"if you are looking for a good twist on the topic, read john gardner's grendel."
Or Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead" (the book "The 13th Warrior" was based on). It has a very interesting twist to just who, or what, Grendel and gang were.
"Of course I understand why they do it: but it's still obnoxious and unhelpful."
Suppose you found someone on the side of the road, beaten and bloody, dying of their wounds. In their blood-loss driven dementia, they claim they need no help. Would you leave them to die, or help them get medical attention anyway? If you called 911 for an ambulance, wouldn't that be "meddling"? Sometimes you have to meddle in other people's business for their own good, it's called being part of a community and sharing social responsibility.
"In fact, I'm glad you refuse to believe in a religion with such a belief. "
What part of "us Christians" made you think I'm not a Christian?;)
And, actually, Christianity *does* teach that only Christians go to Heaven. The various churches disagree on just what comprises a Christian, of course, but they mostly agree that, in order to get to Heaven, Jesus is the key ingredient. "Just being nice" doesn't cut it (read Dante's Inferno for a classical explanation of what happens to nice heathens...their Hell isn't bad, but it isn't Heaven, either).
Hear, hear. Whenever people start shouting how Christians shouldn't convert people to their religion, and that it's wrong for them to do so, I'm always amazed that they are forgetting the central tenet of Christianity: only Christians go to Heaven. Everyone else, no matter how nice you are, goes to Hell. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, they're all bound for eternal damnation according to us Christians, because they reject the divinity of Christ.
Given all that, it can only be considered cruel to not attempt to convert people (though I'll grant there are better, more civilized, ways of doing it than others...conversion at the point of a sword isn't quite what Jesus had in mind, I'm sure).
You heard it on NPR, and wonder where the pictures were.... Tell me, what color is the sky in your world?
bookmarks on HTML version
on
War of Honor
·
· Score: 2
I don't know if anyone else has pointed this out, but when you read the HTML version of the books, a cookie is placed with the last page you were on. So you can easily pick up where you left off.
"Colonization, in addition to the logistic and technical diffulties involved, has social problems. If you want a self-sustaining colony capable of perpetuating the race, you need a large population, and you need it to be economically self-sufficient. That means you can't just send scientists - you need engineers, factory workers, politicians, even telemarketers - all the things that make a modern capitalist economy work."
I disagree. It has been proven you can effectively colonize a new planet with middile managers, public telephone cleaners, and hairdressers.
"I read them, and was consistantly dissapointed by the triumph of carictature over character."
In a lot of instances, you're right. But three big ones stand out proving you wrong:
1) Hagrid. A large, clumsy, not-so-bright oaf. But he's also one of Harry's dearest friends and, while not attractive on the outside, has a heart of gold.
2) Severus Snape. I can't think of any character in the series who is described in less flattering terms, except maybe Voldemort himself. Snape is constantly suspected by Harry and Company of being Evil Incarnate, but, while he strayed in his youth, he's now a stand-up guy. He just doesn't like Harry because of history between himself and Harry's father (actually, the author of the MSN article parrots a lot of Snape's complaints, now that I think about it). In the latest book, he's sent off on a mission by Dumbledore that is strongly hinted as being a suicide mission, and he does it bravely.
3) Draco Malfoy. This guy is the epitome of what the MSN author describes as a pampered and privileged jock. Malfoy is described as being very physically attractive, but is nothing more than a spoiled brat. In fact, he and Harry's cousin would get along famously, if Malfoy weren't such a racist pig about non-wizards.
"...in europe, where social policies are much more advanced and education in general is higher, these systems are commonplace. Take Russia for example..."
I don't have a firm opinion on national ID cards, one way or the other, but you can't seriously believe that *Russia* is an example of a "more advanced" society??
Re:We're forgetting about one group of readers
on
Science Askew
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· Score: 5, Funny
"Disclaimer: I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that...."
You're right, there's absolutely nothing wrong with not being gay.
