I wouldn't support either. People should be allowed to do whatever they want to their onw bodies... and people should be able to sell whatever they like, as long as they don't force, coerce or otherwise tread on the rights of others.
A very large portion of our current appear to have little ion common with the early politicsxs of this nation.
It seems to me that the experiment is trying to prove the existence (or at least reject this particluar theory). I have no problem with considering that we may know precious little about our universe. It now appears that even our understanding of Universal constants may be incorrect (E may not alwyas have equalled MC2). So I see no problem with experiments to prove or disprove anything 'paranormal'.
The human race will survive in the same manner as they have since their days in the cave (or garden, depends on your preferred mythology)... by the skin of their teeth, in chaos and strife.
And this doesn't actually completely defy current understanding of the brain. It's simply not been documented at this scale. It has long been considered that the brain can rewire around some types of damage. On a small scale it's even been observed. We simply haven't seen it in a situation like this. Terri, on the other hand was missing most of her brain (this guy had an injured 'part' of his brain) and we have no evidence, nor even theories that indicate that she may have recovered in any meaningful way.
Unfortunately, thay have yet to provide a model with useful predictive power. Until we can develop a model, its silly to say "We know...". Until we have a model that fits our observations, we have only hypothesis.
Well, overindulgence in anything is dangerous. Hell, drinking too much water can kill you (too much asprain for your body fat ratio can kill too). Some marijuana smokers do seem to use the drug as an escape. I've known people like that. However, these tend to be the same folks that use gaming as an escape, use the SCA as an escape, use cocaine as an escape, use meth as an escape, use alcohol as an escape and use television as an escape. The problem, in most cases (in my opinion) has to do with the psychology of the user, not of the drug itself. I've known stoners (let's say at least 3-4 bowls a day, if not more), who are perfectly normal functioning individuals. They have decent jobs, they have families, they have goals and are working to meet those goals. I know other people that may smoke twice a week and have no stability in their lives at all.
Some drugs have direct and serious effects. I don't think anyone would argue that cocaine or opium are harmless. The side effects, the physical and psychological possibility of addiction and the serious physical damage that can occur have been pretty well documented. Marijuana, though in its 5000 years of documented use, has had NO conclusive evidence of long-term side effects, permanenent physical damage or physical addiction (psyhological addiction can happen with anything... including buying Hello Kitty paraphanaila).
In the end, I agree with you about the government's role. There is nowhere in the US Constitution that allows the government to control the personal use of any substance. The fact that control of marijuana prohibition has to happen under a commerce law indicates how badly they've bent the law to fit the goal.
I hold that marijuana appears no more harmful than many other perfectly acceptable/legal habits.
Actually, I think you'll find most new studies have concluded that THC has very few long term side effects, and these apply in narrow and specific instances. For example, someone who smoked 5 joints a week for 20 years, does seem to see some small IQ loss, while 3 joints a week at 10 years, appears to have no quantifiable effect.
Secondly, your statement that marijanan smoke = cigarette smoke has also been seriously questioned by most new studies. This would seem to be for a number of reasons: 1) Most marijuana smokers smoke only plant matter, whereas ciggarettes have over 200 non plant chemicals in them (including formaldahyde). Secondly, smokers may smoke up to a pack a day or more. Most marijuana smokers inbibe much less (since an equal amount of THC smoke would incapacitate most people). Not only that, but THC can be taken in many different ways. Vaporization provides no toxic smoke at all. Neither does cooked THC nor alcohol based THC.
I'm not going to say that you might not decrease your health somewhat, nor perhaps a little IQ. However, the 'risks' with marijuana do seem to be far overblown. Indeed, as far as recorded historical records of drugs go, marijuana is second only to alcohol. In the 5000+ years that the drug has been identified, there have been no fatalities connected to the use of marijuana (at least none that have been documented).
In the end, I think its better for the government to do its job of protecting our borders and handling interstate commerce. The State was never intended to be Mom and Dad.
Evolution doesn't make up new stuff to improve us... it simply weeds out the least useful stuff. If we still existed in a society where Evolution had any practical application, people who are on drugs to suvive... may well be dead, or at least unlikely to successfully reproduce and raise children. Their genes would be cleaned out of the gene pool and we would no have as many incidents of ADD and Hyperactivity and Narcolepsy and *insert some other malady here*. Evolution has been poked in the eye by a society that tries to save everyone and let them reproduce. So, not only does Evolution not add chemicals because they might end up being useful... but with our subversion of evolution, we may be breeding all sorts of bad crap right back into the gene pool.
