I am not religious, but I believe that evolution is not as accurate as some would think. I also believe that "big bang theory" is fundementally flawed, and the dark matter and dark energy theories are there to try to shore up all of the holes in the big bang theory.
Perhaps, I do not see theories being taught as facts as a good idea, because it discourages free thought. And I also dissaprove of the "religion" that science seems to be becoming.
I am not a christian, or even religous. I have come to the conclusion that science has basically become a new religion. If you question anything in science, you get a bunch of zealots who attack you equally as much as if you questioned a religion. I am sure you many of those types of replies to this post. That is not to say that evolution did not happen, but I am saying that is has not been "proven" and should not be taught as a FACT.
I feel that teaching our children that theories (even well evidenced ones) are facts causes some long term problems. If our children believe that theories are facts, then there is little reason to question them. Also, later in life, if we discover that some of these facts are wrong, then it will cause them to question science as a whole (or, at least it should). We have already disproven enough "facts" that it weakens many scientific arguements.
We (as a whole) have also tried to over simplfy evolution. A lot of people that I have talked to (including some high school and college students) thought that evolution was "linear" so it made "perfect" sense. When I explained that evolution was not linear, they became much more confused and seemed to question (well, at first, they just questioned me) science.
For example, they did not realize some of the weird anomolies that evolution supports. They thought that algea became fish, which became amphebians, which became lizards, until we finally evolved into humans.
When I explained to them that the evolution of whales, they did not believe me and thought that I was "making things up". Basically, whales evolved from fish, into amphebians, into mammals.... Then they "evolved" back into "fish", and then into whales (and dolphins, porpuses, ectcetra).
Personally, as a child, I was very upset to find out that a lot of the "facts" I was taught were in fact, incorrect. I also find that science seems to have become more a religion that an observation and peer reviewed system. For exmample: To me (and I am alone here, I know), when I studied the big bang theory (which was taught to me as a fact) my world crumbled when I realized that it did not mathmatically make sense.
Even more to my horror, is later when I discovered (they came out much later) the "dark matter" and "dark energy" theories. And instead of just addmitting that the theory was wrong, we made a new theory (dark matter) to try to "fix" the theory and claimed that we cannot see over %75 percent of the (equally distruted) matter in space because it is "naturally camaflauged". Since "dark matter" holds all of existance together, I call it the "super glue of the universe"...
Later, we realized that the universe now expanding (at an alarming rate) faster than it should based on the dark matter theory. So, instead of just admitting that maybe we were wrong and look for a different theory altogether, science has created another theory to "fix" the old broken one. This theory is that "dark energy" (which is also "natrually camaflagued") is ripping the universe apart. Combined with dark matter, this accounts for over %95 of all the matter in existance.
That is right, scienctist (tend to) scoff at religion, but believe that the universe is being ripped apart by some undetecable "dark energy". They (tend to) fault people who have blind faith in anything... except for thier own "scientific" beliefs.
The bill that is being introduce by Rep. Edward J. Markey will not accomplish a lot and seems redundant at this point. Even sadder (IMHO)is the fact that in the article these two paragraphs were in consecutive order. Here they are (ephemisis mine):
.
The FCC prohibits network operators from blocking applications but opens the door to interpretation with a footnote in a policy statement that provides for an exemption for "reasonable management."
.
and
.
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet, plans to introduce a bill today calling for an Internet policy that would prohibit network operators from unreasonably interfering with consumers' right to access and use content over broadband networks.
.
So, what exactly will this bill acomplish. And, if this bill is introduced, would it not (likely) conflict with the anti-piracy initiatives that are being proposed?
.
I have no problem at all with the ISP's blocking and/or managing traffic. However, in doing so they should no longer be granted the immunities that the (*) "common carrier status" provides.
Everyone keeps saying that there is nothing to smell, but clearly this man has found a way to smell "Dark matter". Also, is it me, or is it not kinda funny that the "Dark energy" of the universe IS ripping the universe apart at an expodential rate...
yes, I am trying to be humorous....
