It is believed however that photons from parallel universes are still interacting with the ones we can observe, which accounts for the patern. This is suggested as proof of parallel universes (multiverse). There are some who think that each universe may be slightly different, but there is no way to prove it, they may also all be identical, as there is no reason for them to be different.
Things Happen.
I believe that Odinthecrab is correct but I would like to add that it may mean that things happen, and don't try to assign to much meaning to random events. Sometimes a tree falls or the rain comes down but is not directed at anyone or anything.
Back to the begining.
It seems that you are observing Religions in their current forms as opposed to the original teachings. Current Religions have been distorted and corrupted by man till they are diametrically opposed to the original form. Man in his attempt to codify Religion has created Dogma that tends to be exclusive rather than inclusive. The phrase 'Noone comes to the Father but by Me' has probably been used by most Christian sects to justify the Idea that they are right and everyone else is wrong, especially non-Christian believers. See my question on Sept 26 '07 and the responses. If we could keep mankind from intrepeting and messing around with Religious teaching we would be a lot better off. The problem is that someone will ask 'What does this mean?' and another will be more than happy to give a warped and distourted answer.
Are you tuned in?
It is believed that nerve impulses are small electrical charges that travel along the nerve and pass from one to another. Another contributor has suggested Radio Waves that connect us all. Is it possable that our brain activity produces electromagnetic radio waves, that are another connection in our brains, and possanly with other minds? Could mind reading, Telepathy, and ESP, be attributed to electromagnetic signals from one mind to another? Perhaps those who experience these phenomenon just have better receivers than others. Scientists regularly find more questions than answers when doing research.
Creativity needs Freedom.
No, but it is an unfortunate side effect of an unimaginative and authoritarian system. When the government instituted mandatory attendance, they took away the parents and students freedom of choice, giving the schools the authority over education. If attendence and school taxes were voluntary, schools would have to provide quality education, or have no students or funding, parents would not send students to bad schools. This authority has escalated to include all aspects of life, including work ethics, political correctness, and creating the ideal model citizen. The system has incorporated the Left Wing Liberal agenda into the curriculum, so that to be successful the student must parrot this, again loosing another freedom of choice. President Bush attempted to give parents the choice of which school system corrupts their children, but was unsuccessful in the face of a liberal legislature. Now it is either private school, which is only a little better, or home schooling, which allows enlightened parents to give the child freedom of choice, and freedom, to think and create. Creativity is stifled in the public schools, controled and restricted atmosphere. There is only lip-service given in the 'Arts' dept. where students may 'create' only approved works, within strict limits. Schools must have control over students activities and actions, but must not have control over their minds. Schools should present all relevant, valid information and allow students to think, carry on a civil dialogue, and choose their own beliefs. Given all this, the United States of America is still one of the most free countries for creativity and thought. Many other countries are much more restrictive, and countries governed by religions have almost no freedom at all.
No !
Stupid people, with power, will always prevail over those sane and rational, who resist imposing their will on others.
NO ! ! !
Only you can bring happiness to your own life, only you can endeavor to bring happiness to a relationship. It is your choice as an individual to be joyful of miserable about your existance. If you expect happiness to come from outside sources you are trully pathetic, and will be doomed to a sad life, and be unfit for social relationships. Happiness must come from within, and then will be shown towards others.
This is the Wrong Question.
What we really need to know is what will be the effect of Climate Change, (Global Warming) and how do we cope with it. Global Warming will probaly NOT be the disaster that so many politicians are predicting. The phrophets of Gloom and Doom are only interested in gaining the political milage out of the issue. A warmer climate may help reduce the burnijng of Fosel Fuels, which would reduce pollution, which would slow the process. In the past warmer climate has led to abundant plant and animal life, not the barren waste as predicted. Most of the effects of Global Warming have been addressed in earlier posts, Please look them up.
None at all.
Snoring is not a physical attack on your person, so any act against that other person would be 'Assalt and Battery' on your part. Wonderer is correct 'you do the crime, you do the time'. To paraphrase, If you can't stand the snoring, get out of the bedroom'
Function
An item that performes it's function without superfluous add-on's and gimmickery, would be a good design. Good design is best exemplified by simplicity. The latest automobiles and computer programs are not examples of good design, but are burdened with unnecessary add-on's and excessive flourishes that do not contribute to function.
Fantasy
Planet X is the product of someones fevered imigination, you can't believe everything you read on the internet, as there is no mechanism for verification or review as in print. Just look at this site to see all the fiction that has been posted especially concerning politics and conspiracies.
I am really 'trying' to be serious.
I think that it is more likely that Life was created to help us appreciate 'not living', and death just came along for the ride.
Change is never easy.
Your first assumption is where you went wrong, "Being easier to change things together". It is rarely easy to get a group of people to work together. Put 5 people together and ask for a solution and you will get 4 different answers, 1 will not have an answer. The only possible way is to have a pre-existing plan and ask for help, but there will be many who will object. This is 'why we don't' individuels often do not agree on what to change, how to change it, even when to change it, and many do not want anything to change. Working together for change is not easy, look at how much time and effort is spent by governments to make even small changes. Look at any club, or orginization, and see how much discussion there is before anything is done. Only an individual on their own property can easily change something, as long as it is not against the law.
Death was not Created.
The misconception here is that life existed, in the begining, without death. Life and death came into existance concurrently. Life feeds on death. Even in the begining living creatures fed on the remains of those that had gone before. Death was not created, it has always existed as a shadow over the living. Do your best, or your worst, for you will not be here for long, others will take your place to continue the cycle. Your best hope is that what you do will benefit others and you will be remembered accordingly, if what you does not, you will be despised but still remembered. The worst is mediocrity that no-one will remember.
Because we cannot.
Man does not create. We may alter or slightly change some things to make a disease more deadly, or safe as in a vaccine, but we do not create anything that does not exist. So we cannot create a cure where there is none. Man does not have any power to create, to believe so is an illusion.
Do your homework first.
'Anarcho-Primitivism' is a made up word that has not real meaning. As for some of your other questions you should do some research on this site before posting repetative questions.
Chicken Soup?
I believe that the Chicken has always had the balloon and the bag, but I did not know that it had onions in it. I had always thought that this was a young person dressed for halloween with a bag of treats. Why are the soldiers on the street, where was this photo taken?
The creative process.
The creative process can make the artist a better person, and appreciating and understanding a work can make the viewer a better person. Not all painting, sculpture, music or writing, is art, much is produced strictly for profit or a grade, as in a class. Beware of the "Artist" who claims that the viewer must derive their own meaning from a work and will not discuse it. This is a sign that the "Artist" has no understanding of the work or has put no meaning into the piece. A good Artist is trying to make a statement and should be willing to help an interested person understand that meaning. Being obnoxiously rude is not helpful. Also beware of critics, being non productive, they are the least qualified to render an inteligent opinion on the art. The producer of the work is the only one who can truly explain the meaning.
No, Again.
No, Marriage is simply a legal union of two people. Marriage has nothing to do with Love Happiness or anything else. Two people in a relationship will find Love for each other, happiness with each other, and satisfication in that relationship, and then decide to marry. Marriage is usually the last step in stating to everyone else "We are a couple and are happy to be together." If, as in years past, the marriage was arranged, the two people come together and again Love and Happiness have nothing to do with it, but that will usually develop later. What brings happiness is a relationship with Love, respect, and a special kind of Freedom, not Marriage.
Video Addiction ? ? ?
I feel that the two prior answers are correct and would question the source of the statistics you quote, and the reports of death. I would hope they were not those depicted on some of the popular crime dramas on TV. Addicts will not stop till they want to, however I am not sure that 'Addiction' is the correct term, what is the substance that causes it. Addictions result from the body's reaction to, and dependence on some substance, the only possibility that I can think of is adrenalin from playing the game. As far as restricting Video Games, the young are just as susceptible as any other age group, and possibly older more mature individuals are better able to resist the temptation. Video Games should probably be restricted from the young, lets say up to age 30.
God, The Big Bang, and Evolution.
The problem with the previous answer, is that 'Devine Genisis' - Creation, and 'Evolution and The Big Bang' - Science, are not mutually exclusive. God created the universe and all life and 'The Big Bang' and 'Evolution' are how he did it. Science investigates and discovers what God has done. The Bible and other Religious writings are NOT historic and scientific texts. The Biblical literalists have got it wrong, religious leaders who rant about science trying to disprove God, havent got a clue. Science does not investigate the existance of God, only the works of God. Religions are all based on Mythologies that teach us spiritual lessons not technical ones. See my comment 'Church and Science' May 1 '08
I laugh at death, well not really.
It is true that many fear death because it is the unknown, the end of what we are familiar with. Many fear that they will die without accomplishing anything worthwhile, without doing anything meaningful. This is the tragedy of a young persons death, that the potential of their life has been lost. However older people who have been successfull and have had satisfying lives will welcome death as the end of the struggle of the ageing process in advanced years. We should not fear death but should respect it enough so as not to end your life before you have lived it.
What is 'Evil' ?
Humans are born with a few survival machanisms and instincts that allow us to survive till we can start to learn behaviors that will serve us for the rest of our lives. Some of the behaviors are good and beneficial to the individual and others, but some are not good 'Evil' but primarily harmful to others. See my answer 'Hope for the Future' Aug 12 '07 and my comment 'Young and Impressionable' Oct 1 '07 Much of animal behavior is directed to the survival of the species. As far as we know, animals are not self-aware, and respond for the sruvival of others. Humans are self-aware and much of human behavior is directed at the survival of the individual, which appears to be self-centered and selfish. This is a natural result of our mental capacity and should not be labeled as 'Evil'. Moral values need to be learned as good treatment of others will result in good treatment in return, and it still appears to be self-centered on the individual.
Where is God? God and I know.
On Sept. 13 2001 Anne Grahm Lotz was asked about God's presence on 9-11 I will paraphrase as the material is Copyrighted. 'For years Americans have been asking God to get out of our lives, leave us alone, and God being a gentleman has removed himself from us'. Who are we, who at one time tell God to get lost, and then expect him to be right there when we are in trouble. God does not force himself on us, We have free will to turn away from him or to accept him. And do not confuse the Church or organized religion with God, they are not necessarily the same. God wants to be in our churches, but the Church is not God. To those of you who will say 'I did not ask God to leave', Where were you when that small group of noisy athiests had God removed from our schools, and other public places, did you speak up then?
Fairness ? ? ?
What is fair? Some people work hard, make good choices and investments, and make a lot of money, others benifit from that good fortune. Some people do nothing, make bad choices or investments, and have little or nothing. It has been said before and bears repeating "Life is not Fair". Fair is for people who haven't had the breaks or talent to do well. Morals and ethics are what people cry about when they make bad choices or buy into a scam and loose. There are always opertunities if you have the strength to find them. Someone who says they will not work for such low pay deserves to have nothing.
It means nothing.
They probably felt that they had plenty of time to extend the calender beyond that date. The exact date has no particular meaning, except to silly superstitious types, it's just that the mayans ran out of time before they could extend it.
Just another Day.
April is correct, it will be a day just like any other day that time of year. The Mayans did not extend the calender beyond that date because there was plenty of time to do that later. Someone probably said "OK thats far enough, we'll leave the rest for someone else". Nothing supernatural or special they just stoped there. Don't try to make something out of nothing.
Quit Whinning.
Because everyone else is worse than we are. Less tolerant, discriminate more, are more corrupt and hypocritical than America. Yes we borrowed the best foreign ideas and made them work when no-one else could. America is admired by others and everyone wants to be here because this is the best there is. Could it be better? YES ! so quit whinning and help to make it better.
Really ?
First you are watching way too much TV. And later when you Grow up and get out of middle school, you will find that the real world is not like that. Men and Women who sleep around are not well thought of, but it is not that bad. Older virgins are quite suspect, like 'what is wrong with them?'
Self Control ?
The problem stated here seems to relate to excess population, more people, more crops, more loss of habitat, and more endangered species. What will it take for people to realize that they cannot keep breeding like rabbits, some self control is necessary, and the Catholic Church is the worst offender of all. Look at the world, produce more children and more children starve to death, not pretty. Who do you blame, the Church, the welfare system, Ignorance? Actually everyone must bear the responsability for overpopulation and waste, no-one can hide from the tragedy. If things keep going as they are we will be eating each other, The poor will eat grass and the powerful will slaughter the poor for dinner. Sounds Grim, change it, but you better do it soon. A few other posts, Answers 'Sustainability' Sept. 11 '06 'Seperate Creation' Aug 2 '07 Comment 'Life on Earth' Dec 12 '06. If we slaughter the endangered species and eat them, at least they would not die of starvation from loss of habitat, is that kinder, or just stupid.
Possibly?
I would say 'Yes' in the sense that the artist can become a better person, by having a way of expressing him/her self, and thus become a better member of that society. One possible down side is that by not sharing, are they not as good a member of the society.
A few ideas.
I'm not sure if it is a formula, but here are some principles that have helped me. I will deal with 3 areas, a couples relationship (marrage or otherwise), friends, your situation in life (Job or Home). "For sake of consistency I'll start with no. 2" With friends you can accept or avoid, Acceptance means that you keep them as friends in spite of their flaws and warts, or if things are unacceptable or distructive, you avoid them till they are no longer part of your life. In a couples relationship, commitment is the key for me. I made a concious deliberate dicesion to commit to one person, and having that same commitment in return has made all the difference. There is no question or thought of "let's see if it works out" the relationship will work, no mater what. In your situation in life, Job or Home, if things are not good can you change? If you cannot change find what is good and build on that. don't ignore the flaws but try to work around them.
I don't think so.
No, for a marrage to work, and last, both must accept the role they take in the relationship. To an outsider it may look as if one is dominating the other, but if both accept the situation, then it can work. In many cases there is an attempt to share the decisions and responsability, and again if both accept, it can work. The difficulty arises when one expects the other to take a role that they do not accept. Conflict will arise when the other attempts to define their place which is in opposition with the first persons wishes. A one-sided relationship is where one tries to force the other into a role that they do not accept, and it will probably fail.
No.
This question and some answers seem to imply that some people gain great wealth by making others poor, That the Rich, by having much, contribute to poverty. The very Rich in any society gain their wealth from the working middle class or others with means. The poor have little buying power and contribute little to the economy of any society. A healthy economy is the source of wealth for the very rich, not the poor of society. The poor are poor due to some inadequacy on their part. The rich, who earn their wealth, are rich because they work hard and make good choices. There are some countries where a few are rich from outside sources but not from the poverty of their own country. It is true that some, in these countries, have diverted aid for the poor, to their military and police forces, but the rich of one nation do not cause the poverty in another. There are many wealthy individuals who are not injured by their posessions and are not spiritually bankrupt, they are trying to use their good fortune to help others in their own as well as other countries. To suggest that the rich are responsable for poverty is incorrect, often it is the wealthy who have the means to support charities and to do good for the poor. In fact it is the wealthy who provide employment oppertunities for those who are inclined to support themselves. Those poor who refuse to support themselves when given the oppertunity do not warrent our sympathy. This question #7 is similar to question #8 of the Sept 9 '06 round table. For more See my answer "So many answers, So few are correct" Nov. 18 '06
Child labor = Child education.
There is a craft store in my area that states that all items sold are produced by fairly paid adults. In many of the countries that are the source of these items, the child helping to produce the craft item to sell, is their only education. This store is in effect throwing these children out of school, denying them the education needed to survive. In many countries the only way for a child to learn is by their parents side, weaving rugs, throwing pottery, carving wood items for sale. Some people stupidly believe they should just play or be sent to school. In some places there are no schools, except in the home. child labor is the way for the young to learn, otherwise they are condemed to poverty and having nothing.
Help with your school work?
To secure means to batten down the hatches and fasten down all loose items. Security means that all this has been done or that there is no storm on the horizon.
A childs Love.
Your Earthly Mother is a Human Being and therefore fallible and imperfect, Not a God. Human Mothers and Fathers do not create or give life, life comes from God alone, only God, our Heavenly Father, can create. The number who are in contradiction to your ideas are not negligible, they are many. There are millions of children up for adoption who have been abandoned by their mothers, and many more are in need, due to negligent Mothers. The Human Mother is only the vehicle for the developement of life, and when the time comes, will be left behind as the child grows and becomes independent. Do Not put your mother on the pedestal of Diety, some day she will fall off and all will be hurt. Some day, when you grow up, you will see reality as it is.
Much the same.
These two are more interconnected than you may think. You Believe that the 'Sun' will rise tomorrow, and you have faith that your belief is true, and the 'Sun' will rise.
Memorize a Dictionary ?
A Dictionary provides correct spelling and consistant definitions for words used in this forum. If everyone has a different definition for the terms used there can be no mutual understanding of what is said. Also in this case Einstein was wrong, I heard the same advice when I was in college and it turned out to be bad advice. Memorizing is good exersize for the mind, and having information at your fingertips is more convient than looking it up, and you still need to remember where it is written down. Good advice is to memorize everything that you can along with the source and if in doubt look it up to verify.
First Teacher.
God is the first teacher of the child and everyone else. From the moment of conception God's instructions have enabled the embryo to grow, to become a child, a human-being. Most of the knowledge and skills are in place from conception and need only maturity to impliment. Compaired to the total knowledge contained in the Human mind, realitively little is taught from one person to another. Parents are so proud when a child "Learns" to walk, well sorry, but the child already know how to walk, it just needed to grow enough to be able to do it. Human DNA, all DNA in fact, contain a large library of information, much of which scientists still do not understand. No-one sits down to teach the child how to digest lactose, the babys body knows that already. The childs first teacher in not the Mother, Father, or any person, the childs first teacher is God.
Nuclear Waste, very serious.
I would say that 'Nuclear Waste' is a more serious threat to the environment, with the possability of leakege and contamination. I have posted several times here that the build up of greenhouse gasses and the resulting 'Global Warming', may not be a threat at all. See my answer 'Global Warming? No one knows.' Nov. 21 '06 plus a few comments from Nov. & Dec. '06 if you care to look.
Not a Threat.
April has stated it correctly "Religion has been threatened by science" However Scientific discoveries are not a threat to anyone or anything. It is only the misinterpreted religion that is under threat. The Bible and other religious writings are not Scientific or Historic Texts, but are Mythologies and must be read as such. Therefore Science discovers the factual data of our world now and of the past and religion relates us spiritually to our world and our creator.
The other side of the coin.
There is a saying that may be considered the opposite of this proverb, "Ignorance is Bliss" What you do not know will not cause you distress.
Proper application.
I believe that the recomended application is ment to block the UV rays from reaching the skin, and therefore protecting the user from harm. However an application that is improperly used and maintained will give a false sense of security and lead to harm to the user.
None of the above.
That would depend on what you believe, If you believe in something that is wrong that is illogical and irrational. If you believe in something that cannot be proved, then rationality and logic are not a factor. Since religion does not deal with facts or empirical knowledge, such belief is neither logical or illogical, rational nor irrational, it is a belief in a mythology which is spiritual in nature.
Internet, a prime example.
The production of more human food and consumer products is based on consumption of food and products. The fact that most people are too week willed to resist advertising and promotions means that production will continue with the associated distruction and extinction. Only when all people have been educated to know how little they really need to survive, and then follow those principles, will change take place. As long as we are part of the buy, and throw away, society we will continue to our own distruction. The change must take place on an individual level with each person exersizing restraint, pointing a finger at another and telling them to conserve will do no good. Lead by example. what have you done to slow the rate of distruction? And raving at others does not count. Do you understand how hypocritical it is to sit at a computer and tell people to lead simpler lives?
"No Pulse" - Incorrect Assumption
Your main assumption, that 'Genetically Modified' food "Has no pulse" or is somehow unnatural, is incorrect. Genetic modifications are both man-made and naturally occuring, but in nature they are called mutations and the two are indistinguishable. The only real difference is that most natural mutations are not beneficial to the species and will be eliminated from the genitic code, while the few that are beneficial will be retained, and this is what drives evolution. A higher percentage of man-made mutations are beneficial to the individual and the species. All domestic dogs, livestock, and food crops have been genetically modified thru selective breeding, and we seem to be doing OK eating this food. In fact there is probably no food that you eat that has not been genetically modified over the centuries. The current developments in cloning and gene splicing, just show that humans are getting better at doing and controling the genetic mutations that are being attempted.
Inbreed problems.
Yes, this seems to be a well understood principle of genetics. There are species of endangered wild animals where the members of the population are very closely related and there is concern that there may not be enough genetic diversity for survival. As a result scientists are searching for animals in captivity that have different blood lines so that some genetic diversity can be introduced into the wild population. It has also been noted that the royal families in Europe were all closely related in the past which has lead to some inherited genitic defects, since royalty was expected to marry in a comparable social level. Recient practice of royalty marrying commoners has helped to reduce these problems. So small genetic populations can lead to inherited defects whether human or animal.
Failure to Thrive.
It seems that humans need some physical contact with other human beings. It has been noted that infants who are not handled or held do not develop as well as those who have contact with another person, I believe it is called 'Failure to Thrive'. There are some maternity wards in hospitals where volunteers come in and just hold babies who have little other contact. Any person will be better off with some physical contact, a hug or just holding someones hand. I know of a young child whose birth parents had little contact with, and was lethargic and not developing well, but when addopted into a very animated and tactile family, seemed to develope very rapidly and was much happier. Conversely I know of a young person who was given a seperate, isolated part of the house they were growing up in, provided with money for food, clothing and other needs but no physical or any other contact with the rest of the family. I wondered which would be worse, to be totaly cut off from family, or to associate with those who openly dislike, and express their hostility toward you.
