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What Do You Do When the Cloud Shuts Down?
jbrodkin writes "Can you trust your data to the cloud? For users of an online storage service called The Linkup, formerly known as MediaMax, the answer turned out to be a resounding 'no.' The Linkup shut down on Aug. 8 after losing access to as much as 45% of its customers' data.
'When we looked at some individual accounts, some people didn't have any files, and some people had all their files,' The Linkup CeO Steve Iverson admits.
None of the affected users will get their lost data back. Iverson called it a 'worst-case scenario.'"
There is overwhelming evidence for evolution in its basic form. It is a requirement for understanding biology.
It also does not claim that non-living proteins come together on their own -- though there is certainly more evidence for that than for your mythical sky-god.
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
You've presented two arguments which have been, well, argued to the death: Pascal's wager, and the religion-is-useful argument (as distinct from the religion-is-true argument.)
Let's try the first one: Pascal's Wager. Here, read the criticisms -- no need to read in-depth, just scan the headers and realize the assumptions you've made.
In particular, you fail to account for what happens if the original AC troll is right. If he's right, I'm better off than you -- you'll burn for worshipping God instead of Satan, whereas I might still have a chance.
Now, the second one:
Plus, I will have lived my life respectfully, to its fullest, without bondage to drugs or material things, and I will have hopefully helped people along the way.
If I may be so bold, I have lived my life respectfully, to its fullest (so far), without bondage to drugs (except caffeine) or material things, and I have hopefully helped people along the way.
The difference is, you have probably taught some people to believe something ridiculous on faith alone, which means you've taught them to turn off their rational mind just this once so they can accept God's word without question. (So what is to stop them from turning off their rational mind again, when Sylvia Brown or John Edwards come knocking?)
I, on the other hand, have taught people to think for themselves.
So given that, the only way you will have lived the better life is if you are right -- that God not only exists, but that he punishes independent thought -- which is a circular argument.
Because that would mean you're basically arguing that religion is useful because it's true -- but you're also arguing that you don't know if it's true, but we should believe because it's useful. (Why is it useful again?)
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!