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P.S. Am I the only one that feels that "dark matter" and "dark energy", which (allegedly) comprise (*)%95 of the universe is a really weak arguement that was created to cover for the fallacies found within the big bang theory? Seriously??
The 4th amendment is not the ONLY amendment being violated. The 10th amendment was intend to protect our privacy, and ALL other rights that are no directly stated in the constitution...
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10th amendment:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
.
Granted, this amendment has not held up in court, but that just furthers the sad state of affairs and shows us how little those words mean to those in power...
.
P.S. IHMO, those who say that things are bad, but not as bad as other countries just tells me that we have lost to the terrorists.... I mean after all, their goal was to change our way of life and show us that we did not have the freedoms that we claimed we had....
No matter how well R&D goes for these vehicles, I don't see how we can successfully convert people to electric cars without some sort of infrastructure in place. Sure, you can charge your car at home for the daily commute, but what about road trips?
Yeah, we need to start developing a system that will allow us to get electricity to the vast majority of the U.S.
.
I got it... here is what we do:
1. Build poles along the high ways that can carry this "electricty"
2. Engineer "electric power plants" that can produce this "electricty"
3. Run wires from "electric power plants" along the poles to thier end destinations
4. At the end of those poles, create "connectors" so that the cars can plug into them...
5. ?????
6. Profit!!!
A feel a little bad for the sarcasm...
.
P.S. You do realize that the gas pumps already have electricy ran to them... Just modify the adapter (so that "electric piracy" might become as popular as gas syphoning...) and put a meter on the "electric" pump and Viola... Infrastructre is in place...
.
Post Post Script: Of course, I would always carry around my UPS just in case!!!!
Now that is news... It should appear as a new article any moment, thanks dave, for the heads up!!!
.
P.S. May that explains why people thought Iran was down. The people at Slashdot assumed that since we could not ping Iran, that their internet was completely down. Maybe they should have checked the Slashdot router, that was apparently on fire!!! But then agian, no "good" admin would check thier own equipment/lines first..
"The flexibility of friction ridge skin means that no two finger or palm prints are ever exactly alike (never identical in every detail), even two impressions recorded immediately after each other. Fingerprint identification (also referred to as individualization) occurs when an expert (or an expert computer system operating under threshold scoring rules) determines that two friction ridge impressions originated from the same finger or palm (or toe, sole) to the exclusion of all others."
"When evaluating a DNA match, the following questions should be asked:
* Could it be an accidental random match?
* If not, could the DNA sample have been planted?
* If not, did the accused leave the DNA sample at the exact time of the crime?
* If yes, does that mean that the accused is guilty of the crime?"
.
Also, keep in mind that a computer does not say "This is %100 percent match" (especially with finger prints).... People have to look at the results and determine that.
.
Computers are just used (generally) to narrow down the search of the most likely matches. If either were guarenteed, then we would not need a person to "verify it". Think about it...
.
P.S. I am not saying that DNA and/or Fingerprinting are not GREAT indicators.... I am just saying that we should not base "guilty or innocense" just on these two factors! Somehow, I suspect people will believe/tell you otherwise
1. WotC has not responded to the "Ask the developers questions" that have been posted for over a month.... Not a single question.
2. WotC claims to still be playtesting and running into some major issues (War-Forged Palidins are nigh invincable). However, they are preparing to mass produce the books in order to ready for launch in June.
....a. After the 3edition vs. 3.5 edition issues, I will wait for the "Service Pack 2" (read 4.5) update... ; )
3. WotC wants ~$14.00 subsciption fee to continue to get online updates and erratas.
...a. It will also allow for "virtual tabletop" but from what I have seen, there are open source "virtual tabletop" systems that CURRENTLY offer more flexability... and are FREE!!!
.