Coequal.
I'm not sure that the two can be considered seperatly. I would think that you would come to understand someone because you respect them, and without respect there would be no real understanding.
Brief lesson in Astronomy.
A black Hole is a very strange phenomenon in nature, to know what would mimic one you must know something about it. What is known is that it has a very strong gravity field, the gravity is so strong that inside the 'Event Horizon' the escape velocity exceeds the speed of light, so that even light and other radiation cannot escape. Gravity is generated by mass, the greater the gravity the greater the mass. So the assumption would be that more gravity indicates more mass, but matter crushed by its own gravity to a very small size, or to a point with zero dimensions. Neither Relativity nor quantum Physics can adequately explain the singularity but it seems obvious that a Black Hole is not a vacuum or the absence of matter, but rather the accumulation of a large amount of matter in a very small space with the associated gravity. So in Human terms perhaps a person who is very wealthy but still works to accumulate more due to an insatiable greed. However this comparison does not hold up well as a rich person does not usually hold on to the money they get, but invests it or deposites it in a bank where it goes back into circulation. Since we do not know what happens to the mass that falls into a black Hole, it may be like the miser who keeps his money in his mattress or in a safe.
Pre-existing Ideas.
That is a lot to pack into one question, and if you get many responses you may end up with a Book, a very large Book. I would guess that there is a lot already written on the subject, try under Psychology. To address one point, Yes humans do have a nature, we are not a 'Blank Slate at Birth'. Obviously there are behaviors that are instinctive and are not taught, eating, crawling, walking, (Sorry Parents), but the child only needs to develope the physical strength and coordination to start. There are others but there are also pre-existing notions on how the world works. One experiment involved very young children watching a ball roll down a ramp, and when it ended up where it should not have been, it got their attenton, presumably becaused they sensed that something was wrong. These were children that were too young to have been taught anything. So we come into the world with some concepts but just how much, and what, we don't know yet.
Plato's Cave ?
An interesting allusion to Plato's Republic the "Allegory of the Cave". I'm afraid that most people have a very biased view of the world, there are many pre-existing ideas that are held very tightly. "I know what I know, don't confuse me with the facts". Unfortunately most are in denial of the truth and refuse to hear anything that could change they're minds. see my comment 'Observation' Sept 19 '06. - - - - Something for you to contemplate. Your only reality of the present is the thought you have right now. Everything you precieve is of the past. Astronomers study light that has taken a finite amount of time to reach us. Sunlight is 8 minutes old, the Voyager data from Neptune took 4 hours to get here. Stars are light years away, so the information is many years, thousands, billions of years old. Light travels at a finite speed so everything you see is of the past, sound travels even slower. Even touch travels through the nerves and is processed before you are aware of it. your only 'now' is the current thought in your mind, everything else is history. In your 'present' you are very much alone.
To be, or not to be, Honest ?
As You Like It, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players". So we all have our parts to play, and pretense would be an actor saying their lines wrong and spoiling the play. So be true to yourself and the play, and say your lines correctly.
Pleasure.
If you enjoy it and want to read it again, then it is good for you. The critics don't know anything.
One that I know.
This is not likely to happen, as legends, myths, and religious writings are true in message if not in detail. That is they teach a spiritual lesson but are not scientific or historic text. I'm not sure how you catagorize the Iliad and the Odyssey but they have been proven. Explorers, by following the text, have found the site of Troy, and locations that match those in the Odyessy. As for the rest, since there was little effort to preserve the origins, they will probably not be proven.
Dangerous Belief.
See my answer 'Seperate Creation' Aug. 2 '07 Don't abandon religion, but see it for what it really is.
A few books.
This site, 'Equus' was very interesting, I tried to obtain a copy of 'Outward Bound' the 1923 Play by Sutton Vane but was unsucessful. the movie was interesting. Re-read Beowulf and decided not to see the movie. This site is wearing out my dictionary.
The dream or the dreamer ?
Are we all the dream of God, Brahma, or 'no mind'. Is your reality subjective or objective, or somewhere in between? See my answer 'Plato's cave' July 8 '08.
Hubble
Prior to 1929 astronomers believed that the 'Milky Way' galaxy was the whole of the universe, and that it was eternal in existance. Edwin Hubble discovered that there were galaxies outside our own and that they were moving away from us. The universe became much larger and finite in existance. It started with the 'Big Bang' aprox. 15 billion years ago and is finite but unbounded.
Semantics ?
On this site all we have are words, meanings are tangled up in words and words trap meanings. See my comments 'Anonymous' June 14 '08 and 'Meanings' June 17 '08. If you find a way to communicate without words, let me know.
Fair ?
Everyone lives on land that has been taken by force (stolen) at some time in the past. Should everyone owe everyone else, where will it end? We must learn from the past but it must not destroy our future. Do what is right for everyone not just a few.
Stupidity.
I must disagree with Zotlynn this is not a good experiment, it has been tried before with disasterous results. See my answer 'Ivory Tower' Aug. 14 '07 Philosophers cannot 'Think' their way to the truth without observation, real world knowledge is esential to knowing the truth. Technology depends on science which is observation and verification. Philosophy is based on reason and thought and denigrates and debases observation. The two are diametricaly opposed and not compatable.
Good Question.
I believe that a recent attempt to do this was Socialist Russia, and that didn't work out too well. The principle was that everyone would get what they needed whether you worked hard or not at all. It would cure greed in that those who worked hard to make more would still only get what they needed, and would cure poverty in that those who could not or would not work got the same. However greed was still in evidence in the leadership who often took much more than they needed. And the bureaucracy to distribute to the poor often broke down leaving them in poverty. This does not mean that we should not try to cure these deficiencies of society but should be an example of what not to do. Also Greed and poverty may not be inter-related.
Global Warming, thedoc XXIII
The key phrase here is 'Apparent Increase' as accurate weather data is not avaliable older than the 20th century. Lack of weather data means that there is no way to determine if the frequency and strength of recient storms and events are abnormal or not. Unfortunatly Al Gore has 'Poisoned the Well' by claiming that recient warm weather is breaking thousand year temperature records. Accurate thermometers were not in existance before 1724 and not in common usage till much later. Human activity is certainly effecting global climate but without long term past weather data it is impossable to quantify how much. The Earth is not fighting for it's life, the Earth will go on whether humans wipe themselves out or not. It is Humanity that is now fighting for it's life
Much Fun.
Those individuals endorsing Anarcho-Primitivism have made several unjustified assumptions about primitive societies, that are the basis of their ideology. They cite the shift from Hunter Gatherers to Agricultural substistance as the root of their claimed deficiencies of modern society. Social organization and stratification occurs naturally when a number of individuals come together to form a group, and is not imposed by a few to gain control, but by the group to provide protection from predation and a more stable supply of food and shelter for all members of the group. Division of labor and specilization is a normal development as each individual discovers their talents and abilities. Acquiring knowledge and skills is necessary for survival and not everyone can master all skills. totalitarian relationships were not a hallmark of early domestication as the land was occupied and held by the comunity for the comunity. Gender distinctions are biological and have nothing to do with civilization, they may be enhanced by some societies but are not created by them. Their assessment of early human life is incorrect, and thier proposed course of action is equally untenable. I must agree with Noam Chomsky in that "What they are calling for is the worst mass genocide in Human history". Not only are they advocating mass genocide but if they live as they propose they will be burying more and more babies and children as the mortality rate increases. To truly embrace their ideals they must accept this as they must abandon modern medical technology. However the few who survive to adulthood will be relatively healthy but it is unlikely that they will need to deal with the afflictions of the elderly as few if any will live past 40 years. they advocate the abandonment of society, technology, civilization and language. They object to symbolic culture but any language is the basis for this, and therefore must be abandon. They deem these institutions as totalitarian and oppressive, yet seek to impose limits on what an individuel can do. There can be no inquiry as to the nature or reason for things, no experimentation to gain knowledge, no modification of the environment or objects found there. This bringe me to speculate what would they do if someone was found investigating a phenomenom in nature, trying to sharpen a stone to make a better tool or assigning special sounds for better comunication. someone would need to kill him as even exile would not do as his very existance would violate their principles. These people are not satisfied to adopt their ideas and go of and live in the wild, but seek to impose their world view on others and are therefore guilty of attempting the same control over others that they object to. Which brings me to the conclusion that this is not a real movment where people actually intend to live this way but a construct by an academic searching for something to publish, See my comment 'Off on another Rant' May 16 '08, creating a nonsensical world view based on distorted interpretations of archaeology and anthropology. I have seen no reports of groups re-wilding and living this way, but then outside observers would not be alowed as they would disturbe the simplistic lifestyle. Actually this is a common theme in Science Fiction where a technologically advanced society encounters a primitive one with the resulting interaction, perhaps this is the source of this fiction. There seem to be several academics who are in on it, to keep things stired up and capture the imagination of thousands too unsophisticated to see the joke. I would certainly expect the Anarcho-Primitivists to vigorously defend their research and publications, after all this is their meal ticket to the good life with book royalties and speaker fees. Long Live anarcho-Primitivism, there is tremendous entertainment value here if nothing else.
Which Years ?
Interesting speculation if the means were avaliable to extend the human life span, although many are researching this I will assume a dramatic increase such as doubling from approximately 80 years to 160 or more. As Odenthecrab has stated 'supply and demand' will be a factor, if it is very expensive, only the very rich wil take advantage allowing them to acquire even more wealth, perhaps the first Trillionare. If it were limited in supply only those with great political power and wealth would avail themselves, and who would choose who is worthy to live longer. Do we want a politician or Pope to live linger if they turn out to be corrupt? Or a great artist, who is to judge what is great art ? If it is inexpensive and plentiful at what stage will your life be extended, if you extend your child bearing years that could be a problem. Certainly everyone would expect more years in their prime. However it may extend after that time of life. If it is much later who would want to spend another 80 years in a nursing home or other facility for the aged and infirmed. With the advent of alzheimers and dementia what kind of life is that, or is it living or just existing, devoid of life ?
What ?
I'm not sure what this has to do with the original question, it should have been a seperate thread. But, . . . .we could all go back to horses, but I'm not sure what this would do to the price of hay and grain, bread, pasta. What about pollution from all that Horse manure?
Possible.
This will depend primarily on Religion, as Science rarely is concerned with Religious matters but confines itself to the physical world and historical events. The conflict lies with Religions who attempt to intrepret the Bible and other Religious writings in scientific and historic terms. The scriptures are spiritual lessons and not scientific and historic texts. Attempts at literal readings of these documents is doomed to failure as science discovers the physical truth. When Religion can be content to deal with the spiritual, and let science deal with the factual, there can be mutual understanding.
Keep the Faith.
This site, as many other human and natural activities, seems to go in cycles. The number of contributors increases and then decreases over time. When you registered on July 8 '08 there seemed to be a higher level of activity than at times in the past. The majority of current contributors are recient additions, a few of us have been here since Sept '06 or before. Most do not continue for more than a few months and some can be counted in days. At times the levels of Passion or fanaticism has caused those who are too thin-skined to endure a little disagreement or criticism to abandon this forum. If you stay for any length of time you will join the few of us who have the perseverance to stay with a forum that has such nobel aspirations. I do not imply that all posts are of such a high level as many are quite trivial, mundane and at times down-right silly, but the intent is for the loftier goal of providing information and a global forum. I do not believe that human achevievement will ever peak, someone once said, "I have seen far because I have stood on the sholders of Giants". Human imagination and creativity will always build on those who have gone before.
Not a chance.
I do not think that Humanity has the capability of quarrying enough Granite or digging deep enough to even vaguely scratch the surface of global stability, or even get the attention of the Earths seisemic activity. Even all our Atomic Bombs may poison the surface but if detonated simultaneously at one spot would only make a small dent in the tectonic activity of the planet.
Safety ?
Humans do respect and understand the natural cycles and live in areas prone to natural disasters in spite of this. Volcanic soils and areas in flood zones are more fertil and encourage the growing of crops. Other areas are more scenic and aesthetically appealing and draw people to live there regardless of the risk. Even living on stable land in a forest, a tree could fall on your house or you, should everyone live in a high rise concrete bunker just to be safe, what kind of life would you condem everyone to? People know the risk, or should, and accept it. Life without risk - isn't. Would you cower in a cave just to be safe, and how long would others bring you what you need. Less risky areas are not occupied and overcrowded, just boring and undeseriable, no-one lives there because no-one wants to. People want to live in places that are interesting which are often areas of high risk, or areas that are highly productive. Other areas that are safer are less productive and do not support life and are less populated.
Sit quietly and listen.
It is possible that there are several factors to account for this. During the day there is a lot of background noise, lawn mowers, traffic, the wind. At night people usually do not mow the grass, people go home for the evening, and without solar heating the wind dies down. With less background noise individual sounds seem to be louder. During the day birds can sing and display bright plumage, at night color is not as important and a louder song may be required and these are diferent birds and insects than those of the day. The music of the night may be a bit louder. It may be that with reduced light and input from the eyes, the mind will focus more on the hearing, so the cumulative effect would be that sounds seem louder at night. An interesting experience is to sit quietly during sunset or sunrise and listen to the change in the nature of the sound that you hear. Just like the effect of growing or dimming light changes the sky and the landscape, sound changes character.
Evil Pirates - Not.
There is a valid comment here if we overlook the reference to food. I would point out that not all third world countries recognize our coppyright laws, so pirating there would not be a crime. American and European laws do not apply to other countries. Even international law cannot be enforced if the country in question does not ratify it. It seems that there are some who think that if someone in another country commits an act that is illeagle in the US we should go and arrest them. There are countries where certain practices are not against the law, Copyright Piracy, Rape, Slavery, Murder/Genocide. And there is not a lot that we can do about it, unless the perpetrators enter our country and attempt to continue that practice.
Publish or Perish ?
It seems that this Psychologist is saying, that because he can find nothing physical about feelings to measure or quantify, they are not real. There are two emotions / feelings that I will use as examples to explore this. It is well known that fear or anger will cause the body to release adrenaline which is a powerful natural substance produced by the body. adrenaline is also released during exersize to bost the body's ability to perform. Another substance produced by the body are endorphins, which are chemically identical to morphine, these are released during sex and possibly at other times of strong positive emotion. Since endorphins are pain-killers the excuse "Not tonight, I have a headache" Doesn't work as sex may help to relieve the pain. So fear, and anger cause the body to release adreniline, and Love and affection cause the body to release endorphins. These "feelings" have a real effect on the body, and does it not take a real cause to have a real effect? I think your psychologist was wrong and probably just stirring up controversity to have something to publish. See my rant, er, sorry that's a comment, "Off on another Rant" May 16 '06 http://www.droppingknowledge.org/bin/posts/focus/34495.page The part about Academia.
Yes.
But I have not been able to find the details yet, Try searching 'Native American Culture'.
Discovery / Invention ?
I would read mankind as including both men and women, It would be a short 'starting over' if they were not together, might seem long to those involved. 'Fire' seems to be a good choice, check out this question by 'goernitz' on Aug 7 '06 "What is the most important invention in Human history, and why? http://www.droppingknowledge.org/bin/posts/focus/6210.page Lots of good ideas here.
Probably Not.
You should enter 'Coca Cola' in the dialogue search and check the answers by 'Zotlynn' amd 'Max Smouha'
Food for the Soul.
My first answer of fire would certainly be a practical benefit for mankind, but on further thought I would suggest something more aesthetically meaningful. my contemplation led me to music, visual art, and literature. Music is uplifting but has less practical application than the others. Visual art can be uplifting but can also illustrate a practical lesson. Literature can inspire, bring beauty and joy into our lives and can teach lessons as well. It has a great advantage of being transportable in our memory with no implement being required. One point here that music in the form of song would blur the distinction between music and literature and may combine aspects of both. For myself I will submit literature, and I am reminded of the story 'Farenheit 451' where the hero meets with a group who have each memorized a work of literature to preserve it. In that situation I believe I would do 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Perhaps the play 'Equus' by Peter Shaffer would be a close second. What work of art would you bring to benefit mankind ?
Latin vs. Greek.
This question is based on a somewhat superficial observation, since the Greek spoken today is not the same as the ancient Greek, and Latin is still very much with us. The Greek culture seemed to stagnate after the Romans and the language evolved from the ancient to the modern. Latin evolved into Spanish, Italian, and several others less important, and more importantly formed part of the foundation of English. Latin in its original form is still used in legal, scientific, and medical terms, and untill reciently was used in the Roman Catholic church services. So Latin is still very much in use but Ancient Greek has been replaced by modern Greek.
First thought.
When I first say this I thought of this "This too shall pass." It seems to have several sources but this one is as good as any. http://www.wscribe.com/parables/pass.html
In addition to Aprils answer.
There are many who do not want to change, There are many who refuse to see the truth, There are many who cannot understand the answer. Change is difficult, it does not happen just because someone can see the truth and can tell us. Many will only accept what comes from athority, or an expert, or a degree. Many of the answers here are the result of years of accumulating various bits of information till they coalesce into understanding. The question in many peoples minds as they read here must be 'How do you know that?" but to this there is no answer. No-one is required to present credentials to participate so the ideas and answers must stand on their own.
Shop Windows.
When my youngest daughter was born I owned a Hobby Shop with two big windows in the front. My wife worked so I cared for my daughter during the day. In the afternoon she would take a nap and I made a place for her in the one display window on a model train platform. She would sleep on a mat with a loop of track around her and sometimes with trains running. Many times people would look in the window saying what a cute display it was, and then she would move, and they would exclaim "Thats a real baby." I'm sorry that I did not get a photo of her sleeping in the window. Just so you know the window faced north so she was not in direct sunlight, and I was there watching her. I no longer have the Hobby Shop, but my daughter has grown up and I am caring for her son who is almost 3 years old, and he loves trains and his grandpa, I'm not sure in which order.
Confused ?
Based on the question 'abcq' seems to be a bit confused. Darwin's theory does not address where life started but defines how it developed from one species to another. Life did not start in Africa, it started in the ocean billions of years ago. Humans first appeared in Africa, and due to climatic conditions migrated to the rest of the world. Human developement goes in cycles, an area will advance and then regress, at any one time a particular culture may appear to be more advanced than another. Other answers in this thread have given good explinations for this.
TIC - TIC - TIC - TIC.
If the Israelites had been wiped out at some time in the past, the Bible, in some form, would still exist. It is the Mythology of the Hebrew people and would survive the end of their existance, but ending at the time of their demise. However it is extremely unlikely that the Israelites, or any other race or group of people, could be wiped out completely. Humans have been getting progressively better at exterminating each other over the centuries but even the most recient attempts have been inadiquate, and in the past we have been less effective. Compairing the body count with the number of survivors, the latest efforts during WWII and conflicts since then have been pitifully short of the goal. Even if, as the fear-mongers suggest, someone "Pushes the button" starting a nuclear holocast, the first strikes would be at the military and political centers of the major powers, disrupting the chain of comand. It is probable that only a small portion of the total number of bombs would be detonated. And even detonasting all of them would probably not be enough to kill everyone, someone in a remote area or several areas would survive. Many missiles would be in silos with someone's finger on the launch button but no order to launch, and military personal cannot act without orders. Other bombs, due to paperwork, would be lost in a warehouse somewhere. Humans are just not that well organized. Humanity has accomplished a great deal over the centuries with War, starvation, Genocide, Pollution, and Overpopulation, our society has clearly demonstrated our superority. Our closest competator for inteligence is what? 'the Dolphin?' all they do is swin around eating fish, singing to each other songs that we cannot understand, and having fun. How can that compare to our technologically dependent, overcrowded cities, violent crime, drug addicted culture? certainly nature, with a large asteroid or comet could wipe out most of the living species on Earth, but humans can barely manage a few thousand a year, out of the millions or billions to pick from. Mankind has not even identified all of the species let alone figured out how to destroy them, but history shows that we have tried. Humans just don't have the capability to totaly destroy themselves in spite of our best efforts. So we may as well relax and continue to breed like horny rabbits and let nature sort things out. When famine, starvation, and disease set in and civilization breaks down the population will be reduced to a sustainable level, so let's stop fussing about it and have fun for a few years or a generation and let our grandchildren deal with it. Makes you wonder why the Dolphins, that are less advanced than we are, don't overpopulate the Ocean?
I guess I'll go first.
Hello Kalyse, welcome to the sometimes slow pace of dialogue on this site. Perhaps many feel that they are only doing little things that are not worthy of mention. I would suggest that contributors list anything no mattrer how small it may seem. I'll make you a deal, I'll list a few things that I am doing and you come back with something that you are doing. My major contribution is that I burn wood for heat and hot water, so I do not use fuel oil. The wood is from trees that others have had cut down for a variety of reasons. My wife and I have acquired the most fuel effecient vehicles that we can afford. She drives a sedan that gets over 30 MPG, and I drive a pickup truck that gets 17 MPG, the truck is neccessary to haul wood, I also have a sedan that gets 25 - 28 MPG but it needs some repairs. When my daughter and fiance bought a house they needed to dispose of their old trailer, so they dismantled it, sold the metal for scrap, and I got the plywood flooring that I am now recycling for some reconstruction on my own house. These are a few of my contributions, now Kalyse it's your turn.