Or to realize that everyone has shit in their eyes and can't see where they're driving the country... and I think there's a large cliff around here somewhere. It may be all well and good to be pissed off at the most recent infringements, but making it purely a 'republican' (or even mostly) seems about as useful as sticking your head in the sand. Rights tend to be removed peicemeal, Rebublicans and Democrats both have been heading down the Authoritarian road for some time... Bush just happened to be the lucky one that got a jackpot of power.
Not only Anachro-capitalism, but stateless socialism and a host of other political ideas have been floated which would remove the need for a federal government. (See Lysander Spooner and Benjamin Tucker)
I have to agree with you... my experiences with the major controllers have led me to prefer Sony's. I have a mini wireless version that my SO uses, since her hands are smaller. and I have a standard one that fits me just fine.
I just rebuilt my SO's system and built a new one for myself (64-bit AMD yummy!)... I ran her through Ubuntu, Mandriva and Fedora Core 5. She did the installs on her system, she did the configuration and she did the post install tweaking. Considering that she's was doing all this under protest (such a luddite), with little knowledge of computers and nearly 0 knowledge of linux (except how to use firefox on the old system). At the end of the day, she chose Mandriva.
In the end, I found that 64-bit Mandriva 2006 seems to be a pretty killer distro, in my opinion.
I don't disagree with you, in that I think companies have the right to do as they please... I do however think that such a position does more damage than good to the local work ethic. There may be a wide gap between what one can do, and what one should do.
I wore a trenchcoat to school for years, starting in fourth grade... no one suspected me of murder, but I got the butt end of a hell of a lot of Colombo jokes.
*small sample size and their extrapolations from the data recorded*
Which, in a reasonably sane study would preclude any assertion that correlation=causation. Lots of data, lots of test subjects and lots of time would be required to even begin to approach the idea.
This study appears to me as yet another example of junk science.
1. We are not provided with the average percentage of students (in a very large sample) who consider marijuana, alcohol, unprotected sex etc as permissible. Considering some other studies, it appears that this may be a very high percentage.
2. We are not provided with background information on these subjects. Do they have a history of particular types of games? Did the Hit and Run people usually play GTA? Did the GTA people play GTA at home, or something else?
3. We are not provided with any sort of evidence that these students 'are' actually more likely to do these things... they were simply interviewed, not subjected to long term study.
As for the increase in Blood Pressue, we tend to see this same thing when people watch really exciting movies or sports events. There's no indication that it was GTA, as opposed to 'excitement' that changed their BP.
I don't think that any scientist with a truly objective view could ever state that Darwin's theories ARE correct. We simply don't know that this is the case. Currently, the theories that exist which are lumped into "evolution" do appear to act as better indicators, from which predictions can be made which appear useful... but that doesn't mean that they are correct. It doesn't even necessarily mean that they're close to correct. It simply means that based on the current physical evidence we have, they appear as the most useful theories, that fit with the most data points.
These theories are providing some really great predictions, recently, not only was a fossilized type of animal predicted, but the likely grographic location was predicted as well. Now it may be that the creature found will eventually turn out to be something less exciting than we currently think, it may be that there are 1000 coastal areas where similar fossils could be found. We don't know...
In the end, what does it matter? Evolutionary science appears quite important to biologists, perhaps some anthropologists and a goodly number of geeks like us... but, for Joe "The Nazerene" SixPack, does it really matter if he believes some science book, or believes his pastor? The science book will provide him with a whole load of theories which, without deeper study may appear completely ludacrious. The Pastor will provide him with an easily understood answer which will likely appear perfectly rational to a person who lives in that tunnel-reality. Should Jope spend 20 years researching evolution, or just accept the Pastors word and spend 20 years improving his business as *insert whatever career Joe might want to do here*.
Well, I agree that the rattan combat isn't a true form of period martial arts of any sort, I would argue that it could easily be considered a contemporary martial art.
Now, the Sidesword experiment (and the new Cut & Thrust rules for fencing) coupled with my 42" Bated Del Tin on a 1586 replica hilt, lends itself quite nicely to the real thing;-)
Indeed... Some of us can be geeky and in-shape at the same time... You'd be amazed how quickly you get in shape while learning Rapier, Broadsword, Spear, Mace or some other violent weapon of the Middle Ages. I love the SCA.
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Ewige Blumenkraft!
I wouldn't support either. People should be allowed to do whatever they want to their onw bodies... and people should be able to sell whatever they like, as long as they don't force, coerce or otherwise tread on the rights of others.
A very large portion of our current appear to have little ion common with the early politicsxs of this nation.