4. 4e will introduce "level specific" items. The playtesting reports indicate that at 11th level, a NON-combative character (wizard) is ASSUMED to have +5 bonus to thier armour class....
5. You have to be 11th level BEFORE you can use a ring!!!! You need to be level 21 before you can use a second ring
6. WotC seems to be creating a "digital devide".... The virtual tabletop will contain/replace miniatures... But they want us to buy miniatures as well. To my knowledge, these are mutually exclusive in the 4e gaming environment.
7. Supposedly, WotC will be releasing a NEW Dungeon Master Guide and Players Handbook ONCE A YEAR!!! (however, maybe these will elminiate the need for online errata's???? Not a good deal either way, IMHO)
8. If this is a preview, why do we have to pay for it??? And, to the author, how is that "valuable"?
9. Now we need a new tag for "Hack and Slash-vertisement"
P.S. Please don't use the Gandalf quote of "There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly." to justify the level dependent rings... unless Bilbo was 11th level or higher at the time. ; )
"revenue it could use for badly needed infrastructure needs -- such as the needed replacement of the 520 bridge which connects Seattle... to Microsoft. "
This article started off really well with what appears to be some solid facts. However, it then jumped to the weird conclusion that this tax revenue would have been used to repair our roads and infrastructure. Clearly the author is not in touch with how this money would have really been spent!!!
P.S. Also, if the corperations are able to keep more of the money, that does not mean that they would have hired more workers... It, more than likely, would have been used as bonuses for the executives. A long time ago, I felt that CEO's should make the amount of money they do because of the risks involved with thier jobs... However, these day the CEO's get bonuses even when the corporation is losing money and laying off all of the employee's...
Slashdot Mirror
Not quite.
1. They realized the the old theory was wrong. Instead of re-evaluating the theory, they ADDED a new theory to cover up the holes in the current one.
Later, they added yet another new theory to cover up the blantent holes in the both the original and the new theory.
2. My main point was that it was being taught as a fact. Obviosly, it was not as "factual" as it was supposed to be.
Perhaps, I do not see theories being taught as facts as a good idea, because it discourages free thought. And I also dissaprove of the "religion" that science seems to be becoming.
I am not a christian, or even religous. I have come to the conclusion that science has basically become a new religion. If you question anything in science, you get a bunch of zealots who attack you equally as much as if you questioned a religion. I am sure you many of those types of replies to this post. That is not to say that evolution did not happen, but I am saying that is has not been "proven" and should not be taught as a FACT.
I feel that teaching our children that theories (even well evidenced ones) are facts causes some long term problems. If our children believe that theories are facts, then there is little reason to question them. Also, later in life, if we discover that some of these facts are wrong, then it will cause them to question science as a whole (or, at least it should). We have already disproven enough "facts" that it weakens many scientific arguements.
We (as a whole) have also tried to over simplfy evolution. A lot of people that I have talked to (including some high school and college students) thought that evolution was "linear" so it made "perfect" sense. When I explained that evolution was not linear, they became much more confused and seemed to question (well, at first, they just questioned me) science.
For example, they did not realize some of the weird anomolies that evolution supports. They thought that algea became fish, which became amphebians, which became lizards, until we finally evolved into humans.
When I explained to them that the evolution of whales, they did not believe me and thought that I was "making things up". Basically, whales evolved from fish, into amphebians, into mammals.... Then they "evolved" back into "fish", and then into whales (and dolphins, porpuses, ectcetra).
Personally, as a child, I was very upset to find out that a lot of the "facts" I was taught were in fact, incorrect. I also find that science seems to have become more a religion that an observation and peer reviewed system. For exmample: To me (and I am alone here, I know), when I studied the big bang theory (which was taught to me as a fact) my world crumbled when I realized that it did not mathmatically make sense.