Search for a Question.
Yes, but you must remember some part of the question. In 'dialogue search' you can enter a word or phrase and look through the results, sometimes a few, sometimes a lot. The more you can include in the search the fewer results you will get. If you use 'advanced search' you can narrow the results by selecting the theme of the question you are looking for, if you can remember it. Good luck.
What Variations?
I am not sure what color and markings you are refering to, but I would expect that all sheep have some degree of variation, and cloned sheep would be no different. If you are saying that they are Yellow and Pink with Emerald Polkadots or Orange and Indigo checkerboard, that would be troublesome, but all sheep are not pure white, color variations occur naturally and may be affected by diet and environment. I think someone is trying to mess with your mind. Cloned sheep are basicly identical twins, and Identical twins do not always grow up identically. I know something about this as I was married to one and have two as grandchildren.
Not really.
No, twins and clones are not exactly the same but there is a key similarity. A clone is an individual grown from a cell from another individual, usually an adult, and the parent and clone share the same DNA, multiple clones from that parent could be considered as twins but twins are usually the same age. There are two types of twins, Fraternal, and Identical. Fraternal twins are from two seperate fertalized eggs and do not have the same DNA. Identical twins are from a single egg that splits to form two individuals and share the same DNA. So identical twins have the same DNA and clones and the parent have the same DNA, as will as any other clone from the same parent, and in that way twins and clomes are the similar but the source of the cell is different. Multiple births can be a combination of identical and fraternal to make up the total. Identical twins are always the same sex, twins that are diferent sexes are always Fraternal.
DNA is the same in identical twins.
There is no difference in the DNA, and the current level of DNA testing may not be able to differentiate between Identical twins. However there is something called the 'Epigenome' that controls how the genetic code is read by the body. And this may account for the slight differences in identical twins. In one individual a particular Gene may be turned off and in the other it may be turned on, resulting in slight variations between twins. Knowledge of the 'Epigenome' is so new that there is probably no way to test for it, and the 'Epigenome' switches on and off due to factors that are not totally understood yet. 'Epigenome' translates to 'over the genes' so it is something that controls how the genetic code is used by the body.
Previous Entries.
Take some time and review the posts already on this site about religion, there are many that address this issue. And note that sometimes there is a big difference between the original teaching and what is added over time.
Enlightenment.
Enlightenment could be considered in the Western sense as a form of society that allows for freedom of thought and ideas, and a government that provides opportunities for all to achieve, for the betterment of society. This is exemplified in the 'Age of Enlightenment' which saw an increase of intellectual advances in all areas. - - - - Another interpretation of enlightenment is the Eastern, in particular Buddhism, which is the achevement of an understanding of the nature of reality in a non-dualistic sense. In dualistic reality there are always opposits as in, This one or That one, or This is and That is not. In non-dualism you would have a perfect understanding of all things and an awareness that there is one consciousness and not many individuels. All would be understood as one-ness with no division or seperate identities. Life would not be seen as begining and ending but as existing in a continuum of reality.
Logical ?
I do not think that 'Truth' is subjective, what many people believe is often subjective and may not be true. If a fact can be proven as true in all cases, then it is not subjective. But an opinion or a belief, that can change with different conditions is subjective. Logic is not subjective, it may be correct or incorrect much like mathmatics. In logic you start with given assumptions that are accepted as true and build the argument from there. As long as the rules of logic are followed the conclusion will be derived from the starting statements. If a mistake is made the argumant will be incorrect but not subjective. The truth of the original statements has no effect on the correctness of the logical argument. Many times someone will say that something is logical without developing a proper sequence from start to finish, such a comment may not be logical. Logic, just as mathametics, has strict rules and if not understood and followed, end in incorrect results. Logic does not mean truth, but only that the conclusion was derived from the starting concepts, and the truth of those, must be verified independently to prove the truth of the argument, but not the correctness. The rules of logic provide the correctness of the argument but not the truth. As for your question people are not usually logical and often do not value or believe the truth, so these methods may not help. People are emotional and you must appeal to the emotion and feelings to make a difference. Try telling them how you feel and perhaps your honesty may move them.
Only in Fantasy.
No, this is not going to happen ! Coca Cola is a business to produce a product to sell and make a profit. In spite of what others have posted and what you may see in the movies and on TV, Coca Cola does not reach 'even the smallest village', They will not install a soda machine where people do not have money to spend, and they do not distribute product for free ! And the poorest people do not have any money, that is why they are poor. Any give-aways would be strictly for the publicity and will end when the cameras go away. The poorest villages would not get any help and any place that has money to spend on sodas would not need the help. The Idea that any big corporation will be a real help to those in real need is a fantasy for those Idealists with rose colored glasses.
Not Necessary.
There is nothing that we need to do about 'Robotic Crime'. In spite of what you see in the movies and on TV, computers and the robots or androids that they control, do not think for themselves. They are not self aware, or self directed. They make no decisions of their own. Computers only do what the human programers tell them to do. Any action by a robot is the responsability of the person controling them, and that person would be guilty of any crime that may be comitted. There is no need for new laws, what we need is for the existing laws to be enforced evenly and fairly. The other problem with human and robot interaction is telling the computer what is a 'Human Being'. People do it after a learned and complicated process, but this is going to be vey dificult to explain to a computer. Try and write a set of rules to distinguish Humans from other things, living or not, and it must include all humans of all ages and abilities. Good Luck !
Equality ? ?
Unfortunatly the problem is not as simple as 'Country Girl' sugests, to have 'Male Dominance' you must also have 'Female Submissives'. You do not have one without the other, and physical strength is not the key to the issue. This situation has developed ove many centuries and may not go away very soon. I have three children and have made a conscious effort to not teach racism, and have encouraged them in whatever interest they pursue. There is a song in the musical 'South Pacific' - 'You have to be taught' that clearly states the problem. Parents, Relatives, Friends, teach children who to 'hate and fear'. As I have said I have tried to teach the opposite, if every parent would be careful what they teach their children the problem would go away in a generation. But how many people use teams like 'Whitey, Nigger, Whop, Jew, Chink, Kraut, And how many other derogatory terms for other people. As long as adults ignorantly use these words children will learn who to 'hate and fear'. Even something as inocent as an ethnic joke will teach the same lesson. I believe the current generation is lost but there may be some hope for the future. - - - Please excuse my spelling, I do not currently have a dictionary.
Ashes.
Lost it in a house fire, 'everyone' is OK, 'everything' is gone, and we have insurance. Being able to start again fresh, may be a good thing ?
Time.
Mythology teaches that people inteact with and are part of nature, including early Christian myth. Only later, AD, teachings have held that man is seperate from nature. These have stated that man is a seperate creation, superior to, and dominate over the natural world, this is rubbish. The Bible does not state that man was created differently than other plants and animals, it does not say how everything was created, just that God created everything. This idea that man is a seperate and special creation is a later corruption of the original mythology. This teaching is extremely dangerous since anyone who believes that god created us seperately will also believe that god will take care of us even if we destroy the world. The truth is that people and nature were ceated together and we must take care of what we have or we will all perish together. Evolution is the mechanism of creation, those who argue against it, or deny it for humans, are just not being realistic. What ever they say will not change the truth, Humans are part of nature, one piece of the whole of creation. Evelotion and the Big Bang Cosmology are how it was done. Humans and dinosaurs were seperated by many millions of years and never walked the Earth together. Much of Earth's geology was created slowly over millions or billions of years, some was created rapidly, those who say it has to be one or the other, are not using their God given inteligence, and falling into simplistic stupidity.
Perfect Effort.
It is possable that the perfict athletic performance is that the athelete will expend all their strength to reach the finish line, to give all they had. Perhaps those who can celibrate after have not given all and could have done better. An analogy is that it has been said that the perfect race car will cross the finish line and fall apart, having been built just strong enough to do the job. Likewise the perfect athelete will cross the line and fall down after giving all.
Limits ?
If the myth of a Adam and Eve is true, then you must accept that God created Adam from the dust of the Earth (which is technically true.) and created Eve from a part of Adam (his Rib ? ). If you accept that God created all people, Living things, the Earth, Solar System, the Universe, then God is all powerfull, all knowing, and could have easily changed Eve's genitic code in the process of creation. So she could have been Adam's clone, or not. What do you believe ? Do you really think you can put God in a box and say this is all he can be ?
The key is Effort.
The question is 'Is this level of achevement desirable ?' The term Marathon comes from the Ancient Greek, where a runner 'Pheidippides' ran as a messanger from the site of the battle, (25 miles, after running to Sparta and back) to Athens to bring news of the victory, gave the message, and collapsed and died of exhaustion. Is such an extreme effort desirable, or should an athelete hold back and 'live to race another day'? How much should we expect from those who perform ?
Really?
The problem here is to define 'Non-combattants', are those who support the effort truly Non-combattants? or are they just as culipable, by supporting the conflict, as those who take up arm's? Are they truly non-combattant in modern warfare?
A Matter of Taste.
It must be the subtle differences in the flavor that each adds to the receipt. When one is called for over another it must be due to these differences. Perhaps onions, leaks and shallots each compliment particular dishes. Many times an inappropriate substitution will spoil a receipt. Good news, I just replaced my dictionary.
Not really.
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be 'The President of the United States' ? You are protected 24-7 by the secret service, that is like a small army protecting your every move. You are surrounded by advisors and those who are trying to influence your decisions. You live in a fortress guarded by another small army, you can go nowhere without the same protection. There is no privacy for you and your family. Your family and friends are protected and investigated for your protection. This is not freedom, and most slaves would have more freedom that this person. Great power does not equal freedom and this does not symbolioze more freedom for anyone.
Machines are not aware.
Robots are not self-aware, they do not have feelings or emotions, and do not think for themselves. Robots are controled by computers and computers do not independently exibit any of the charicteristics of a thinking Human being. In spite of what you see in the movies and on TV, computers do not think, except in a script writers imagination. All statements or actions of a robot are written or directed by a human being. Robots do not act or speak independently. Computers and robots are electro-mechanical devices or tools built by people to searve a purpose, and have no other use or function.
Context.
Any tearm can be derrogatory by the way it is used, The tone of voice or context are what is important. That the subject of the term is not offended, is less important than the intent of the person using the term. There have been many words that have been used this way over the ages, and many races and groups that have been oppressed and the victims of racism and predijuce. In the history of the U.S. every wave of imigrants has been the subject of derrogitory comments and prejiduce. Jewish people may not always be offended by the term 'Jew' but I know that some are offended when 'Jew' is used as a verb, as in "To Jew the price down". It all depends on how the word is used and what is ment by that use.
Grocery store.
In a bottle of distilled water, anything else is contaminated with something.
Relativity.
If you sit arround and worry about how much time is left to do something, it will seem very long indeed, but if you get out and try to accomplish something, you will have not nearly enough.
Distourted cause.
I would agree, the Bible, but in total rather than one seperate book. When you consider the effect on the world in the last 2000 years, the teachings and religions based on this book have probably had more influence than any other. The missionary efforts of many Christian Churches have disrupted and interfered with more cultures than anything else in history. The misguided actions of these organizations have attempted to destroy and replace existing native cultures especially in Polynesia, North and South America. The resulting wars and violence in Europe are totaly inexcusable. Based on the good that has been done and the harm it has caused it must be considered as the most influencial object in the history of the world. All this is not because of what is written in the Bible but is due to man's corruption and perversion of the teachings. Man's failing to understand, has caused more mayhem and distruction than any other source.
Particulars please.
As they say "The devil is in the details", for this encounter there are four possibilities. They come here, We go there, We meet in space while traveling, or an FTL means on communications is developed. If they come here there is no reason to ask "why me?" no more than to ask, while standing in the rain, "why am I getting wet?" unless they address you by name. There is also no reason to think that they have had any effect on the history of the Earth, unless they get off the ship and say "We have Returned." then we would say "ET you have some explaining to do." If we go there, they will be asking us these questions. If we meet in space or are communicating with something like a radio but faster, then a simple inquiery as to their goals and purpose would be in order. There could be an exchange of ideas on science, technology, the arts, and religion, with all this being kept very basic at first, till their nature can be determined. A meeting with an aggressive and warlike race should be very cautious, a race in pursuit of knowledge could be more open and the exchange of information could be beneficial to all. There is no reason to assume that any extraterrestial race is superior to us in any way. I know it may sound depressing to some but if we are not alone, we may be the most advanced race in the universe.
Prophetic.
You can predict anything that you want, the trick is to keep your prediction as general and vague as possible so that some time in the future somone could fit events of that time to your predictions. If you are too specific it will be dificult to match events to your predictions. Most predictions are lost because they are wrong and no one remembers them. The ones that can be associated with events will be noted and remembered, and people will believe that the author could see the future. Study history, make note of recurrent events and themes and base your predictions on these and someday your name may be noted in history as a phrophet. Of course it helps to adopt a somewhat exotic penn name so people will more easily remember it. As far as making it happen, if a phrophecy becomes popular with the easily influenced masses it could become self-fulilling and come true in spite of history, It's worth a try.
A distinct lack of evidence.
There are many phenomena that are not readily explainable, that have an explination that does not involve exteraterrestrials. For many years scientists could not explain how a bumble-bee, could fly based on the laws of aerodynamics, but they flew, without help from ET. Some such as crop circles have been explained by those who made them with proof that has been denied and called false by those who believe in UFO's. The testamony of 'Eye witness' accounts is questionable as hallucination plays a strong role in these stories with people seeing what they want to see. Most people (99%+) are not very observent and do not accurately see what is in front of them, They see what they want to, or expect to, suggestion is a powerful influence. see my post - - http://www.droppingknowledge.org/bin/posts/focus/28570.page - - I just asked the same question yesterday and got the same reply , people are just not observent and do not see things as they really are. As for the US government holding extraterrestial items in secret, that is unlikely. If the Aliens came here their home world would know and would have sent a mission to retrieve the items and property. It is ludicrous to suggest that any government could hold property or bodies against a superior technology. To suggest that the US is the only country visited or that there is a world wide conspirity of governments to conceal these visits is ridiculous to the extreme, and likely the product of a comic book mentality. There is no real proof of Alien Space Ships visiting the Earth, only unrealiable accounts and a lot of wishfull thinking by the lunatic fringe. At this time there is no evidence to suggest that there is any extraterrestial culture that is superior to or even equal to our own, we may be the most advanced race in the universe, perhaps the only one. If there is actual proof I would like to see it, and not see a lot of second hand accounts with no backing. If an Alien Space Ship landed or crashed here it could not possably disappear without a trace, that only happens in the movies or on TV.
Greed, greed for everyone !
More likely it is a case of Greed of all classes, the rich have the means to devise schems to get money from others and the poor and middle classes fall for these schems trying to 'get rich quick'. Look at how many people play the lottery and compair the number of winners with the number of loosers. Many spend money that they need for something else for the chance of a big pay-off that will probably will not happen. The rich want more, everyone else wants something for nothing, it's greed all around that is driving the cycle.
Age & Maturity.
The young people of the world can easily be given the power to achieve their goals by allowing them to acheive a few more years of age and maturity. If, after reaching the age of 21, they still want to pursue the same goals, that is good, if not, perhaps the goals were not as realistic as they sounded.
War.
Yes, Wars are fought for the benefit of those in power, but when the common person takes over they become those in power and again fight a war for their own benefit. It's a never ending cycle that will probably never be broken.
Pure ?
First we must define what is ment by "Pure Water". If that is a liquid containing only H2O then a distillation process is the only answer. If on the other hand you mean clean drinking water, then most wells and springs will produce water that can be consumed. "Pure Water" does not exist in nature, there is always something dissolved in it. Minerals, salts, organic material, even living organisms are contained in drinking water. Treated water contains chlorine and sometimes fluorine. There is no such thing as "Pure Water" outside of a distillation process.
Bombs?
How about if we just Nuke everything into a cinder so that there is nothing left to fight over ?
Population?
Perhaps there are just too many people for the places we have to live in, If the excess population would just Die off, the rest of us could then live in peace. But exactily who is the excess population?
i64En8e483r2kcheKS65j4i5e=dk8sdj.
Chaos and bankruptcy, Why not forgive all debts to everyone? People and countries should not take on debt that they cannot repay.
Be disarming.
If we could cut off the supply of arms, amunition, and explosives and disarm the Palestinians things would settle down pretty quickly. As long as they have weapons the Palestinians will try to destroy Israel. The Israelis should not be faulted for defending themselves.
How-so ?
Please explain why Brandon Darby's association with this site is a bad thing. - - http://www.droppingknowledge.org/bin/posts/focus/32248.page - - Anyone can logon and participate. For all we know, Osama Bin Laden, George Bush, The Pope, Jesica Simpson, could be posting under a pseudonym. I participate on this site, looking at my past entries, should that be cause for concern ? Whatever the contribution here there is someone who will answer, challenge, or correct, Unless it is so insignificant, or inane, as to bear no notice. should we be concerned that you have registered on this site ?
Fast Read.
This evening I just reread 'Sports Car and Competition Driving' by Paul Frere, 1963. one of the few books I salvaged from my house.
Nothing, Life is not Ugly, only your preception.
Is it possible that 'Ugly' and 'Beautiful' are arbitrary lables that we apply to things, events, and people, just as 'Good' and 'Bad'? Aren't all labels relative to what we are taught? How many children learn what foods to dislike by the reaction of those around them. I have grandchildren, and I severly reprimand adults who express an adverse reaction to a particular food in front of them, because they (the grandchildren) will then reject the food without trying it. I am proud to say that I have grandchildren have tried and liked foods that they would otherwise have rejected due to outside influences. And so it is with beauty and sometimes goodness, we know what we are taught. The young are taught by those who care for them. What do you teach those in your influence? When you drive by a field with freshly spread manure, who decided that the smell was bad? A smell simply is or is not. Who applies the label of 'Ugly' to anything? There is beauty everywhere if you would only look. It is only ignorance that applies the label of 'Ugly' to anything. Most are blind to the beauty arround them, most go through life with their eyes closed, calling the obstructions they encounter 'Ugly' because they cannot see. As has been stated in another post 'Ugly' is in your preception. So the concept of 'Ugly is in the observer and not in that which is observed. Those who attempt to define everything within their own small limits make things 'Ugly' or not. Those who cannot comprehend anything beyond themselves will see things as not beautiful due to their own limits and not because of the limits of what is around them. They are confined by what they cannot see, and what they cannot see and understand is therefore 'Ugly'. Those with their eyes open will see beauty all around. All you need to do is look.
Womens Fashon.
In some parts of the world it is considered a crime for any part of the womens body to be exposed, and yet in other places the more exposure the better, at least to those involved.
Let go, and let it happen.
You tell us you have nothing to say, and are asking what people need to hear. It sounds like you are trying to consciously control and direct every aspect of your work. I would suggest that you go to your canvas, or whatever you work in, and just start. Let go of your control and see what happens. Sometimes an artist's mind will get in the way of creativity, let go of your control and perhaps your Soul's message will come through. 'Your Message' is what others need to hear, You cannot give them a message that is not your own. If you try to fit your art to their needs you will do neither.
Neighbors.
I have been selling of eBay for many years, and in dealing with one buyer, had given him some information and advice about items he had bought, and other things. At one point, In an e-mail, he said "I wish you were my neighbor, so I could ask you questions whenever I wanted to." That felt really good.
The Truth !
Too many times I have listened to people say how wonderful the 'Dearly Departed' were, or how much they loved and thought of them, when I knew it was a lie. I generally try to keep my own council except when pressed and must make some condecending remark. How shocking the truth would be to these mamby-pamby wastrels.
Altered, in what way?
Not really, it may effect is somewhat, but I don't think that NASA had any difficulty communicating with any of the missions to the Moon or any of the other planets so far. What deviation from the usual are you refering to?
'No Secrets'
Carly Simon - "No Secrets", in a relationship be careful what you ask, you may get the answer.
Known vs. Believed.
Objective Truth is that "which accords with fact or reality", "an established or verified fact". Therefore truth is not subjective and not open to debate. In Philosophy and Religion, truth is made up of opinions that cannot be verified and are subjective. These are more properly refered to as beliefs.
Snowball.
Without examining his fundraising accounts I would suspect that he turned much of the initial contributions back into additional fundraising, having a 'Snowball' effect, and would later have a large amount of money for the political campaign.
Environmental Trancendence?
All living creatures are shaped by thier environment, many are very specifically addapted to a particular location, this applies to humans as well. Artic explorers are not able to survive unassisted, so they carry a self-contained environment within their protective clothing in which they can live. Scuba divers are not addapted to live under water, but carry along a bit of environment as well. Animals in the wild are subject to survival and have addapted to a 'Natural environment'. Most humans exist in an environment that includes the aspect of climate but also includes technology, social and political aspects. Modern humans have or will evolve to survive in these surroundings. Yes there are places where people live in a more 'Natural' setting but these are also affected by tenhnology and politics. Our perception of the world will largly determine our response to it and will shape opur actions. We do not live outside of, or apart from, an environment. Even those who try to live in a more spiritual plane, do so within a body and brain that have been shaped by existence in this world and influenced by others who may have taught them. All of this is part of the environment that has brought you to where you are now. Anything that comes to you from outside your shell is part of your environment, even those who believe that they have trancended the physical to the spiritual, were brought to this state by environmental influences.