It seems to me that the experiment is trying to prove the existence (or at least reject this particluar theory). I have no problem with considering that we may know precious little about our universe. It now appears that even our understanding of Universal constants may be incorrect (E may not alwyas have equalled MC2). So I see no problem with experiments to prove or disprove anything 'paranormal'.
The human race will survive in the same manner as they have since their days in the cave (or garden, depends on your preferred mythology)... by the skin of their teeth, in chaos and strife.
Hail Eris.
And this doesn't actually completely defy current understanding of the brain. It's simply not been documented at this scale. It has long been considered that the brain can rewire around some types of damage. On a small scale it's even been observed. We simply haven't seen it in a situation like this. Terri, on the other hand was missing most of her brain (this guy had an injured 'part' of his brain) and we have no evidence, nor even theories that indicate that she may have recovered in any meaningful way.
I agree completely... of course, I find it funny how many evolutionists KNOW the TRUTH, as opposed to considering the best current model.
The Menu is not the Meal. The Map is not the Territory. The Model is not the thing being modeled.
Unfortunately, thay have yet to provide a model with useful predictive power. Until we can develop a model, its silly to say "We know...". Until we have a model that fits our observations, we have only hypothesis.
Well, overindulgence in anything is dangerous. Hell, drinking too much water can kill you (too much asprain for your body fat ratio can kill too). Some marijuana smokers do seem to use the drug as an escape. I've known people like that. However, these tend to be the same folks that use gaming as an escape, use the SCA as an escape, use cocaine as an escape, use meth as an escape, use alcohol as an escape and use television as an escape. The problem, in most cases (in my opinion) has to do with the psychology of the user, not of the drug itself. I've known stoners (let's say at least 3-4 bowls a day, if not more), who are perfectly normal functioning individuals. They have decent jobs, they have families, they have goals and are working to meet those goals. I know other people that may smoke twice a week and have no stability in their lives at all.
Some drugs have direct and serious effects. I don't think anyone would argue that cocaine or opium are harmless. The side effects, the physical and psychological possibility of addiction and the serious physical damage that can occur have been pretty well documented. Marijuana, though in its 5000 years of documented use, has had NO conclusive evidence of long-term side effects, permanenent physical damage or physical addiction (psyhological addiction can happen with anything... including buying Hello Kitty paraphanaila).
In the end, I agree with you about the government's role. There is nowhere in the US Constitution that allows the government to control the personal use of any substance. The fact that control of marijuana prohibition has to happen under a commerce law indicates how badly they've bent the law to fit the goal.
I hold that marijuana appears no more harmful than many other perfectly acceptable/legal habits.
Actually, I think you'll find most new studies have concluded that THC has very few long term side effects, and these apply in narrow and specific instances. For example, someone who smoked 5 joints a week for 20 years, does seem to see some small IQ loss, while 3 joints a week at 10 years, appears to have no quantifiable effect.
Secondly, your statement that marijanan smoke = cigarette smoke has also been seriously questioned by most new studies. This would seem to be for a number of reasons: 1) Most marijuana smokers smoke only plant matter, whereas ciggarettes have over 200 non plant chemicals in them (including formaldahyde). Secondly, smokers may smoke up to a pack a day or more. Most marijuana smokers inbibe much less (since an equal amount of THC smoke would incapacitate most people). Not only that, but THC can be taken in many different ways. Vaporization provides no toxic smoke at all. Neither does cooked THC nor alcohol based THC.
I'm not going to say that you might not decrease your health somewhat, nor perhaps a little IQ. However, the 'risks' with marijuana do seem to be far overblown. Indeed, as far as recorded historical records of drugs go, marijuana is second only to alcohol. In the 5000+ years that the drug has been identified, there have been no fatalities connected to the use of marijuana (at least none that have been documented).
In the end, I think its better for the government to do its job of protecting our borders and handling interstate commerce. The State was never intended to be Mom and Dad.
Evolution doesn't make up new stuff to improve us... it simply weeds out the least useful stuff. If we still existed in a society where Evolution had any practical application, people who are on drugs to suvive... may well be dead, or at least unlikely to successfully reproduce and raise children. Their genes would be cleaned out of the gene pool and we would no have as many incidents of ADD and Hyperactivity and Narcolepsy and *insert some other malady here*. Evolution has been poked in the eye by a society that tries to save everyone and let them reproduce. So, not only does Evolution not add chemicals because they might end up being useful... but with our subversion of evolution, we may be breeding all sorts of bad crap right back into the gene pool.
*applause*
I couldn't have said it better!