Even more to my horror, is later when I discovered (they came out much later) the "dark matter" and "dark energy" theories. And instead of just addmitting that the theory was wrong, we made a new theory (dark matter) to try to "fix" the theory and claimed that we cannot see over %75 percent of the (equally distruted) matter in space because it is "naturally camaflauged". Since "dark matter" holds all of existance together, I call it the "super glue of the universe"...
Later, we realized that the universe now expanding (at an alarming rate) faster than it should based on the dark matter theory. So, instead of just admitting that maybe we were wrong and look for a different theory altogether, science has created another theory to "fix" the old broken one. This theory is that "dark energy" (which is also "natrually camaflagued") is ripping the universe apart. Combined with dark matter, this accounts for over %95 of all the matter in existance.
That is right, scienctist (tend to) scoff at religion, but believe that the universe is being ripped apart by some undetecable "dark energy". They (tend to) fault people who have blind faith in anything... except for thier own "scientific" beliefs.
.
references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_energy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_evolution
.
The FCC prohibits network operators from blocking applications but opens the door to interpretation with a footnote in a policy statement that provides for an exemption for "reasonable management.".
and
.
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet, plans to introduce a bill today calling for an Internet policy that would prohibit network operators from unreasonably interfering with consumers' right to access and use content over broadband networks..
So, what exactly will this bill acomplish. And, if this bill is introduced, would it not (likely) conflict with the anti-piracy initiatives that are being proposed?
.
I have no problem at all with the ISP's blocking and/or managing traffic. However, in doing so they should no longer be granted the immunities that the (*) "common carrier status" provides.
.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Act_of_1934 (amended in 1996)
yes, I am trying to be humorous....
.
P.S. Am I the only one that feels that "dark matter" and "dark energy", which (allegedly) comprise (*)%95 of the universe is a really weak arguement that was created to cover for the fallacies found within the big bang theory? Seriously??
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_energy
.
10th amendment:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people..
Granted, this amendment has not held up in court, but that just furthers the sad state of affairs and shows us how little those words mean to those in power...
.
P.S. IHMO, those who say that things are bad, but not as bad as other countries just tells me that we have lost to the terrorists.... I mean after all, their goal was to change our way of life and show us that we did not have the freedoms that we claimed we had....
It is apparent (to me) that they were right....
.
Dons an asbestos shield painted like the flag!!!
Yeah, we need to start developing a system that will allow us to get electricity to the vast majority of the U.S.
.
I got it... here is what we do:
1. Build poles along the high ways that can carry this "electricty"
2. Engineer "electric power plants" that can produce this "electricty"
3. Run wires from "electric power plants" along the poles to thier end destinations
4. At the end of those poles, create "connectors" so that the cars can plug into them...
5. ?????
6. Profit!!!
A feel a little bad for the sarcasm...
.
P.S. You do realize that the gas pumps already have electricy ran to them... Just modify the adapter (so that "electric piracy" might become as popular as gas syphoning...) and put a meter on the "electric" pump and Viola... Infrastructre is in place...
.
Post Post Script: Of course, I would always carry around my UPS just in case!!!!
Now that is news... It should appear as a new article any moment, thanks dave, for the heads up!!!
.
P.S. May that explains why people thought Iran was down. The people at Slashdot assumed that since we could not ping Iran, that their internet was completely down. Maybe they should have checked the Slashdot router, that was apparently on fire!!! But then agian, no "good" admin would check thier own equipment/lines first..
Fry: What's happening?
Dr. Zoidberg: All 6,000 hulls have been breached!
Fry: Oh, the fools! If only they'd built it with 6,001 hulls! When will they learn?
.
P.S. On a side note, how can we not believe in a conspiracty at this rate??? Seriously!!!
Why would they have to leave the tattoo's around... I thought the plan was to WATCH everything via CCTV anyway???
.
Besides, with the tatoo, no one would leave their "Real ID(TM)" at home on accident...
.
P.S. Please see the sad, depressing humor in this post....