Relativley absolute.
This is an interesting twist on this thread, that those of subjective and objective thought are having a dialogue on truth and facts. There are some who argue that all perception is to be questioned and can only be validated by intellectual debate, and seek to determine the nature of reality by reason and thought alone. Counter to this are those who observe and record these perceptions, and when observation is consistent, use this to describe the nature of reality. Unfortunitly there is no middle ground for those who hold these opposing views of the world. The proponents of using reason and debate to acquire knowledge will probably not accept the findings of those who rely on observation and experimentation. And those who favor examination of the physical world will want to see concrete evidence. Dialogue is likely to be pointless as the debate would be at cross purposes and would achieve nothing, except that each side would validate their own view by accepting or rejecting, in turn, the evidence or arguments that are presented. Those who observe and record will continue to do so as there has been no valid evidence to disprove their findings, and those who look to cognition and debate will reject any findings based on the physical reality.
Seriously.
Depending on the cause, I have found that 'Olive Oil' will somtimes relieve an itch. It works well on itches from dry skin to Posoin Ivy. Perhaps other vetetable oils may work as well.
Depends ?
There are two things to consider in this. Do you have their permission, and what is your intent. If you have someones trust and permission, then it is OK, but if it is against their will, then it is wrong. If you are trying to help, I would say it may be OK, if you are competent and careful. If you are trying to do harm or cause distress, then it is wrong, or Rude if you like that term. For one take on playing around inside someone's mind read "Equus" by Peter Shaffer, especially 'Martin Dysart's' last speach.
The truth is in front of your eyes.
There are many who claim that truth is changeable, and varies from one time to the next, and this is correct when the truth is based on belief that may be inconsistent. There are many such truths that pass in and out of fashion. There are some who hold that all truth is subjective, and this is a valid philosophic view of the world. These subjectivists believe that physical reality is but a manifestation of their intellect, and nothing outside of their mind has any real existance. These ideas are in sharp contrast with the objectivists, who accept the truth of physical reality and the constancy of the true facts based on observation and experimentation. Subjectivists say that everyone are like the occupants of Plato's cave, viewing only the shadows of things that are not real but are only the silhouettes held in front of a light to cast shadows on a wall. However these subjectivists first acknowledge the reality of the physical world and then seek to deny it. They will argue at great length to convince others of the fiction of the existence of anything or anyone outside of their own cognizant awareness. They attempt to convince everyone else that no one else exists. If as they say everything is but a product of their own mind and has no existance outside of their own awareness, who are they trying to convince? If I am but a product of someone else's imagination, they are arguing with themselves and trying to convince themselves of the truth of their own belief's. Indeed these beliefs must be false for if I and the rest of the world do not exist, why do they bother to acknowledge us. To say that there is no verifiable truth, or that truth is subjective is to deny the reality of the physical world, and claim that all is the product of someones mental activity. If reality is but a dream and we are only the product ov someone's mind then that person could learn to control their thoughts and we would all dance to their whims. I certainly do not feel in control and I do not accept that another is controling my actions. There are many true facts based on physical reality and only when the object of that truth ceases to exist will that truth be negated. Truth based on observation and experimentation does not change, that truth may become more detailed or refined over time but scientific principles are not changing as many seem to think. The laws of physics and nature are immutable and it is only the depth of our understanding that gives the appearance of change. Scientific theories are based on the data and knowledge available at any one time and as knowledge progresses these theories advance and become more precise and accurate. Scientific theories are like mathmatecal equations, change the variables and the answer will change, but the equation, like the theory, remain the same and is still used to provide the correct answer. The truth is there for thoese who will just look and see what is in front of them, but many are blind to the truth and refuse to believe what others have found. The truth is that meny have a romantic and poetic notion of the world and the reality of existance. The truth is that many will not accept the truth.
Wanderer with a lamp.
It may not be mythological, but I would say that like Nietzsche I am searching for an honest person. Honest to themselves, others, and reality.
Direction.
It seems that envy is always directed at someone or something that is not your own, as in another's possessions or abilities. Jealousy, on the other hand, often refers to what you have, as in guarding your rights and possessions, or being jealous of another's influence on what is your's.
The truth of Reality.
Those who observe and record (Scientists) are seeking to understand the physical world. Scientists are not attempting to prove or disprove any religious belief or dogma. The exception are the "Religious Sceintists" who pervert science to prove religious teachings or to invalidate science it-self. Scientists use data found in nature to formulate theories that explain the processes of the world around us. Scientists do not alter or subvert data to fit a preexisting conclusion. Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson were astronomers using the 'Bell Labs microwave receiver' to explore the universe, and found a 3 degree K. backround noise that they could not explain or eliminate. When consulting with Robert Dicke, David Wilkinson, and Peter Roll at Prinston University, they found that they had discovered the proof of the 'Big Bang'. Penzias favored the 'Steady State' theory of the universe and did not believe in the 'Big Bang', yet he discovered and received a 'Nobel prize' for discovering this proof. Einstein in his theory of 'General Relativity' included a factor to make the universe static, as he did not believe that the universe could expand as the theory predicted. Later when Hubbel found proof that the universe was expanding Einstein admitted that this factor was 'The Worst Blunder of his Career". All science is based on the information available at the time and when new data is discovered theories are refined and altered to suit that additional data. New data does not negate science but advances it. Lord Kelvin changed his estimate of the age of the Earth when presented with new data. Unlike Religion and Philosophy, Science does not make statements based on information that cannot be verified. Religion is based on Mythology that teaches truths about our spiritual place in the universe. Philosophy is based on the intellectual debate of ideas with little or no reference to the real world. Those who observe and record are only seeking the truth about the world we live in, not some fantisy world that some would like us to believe in.
Many are blind to the truth.
Most often it is because the 'truth in front of our eyes' does not agree with what we have been taught. When we are very young we accept what our parents and other older people teach us without question. I learned very early from a parent, who could only answer questions with redicule, by making fun of my curiosity, and in a High School Physics class where the teacher was so far out of touch with current physics, as to be useless for education. Children have been taught much that is wrong and when confronted with the truth cannot accept it. Only when the lies are exposed, can they throw off the blinders and see the truth.
You need a Publicist.
Unfortunatly much of the aid and assistance to places like this, whether from government or outside sources, is driven by publicity. Currently Africa is the popular destination for celebrity to show some caring by aid or addoption of those in need. I really feel sorry for those children addopted by publicity seeking Stars putting on a show for the media. It is possable that Indias conflict with other countries has made it unpopular with the liberal left wing 'Show biz' people and so gets little attention from the media for it's problems. Perhaps if they could clean up a bit and if India stopped fighting with it's neighbors the media would pay more attention and you would get more 'Real' help?
Questions and Answers.
Yes. Education will be considered as any form of learning and not just 'Formal Education' in some school. An answer given without adequate knowledge of the subject is not likely to be of much value. Conversly if the one receiving the answer does not have some prior knowledge of the subject the answer will have little meaning. So both sides need some level of education for the process to have the most effect. The only exception would be if the question were at the most basic level of information, As they say everyone must start somewhere.
I'll have some 'Fried Monkey Brains'.
I will start by overlooking that this user's I. D. is a contradiction in terms, and look at why an Atheist would ask about God. If his purpose is to find an audience for his Ideas, then a few questions or comments would 'test the waters' to see if anyone is reading, which brings me to a point of my curiosity. How many people are reading these post's? We can determine how many are participating, but how many are reading without responding? If 'Evangelical Atheist' is really interested in why God revealed himself to a 'backward desert tribe' a little research into the scriptures and Judeao Christian comentary would show that God's messengers and agents were not the most notable and prominent individuals but usually those of lower estate and more humble origins. This way the emphasis is on the message and not on the messenger. Another point is why should we believe that God only revealed himself to one people at one time. With all the mythologies and religions having the same or similar messeges is should not be much of a streach to believe that God was the inspiration for all of them. It also seems that not only is 'Evangelical Atheist's' user I.D. is a contradiction but also his post's, when taken together, but then as his 'head was constantly fried' perhaps his drug use has rendered his post's somewhat irrational.
Technology has uses, but no purpose.
Technology is only designed to preform a function, it has no design or purpose to make our lives easier, or to kill people, or to help us learn, These are the uses that humans have put it to. Technology itself is cold, impersonal, and uncaring. Technology is not self-awareand and has no intention of it's own. It is the human user who desides what to do with it. You must wake up and understand that Science and technology are just mindless tools.
Hey good-lookin, you look Healthy.
Narcissism as an "Excessive interest in one's own appearance" would probably never be healthy or useful, However a moderate interest in ones appearance can be helpful. In living creatures a good appearance is usually an indicator of good health, provided the good looks are not artifically augmented. As a converse example, about two years ago I walked into a Post Office, where I was well known, and one of the clerks looked at me and said "You need to see a doctor NOW !", I assured her that I had an appointment. I was recovering from Congestive Heart Failure, and must have looked pretty bad. Indeed I could barely walk across the street without pausing to catch my breath. So an interest in ones appearance can lead to acquiring some healthy practices.
Along with other causes.
There are more causes than those stated below. In the northeastern US, in the fall, it is a common activity to remove the fallen leaves for pickup by the local city. As I was driving, I observed two people engaged in this activity, one was using a gas powered leaf blower, and the other was on a riding lawn tractor using the mower deck to move the leaves. It occured to me that these overweight people could do with a bit more physical activity than using gas powered machines to do the work for them. As for myself I used a rake to gather the fallen leaves into a pile, which my grandson would jump into and scatter for me to rake up again. We really had a lot of fun, and one pile was so deep that he would completely disapear and jump out again. I would submit that the reliance on labor saving power equipment, and lack of physical activity, also contributes to obesity. Humans have evolved from a much higher level of physical activity and caloric intake. We have reduced the level of activity but not the consumption of food.
Ghost Hunters.
It is my understanding that the Soul is most often used in a religious connotation and Spirit can be used with or without the religious reference, however these uses seem to be blurred and overlapping. The Soul can be thought of as the Spiritual part of us that remains after the physical body is gone. The idea of a Spiritual entity remaining after death is an interesting concept. The question now becomes "Do you believe in Ghosts?" or whatever other name you want to apply to them. If there are Ghosts, someone clever could use this argument to prove that there is no God. If Spirits are roaming the Earth, why are they not in Heaven or Hell? If they are here then there is no Hevan or Hell and no God, Angels, Satin or Devils. Others may claim that Ghosts are the Souls of those with unfinished business or those who are not at rest, which does not negate the existance of Hevan or Hell. All this is interesting speculation and I find it amusing to see those people trying to 'Prove' the existance of Ghosts. The question is how are they going to do this, if the Ghosts are the remains of intellegent, thinking beings then the Ghosts can observe, anticipate and avoid any attempt to capture them. I can just imagine several Ghosts haunting an old house, watching some 'Ghost Hunters' setting up their equipment, and one of them saying "Lets appear on the other side of the room this time, and charlie go drop a brick on that guys toe and lets watch him hop arround a-while". I'll bet the spirits are having fun with these people. In the end it may be the context in which Soul and Spirit are used that will define whatever difference there may be.
Thin Ice.
The ice that is being broken up is temporary ice that forms in the winter and melts away in the summer. I do not think that it contributes to the strength or stability of the permanent ice caps, which are much too thick for ships to break through. In regards to the previous answer I am having a dificult time reconciling Love and Compassion with the desire for Human Beings to be frozen to death and devoured by Polar bears. I do not think it would be healthy for either, as the Bears normal food is seals and Human flesh might not agree with them, definatly not healthy for the Humans. Perhaps a Loving and Compassionate plea might persuade them to leave the wild areas and look for Oil in someplace less dangerous, maybe Thialand? Would that be Poetic Justice?
Active participation.
I am not sure what question you are referring to, but I think that most contributors to this site are not just posting rhetoric but are also active in pursuing the solution. What are you actually doing?
:)
Sorry I couldn't help poking a little fun at you, but it was probably an errant click as opposed to a bug. I, for one, am not aware of an 'Alterglobalist' movement in the USA.
Mixed.
I would say that here the local practitioners are more ethical, but the large corporations and the insurance companies are less.
No.
Distances are too far and scheduels are too random for any other form of transportation. The only alternative would be teleportation which is currently impractical.
Moderation.
If most of the other people are gone, I would say 'be fruitful and multiply' but don't overdo it.
We are not afraid.
It is not so much a case of fear, but that we do not want it here. The Idealistic goal of the USA is that each Nation should choose their own form of Government, and if that is Democracy, Communism, Dictatorship, or something else, So be it, as long as they do not try to force that form on other nations. There may be some branches of the US Government that try to subvert the process but that is not the 'Will of the People'.
Not at all.
No, the previous answer is incorrect, society thru the state judicial system, has established a code of conduct with certain penalties for particular violations. Murder carries a possable death sentence, so anyone who commits murder does so with the knowledge of the potential sentence, therefore committing murder is a form of suicide, with the judicial system as the instriment of that act, and is no more guilty of murder than the gun that someone puts to their own head and pulls the trigger. The murderer has, by committing that act, committed suicide and no-one is guilty of that death as murder, but only of the extermination of a worthless life.
Chicken Little.
This might be a good time for everyone to reread the story of "Chicken Little" and figure out who is 'Chicken Little', who are the Foxes, and remember the Kings Hunting Dogs may not come along to save you. In some versions the Fox ate the Chicken.
Things.
Probably because they do not have everything they think they want. I heard once that happiness comes from wanting what you have, not from having what you want.
Overpopulation.
Yes, get rid of a large part of the world population, Will you volunteer?
Try Reading?
Have you ever read "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, or read history where whole catagories of literature were deemed unacceptable and banned and destroyed. In the middle ages the church had many books destroyed and more recently Fascist governments have done the same thing. It isn't much of a strech to imagine some group of fanatics having everything banned except for a few accepted books. Early American colonists would only allow the Bible and Pilgrims Progress.
'Here's reading to you kid'. - -
Or 'we'll always have books'. - - - It seems that this question is begging a bit more depth of thought. There will always be something to read. Ink on paper may someday be superseded by electronic books where words are projected on a screen, but there is the more basic question of, what will we have to read? If a strict totalitarian government comes to power with rigid guidlines on what is acceptable and what is not, literature as we know it may disappear. In this light literature is considered as writing for entertainment or enlightenment, as opposed to instruction manuals, journalistic reports of current events and "Official" statements, and scientific and technical dissertations. In the recent past in Communist Russia, all writings had to be approved by the 'Party" and the results could hardly be considered as literature, more like 'Party" propoganda. What we consider as literature is often in opposition to the official policy. In the US in the 20th century there have been several works that addressed the ineguities of society. "Kingsblood Royal" by Sinclair Lewis, "Show Boat" by Edna Ferber, "South Pacific' based on writings of James Michener, and in an earlier century "A Christmas Carrol" by charles dickens. All these would have been banned by a repressive and fundamentalist based government. freedom of speach is precious and should be guarded but it is not guaranteed by any natural law, only by the protection of Human Society, and that is very fragile.
No !
Not untill you can teach the Hitler's, Fundamentalist's, Bigot's, Ayatollah's, and Bin Laden's of the world to stop spreading their message of hate and violence, there will be war, as peace loving nations defend themselves from attack.
This is easy.
Taking care of my grandsons, and at 3 and 7, even though they are full of trouble, I would not trade that time for anything. One hug makes it all worthwhile.
A somewhat late post.
I am surprised that no one has yet responded to this question, it appears that the moderators of this site feel that it is important enough to cycle it into the opening page. It seem obvious to me that the questioner thinks that an automobile that is anything more than basic transportation is surperfluous and wasteful, and in this time of crisis over fossel fuels, and oil in particular being such a problem, the car is an easy target, and the high performance ones especially so, as they are generally perceived to be more wasteful than average. The truth is we could raise this question, in principle, about any of life's pleasures or refinements. Why do we build large expensive concert halls where musicians, who are paid a lot more than the average person, can perform Opera's, Symphonies, or Rock Concerts. Why waste so much money on stadiums where ridiculously overpaid athletes put on extravagant shows. Why spend so much on Cathedrals, Churches, Temples and Mosques that are used once a week by less that capacity crowds? The money wasted on these ventures could be used to alleviate hunger, disease, and poverty all over the world. But the organiziers and promoters will say that these things inspire others to do better, B--L S--T ! It's just lining the pockets of some rich person with even more money. The same could be said about big business with the large impressive buildings that house the offices of multi-millioner C.E.O's. We could just as well ask why artist's waste so much paint, metal, glass or stone, or even paper and ink to produce their works of art? Think of how many trees we could save without all that sheet music or those books. Where do people need to go that we need to waste so much resources on Jet airplanes, which are probably the most ineffecient means of transportation there is. Our homes and offices would not need to be warmer than 54 degrees in the winter or cooler than 90 degrees in the summer, think of how much recources that would save. Or better yet, why don't we all go out and live in the forest and club our dinner to death and eat it and some bushes raw, we could save a lot of gas and oil that way. This question is just an ignorant, cheap shot, at an easy target. Most cars are basic transportation for people that can only appreciate them as such. But to a few, who can appreciate them, and those who produce them, automobiles are an art form and high preformance cars are one aspect of that art. The truth is that improving the performance usually increases the efeciency of the vehicle thus improving the fuel effeciency, it is only at the extreme levels of preformance that the fuel economy starts to fall off, - the law of diminishing returns. I would like to know what Peter Cushnie Sr.'s passons are, not his cause, as any moron could defend that, but his passion. I'm sure I could point out a lot of waste of resources there. This question is just an example of some Liberal Knee-jerk crucifixion of an aspect of life and culture that they do not, and cannot understand, and through ignorance are critical. Some people need a 300 or more HP car just like others need a symphony, or a Rock star, or a favorite sports team, Or perhaps like some need a cause to be passonate and irrationational about, and then try to destroy the things that other people value. Some people just have no respect for other people and believe that if you do not believe what they do, and like what they like, there must be something wrong with you. It's a very insidious and distructive form of bigotry. These people, more than any one else, are destroying our world, by turning people against each other, rather than accepting and celebrating variety and differences.
Phony Statistics
I once heard that 67% of all statistics are made up on the spot, this may be one of them? Even his location sounds Phony.
This is somewhat silly.
None of the victims of 9/11 deserved to endure that event nor did any other citizen of the US. It is possable that some government policies toward foreign nations were misguided and inapropriate, but it is ridiculous to suggest that because we are poor stewards of our resources that we are being punished. This is a somewhat outdated Jewish ideology as found in the Bible in the book of Job. To say that people who do bad things will suffer misfortune or that someone is having bad luck because they have sinned, is not valid. Wars and natural disasters happen and the inocent bystanders who suffer are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and not because they are bad people. These occurances are not directed by some supreme entity at those who have done wrong. Criminals are punished by the legal system, not by random events.
Oversimplistic.
The second part of this question is disturbing as it demonstrates a lack of thought and understanding by the questioner. It is just a bit stereotypical and bigoted. The assumption that all Muslims live a more natural lifestyle, such as riding camels and living in the desert, is Juvenile and unjustified. Many Muslime live in developed countries and have adopted the same lifestyle as everyone else. They live in the same kind of homes, drive cars, and have the same kind of jobs as everyone else where they live. Many non-Muslims live very eco-friendly life styles, such as third world subsistance farmers, they are not all Muslim. This question comes from a thoughtless and insensitive person and does not demonstrate much intelligence.
I'll refrain.
My answer to the third part would probably be considered too unkind by some.
Bon-appetit
It is possable, but why would we want to, meat is very tasty. I'll have a nice steak, medium rare.
Extreme and Sensable.
Well, you could have all his teeth pulled out, that would stop the nail biting, or cut off his fingers which would also work. Nail biting is probably a nervous reaction to some stress in his life. Find the source of this stress and correct that, trying to address the nail biting itself will do no good. Just identifying the stress may help him to deal with it, and reduce the habit. he may be high-strung and anxious about everything and in this case some therapy may be needed.
Common ideals held by all.
No, but it would require a common set of principles, goals, legal practices, freedoms, acceptance that others are different, and probably several other ideals that need to be held in common. Achieving this would be a sort of Utopia, that I believe is extremely difficult, given the wide variety of practices that are currently endorsed by some countries.
Finally.
If you go to the home page, there is a menu in the upper right. Click on 'postcards' and scroll down to the photo of the child in the chicken suit. Click on the picture and it will come up larger with a caption that explains the situation. That is not a bag of onions, but I'm not sure what it is. On the balloon is something that looks like a 'Smiley face?'
Fiction Patrol Here.
I'm not sure where you came up with this 3 second idea, but it would only apply to someone with a low self-confidence. People with a healthy ballance of ego, and self-esteem will have no dificulty maintaining eye contact for extended lengths of time. Also mind reading is more fantasy than reality, as it is not widespread or repeatable enough to be a reliable means of comunications, and never has been. Unfortunatly clever people who can fake this ability do not constitute proof.