Or to realize that everyone has shit in their eyes and can't see where they're driving the country... and I think there's a large cliff around here somewhere. It may be all well and good to be pissed off at the most recent infringements, but making it purely a 'republican' (or even mostly) seems about as useful as sticking your head in the sand. Rights tend to be removed peicemeal, Rebublicans and Democrats both have been heading down the Authoritarian road for some time... Bush just happened to be the lucky one that got a jackpot of power.
Not only Anachro-capitalism, but stateless socialism and a host of other political ideas have been floated which would remove the need for a federal government. (See Lysander Spooner and Benjamin Tucker)
*cough* hemp *cough*
That will get you oil (seed), biodeisel (at much greater ratios than corn) and it can be grown at lower cost with greater yield...
but, someone might try to smoke it... so we can't have that.
I have to agree with you... my experiences with the major controllers have led me to prefer Sony's. I have a mini wireless version that my SO uses, since her hands are smaller. and I have a standard one that fits me just fine.
Wow, really?
I just rebuilt my SO's system and built a new one for myself (64-bit AMD yummy!)... I ran her through Ubuntu, Mandriva and Fedora Core 5. She did the installs on her system, she did the configuration and she did the post install tweaking. Considering that she's was doing all this under protest (such a luddite), with little knowledge of computers and nearly 0 knowledge of linux (except how to use firefox on the old system). At the end of the day, she chose Mandriva.
In the end, I found that 64-bit Mandriva 2006 seems to be a pretty killer distro, in my opinion.
I don't disagree with you, in that I think companies have the right to do as they please... I do however think that such a position does more damage than good to the local work ethic. There may be a wide gap between what one can do, and what one should do.
I wore a trenchcoat to school for years, starting in fourth grade... no one suspected me of murder, but I got the butt end of a hell of a lot of Colombo jokes.
*small sample size and their extrapolations from the data recorded*
Which, in a reasonably sane study would preclude any assertion that correlation=causation. Lots of data, lots of test subjects and lots of time would be required to even begin to approach the idea.
No, No and yet again No.
This study appears to me as yet another example of junk science.
1. We are not provided with the average percentage of students (in a very large sample) who consider marijuana, alcohol, unprotected sex etc as permissible. Considering some other studies, it appears that this may be a very high percentage.
2. We are not provided with background information on these subjects. Do they have a history of particular types of games? Did the Hit and Run people usually play GTA? Did the GTA people play GTA at home, or something else?
3. We are not provided with any sort of evidence that these students 'are' actually more likely to do these things... they were simply interviewed, not subjected to long term study.
As for the increase in Blood Pressue, we tend to see this same thing when people watch really exciting movies or sports events. There's no indication that it was GTA, as opposed to 'excitement' that changed their BP.
I don't think that any scientist with a truly objective view could ever state that Darwin's theories ARE correct. We simply don't know that this is the case. Currently, the theories that exist which are lumped into "evolution" do appear to act as better indicators, from which predictions can be made which appear useful... but that doesn't mean that they are correct. It doesn't even necessarily mean that they're close to correct. It simply means that based on the current physical evidence we have, they appear as the most useful theories, that fit with the most data points.
These theories are providing some really great predictions, recently, not only was a fossilized type of animal predicted, but the likely grographic location was predicted as well. Now it may be that the creature found will eventually turn out to be something less exciting than we currently think, it may be that there are 1000 coastal areas where similar fossils could be found. We don't know...
In the end, what does it matter? Evolutionary science appears quite important to biologists, perhaps some anthropologists and a goodly number of geeks like us... but, for Joe "The Nazerene" SixPack, does it really matter if he believes some science book, or believes his pastor? The science book will provide him with a whole load of theories which, without deeper study may appear completely ludacrious. The Pastor will provide him with an easily understood answer which will likely appear perfectly rational to a person who lives in that tunnel-reality. Should Jope spend 20 years researching evolution, or just accept the Pastors word and spend 20 years improving his business as *insert whatever career Joe might want to do here*.
Well, I agree that the rattan combat isn't a true form of period martial arts of any sort, I would argue that it could easily be considered a contemporary martial art.
;-)
Now, the Sidesword experiment (and the new Cut & Thrust rules for fencing) coupled with my 42" Bated Del Tin on a 1586 replica hilt, lends itself quite nicely to the real thing
It's so nice that we don't have to shout "Free Northshield" at feasts anymore... ;-)
Lord Lewys ap Deykin,
Shire of Tirnewydd
Barony of the Middle Marches
Midrealm
Indeed... Some of us can be geeky and in-shape at the same time... You'd be amazed how quickly you get in shape while learning Rapier, Broadsword, Spear, Mace or some other violent weapon of the Middle Ages. I love the SCA.
Esclation of Privileges is a vulnerability, the last time I checked.