I know everyone thinks that DNA and Fingerprints=%100, but they do not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint#Identification
"The flexibility of friction ridge skin means that no two finger or palm prints are ever exactly alike (never identical in every detail), even two impressions recorded immediately after each other. Fingerprint identification (also referred to as individualization) occurs when an expert (or an expert computer system operating under threshold scoring rules) determines that two friction ridge impressions originated from the same finger or palm (or toe, sole) to the exclusion of all others."
AND:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_fingerprinting
.
"When evaluating a DNA match, the following questions should be asked:
* Could it be an accidental random match?
* If not, could the DNA sample have been planted?
* If not, did the accused leave the DNA sample at the exact time of the crime?
* If yes, does that mean that the accused is guilty of the crime?"
.
Also, keep in mind that a computer does not say "This is %100 percent match" (especially with finger prints).... People have to look at the results and determine that.
.
Computers are just used (generally) to narrow down the search of the most likely matches. If either were guarenteed, then we would not need a person to "verify it". Think about it...
.
P.S. I am not saying that DNA and/or Fingerprinting are not GREAT indicators.... I am just saying that we should not base "guilty or innocense" just on these two factors! Somehow, I suspect people will believe/tell you otherwise
Post Post Script: Too many of us watch CSI...
Clearly, with the value of the dollor going up, you have a point!!!
I mean, its not like the federal reserve prints as much or as little as they want, because our money is based on the gold standard....
Please remember, I am only joking....
.
1. We are pretty tolorating people.
2. We live WAY out in the country, with as little human interaction (other than each other) as we can get away with.
3. We have more than 2 months worth of jokes....
4. They would get free "pron"...
Here are my concerns with 4e:
1. WotC has not responded to the "Ask the developers questions" that have been posted for over a month.... Not a single question.
2. WotC claims to still be playtesting and running into some major issues (War-Forged Palidins are nigh invincable). However, they are preparing to mass produce the books in order to ready for launch in June.
3. WotC wants ~$14.00 subsciption fee to continue to get online updates and erratas.
...a. It will also allow for "virtual tabletop" but from what I have seen, there are open source "virtual tabletop" systems that CURRENTLY offer more flexability... and are FREE!!!
.
4. 4e will introduce "level specific" items. The playtesting reports indicate that at 11th level, a NON-combative character (wizard) is ASSUMED to have +5 bonus to thier armour class....
5. You have to be 11th level BEFORE you can use a ring!!!! You need to be level 21 before you can use a second ring
6. WotC seems to be creating a "digital devide".... The virtual tabletop will contain/replace miniatures... But they want us to buy miniatures as well. To my knowledge, these are mutually exclusive in the 4e gaming environment.
7. Supposedly, WotC will be releasing a NEW Dungeon Master Guide and Players Handbook ONCE A YEAR!!! (however, maybe these will elminiate the need for online errata's???? Not a good deal either way, IMHO)
8. If this is a preview, why do we have to pay for it??? And, to the author, how is that "valuable"?
9. Now we need a new tag for "Hack and Slash-vertisement"
P.S. Please don't use the Gandalf quote of "There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly." to justify the level dependent rings... unless Bilbo was 11th level or higher at the time. ; )
Fry: What's happening?
Dr. Zoidberg: All 6,000 hulls have been breached!
Fry: Oh, the fools! If only they'd built it with 6,001 hulls! When will they learn?
This article started off really well with what appears to be some solid facts. However, it then jumped to the weird conclusion that this tax revenue would have been used to repair our roads and infrastructure. Clearly the author is not in touch with how this money would have really been spent!!!
P.S. Also, if the corperations are able to keep more of the money, that does not mean that they would have hired more workers... It, more than likely, would have been used as bonuses for the executives. A long time ago, I felt that CEO's should make the amount of money they do because of the risks involved with thier jobs... However, these day the CEO's get bonuses even when the corporation is losing money and laying off all of the employee's...