To be the Devil.
For sake of argument let's say that God is real, and therefore so is the Devil. I would wish to be the Devil, or Satan, or Lucifer, or whatever you wish to call him. Then I would be in control of all the Evil in the world (provided I could control it and not it controlling me.) Then I could gather it up and contain it, or devour it, and then watch what the world would be like without the influence of Evil in the world. However God may not allow me to do that, after all is Satan a free agent, or did God assign him to tempt Humanity to be sinful?
A healthy ballance.
Just as important as the items mentioned in the previous answer is a well ballanced diet. Focusing on one food to the exclusion of others could be detremental to your health and your strength.
Obviously.
God, since he created everything and knows every thing he could answer any question I might have, and teach me everything.
Mixed and Unmixed Marrage.
I will assume that you are refering to Blacks marrying Whites as African Americans marrying each other has not raised much controversy. Yes it is a form of Bigotry, which comes from Ignorance, That anyone should oppose any two people who wish to spend their lives together. The problem developes when Marrage is involved, which has Religious, Legal, Political, and Monetary factors, and here is where a lot of people decide to meddle in the affairs of other people. As far as I am concerned, let them do what they want, as long as it does not involve me, since I'm not gay or interracial, but I am not opposed to interracial.
It's Sexy.
Living things move, they consume, grow, and reproduce, and at least one can contemplate why we are here.
Stuff and Nonsense !
Hello, I must disagree with 'thechimera' to a point. Open your eyes and look, we are constantly going back and re-discovering ideas that work. Take recycling, it's a big new idea that a few Madison Ave. types came up with to save the world. These are the same type of people who years ago invented the throw-away society of the 50's and 60's. And now they are reinventing the wheel by proposing recycling. 'Stuff and nonsense' Prior to WWII everything that could be, was recycled. Has anyone heard of the rag-man, or the bone-man, there were people who would collect animal fat to be processed into numerious products. Automobiles have been recycled right from the begining, old cars were used for parts or salvaged for the metals they contained. Recycling is an old idea that has been reborn, just like all the other ideas from the past that are being reborn, rediscovered, reintroduced as new ideas on a population that has forgotten it's past. Want to be a Hero? read some history, dust off some old idea, add a new label, and make a big fuss about it. 'Stuff and Nonsense ! '
Witty, as in Funny - HA HA.
It is possible that you are confusing ability, as in being witty or funny, with opportunity. In a male dominated society men are better able to express their talents, and in some societies women are subjugated and not allowed to express themselves. Given a free and equal social order, women can be just a humorous and witty as men.
It would not be polite.
Some hereditary conditions are more debilitating than others, but don't all people have some right's, depending on where you live. I believe that Hitler implimented this practice, but it was not well recieved by the rest of the world, However Sadam Hussain went one better, he just exterminated all those he didn't like.
Terminal Entropy.
In one way it might be comforting to know that you are just like everyone else, support groups are based on connecting people with similar problems so they can find comfort in a shared experience. But, as has been noted, some ego's may not be up to the task and conflict may develope as some attempt to exert dominance and establish superiority. One point that could use further discussion is at what level would equality be established. I would not everyone to be a dim-wit, living in a mud hut, barely scratching out enough food to survive. Conversely if everyone were an Einstein, Billionaire, no-one would want ot work for anyone else and would want someone to serve them. Here moderation would be best, but what about talent? I would certainly not want everyone to be equally talented in the arts at a lower level, If everyone had a voice, musical ability, or writing talants as mine, Art, Music, and literature would surely suffer. However if everyone had a voice like Placido Domingo, or Denise Graves the world would be filled with beutiful music. Equality sounds good on paper, but if equality is fixed and advancement is not possible, there would be no progress, only stagnation and a slow apathetic death of society.
There is no Mirror Bright.
The mirror only shows us the outward physical appearance, but I'm sure we all know that. What is at question here is our past and the person we have become, all our past actions and words contribute to who we are. We must take responsability for our past and the choices we have made, anyone who is still blaming a parent, friend, teacher, or anyone else for thier current situation will not be able to move forward and grow. Some have had people in their lives that have held them back and offered no encouragement to achieve, others have had encouragement and assistance and have prospered. Currently I am providing opportunity for my children be caring for their children while they work, I am content with my decision, and while there has been dissapointment in the past I believe my future holds promise.
Some can't let go.
Some are bitter and resentful over dissapointment or offenses, sometimes long after the incident has been forgotten by all others involved. Hurt can come from an act or comment that was not ment to be taken seriously, but was in poor taste. Anger and unhappiness are not healthy and are distructive to the individual and should be let go of.
Thankyou, this is a good thread.
Hello Samsara, Thankyou for reminding me of this thread, I contributed a lot of good material here. Thai Sean had a really good post as well, He was quoting someone else. You might try quoting others rather than writing your own thoughts, it might improve the quality of your entries. As you are the one trying to tell others what to do or not do doesn't that make you the bully, and not me, since I have said that all are welcome to post their ideas here for others to see?
Mini-Maelstrom
Are you sure you want to get into the middle of this? If you do I would ask that you review all the relevant post's in sequence. This seems to be a difference of opinions that escalated and got out of hand. And in spite of what anyone says I will continue to post where and when I see fit, as I allow anyone else to do, though I may answer or disagree at times. After all isn't dialogue and differences of opinion what this site is all about, This is not a platform for a single set of ideas or opinions.
I am not inebriated, - - - yet.
Let me start this off, currently I am imbibing in a beverage by Taylor, their 'Cream Sherry' . Previously it was Kings 'Ruby Port'. Both are a similar sweet wine with a very important quality, they are both inexpensive, as in cheap by the gallon. I know I'm in a rut, but even rut people ocasionally like to peek over the edge and see what other people are doing. So what do you like, maybe I'll get some good tips. Oh, in a bear I like Killians 'Irish Red'.
Some are funny, some are not.
Though I have not had the pleasure of reading or hearing any of Dorthy Parker's work I have heard of her. I would submit Robin Williams, Red Skelton, and Victor Borge as potential equals in witt. From zotlynn's list I agree that they were very funny except for Margaret Cho, and Ellen Degeneres, who I did not find humorous from the very start of their career. Can you point me to some of Dorthy Parker's work that is easy to find?
Look in a mirror.
First of all for a planet to harbor life it does not need to be exactly Earth-like, but just needs a liquid medium in which life can develope. As far as appearance if they were not aquadic they would probably look a lot like us. Based on parallel evolution bipedal locomotion is handy with two other limbs for grasping, carrying, and manulipulating. We could also consider quadripedal locomotion with two other limbs for other purposes. Binocular vision and hearing are useful for survival and more than two eyes and ears are not necessary or efficient. Having the sense organs on a head flexable from the body is useful as the whole body does not need to turn to focus on something interesting or dangerous. Having the brain close to the sense organs including the nose for smell, and the mouth as a secondary breathing passage makes the most sense in the economy of design. So this leaves us with a biped like a Human or a quadriped like a centaur, but the centaur is a bit redundant with two chest cavities and abdomens, a little rework is needed there. I have heard some state that if it has a face then it must have evolved on Earth, this is nonsense. If a head with a face is the most efficient arrangement for brain and sensory organs then it will evolve wherever life developes. If another arrangement will work just as well it may have evolved, but just because this is what we have on Earth it does not preclude it's evolution elswhere. They might look just like us, but geneticaly incompatable, interbreading is seriously unlikely. If you mean 'get creative' as in different skin color or feathers or fir, that could be construed as bigotry. If they were aquadic they might still have the same form but with a few modifications for a liquid medium.
Equal shares.
There is a special situation where two people are to share something. My brother and I had a rule, one person would cut, and the other had first choice of pieces. It pretty much guaranteed that the item was cut, as close as humanly possible, in half.
Statistically Speaking.
I took a statistics course many years ago, and early in the class the professor said "Give a good statistician the raw data and he can prove anything you want". The Bible, Koran, and other sacred writings are the raw data, and as it seems that you have already made up your mind you only need to quote the appropriate passages to prove your point. However someone else could take the same source data and prove the opposite. So what does this prove? Just that God is way more than you can imagine or understand and trying to put him in a pidgon hole or a box only demonstrates your limits. Believe what you want God is so vast and unfathomable that it is probably all true.
Open your eyes and see.
Look at the questions and answers on this site, follow some of the threads, there is plenty of Philosophy here. Take some time and browse awhile.
Ego, and Blindness.
I would be perfectly happy if everyone could accept the same ideas, beliefs, and goals, as long as they were mine. Unfortunatly there are a lot of people with different ideas, beliefs, and goals who feel the same way, everyone else should accept their's. The problem is that not everyone wants the same thing, the kind of work to do, the kind of home to live in, or even what TV show to watch. Some would like to watch TV but can't, and others believe that no-one should watch TV and some are willing to fight about it. There is such a wide variety of ideas beliefs and goals that the best we can hope for is that everyone can live as they choose and let others live as they like, but some insist that everyone should live as they do. The other part is that many cannot see anything but their own way, and often that way is not true to reality. When you add lying into the mix it gets very difficult. Some people will say what is not true and then delude themselves into believing it. When I was in college I got into a conversation with another student and we disagreed on the answer to a question about an electrical circut. We asked the professor, and when he gave an explination that matched my answer the other student quickly spoke up and said "That's what I said." He had lied to look good in front of the professor. I just shut my mouth, said thankyou to the professor, and didn't have much to do with that student after that. I would not have been able to agree with him on things because I would not have trusted him to be honest.
Self improvement. - Teamwork.
When you are competing with yourself, and striving to improve, this would be a healthy form of competition. If you are competing with another who is much better than you with the idea of learning and improving, and measuring your self, not against the other person but against your past performances, this also is good. In either case the effort to grow and advance in skill and strength is healthy. - - - - Another posability is a team sport where the emphasis is on developing teamwork, skills, and doing your best, with less emphasis placed on scores and winning or loosing. Everyones good efforts should be praised, and everyone should be encouraged to work hard and improve.
Sco-o-o-o-o-ore
Any competition where a score is kept and the outcome is the most important thing, weither it is a team or individual event keeping score means that there is a winner and a looser. Loosing may not be healthy for some individuals and some do not handel winning very well. Loosers can become depressed and give up, winners can get pumped up and let their ego take over. When we look at profesional sports teams it gets worse, If you consider gambeling with it's criminal element attempting to influence the outcome of the event. Profesional athiletes have been caught using unhealthy drugs to boost performance, setting an unhealthy example for the fans. In some countries if a favorite team looses there could be riots property damage and injuries, and the team members lives could be at risk, and sometimes these things happen when they win. Emphasis on the score and the outcome is the source of much trouble.
Good Question ?
The end of life, and the begining of ?-?-?-? No one really knows, but a lot of people will try to tell you what it means.
Not really.
Not always, social skills can be learned in the work place, or among friends. Public schools with it's regimented and controlled atmosphere is not always the best place to learn social skills. I completed public school, state teachers college, and taught for 7 years in the public schools, and still could not cope with an office environment. My Daughter was Home Schooled her last year and is doing well in a situation where I would have bailed after a week.
The answer will come, hopefully, much later.
This has more to do with faith than knowledge. the question is who are you praying to, If you do not believe in God, then why are you praying? If you believe in God then I think that the usual definition is that God hears our prayers. If you want proof, what would be acceptable? For the skeptic or non-believer no proof is sufficient, for the believer no proof is necessary, and so it is for prayer, you offer them to the heavens and expect that they are received. But the answer will be in God's terms and not your's. Only when you are face to face with your creator will you understand why things happen the way they did. Untill keep the faith and don't give up hope.
Should you choose to accept.
Shouldn't our mission be just to live? How many people do you know who are stuck in some situation that stifles living. My decision to care for my grandsons allows me to feel alive and let others get on with what they need to do. Your Mission, if any, is to live your life without regret, and other peoples agenda, is not your life.
Permission
Allow them to live their life as they see fit, as long as it doesn't hurt others.
A Christmas Carol
You can change the future by changing your actions, but intentions without action are like empty promises, and will acomplish nothing.
Study for Job, Smile for office.
April is correct in this, as usual. Almost every job you consider has some training available, though some people learn 'On the Job'. Some occupations, such as Teaching, require Education with a Diploma and a Certificate to get the job. Even positions in management have training to teach how to run a company. That politicians make important decisions in education as well as our government, points up a major deficiency of the democratic system. The election is supposed to select the most qualified person for the office, but it has evolved into the winning of a popularity contest. Many conventions to select a party candidate are more concerned about electability than qualifications. The latest elections clearly demonstrate this. H. Clinton with no qualifications at all was nearly a cantidate, and S. Palin with superiour qualifications was not elected due to the unpopularity of the previous president. A course in political science does not usually lead to public office but usually a salaried position, for an elected official, or in the bureauocracy. Winning a popularity contest by being the least unopopular candidate does not seem to be giving us very good government.
Defecient Process.
Democracy is being Hamstrung by the Media, that makes all elections a popularity contest, and not a question of credentials and qualifications. http://www.droppingknowledge.org/bin/posts/focus/37625.page We need to find a cure.
Quit whining, and get to work.
Inequality is not the cause of poverty and hunger, that is opportunity and choices, Those who have the opportunity and make the right choices will prosper, those who make the wrong choices will be poor and hungry. The Rich are not the cause of poverty and hunger, they are the result of a healthy economy. To whine about the rich is a 'Red Herring' that serves no useful purpose.
Good Read.
Hello, in your book on page 204 you write "Evil is achieved by twisting circumstances to create falshood. Manipulation is the key element of twisting, so it is no wonder that evil people would try to manipulate God's word to justify evil actions." There is a similar phrase about numbers and math, but the principle is the same. "Figures don't lie, but liars can sure figure." - - - here are a few books you may enjoy.. by Edward Hays 'Twelve and one Half Keys' and 'The Ethiopian Tattoo Shop' He has several others that I have not read. By Joe Hyams, 'Zen in the Martial Arts'. - - - Welcome to the site you have an interesting way of answering questions.
Painful Mistakes.
The pain from making a mistake, physical or emotional, can be a very powerful teacher that you don't want to do that again. Believe, me I know from experience. The emotional pain from a bad relationship should teach you to avoid that kind of person in the future. For the masochist pain will lead them in the direction they want to go.
Experience, or lack of.
There is a big difference between micro-economics and macro-economics, and experience is a big factor in being good at it. In the past a "Womens place was in the home" where she took care of things including budgeting for food, Clothing and other things around the house, in fact this was part of the 'Home Economics' course taught to girls in the public school. The men were out working in business dealing with large financial and business deals. Things are changing but experience still plays a big part in who makes the decisions. How is a women to get the experience to do the job if she doesn't have the experience to get the job? Micro-economics and Macro-economics are not the same and are taught seperately as college courses.
Sometimes yes.
Joseph Campbell is perfectly correct that military personel should not be held accountable for actions commited during time of war as long as those actions are in accordance with the conventions addopted by the nations involved. However in actions commited by a group, not in time of war, all members who participate in that action are accountable for those actions. Two cases come to mind, one fictional and one real. On the TV show CSI a cab driver runs over a young man and is pulled from the cab and beaten to death. All the members of that mob were charged with murder. Reciently an accused Child Molester was beaten by a crowd of neighbors, they had no right to do this even though the person was later convicted. So in some cases an individual is responsible for the actions of a group which they are a part of and participate in those acts.
Neglected to Death?
It's a little hard to believe that a North American government, or any government, could get away with genocide without someone noticing and objecting. Regardless 'neglecting someone to death' does not seem to be very effecient or effective, and I would think that a government would be more pro-active and take a more direct approach. With neglect most people, when left alone (neglected), will find some way to survive. I think a government would take a more active role with more direct efforts. A government may be subversive but it is not always subtle. You may need to be more specific to get your point across.
From the begining.
I discovered this site in Aug '06 in an article in the magazine 'Enlightenment' and joined the process of selecting the questions for the round table. After the Sept 9 '06 round table I had to reregester due to aq computer problem on the site and have been here ever since. The article was announcing the round table event to take place in Sept.
You're too Kind.
If I am correct about the groups you are refering to, calling them a society is much too polite. Society has the implication of some level of civilization and these groups are anything but civilized. I hesitate to say what I would call them, I'm having a bit of an image problem myself, and more mean and nasty would not help. Over the course of human history many groups of people, large and small, have fallen short of anyones definition of civilized society. It dosen't take much research to find accounts of babarism and savagery. It seams that these impulses are not far from the surface, and many individuals, groups, and even nations have succumbed to the 'Call of the Wild'.
Are you ashamed or a victim.
It is interesting how quickly the human race can be brainwashed into a new image of beauty and health. Less than 100 years ago it was only the hard working or poor who were thin, all people were much more active phisically and could sustain a much higher caloric intake and remain trim. Those people who were heavy were looked on as sucessful and because they were still physically active it was not unhealthy. People who were thin either worked hard or could not afford to eat enough to be heavy. Pre-historic images of fertility Goddesses were of large women, what we now call fat was viewed as prosperity. Now it is 'In to be thin' a sucessful ad campaign by the media to sell Diets, diet food, and fashion to those who will never achive that look but will spend a lot trying. Fat is not ugly, look at Chloe of the Celtic Woman, or unhealthy, A Linesman of a US football team, 6'-2" 300 lbs. pushing and shoving and running through a game, or practice, large but healthy. Perhaps a Sumo Wrestler, Large but healthy. If you are large and active, don't worry about it, If you are fat and can't move you have a problem. The morbidly fat are those who are fat and do not, or cannot move. a body builder, between shows does not look like that, but is just as smooth and plump as anyone else, then they go on a special program to loose all body fat, and get ready for the competition, impressive but not healthy. Large people should not be ashamed, it's the thin people who are the victims of a successful ad campaign and a manufactured healthy image. Yes I too am a victim, and am attracted to a svelte figure, but not to one who has starved, puked, and craped themselves thin, anorexia is not pretty.
Shoot Straight.
Marksmanship would be good. Perhaps Archery or Knife throwing. Much quieter than firearms, and just as deadly.
Self Control.
Any activity that teaches accuracy, discipline, and the ability to focus on a task, would be good no mater what your vision of the future is.
The Rose
Love is not hard, it is easy to love others, it's built in and is a part of human nature to love other people. Love does not need to be taught, and perhaps it cannot be taught because it is there from the begining. What is taught is hatred and mistrust of those who are different or simply 'Not Us'. It is taught by family, friends, comunity, and countries that 'They' are not 'us'. Watch children at play before they have been indoctrinated into what is acceptable by this society, they don't hate or dislike anyone. Indeed love, respect, and acceptance should be the norm, but culture has corrupted people as they grow to be what is not normal. Thai Sean is correct we are all one, Coopster is correct loving others is easy, much easier than all the hate and mistrust that is taught by society. He touched on another point 'we' are living in comfort using the 'others' to maintain our comfort. April said it well, when we love we are vulnerable, we are open to others and often there is a blindness to the potential cruelity and hurtfulness of others. Love does not always see clearly, and what others have been taught will often hurt. Love is an overwhelming deliciious agony that feels like it will rip out your guts, and then 'that person' smiles and speaks your name and you are overcome with unspeakable joy. I have been all over the map in and out of love and I have two joys in my life. When my wife comes home (she works and I watch the grandsons while the parents work) and when my grandsons run up to me with big smiles and say 'Grandpa'. Love is easy we need only recognize who we are, and who they really are. - - - - - - - - - A final note to Coopster, I hate to be a nit-picker in light of your excelent post, but you got your details wrong with your simile that we are all mirrors of each other. The Hubble has a single main mirror, it is the Keck that has 36 individuel mirrors to form one large reflecting surface. I don't know of anything yet that uses thousands of small mirrors.
Developments lack life.
I have found a place where I can express my thoughts without being inturepted or getting a lot of blank looks. I just looked out the window and was watching the fireflys or lightning bugs, and noticed that in this neighborhood of closely spaced houses and carefully manicured lawns, there were not very many flying around. It was also very quiet, not like my home in the woods where it was thick with lightning bugs and at night the sounds of the night creatures was overwhelming, you could barely hear the trucks and cars on the highway nearby. Here the traffic and sirens are all you hear at night. The forest is much more alive than a development, sure there are more people in a development, but the woods are more alive. Still I think i'll go outside and sit awhile and quite wine-ing about things. Yes April it was on purpose.
It's lonely here.
The truth exists, and facts are unalterable, and neither are subject to the understanding or comprehension of the human mind. Philosophers can argue over meanings, statisticians can prove one thing or another, and liars can figure numerous ways to decieve you. Truth and fact are independent of our perception of them, they exist whether we see them or not. What is manufactured is falsehood and deception. Truth and fact are not subjective but exist whether they are percieved or not, they are not created but distorted and corrupted to suit an individuals lustful ends. People can argue and debate what is truth or fact but in reality they do not know, they only have their imperfect perception and can only produce a vague impression. To say that what is true for you is different than what is true for another is to say that your misunderstanding of reality is different from theirs. The truth is that you are all wrong and are trying to pass off your delusions to others as wisdom. In the end you don't manufacture anything, you just manipulate words, corrupt meanings to decieve and control others. Everyone is blind to the truth that is right in front of them, like Don Quixote tilting at windmills seeing monsters where therte are none, seeing truth where there is only the fiction of false ideas and beliefs. - - - - Except for me.
Tomorrow.
The Sun'll come out Tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun.
Tempted much?
For a lustful person with a wandering eye, you should move to a neighborhood where the other women are unattractive to you. Then you could avoid temptation, at least till you go to the mall, or get on the internet.
Abundant Resources.
Lust, lack of self control, insufficient good sense, take your pick.
Transparent or Reflective?
Hello April I believe that looking into someones eyes can help us to know who they are. I was just continuing 'coopster's' reference to mirrors and building on Thai Sean's statement that we are one, so looking at another is, in a way, like looking at ourselves. A window could show differences, a mirror could show similarities, but I'm not sure how much an extended dialogue on this point would accomplish. I'll leave you with this, please give it some thought before you reply, and I do occasionally make an exception, "I refuse to argue semantics, because most people just don't understand".
Don't need, but it may help.
What April says is correct, but I would like to add that most Religions start with a simple message to provide a relationship with God. Over time people will corrupt that message to gain control, power, and wealth over others. If you look at a religion with a clear and open mind you can see past the rhetoric to the meaning contained within the original teaching and gain an understanding of the Mythology at the core of that religion. You must understand that other people don't know any more about God than you do, You must come to that knowledge yourself, If you know how to listen. You don't need, Religion but for some it may help, and thats OK as long as the Religion does not become more important than the relationship with God.
Truth or Veiled
It depends on what you mean, the true purpose of what education should be or the thinly veiled purpose in todays public school system. The true purpose should be to teach children how to learn, to ask questions and explore, to give information and teach them how to use it to solve problems and discover new information and solutions. In reality education teaches young people how to be model citizens in the establishments view of what a perfectly obedient society should be. Teach them to be good consumers and don't upset the status quo. Current public education is, in many ways, failing our society.
I know, Sour Grapes, Blah, Blah Blah.........
I believe that in your own comment about Love you have answered this question, at least in part. Love takes an effort to make a real and lasting relationship, as does respect. Negativity along with indifference and antipithy seem to be much easier, in fact to some it seems to be a game to play. When I was growing up my curiosity was usually met with ridicule or jest. It seemed to be easier to make fun of me than to put even a little effort in to what I was interested in. Apparently my interests were viewed as silly and unimportant by most of the adults around me. If I sound bitter, Yes, they couldn't even be bothered to help me find what I was looking for. The grown-ups and even the schools could not look beyond their own narrow minded views. The negative is all around us in the papers and on TV, the good and the positive takes a little effort to find and most people just can't be bothered to look for it or anything outside their own whining and complaining. There is a word for someone who always looks for the good in life, 'Pollyanna' and most people use it in a negative sense, just a bit ironic, isin't it?
Reality can be Tough
I'm not sure what you would propose to do about it, Government regulations have made it very expensive to develop new medications with all the testing and trials that are required. Without patent protection a corporation will not spend the money to develope new drugs just to have some other company copy the same thing and undersell them. I do not think that I would want to take a pill that was not well tested. If some backyard tinkerer came up with a cure after testing it on a few mice and rabbits and put it on the market, the sick patients would become his lab rats to determine if it was safe or not. What percentage of death to cure would be acceptable for this kind of product. The Blueprint of life has been read, it's the Human genome project and it is published and avalable to all. Corporations and Governments are the only ones with the resources to develop new medications, and I for one am not ready to try some homemade, untested concoction that someone on an infomercial claims will cure everything that is wrong with me. The only ones benefiting from those TV offers are those selling the books and products that are mostly harmless, useless, dross that will only cure a psychosomatic illness.
Who are you calling weak?
The term "weak" has meaning in an evolutinary sense only in reference to the environment in which the individuals live. As the world becomes more mechanized and computers play a larger part in our lives, it may be that physical strength will be less important, and computer sense and business savy may be more advantageous to survival. Strength, speed, and the ability to hunt and find food were necessary skills in a primitive hunter gatherer society. The human environment is no longer forests, savannahs, wild animals and plants, but concrete and steel structures, with money and business the means of survival. Those who do well at this struggle will help to produce the next generation of individuals, who will be even more suited to this environment, and in our welfare society those with no scruples about taking what they did not earn, may also be well suited to survive. It may be that lust and greed are the characteristics to best serve in our society. In an urban setting, with mechanized transportation, and wage earning the primary survival skill a much different human being may evolve. Humanity has effected evolution by creating an industrial, political, and technological society, those who can best cope with this environment will thrive and produce the next generation. Evolution is driven by the environment and all the factors that make up the nature of that environment drive evolution in one direction or another. War and disease are just two factors that make up the human environment. In the midst of war scavenging and hiding would be good skills for a non-combatant, soldiers are best served by the military training they have recieved. Modern medicine is one of the factors of the human environment that is allowing individuals to survive who would otherwise die out. The weakest will always die off, medicine is only lowering the threshold of survival, so those with "weaker" genes will contribute to the gene pool if they produce offspring. Many with a genetic pre-disposition to disease may not have children. The preservation of these "weak" genes is one of the downsides of the scientific advances in medicine. People who live in a city are subject to one set of environmental influences and those who live in a rural or wilderness setting are subject to different factors, but with todays transportation systems genetic changes are blended throughout the population and those who have access to transportation will evolve together. Only when a population is isolated for a long period of time will evolution produce differences from the rest of the species. If transportation were nnot a factor those in a highly industrial area would develope differently than those in a city or in a rural area. for example, if a society were dominated by the automobile good drivers would survive and bad drivers would either be killed in a crash or be unpopular and not produce offspring. The evolutiionary trend would be to produce a population of better drivers. This would be evolution working, not by wishing or wanting people to be a certain way. We will become what our environment produces and those who produce the most offspring will dominate the course of human evolution.
The situation has not changed.
Our attempts to create a peacful world without war has not changed anything. There have always been those who say that peace is better than war just as there are others who seek to settle differences by waging war. The struggle of war between different groups and nations has been going on just as long as there have been people who work for peace. These struggles will continue as long as there are just a few who believe in conflict by force of arms, because only a few will mean that others will take up arms in defence or to stop them. Human evolution has not been changed by the current efforts because the efforts have been going on from the begining. Neither war or peace will have much effect on the percentage of weak who die. In peace disease will take mostly the weak, and the occasional famine will put aditional stress on the population. In war the conflict will kill both weak and the strong in greater numbers, the weak from added stress and hardship, and the strong from the conflice itself, and all will suffer as colateral damage if not from the dileberate actions of a brutal savage aggressor. During WWII Japan and Germany taught the world another lesson in brutally murdering civilian populations and the current worlds generations have not forgotten those lessons. Japan and Germany were only excersizing the lessons from history but modern technology made knowledge of those acts more accessable to the rest of the world. There have always been people with a savage murderous nature, and untill those individuals and populations are eliminated the struggle for peace will continue to be a struggle of violence against violence. And as long as this conflict continues evolution will continue to select for those who can survive in this environment.
Truth or Fiction.
It may be that Ego has a lot to do with it, along with a bit of arogance. Some people say that "If he doesn't know it, It isn't worth knowing", but even though the reference is about someone else I think that the true feeling is about themselves. This may also go back to a previous post about "no big deal" where many people think that what is of interest to them is important and if it does not interest them then it is not important, and simply do not understand how anyone could waste their time on it. Many years ago there was a scientific study on "The sex life of the frog". It was regularly criticized and ridiculed as a waste of time and money by many narrow minded and ignorant people. I am not familiar with the results of that study but I have no doubt that the additiion to human knowledge is of some value. Indeed with the current research on Global Warming and environmental concerns with extinctions, Frogs are being studied because of their sensativity to environmental change. The previous studies would certainly be useful reference material as backround for more recent research. It is also possable that it was a benefit in medical research in developing treatments and medicines for humans. Many times a discovery in one area has a way of crossing over and being useful in another. And so it is with small minded people who can't recognize that anything outside their own narrow little world can be of value, will also not be able to admit that there is anything of value that they do not know. There is another type of person who instead of admiting that they lack knowledge, will make something up and then insist emphatically that what they said it true. These are people who have trouble discerning truth from fiction. My 3 1/2 year old grandson and I were talking about picking up some kind of food, and I told him that it came from a farm. He responded "No it comes from a Grocery Store." I then pointed out that the grocery Store had to get it from somewhere, where did he think that was? He thought for a few seconds and then said " It's too far away, you can't see it." Instead of admiting that he didn't know he made something up. It was really quite funny at the time.
Usually.
Yes, most Religions claim to have the exclusive knowledge and understanding of God, and will say "We are right and everyone else is Wrong." This attitude is very devisive and leads to prejudice as each group tries to convince the others of the correctness of their way of thinking, often with weapons and violence. If you don't believe as we do, you are wrong and must be eliminated, God says so! History is a record of peoples inability to accept that a belief other than their own, can be tolerated. Please note we are talking here about religion, not about what God teaches, they are sometimes quite different.
It's all perfictly reasonable.
I think that faith is greatly overrated by many, It is much more important what you believe than why. There are many who seem to say that belief by blind faith is all important and proof destroys faith and therefore belief. Whether you believe by faith or by proof, that what you believe is true is most important. Likewise there are those who say that the works of God must be miraculous and inexplicable, to those I say nonsense! Who are they to tell God how to run the universe. If God achieves his purpose by ordinary means, so be it. It is extreme sillyness to expect that beliefs must be unprovable, and miracles must be inexplicable, and outside the realm of science and nature as we understand it. God can do what he wants, when he wants, in whatever way he wants, and it is not our place to tell him otherwise. In regards to a test of faith, there are some who believe in healing by faith and prayer alone, to the fatal consequences to some, Where is their faith in God's gift to humanity of modern medicine that can treat many illnesses that aflict us. God gave us the intelect to learn these things, and many others, Who are they to dismiss these gifts and not acknowledge their value.
Repugnance with Courtesy.
I think that Vernonchik's premise that "absolute respect" is the primary tenet of this forum is incorrect. The initial tone of all posters and threads should be courtesy, and the dialogue should continue untill a clear expression and understanding has been achieved by all parties. Agreement is not expected nor is it desirable, the purpose is to allow the free expressiion of divergant ideas and beliefs so that people can understand anothers point of view. Indeed if agreement were required no dialogue would be possable. It is possable to understand without agreement, it is possable to understand even when the opposing view is repugnant to some. It is desirable then to state this in a courteous manner and allow the matter to rest unless there is knowledge that will counter or refute the opposing view. However all that is stated is subject to scrutiny and failing that examination should be discarded by all. Courtesy then should be the "Golden Rule" of dropping knowledge, as this will be most useful in the efficient exchange of information. Passion and enthusiasm are welcome and desirable but crude or offensive post's will only hamper the progress of dialogue. Some of you know that I speak from experience and difficult lessons are not often plesant.
Changes with the season.
In the Fall, raking leaves into a pile. Can you guess what comes next?
A perfect Answer ?
Perhaps it would be better to say that Myth is based on The Truth, or A Truth. Consider that all facts are true (if it is not true, it is not a fact), but not all truths are facts. The quest for perfection is universal, everyone wants that which is perfect, the perfect life, the perfect car, the perfect mate, the perfect farm, and children are usually perfect to their parents up untill puberty or a little before. Utopia is an expression of this idealized perfect society. Is it possable that myth helps us understand the truth about our imperfect world. The truth that perfection is unobtainable is difficult for some to accept and probably has caused a lot of problems. A few centuries ago it was believed that everything that was not on the Earth was perfect. The Sun, the Moon. and Planets were perfect spheres moving in perfect circular orbits, stars were perfect points of light, the heavens were unchanging and eternal. Then someone invented the telescope and took a closer look, the heavens were not perfect but just as corruptible as the Earth. Still later it was discovered that the universe was not unchanging and eternal, but had a begining and was constantly changing and quite violent as well. These discoveries upset every thing. There was no longer a perfect ideal refuge from the evil of the Earth. Now people are seeking facts to believe in rather than seeking the truth and Myth has fallen out of favor. It almost seems that the more we discover and know, the less truth we have.
Keep going.
I believe that you have started the process by wanting to make amends. I would suggest that next you try to comunicate with the other person and procede from there.
Very Few?
Probably not very many, most obvious is that 1/4 of the worlds population are illiterate and can't read. Most people are being told by religious leaders what is in the Holy Books and what it means. This has led to a lot of abuse by those leaders, many of whom will say 'Send Money' and God will reward you with health, wealth, salvation, or whatever else they can think of. In reality the only ones benefiting are those receiving the money and getting rich. Some start reading and find a few verses that resonate and hold these as if that were all there is, or a religious teacher will claim that some part is most important over the rest. Historically reading the scriptures has only occured in the last few centuries after Gutenberg. Prior to that most people couldn't read and when attending church could not understand what was being said because the service and scriptures were in Latin which no-one but the clergy and scolars knew. So there was no way for them to know except what they were told and often that was distoerted or incomprehensable to them. Most people accept what they are told and even if they try to read , many scriptures are in an archaic language or dialect, like the King James version which is like reading Shakesphere, Many people can't understand and don't want to try.
Subtle.
Being alone is not being around other people, being lonely is not making an emotional or social connection with others. Being alone can be restful and quiet, being lonely can be depresing and sad.
Not really,
No, there is a principle in American and English jurisprudence that ignorance of the law is no defense. So technicaly all members of a religion are responsable for the actions commited in the name of that religion. As a practical matter 'What the eye does not see, the heart cannot grieve', so a person cannot prevent or object to what they do not know about. In religion as in politics there is a bit of deniability in that a few are doing things that the rest of the members or leaders can claim no knowledge of. It's a way of insulating the masses from the abuse, But it should not excuse them, also the small segment that engages in the abuse will hope to not be discovered, or present it as a 'fait accompli' that will be accepted or overlooked as something that cannot now be changed.
Patience.
Give it some time and after awhile the ache will become bearable and you will find that you can love again. I don't know your particular circumstances but you may even be able to forgive the one who broke your heart. Weather they ask or not, if you forgive you can move on. As long as you hold to the pain you will not be free. As long as there is life, there is hope, so keep living and give healing a chance.
Hallo, ?-Herz
Germany is not going to WAR. Now that is funny, Germany is not involved because there in nothing that they can steal from the other countries, transportation may be a problem with no rail connection and the Kreigsmarine not avaliable. Almost as funny as the French complaining that people from other countries are rude !
Experiment.
Try everything that is of interest, and be realistic enough to admit when you are not good at something.
Good Question ! !
Hello April, I just couldn't pass that up, but it points up one of the difficulties of language, there are many ways to define 'Die, just as there are many euphemisms for death. In the most basic sense the physical body will cease to function, unless modern medicine finds a cure, You and I will Die. However there is also the spiritual, or the Soul, and Theologians and Philosophers have been arguing this point from the begining of Human thought, and I will say they know no more about it than I do when I say "I have no idea". We will find that out when the time comes. The other aspect is that your body will continue to exist. The sub-atomic particles have existed since the Big Bang aprox. 14.5 billion years age and will continue till the end of time. The first atoms were Hydrogen and a little heleum, everything else was produced from hydrogen inside a star that blew up. Human Beings and in fact all life can be described as 'Star Dust' We are all Stars, and you don't even need to be famous. you and I have existed from the begining and will continue to exist for a very long time, even if matter decays back into energy it will still exist untill the end of the universe, though we may discontinue this dialogue some time before that, or maybe not? If you do not have your body sealed in a concrete vault you will be reincorporated into the Earth and be part of the life cycle again, inside a vault will take a little longer. So you will live again, you will be reincarted and you may even be part of another human being. Life continues, only Death is temporary.
Who lacks substance?
Light is energy, and energy and matter are interchangable, this has been stated and demonstrated, matter can be converted into energy and energy can be converted into matter. So light could be considered as the basic substance of life or as you say 'our bodies are actually light', a small consolation for some when they step on the scales. As I stated in another post our bodies are very long lasting, at least the molecular, atomic and sub-atomic components, they have existed from the begining and will probably continue to the end of time. Might give you a small sense of security that in some way you are practically indestructible
Visit a Cemetery
It has been said that the richest place on Earth is a cemetery, because of all the ideas, knowledge, and inventions that have been carried there. I have worked with metals all my life, and once heard of a man who had invented a flux for soldering aluminum. Due to it's chemical properties Aluminum is very difficult to solder. In an obscenely egotistic and selfish attitude this man would not share his discovery and said that he would take the knowledge to the grave. This attitude is probably the result of the actions of one of the most ruthless criminals of the last century. After Thomas Edison had established himself and accumulated some wealth, he would routinely sue inventors, who had appliied for a patent, for stealing the idea. Most inventors and tinkerers did not have the monitary means to withstand the legal onslaught and Edison thereby stole hundreds on inventions. Probably most of the inventions with which he was credited were taken this way. With this kind of ruthless predator around most inventors had to take extrodinary measures to protect themselves or just not announce their discovery. We may never know how much was lost because inventors would not allow others to benefit from their work and knowledge. Edison was not the Hero as many believe but a vicious predatory criminal. This may have seemed off topic but there are many fields of endevor where this kind of theft means that many will keep their knowledge very close rather than sharing. So many times an idea will go to the grave before it can be anounced, but so far we have no way to retrieve information that has been lost. It may still exist but on another level. Actually all this knowledge, experience, and feelings do still exist but on a plane that, as dualistic ego-centered individuals, we cannot access.
What's the point?
Actually it makes just as much sense to me as the original question. What is he asking and why in this forum?
wirklich?
It seems that you need a tranquilizer, or another beer, a really big stein to compensate.
No Elite Bullies here.
Actually most who post on this site quite courteous and polite, and we welcome anyone to post a question no matter what their level of intelligence, and we always wait till we stop laughing to post a reply. Present company included.
Hypocrisy is with us always.
I would suggest that Hypocrisy has been around for a very long time, probably as long as there has been politics. It is possible that the current batch of politicians are not as good at hiding it, or they are so brazzen that they just don't care. It is also possible that the occasional 'Sincere Politician' (I know that may be an oxymoron) makes the hypocrisy of the others more noticeable. - - - - - - - - - - * April, How was my spelling? *
More puzzled than ashamed.
I am not sure that Christ would be ashamed of Christians, on the whole, maybe a few small groups, but I think it more likely that he may not recognize the church as a religion. The church today is not a religion that worships the mystery, or is in awe of creation, but is one where the mythology has been concretized, and the believer is expected to view the Bible as historical fact, rather than a metaphor of the unknowable. In all religions there are lessons in the mythology that are spiritual, but physically impossible, and claiming that God had worked a miracle only clouds the issue and diverts attention from the message to an event that probably did not happen as described. Lessons in myth are symbolic and are not ment to be read literally. If God did work miracles it was to teach a lesson and not to show off.
Stomp, Stomp, Stomp ! !
Just put your foot down and say NO ! to fire ants. I did find an interesting web site?
Nothing.
In the end all will cease to exist, atoms and energy will fade into nothing, all will be peaceful and quiet, an end to all this noise. - - - Except for those who truly believe, and for them beauty.
Simple Answer.
Dreaming is like living, You may just as well ask 'Why do we live, if we know we are going to die?', We dream to have the dream, and we live to be alive.
It all depends?
There can be no fixed answer to this question, as it will depend on the physiology of the individual, the exact strain of the disease contracted, and the quality of care received. Some have died after only a few years, Steven Hawking is still alive after more than 44 years with the disease, though now he is totaly incapacitated.
Honesty, common sense.
They work harder, and smarter, and make the best of their oportunities. They do not sit around waiting for a handout, or wasting money on lottery tickets.
Perfection Is,
Perfection is probably impossable to achieve, but the accomplishments along the way can be very rewarding. Many times striving towards a goal is just as good as acheving it. If you try for perfection you may not reach your goal, but if you do not try it is certain that you will not reach it.
Hiding behind an I.D.
I have written things (here) that I would not admit having written to anyone, but the exersize is therapeutic, in that I can express thoughts and ideas that run against the mainstream. Where and When I grew up, humiliation and ridicule seemed to be standard methods of child rearing, so I am reluctant to truly express myself in person, in public. Here the anonymity is a shield for ideas that are not typical, and a protectiion against the remembered reaction of elders that, at the time, I respected, and the attempts to share brought a negative reaction. So here my thoughts can benefit society, though I need not take credit, or blame, for them.
Slavery & Democracy?
It is not at all clear what the existence of slavery has to do with the operation of a democratic society. Democracy is a system where Free, Thinking, Responsible individuals can participate in the functions of government. Slaves, not being free, would only follow the instructions of their owners and are, therefore, not a valid opinion. Thinking, would require a level of intelligence and education that would preclude the participation of many at the lower level of society, and would also require that those participating be informed on the issues facing society. Responsible, would indicate the need for property owning, law-abiding citizens. Property owning would indicate a level of prosperity and wealth to avoid an unrealistic bias of thought. Law-abiding is self explanitory and would exclude convicted criminals as their judgement would be questionable. Basically the 'better' members of society would be best suited to make important decisions as to leadership and statuits.
Ancient History.
This definition would apply to the original Greek, and Roman democracies and the US Government in it's original form. There were probably several others that I cannot think of, but most are now watered down with all the civil rights, and suffragist movements that these forms no longer exist, except in some societies that are now considered to be extremist and sometimes violent. Societies are now moving toward a True Democracy where all individuals are involved in the process. I am sure the inclusion or exclusion of all members of a society can be debated on many levels but this is the reality of life today that seeks to be inclusive rather than exclusive.
Have you nothing to say?
The Phrase 'Nothing Matters' would seem to indicate that nothing is a concept that we should be concerned about. If nothing indicates the absence of something then the phrase 'Absence makes the heart Grow fonder' could be restated as 'Nothing makes the heart grow fonder' and thus affection will not grow but only stagnate or be less over time. It would seem that Lovers should dispair that their affairs will grow cold? Perhaps 'Lice' is a 'Nit Picker'. Look that up in your 'Funk & Wagnols'.
Maybe, - Maybe not?
As in any human relationship, this is much too complex for a simple answer. The effect of absence will depend on the nature of the relationship. With genuine Love, absence will create a longing to be with the person of affection. If it is a more casual interest then being apart will simply be an opportunity to meet other people. Of course there is a wide range of situations within these extremes
I hope we are not a minority.
There are some of us who have real empathy, and care for our fellow human beings. And also those who care for the world we live in.
Despair for the future.
The environment will define what strength is, civilization will create the environment, and those best suited to survive will do so. Idealism and good intentions have nothing to do with it.
I really don't know.
I think your previous post hints at the answer, in that doubt is simply the lack of knowledge, rather than Thai's vague suggestion of uncertianity. It may also involve the fear that your knowledge may not be valid.
Easy answer, Silly question.
Well, the most obvious reason is that there is no verifiable evidence of their existence, there is no proof of life beyond Earth. I know that the absence of proof is not proof of absence, but it does not prove existence either. There have been no news reports of aliens landing, they have not been interviewed on TV, there is no valid proof that they exist. Just becaust the universe is very, very, very, (ad infinitum) large does not prove the existence of other intelligent life, or any life at all. Maybe God was just showing off, having 'Delusions of Grandeur', saying "Look what I can Do". Hanger 51 (or whatever) probably doesn't have anything in it except for embarrising evidence that the USAF made a few mistakes. Juvenile fantasies will not produce, or prove the existance of aliens. Actually, except for April and me, maybe Thai Sean, and a few of my friends and relatives, I'm not sure about the existence intelligent life here on Earth, present company included.
Try this on for size?
I'm not sure what you mean by 'Religious Tomfoolery', but technological progress has always been accelerated by War, and most Wars in history have root causes in Religion, so, yes there is a correlation between religion and technological progress.
Existance is doubtful, till proven.
I started to write a reply to KB3's post on this thread, and was hopelessly digressed on the scenario of an alien visit, which was not the primary or secondary question. I would certainly entertain any speculation on that subject. Proving the existance of extraterrestrial intelligence will be very difficult due to the vast distances between the stars and potential planets, where life and intelligence could develope. The suggestion of sheer numbers is, unfortunatly, no proof at all, and untill we have some contact, there is no reason to believe in any other life at all. The Drake Equation is only speculation, not proof. If a technological civilization developes and burns itself out in a short time we may never have contact. Without FTL communication or travel the distances are just too great to overcome. We may someday have evidence that other intelligences have existed but we will probably not have a meaningful dialogue. I do not think that it is arrogance that leads most people in the discussion of alien life but the brainwashing and blind obedience to the prevailing religious dogma. So many religions preach that we are the 'Chosen ones' or we are 'Special' that adherents cannot accept that intelligent life could exist anywhere else and certainly none that are aware of, or believe in God. After all if the Bible, or whatever scripture you accept, doesn't say that there are other believers on other planets, then it can't be so. People are blinded by the narrowness of the Mythology and cannot see beyond it. Free thinklers will not be swayed by such distortions. Perhaps I'll put KB3 on my list. Personally, I would love to see some evidence someday, but untill then I must remain skieptical.
Simple vs. Complex.
When dealing with simple, uniform items, stereotypes can be quite useful as part of the cognitive process. Applying stereotypes to anything more complex, such as people, some animals, and relationships, is less useful and could be detrimental to the process. With simple items and processes stereotyping can enhance and speed up the function. Things more complex cannot be stereotyped so easily, and must be delt with on an individual basis. Stereotyping does not forbid the cognative process but must be applied appropriatly, also stereotyping is not a natural process, but is taught at a very young age, as April said, it is part of our cultural conditioning. It should be part of our intellictual ability to discern when to use it and when not to, it should be a choice and not an automatic reaction. The automatic reaction is the basis for bigotry.
Time is not Eternity.
Actually all Time, Space, Matter and Energy was created aprox. 14.5 billion years ago and will cease to exist at some time in the distant future. This is in the field of temporal existance and has nothing to do with Eternity. Since Man cannot control or create Time, Space, Matter or Energy we are, tenhnically, not 'God', However some will say that Mythologically and Metaphorically we are one with God.
Micro and Macro.
There would actually be two courses with that title, one being Micro-Future and the other being Macro-Future. Micro-Future would deal with your personal affairs and relationships with friends and family. Macro-Future would deal with national and global issues that effect the course of events. I believe that if you look there are already courses in the school curriculum that cover these issues, but if you can't find them you may need more help than you can get from this forum. One-on-one profesional help may be in order.
Sleep in your bed, not at your desk.
The surface of water is reflective and shows what is above it, but looking through it there is no reflection. You need to pay more attention in class, you could learn things that would answer some of these questions, and drugs will not give you the answer.
I think maybe sometimes.
There will always be someone who will give you an answer to any question. In spite of what some people say, there are bad questions, questions that are poorly phrased or not thought out. Some are meaningless or nonsensical , for example the title of one of my recent posts could be restated as the question 'What would you find one mile north of the North Pole?' and Santa Claus is not the answer. The question is meaningless just as 'What is the sound of one hand clapping' it is not for an answer but to distract you from thinking. A clearly stated question will always have an answer, the problem is finding the correct one amid all the prevarication.
The clouds are hung for the poets eye.
You have just arrived, or is it ages ago that you came? - - It seems like a moment ago, and forever ago. - - Are we really here or is this a figure of enchantment? - - If it is an enchantment I hope it is forever. - - Is this really happening or are we in a dream? - - If it is a dream, I wish never to awaken.
We're all in this together.
All life on earth is one. If you take any living cell and exchange the DNA with the DNA of any other living cell, Plant or Animal, it will continue to function and produce proteins and reproduce as if it were the new cell. All life on earth evolved from the same original life form, we are all kin, on this rocky sphere. Some are more complex than others, some adapt to the environment diferently than others, but all life preformes the same functions just in different ways. All life was created together, none are seperate from the others.
I prefer to live for.
This is another way of saying what is important to you. I would much prefer to live and enjoy the relationships in my life, but I would not hesitate to kill to defend those I love, my family and friends. And if circumstances allowed, for anyone who threatened my own, I would inflict as much pain and agony as possable before I exterminate them. My only hesitation, for some, is that I do not wish to go to jail for exterminating vermin.
It's today, or not, I think?
The discussion of 'nothing' and 'dualism' can be very broad and encompass a lot, in fact everything. Actually as others have pointed out nothing does exist as the absence of something or in mathmatics as '0'. Without 0 as a place holder math is very difficult, just try math with Roman Numerals. Nothing can also manifest itself by its absence, as in 'There is no more room to put anything else in there'. Likewise duality can be expressed in many ways, pairs of opposites, something or nothing, or simply two or more things and not just one. 'Matter' and 'Antimatter' are not completely opposites, only in certain characteristics. It is also not a case of something here or absent. Antimatter is made of atoms composed of particles with opposite charge, which are composed of quarks of the opposite orientation. Antimatter has the same properties as the corrosponding matter, antihydrogen has the same properties as hydrogen etc. but the two types cannot co-exist. Producing and storing antimatter is extremely expensive and is useful only for research. Non-dualism is a slippery concept as everytime you think you have an itea about it an alternate comes up and you are back to dualism. This is why in Buddhism you must get beyond thought and just experience it. Many of the exersizes are intended to get you to stop thinking. The best I can do is to take comfort in a passage I read some time ago that said 'Everyone is enlightened, but just don't know it yet'. So I figured that if I was already enlightened and just didn't know it I'll skip all the hard work and enjoy myself, and quite honestly I don't think I could have much more fun than I am having with my grandson's. - - - - To all my friends here, I'm a Grandpa again ! Emily was born 11-12-'09 at 5:04 AM eastern time US. Beautiful and pink with a full head of dark hair. She was a bit early, I think she wanted to come out and play with her brothers. She and Mom are coming home today.
Church / Religion.
To address the original question, Humans have been told by the Church that they are not part of nature. According to the Judeo / Christian religion man was a seperate creation from the rest of life on Earth. Add to this the idea that because of the 'Fall' in the garden of Eden man is seperated from God, and nature is now corrupt and evil. The goal of religion is to get away from evil nature and natural things and be reunited with God. There have been so many generations of this brainwashing that the Lie is accepted as truth. Each person must decide, but I reject the idea that nature is corrupt, Good and Evil have no place in a discussion of nature, plants, animals, or man natural inclinations, actions, and thoughts. The church is perpetuating this falshood to maintain control over the masses, by dictating what actions, thoughts, and beliefs, will bring about redemption. I am simply comfortable in my belief that there is a God.
It's possable.
Well, for those who die in the war, I would say that their problems are solved, or at least they do not have any problems. For those wounded physically and psychologically, the winners, and the loosers, the original problem may have been exchanged for a new one, or set of problems, so it can solve 'a problem'.
Yes.
Not only the text but also the drawings as well, and as Thai Sean suggests these could be modern retellings of myths. And in so doing recast those myths in terms more revelant to current humanity. The real artistic value is in the whole, not just in the parts.
We are part of, and live in the Universe.
The Earth, the solar system, and outer space, are all part of the Universe. To segregate Earth from outer space is like some people who do not believe they are part of nature. We have not learned everything we know from the Earth, even though we have learned it while on the earth. Much of our most profound knowledge has come from the study of the universe. We should not, and cannot shut ourselves off from the rest of the universe.
Try 'Funk and Wagnalls'.
A good Dictionary works just as well. When in doubt look it up. (ond?) Haste makes waste.
This site could be improved.
That would be good, or if you clicked on a post and it would display the entire thread. I would also like to scroll back through the most recent questions and comments. (ckicked?) Ever heard of 'Webster'? Or was that a typo? Do you know that the 'shift' key allows you to capitalize where appropriate. Reading over your post before hitting the 'Submit' will allow you to spot errors.
Intelligence --> Happiness.
I completely agree with April on this and would like to point out that Happiness is very elusive and striving for it might not work. Like trying to relax, the harder you try the less relaxed you are. But striving for intelligence (education and knowledge) is very do-able and can be quite rewarding which should make you happy, especially if you can then apply that knowledge to solving problems. I don't know your position or access but any improvment large or small, brings us all closer to the goal. - - - - - A few thoughts on relationships, If you are in one I hope it is good. If you are not and are looking, I would say don't go to the typical places looking for a date. Go about your life and do the things that you would normally do, there are always people around and good company might be right next to you. Most of my own relationships have started as casual encounters at quiet mundane places. One woman I met in a grocery store and dated for awhile. I met my first wife in college, we were both in the orchestra. I met my current wife in a laundramat, I was doing my laundry and reading a book, She was having trouble with the machines, (she never had to use a laundramat before) I helped her out and we started talking. We have been together 33 years, married 31 years with no thought of changing. Together we have 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, 4 year old and 8 year old grandsons, and a grandaughter 6 days old born 11-12-'09. Our older daughter is expecting a boy in March. Strive for knowledge and do good, happiness will come in it's own good time. - - - - - Final thought, not everyone needs to be in a relationship to be happy, it works for me, but others may be just as happy on their own with their work. If you know someone who is alone and happy be happy for them, don't try to push them into a relationship that may make them unhappy.
Yes.
I believe that there are people, in this world, that you can be very happy, comfortable, and content with. I do not believe that there is "one special person" that you are ment to be with. With all the billions on the Earth today that would take a lot of Devine Intervention to get you together. The important part is that when you meet someone that is a good match you make a commitment to that relationship, then it will work. When I decided to marry my wife it was a deliberate concious decision that the relationship would work, failure or seperation was not an option, it was off the table. Probably what helped is that not only do I love her dearly, but I like her as well. I enjoy being with her, and in our new house that will be more possible than before. There is an old saying 'Kissin wears out, Cookin don't' Passionate love and sex will only carry the relationship so far. A former classmate of mine said she got married 'in love and in lust' but have now grown beyond that. Mutual admiration and friendship will carry, with love, where physical attraction may fail. To answer your other question, yes people change, It is called growth, and people can grow together, the key is to know and understand how the other person is growing. Disaster happens when one or both cannot tell the other what they are thinking and feeling. Mutual understanding and acceptance is necessary for mutual growth. You do not need to be carbon copies of each other but complementary, and supportive. It is only when one goes off on a wild tangent that dificulties arise. When people are true to themselves and honest about what they think and believe the relationship will be easy.
Be careful what you wish for.
The path of Tarot cards is a bit risky. a good reader will not read the cards but will intrepret the cards from what they see in you. Reading your own cards, you will read what you subconciously want to read. For those who believe, no proof is necessary, For those who do not believe, no proof is enough.
Nice work if you can get it.
Each person must seek the type of job and situation that suits them best. Some can work in an office doing clerical or managerial jobs, and that is OK. Some need to be out, Selling. Some can work the phones, Each person must find their own place. Myself, I had 4 jobs that I could have stayed with, but for secondary factors. I worked in a manufacturing plant as a draftsman, I liked to draw, but could not deal with the office politics, or the expectation that I had to want to advance. I had the same problem with office polotics as a 'Township Zoning Officer'. I owned a retail Hobby Shop, but couldn't keep it going. And I worked in 2 machine shops in production, I would use 'Drill Presses', 'Lathes', and 'Milling Machines' to make 100's or 1,000's of parts a day, and I loved it. But the contracts went away and I was out of work. Now I am the caregiver for my 2 Grandsons, and soon my Grandaughter, and I couldn't be happier. Find the job that suites you and don't let anyone push you out of it. Find and read 'The Peter Principle', a book very appropriate for todays job market.
Formaldehyde.
I cannot diagnose your condition, but I can relate my own experience with a substance that your allergist may not have considered. Sanka coffee is decaffinated using formaldehyde in part of the process, which leaves a trace in the product. When I would visit my parents for a weekend they would brew Sanka Sat. morning and after drinking some I would have a migraine by the afternoon. When I stopped drinking Sanka I got no more headaches, now I totally avoid decaf. And no, it is not withdraw, because I have given up coffee alltogether with not headaches. Also my daughters suffered migraines while they attended a school that was being renovated. New building materials often give off formaldehyde vapors as they cure. This may not be it, but it is worth asking about.
Can't have one without the other.
It is true that without our technological inventions humans would be much lower on the food chain, but just as animals have evolved fur, sharp teeth and claws, speed and strength, Humans have developed intelligence, and the result of that intelligence is just as much a tool of survival as any physical characteristic of any animal. To try to seperate man from tools is like removing a cheetah's legs and saying that it could not survive long in the wild. Humans have tools and technology just as Lions have teeth and claws, Eagles have wings, fish can live in the water, to say otherwise is nonsensical. Technological inventions are one of the qualities of Humans that help us survive.
Lack of shared experience.
There is a book credited to the writings and lectures of Joseph Campbell - 'Thou Art That'. In it there are passages that refer to how mythology that was written for people thousands of years ago, no longer has meaning for many today. A story that was written for Hunter Gatherers does not speak to people living in a city because there is little or no shared experience. There is an example of a Nativity scene from the second century whose meaning would be clear to contemporaries but needs explaining today. It depicts a child surrounded by the Ass, the Ox, and the Magi, representing Osiris and Set of Egypt, and Mithra. The old Gods conceding their power and authority to the new. Just as modern man has dificulty relating to the ancient myths, so one from another country has dificulty relating to the culture they are now in. Just as foreigners must embrace the new culture, Myths must be rewritten in new images so that the metaphors can be understood and not be mistaken for concrete facts, but truth.
Nostalga.
We must be living in a different time and place than when I grew up. I had dogs as pets and we would open the door to let them out without chains or cages. They might wander around a bit but would always come back and be around the house or barking to get back inside. Where I grew up there were dairy farms and whether for meat or dairy the animals were always treated well. The farmers knew that a well cared for animal made a better product. The cows were let out to pasture and would come back at milking time of their own accord, Hardly the action of an animal that was mistreated. Those who would torture or misstreat livestock must be a new low point in human evolution along with Drug Dealers and other criminals, I'll leave lawyers out of it this time.
Your own happiness makes others happy.
Again I agree with April, external happiness is short lived, but internal happiness will last and can only come from within. You cannot make someone else happy, you can only celebrate their happiness with them. You must live your own life, and most importantly, do not let others waste your time with things that do not enhance your own life. Learn to say 'NO' or learn to just not be there for those who would steal your time and life from you.
Simple answer, complex issue.
The simplest starting point is anything that causes harm to another person or their property. Taking this principle to the extream anyone using technology is a criminal because they are contributing to the distruction of the Earth, and parts of the Earth belong to many different people, as well as the death and injury to those harvesting those resources. Crime and the law is always a balancing act between my rights and responsibilities vs. your rights and responsibilities. Also any harm you do to yourself, is your own problem, and should not be blamed on others. A Drug Dealer is not actually hurting you, they are just providing the means for you to hurt yourself.
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
Listening is very important, it is the best indication that students are getting, or not, what is presented, but you need to be very careful what you listen to. Students are a lot smarter than you may think. They will soon figure out what you like to talk about and get you started to avoid a lecture. Also be very firm with 'what If', when someone tries to start that, cut them off and say 'we will cover that later after we do this scenario. I said students were smart, I taught in a school where the principal was a lot dumber than the students. When Pa. passed a law limiting the use of corporeal punishment, he told us not to tell the students so that we could get away with it a bit longer. I told another teacher that the students probably know about it before we did. That principal was really out of touch. But to the point, yes listening is your feedback for your effectiveness as a teacher.
Mixed bag.
There are Laws and Authority that are ment to protect us and others that are ment to control us, control should be resisted. Protected from others is usually a good thing, protected from ourselves only restricts our freedom. If someone wants to do something stupid, it should be left to their own consenquences, other responsable people should not be restricted for a few idiots. Good people should be protected from those who whould do us harm, and all should have the freedom to choose.
Fate, is a new house.
April, and Thai Sean, It is our destiny to move into the new house, and we are sleeping there tonight. Sorry I haven't sent any photos yet, been a bit busy.
Wind
Edward Hays has written several books of modern parables, in one of them a young man, on a date with a girl, receives a fortune cookie that says "You will die a happy man." Reading this he thinks "I could die tonight, so I must make this the happiest night of my life." He does not die, but lives on with that same attitude toward life. Many, many years later he does die, as an old man, and at his funeral everyone says that he was the happiest man they ever knew. Happiness comes from within, meaning comes from within, those who search for some wise man to tell them the meaning of life, or the secret to happiness, will die frustrated at the end of a long futile search. Once when I was teaching the students were seated at the end of class waiting for the bell, telling jokes and making funny comments. After settling down from the last witticism one obnoxious brat had the nerve to say, "come on, someone make me laugh". He was so self centered that he thought the rest of the world was there to entertain him. Meaning happiness and acheviment are all internal and it doesn't matter if you make a great discovery or support and help others to do so. There is a song "Wind beneath my wings" where one person can do great things but only with the strength and support of others, and these others have acheved great things even if their name is not on the credits.
Warm and Happy, Yes.
Yes, we are home again, and I will try to send photos but they will not do it justice. Thai said that he is finishing his farm house where he will spend the last few years of life on Earth. It would be sad to think that my children and grandchildren could be the last generation on Earth, but I have hope in the ingenuity and resilience of humanity to survive.
Need or Want?
People NEED air, water,and food, and in a cold climate shelter and clothing. People do NOT NEED cars with 300 HP, or cars at all, or Art, Literature, or Music, these are 'Wants', and that is a different catagory than needs. This question only demonstrates the stupidity and bigotry of the questioner, the assumptions it implies, and those who defend this point of view. No one NEEDS such a car, or a house bigger than their neighbors, or a bank account with more money in it. This is all ego and desire that can cause trouble, but also brings pleasure to some, and necessary or not, only ignorant people criticize what others appreciate, when they do not.
It's possible.
I must agree with Thai Sean that art is a tool that presents the symbols and images of mythology, but modern people have lost the ability to recognize this. There is an account of a nativity scene from the second century that shows the child surrounded by the ox, the ass, and the Magi. It is noted that in the second century no-one would fail to recognise that it represented the cult of Set and Osiris reconciled in the Christ Child, along with the religion of Mithra, concedeing their power to the Christ. Most people today would just see it as a quaint scene in a stable. Please don't accuse me of any special wisdom or knowledge, as I only discovered this in the last year. The point is that people today do not recognize the mythological symbols and do not understand the meaning in myth or art.
Dying is the end of suffering.
Thai Sean is correct this is not a battle we should win untill the problem of overpopulation is solved. Just extending life is not the answer, who wants to live longer in a bed with a feeding tube. Untill population growth is under control extending the lives of those already here will only add the the problem.
Possible Yes.
It is possible to get energy out of almost anything, the problem is how to do it, and how much energy do you need to spend to get it. If you spend more than you get you are loosing.
Point of view?
No there was too much danger of people falling off the edge and being hurt or lost, and being at the center, ment that everyone else out there was watching us, not enough privacy. Why do you think people were hiding in caves or big buildings?
Lawyers.
Our legal system tends to propagate this kind of activity. If you are a victim you must then prove the asault, and failure to prove, only encourages further violence. If you are able to subdue your attacker then you must prove that you did not become the perpetrator of violence. Your best course of action is to take your assailant out somewhere away from everything and bury them very deep. Note I did not say kill, just bury, that should ease your conseience if necessary. These kind of people are not likely to announce their intention to commit a crime, so no-one will know where they are, and probably no-one will miss them.
We? Are you pregnant?
Actually there are some of us who do not, or at least try not to, but I'm sure I will be accused of lying about that.
Nature.
Almost any natural event like a flood, earthquake, volcano, forest fire, anything that was beyond human control and understanding would be the subject of a myth to explain how and why. Many of the discoveries of man that were passed down like fire and how to build shelter were explained in a myth as a gift from the gods. The Plains Indians had myths about why the Buffalo allowed them selves to be slaughtered and used to sustain the people. Read the myths and the answer is in the myth. Humans discovered Fire and generations later someone wanted to know how, so a myth was born.
Opposed.
I am against Abortion, for one reason, with several qualifications. I consider that an abortion is ending the life of another individual Human Being, there are some who will claim that the fetus, being inside a womans body, is part of her body, and she can do with it as she sees fit. THIS IS NOT TRUE, from the moment of conception this is an individual human being, and the woman and the father are responsable for the safety and well being of this new person. I am willing to concede that every woman has the right to choose when and if she will have a child, and therefore it is on the woman to prove that she did not have a choice and the pregnancy was against her will, and only then would an abortion be considered. There are some who would argue that it is not good to have the child of a rape as the child may inherit those "Bad Genes", but the debate on this issue is far from settled. Each person is the result of both nature and nurture and as yet there is no difinitive answer on the source of 'Bad Actions'. Any child can be reared to be a good person or a criminal. If an abortion is the chosen course of action there would be conditions. Both the Mother and Father would be charged with, and plea guilty to, Manslaughter or Murder, which would go on their perminant criminal record. In addition both would submidt to perminant irreversable sterilization, these people would never have the opportunity to repete their crime.
Foolish Waste.
Stupidity is it's own reward. Society should protect each person from the harmful acts of another, but it is not the place of society to protect any person from their own actions. If you wish to persue this activity then you must bear the consequences yourself.
I'll give it a try.
This is really 3 questions and I will answer them one at a time. I will assume that you aere not refering to the physical or bioligical as there are many sources that can answer that better than I. Humans have been evolving for millions of years and carry characteristics and traits from our predecessors. Thai Sean has posted an excelent discription of this evolutionary baggage here, http://www.droppingknowledge.org/bin/posts/focus/38523.page There is also a lot of social and cultural practices that have accumulated over the generations, All these factors form the background of what humans are and where we come from. One of the functions of Mythology is to connect us with our history, not just as an individual but all of humanity, but the old myths are failing because they were told in terms of past cultures and many cannot relate to the images of the Myth and cannot grasp the meaning. A person living in a modern city has no common experience with a hunter gatherer. In Judeo/Christian Mythology we are taught that man was formed from the 'Dust of the Earth', and the common image is that God scooped up some dirt shaped it into a man and brought it to life. This is not literally true, what the Myth teaches is that like the old saying 'You are what you eat' man is formed from the 'Dust of the Earth' in that all our food comes from the Earth. Plants grow in the soil and produce fruit vegatables and grain that we eat, some of it is fed to animals that we also eat. We come from the Earth, and Mythology should teach us Awe and Reverance for the Earth we came from and Nature that we are part of. Human beings are part of Nature and not seperate from it. This is one of the major failings of Religion that teaches this seperation and allienates Religion from Mythology, to teach that man is a seperate special creation. All life on earth is one life in a multitude of shapes and forms, any living cell on earth can read and process the DNA of any other living cell. All life on Earth, including people can trace their origins back to the 'Big Bang', the begining of all space, time, energy, and matter. The early stars were formed of Hydrogen and a little Helium, there was nothing else, and cooked up many of the heavier elements, but only the stars that went nova and exploded created even hevier elements and spread them back into the universe. This early 'Star Dust' then coalesced into later stars and at some point clouds of dust rich in heavy elements formed the Solar System and the Earth, and now we have life that developed from the dust of exploding stars, and can now contemplate the meaning of life, and the universe. Human Beings are in the universe, we are part of the universe, we came from the universe. The function of Mythology is to spiritulize where you are. You are in a home, your home is in a place, in a comunity, a society, on the Earth and in the Universe. All these should give you a sense of Awe and Wonderment at the mystrey of life and existance. Mythology should instill in you a reverance for all that is arround you, and invoke a sense of caring for your world. When I contemplate the idea that every atom in my body was once inside a star that blew up I can't help being overwhelmed at the vastness on space and time that lead up to me. When I look at other living things arround me I can't help but be amazed at how life functions, and survives. There is a line from a movie 'When you stand beside lake Michigan and feel small with the understanding that there is something greater than you.' In the same light look up at the night sky and contemplate the vastness of the universe and understand that you are part of it, realize that you are one with something that much bigger that you. Perhaps there are new myths that are working for some but they are not in the old recognizable forms, but the mystrey is still with us. Life comes from life and feeds on Death. People, along with all life comes from the Earth, from the Universe, and someday we will physically return, some say that then we will be one with all that is, but the truth is that we need only to realize that we are already one with all that is, and spiritually we can return any time we like, but many just don't know it yet.
Caution.
If you like 'A Christmas Carol', Don't read this. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge appears to be that of a man who undergoes a life altering experience that changes him from a mean spirited miser to a loving and generous person. But what really changed him? First visited by the spirit of his dead partner and the prospect of sharing his fate in the afterlife, he passes it off as 'something I ate'. He sees what he has lost in the past and shuts it out, the present only moves him a little at the prospect of Tiny Tim dying. Visions of the future sale of his posessions only anger him, and means little, only when faced with the prospect of his own imminent death does his strong sense of self-preservation kick in and he addopts a changed attitude towards others. His subsequent actions are primarily to save his own life. However as a shrewed business man I'm sure he wouold discover that his new found benevolence had it's rewards. He may have taken smaller profits on each deal but his new manner would have lead to many more deals, as he would have been much more plesant to work with. While this would lead to more paperwork his clerk, with a substantial raise and much gratitude, would work even harder to keep up and please his boss. All in All Scrooge's business would have improved and he would have learned that by giving a little he got much more in return. He would have become even more wealthy, just by feigning good will and a loving nature.
Wake up and be alive !
What we are doing here, is living, being alive, but that is more than just eating, breathing, reproducing, and working at some job. It means that we are fully engaged in where we are and what we are doing. It means that we are not spending our time worring if our bank account is big enough, if our house is as big and nice as our neighbors, if our car is the latest model with all the options. It means that we are content to happily live within our means, to appreciate and enjoy our home, and to drive fully focused on what we are doing and where we are going, and not going over the latest deal at the office, or problems at home. We are alive when we take the time to contemplate where we are, the place, the world around us the Earth and the Universe. Ignoring these things because they have no bearing on the imediate needs is not living but is shutting out the world and only leads to stagnation and spiritual death. 'A Christmas Carol', mentioned in another post, is the story of a man who had shut out the world and was about to suffer a spiritual death. Only the prospect of physical death opened his eyes to the world and people arround him and opened his heart to experience and accept the love of others. Mythology should spiritulize where we are, the world around us, and fill us with a sense of awe at the mystery of life. In the winter when it is below freezing with snow covering the ground, I am amazed when I see small birds flying about singing and surviving. These creatures are only a few ounces with just feathers to keep warm, and yet they live and survive, where people need thick clothing and insulation in their houses to survive. The point is we need to see and be aware of the world around us to really be alive, punching a clock from 9 to 5 and then flopping down in front of a TV with a beer is not living, it is just lifeless existence. It may be that learning is the key to being alive and mythology teaches us our place in the universe. One of the problems with peoples preception is that often when we see a familiar object the mind will provide a generic image from memory and people do not see the actual object but only a remembered image. Most people do not actually see what is in front of them and miss the intricacies of nature and the wonder of creation. This also manifests itself in mans failure to recognise the distruction and deterioration of the environment. People are still seeing an idealized view of nature and often refuse to recognize the crisis at hand. Human beings who are truely alive will see, and engage in the world, realize the problem, and become part of the solution, unfortunatly there is a lot of spiritual dead weight that is draging everyone down to distruction. Its time to wake up and live.
Sometimes a lack of 'won't power'
In many cases a health issue is discovered as a result of a crisis, and imediate attention is required, with medication the only practical treatment. In my experience such events are followed by the medical profesional recomending changes in lifestyle to reduce or eliminate the need for 'Pills'. So your original premise in not always correct, but I agree there are many cases where lifestyle brings about the health issue and could be prevented without medication.
You just did.
Just wanting to, makes you an honorary member, and if your eyes are open and you can see, you will know what needs to be done. Just understand seeing the world as it really is can be a harsh awakening, but you might be there already.
I don't think so.
My first thought is that electromagnetism is not energy itself, it is created by passing electric energy through a coil, so it is energy transformed into a magnetic field. Much the same as energy like electricity, chemical energy and others can be transformed into heat, motion, etc. I would say no, it is something that you can do with energy.
Where can I buy one?
Now this one has got me thinking, and in trying to imagine a water powered car I invisioned a hydro-electric plant translated into a car? You would have a large tank of water on the roof and the water flowing down through a turbine motor would drive the car. Refueling would be frequent. And in going up a hill you are using the weight of the water to lift the water and the car up the hill against gravity. Sounds a bit like perpetual motion. And what do you do with the exhaust water, if you keep it then you must get it back up into the roof tank. If you exhaust it onto the road, in the summer the roads would always be washed clean, very nice. In the winter at temperatures below freezing the roads would be a sheet of ice, minor detail? Sounds like a lot of fun?
I can't wait for this one.
I think we should marry this idea with my proposal for a water powered car in another post. A water powered sky car, very exciting.
Appearances can Deceive.
There are other factors that may affect the level of affection between parents and children. Physical appearence is one, and mannerisms and temperment are another. If in these qualities the child resembles a parent there is going to be a natural, possibly instinctive, affinity by the parent for that child and also the other way. If on the other hand the child takes after a grandparent from the other side the parent may not be as strongly attracted, and this is especially true if the parent and in-law do not get allong very well. This is not an intentional occurance but something that is built into the psychology of every person. People are naturally attracted to others with similar appearence and attitudes, this isn't always the case but a general trend. The phrase "opposites attract" works better for magnets than people. A parent can try to cover up or compensate for these inner tendencies but children aren't stupid and will pick up on the subtle clues and in this ego may not be as much of a factor. Even something as seemingly innocent as the term "Number one son" and "Number two son" can be sublely discriminatory, especially if no.1 resembles the parent and no.2 does not. - - - - - - Another very strong influence is "Need". If one child is strong, independent, and able to cope with things, without the need for a lot of attention, They may get more attention than they want. On the other hand if the child is not coping well, and having difficulty, parents that are aware, and paying attention will tend to focus on the needy child, simply because they need it and not because they are neglecting the other. Each child, just as each parent, is an individual, and "one size fits all" is not appropriate for relationships between people. In a parent child relationship it is almost like scocialism "To each according to their need", but as Thai Sean says it must be done with Love, and compassion, and a genuine understanding of the situation and relationship.
We are all going Back.
We will return to where we came from, We came from the Earth and will return to the Earth. Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes, in the end we will be reunited with the source. We will return both physically and spiritually to the Earth, our origin. God is just one name, Mother Earth, Mother Nature, Father time, are some of the multitude of names that demonstrate the limited Human understanding of that which transends male and female, and the duality that is our existence. We will all pass from this corporeal life to be one with the Universe, reunited with the one who caused the Big Bang and who is the Universe, the Earth, and us as well. But our limited understanding cannot grasp that and Ego attempts to set us appart from everything else. We can all return now while we live, or later when we die, just let go of your pride, selfishness, and ego.
On what do you base this.
First of all how do you know that people who are discussing the problem are not doing something about it. This may be just one small part of their activity. Many who try to do good, do not boast or brag about it, but do their work quietly just wanting to accomplish something. This may be a way to explore different ideas that they then put into action without a lot of fanfair. Public attention is usually for those who want publicity and care little for what is actually done.
Need to know how to use them.
There may be a portion of the worlds population that is growing less intelligent due to malnutrition. There is a portion of the world population that is less educated due to lack of opportunity to learn. Modern conveniences will not lead to a lowering of intelligence, having a calculater does not mean that a person does not know how to solve a problem, it just makes it faster. A computer cannot think for you, you still need to know how to state the problem and look for the answer. Modern conveniences allow intelligent people to do more work faster but will not compensate for a person who lacks intelligence or education.
Depends?
If you are a Hero, you only die once? If you are a coward you die a thousand times? If you are a comedian you die every time you get on stage?
God is not to blame.
God does not allow or cause you to be abused, that is the fault of the person who is commiting these acts. If you are being abused, tell someone, and keep telling people till someone helps you. You have done nothing wrong and you do not need to be a victim. If you can post on the internet, you can contact some authority who can help.
Depends on how far they have gone.
When a child is just training to be a soldier they could easily think it's just play, but when they get out and actually pull the trigger, and the realization sets in what they have done, there will be no going back to being a child.
life
Pain is one of the signs that you are alive, to stop feeling pain you only have to die.
Sum.
Everything that you have learned and experienced has been processed by what you were born with, to end up with what you are now. You are the product of nature and nurture together.
Reasearch.
Look at the old threads on this site, this subject has been hashed out before, with numerous opinions expressed.
?
Your post is confusing and not very clear, Please clarify exactly what and who you are refering to.
Faulty premise.
This is not a case of any individual human deciding to cause the death of another person, if it is, that is a crime, and not justice. In most countries there are legal codes that state that for certain acts there are certain penalties. Some acts have the prescribed penalty of death, and then one who commits such an act is, in effect, commiting suicide and I say let them to it. If the act of suicide is based on misinformation or erronious ideas these people should be helped, but if the act is commited with full knowledge of the consequences, then no intervention is needed.
false teachings.
There is no universal 'Christian Doctrine', each sect has it's own definition of Christ's teaching. We are taught that Christ is an example but not one that we can follow exactly. Please do not confuse 'Original Sin' with sex and procreation, - that was foisted onto Christianity by a few misguided leaders who did not understand what they were saying.
If you want it.
One who will not fight for liberty and freedom, deserves neither. - I forget who said that. The same goes for peace.
Good Acting.
Fictional characters are often archetypes of real personality trates of people. If you are attracted to a particular type of character perhaps you should look for that type of person in your life. I do not believe that you have lost touch with humanity but just need to recognise others in your life that you may have a connection with.
Possable.
It depends on what kind of parent or friend you are trying to be. A lenient parent or friend who is always getting you in trouble are probably compatble. A good parent or a friend who is looking out for your best interests may also be compatable, but any other mix will be trouble.
Who is the Enemy?
Yes Thai, it is a question. You may feel good about winning a war if you see the Enemy as someone less than human and worthy of extermination, but if the enemy were Human beings then you should feel the loss and the waste of humanity. The vanquished and the dead were people just like yourselves but with some different idea that was probably not worth fighting over.
Curriculum
A school program must be structured to provide the most basic education for the most students possable. To cater to each individual students interest would not be possable. If a person (student or otherwise) is truly curious or interested in a particular subject, they will be persuing it on their own. From my own experience if there was something of interest, that was not included in the school program, I would persue it myself often without any help from the teachers, and I saw this with students when I was teaching. If a student claims an interest and expects to be spoon fed, they probably were not that interested in the first place. If you really want to know you'll find it, and if you can't be bothered to look on your own, it wasn't a real interest anyway.
I'm still here.
Hello Mc Finagain, Thai, I've been watching the site, sorry I havn'e posted for awhile but like Thai says it's been a bit slow here. Mc Finagain, if you are going to stay arround there is a lot we can talk about, there is a lot that has been posted before. So a little research would speed things up if there is a particular subject of interest. Haven't seen April arround for awhile. Pick a subject, do a bit of research and we can go at it, might be entertaining to watch Thai and I fight about things if nothing else. OK Thai lets see if we can stir things up a bit.
Give it time.
Possably because we have not thought it thru and considered all the options and possabilities. We are sometimes blinded by the good parts that we fail to see the problems. Let the idea sit for awhile till the passions have cooled a bit, and have a fresh realistic look at it. There have been many times I had an idea that was really great, only to realize later that there were problems.
One Option.
Horticulture is one possability, but any educational program that will encourage an inmate to persua a different course in life would be good. With a few possable exceptions.
Deterrent.
A prisons primary role is to dissuade the prisoner from continuing to persue a life of crime. The educational efforts mentioned elsewere are a posative step. Incarceration it self is suposed to be a deterrent. In some cases it does work.
not really.
The only way Humans will ever be equal is legally and after all the years of trying we haven't come close. In every other respect we are different and inherently unequal, the only other possability is spiritually but that is out of our hands
Hello.
Sorry I'm late, did I miss anything? Been rather busy with the grandchildren. Which brings up a good point, for some the purpose is children and grandchildren, to continue the cycle of life. Your life and how you live it is your purpose how you are remembered, and at some point that is all that will be, is your memory. So far as I know no-one has beaten that ending, so you may as well make the best of it while you can. Right now I can say I have a definite purpose. I have a 20 month old grandaughter and I help to care for her 5 - 6 days a week, I can't be the typical grandpa and spoil her and send her home because if I spoil her she's here. The purpose I've set for myself is to be around to help change the diaper of her child. One's purpose in life does not need to be grand and glorious, just good. Look around it's there if you can only see it.
Yes.
Many years ago I saw an interview of a musician who was complaining that his music was not selling or being accepted. He railed that he had worked long and hard to write and preform his art and was angry that he was not successful. He also was upset that someone like Andrew Loyd Webber could write and sell his dross to the public. The public just didn't know how hard this man had worked. In a way it reminds me of Tonya Harding who expected that after years of hard work and effort the world owed her an Olympic Gold medal, just because. She felt and said it was her 'Payday'. In the end a good or bad song can usually be determined by sales, the public isn't often wrong, even though personal tastes can vary.
purchasing power.
Stop buying their products, if a company was identified as such and everyone stopped buying the products of that company they would soon be out of business and have no more power.
Limited access.
Possably because it is the only misinformation we can get. Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't know.
Not true.
All men are not created equal, that is a falacy, but all men should have legal and social equality, which is not the same thing. Respect is earned, not granted. Unfortunately stupidity is common among humans.
Later.
When students have the education and experience to make a sound judgement on what the school and curriculum should be, but we already know when that is, after they have graduated, matured and gained some kind of life experience.
They are lacking
I think this question answers itself, a relationship without respect is going to be painful, and there would also be the lack of love. There may be passion but that is not always love.
Animal Husbandry
One way would be to have people raise animals from birth to death, and this could be animals other than the typical 'Pet', it would give a better perspective and understanding of those animals.
How much?
30 minutes is a bit unrealistic, a person who is not open to learning all day long is not really alive, so the time you are asleep is the only time you are excuesd from being open to learning, and some will say you can learn even then.
convience,
Also because the many have asked the few to make their decisions for them rather than doing it for themselves. If the many really want the power, force every thing to a referendum vote at the poles, but the many are just too lazy to do the work to know the right choices themselves.
Maybe.
Why do you want to? There are up sides to a warmer climate. It's only the fear-mongers trying to use the issue to their political advantage that paint the down side. The real problems are overpopulation, polution, and excessive use of resources, and distruction of the environment. Global warming is a side issue and not a real problem. The main problem is that too few people are aware of the real problem.
Tangent
The Earth would go off in whatever direction was the tangent to it's orbit, and it would cool down and freeze rather quickly. It might be deflected somewhat by any other planets that would be close to its trajectory.
Dumb looks are still free.
I don't have a dog, and the squirels don't seem to care, so I don't have an answer. Though your happiness may be an illusion.
Think?
What makes you believe that Humans think? Most actions are the result of instinct, or Knee-jerk reactions.
No!
No, even online students will need to be directed as to what to study and learn. Young people do not have the experience and judgment to know what will be useful in life. And sometimes the exersize in learning is an end in itself.
One Language.
A universal language on Earth would link everyone into the same thought process and basic conceptulization of Ideas. The current problem is that even if everyone learned English (Which is close to the universal language) Most people will still think in their native language and the grammer and structure of that language often effects the thought process of the individual. A truely universal language would be one that everyone learned as the primary language from birth and then everyone would be speaking and thinking in the same language. It would not necessarily end the worlds problems but at least everyone would understand each other.
ME.
Me with absolute power and control over everything and everyone. - Scary thought, isn't it.