"How about posting a how-to on how to go out, do stuff, and maybe get laid every once in a while. At least this would help the (pathetic) state of affairs."
You don't need to go out to get laid, as long as you have a phone line and the Yellow Pages.
Re:This will have the same problem as the 1960's
on
Landshark
·
· Score: 2
"Seeing as it's a UK company, I can't see how they'd give a shit if it didn't pass US safety requirements."
Let's see, the UK has (IIRC) 60 million citizens. That many live in just two US states (California and New York), both of which have more waterways than Britain.
You're right, I can't imagine why the company would be interested in following US safety rules.
"when me and richard m. stallman (the m stands for 'merryweather', did you know that?) started GNU/hurd back in 1908, we were out to replace the closed-internals of the international business machines (ibm) automatic punch card tabulator..."
You forgot to add that you were both wearing onions on your belts, which was the fashion at the time.
"Incidentally, there might be less confusion if you call them 'Europans' rather than 'Europeans'. There are about half a billion Europeans already, and we don't live anywhere near Jupiter."
I don't know about that. Given the state of European politics, you're definitely not from this planet.
Is it just me, or did all of the languages come off as whiny little primadonnas, complaining that they are not loved and worshipped as much as they themselves think they should be?
For some strange reason, this strikes me as appropriate.
"Am I the only person disturbed by the idea that people will go to the moon and strip mine with abandon, and destroy its beauty from the perspective of people on Earth?"
Yeah, God forbid we should mar the face of the moon, leaving giant craters all over the place.
I just did a quick search on Google for information on The Fightin' Whities (a basketball team in Colorado). The first link that came up is from a newspaper article on the team published two days ago. I can't think of any other search engine that would index something that quickly.
Slashdot Mirror
"if you are looking for a good twist on the topic, read john gardner's grendel."
Or Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead" (the book "The 13th Warrior" was based on). It has a very interesting twist to just who, or what, Grendel and gang were.
"Of course I understand why they do it: but it's still obnoxious and unhelpful."
Suppose you found someone on the side of the road, beaten and bloody, dying of their wounds. In their blood-loss driven dementia, they claim they need no help. Would you leave them to die, or help them get medical attention anyway? If you called 911 for an ambulance, wouldn't that be "meddling"? Sometimes you have to meddle in other people's business for their own good, it's called being part of a community and sharing social responsibility.
"In fact, I'm glad you refuse to believe in a religion with such a belief. "
;)
What part of "us Christians" made you think I'm not a Christian?
And, actually, Christianity *does* teach that only Christians go to Heaven. The various churches disagree on just what comprises a Christian, of course, but they mostly agree that, in order to get to Heaven, Jesus is the key ingredient. "Just being nice" doesn't cut it (read Dante's Inferno for a classical explanation of what happens to nice heathens...their Hell isn't bad, but it isn't Heaven, either).
"The footwear of choice is the plastic flip-flop.
No comment necessary?"
Hey, if the flip-flop is good enough for Jimmy Buffett, it's good enough for the Amazons!
"Hardly."
Hear, hear. Whenever people start shouting how Christians shouldn't convert people to their religion, and that it's wrong for them to do so, I'm always amazed that they are forgetting the central tenet of Christianity: only Christians go to Heaven. Everyone else, no matter how nice you are, goes to Hell. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, they're all bound for eternal damnation according to us Christians, because they reject the divinity of Christ.
Given all that, it can only be considered cruel to not attempt to convert people (though I'll grant there are better, more civilized, ways of doing it than others...conversion at the point of a sword isn't quite what Jesus had in mind, I'm sure).
"Maybe there was a serious reason for him to do the "study"... but I don't think it's gonna get published in any place with scientific credibility."
What are you talking about?? It's on Slashdot!
"Oh? I woulda thought it was just because she's well over 70 now and wouldn't take all that much interest in it."
Unless it's to use it as a reward for one of her son's secretaries.
You heard it on NPR, and wonder where the pictures were.... Tell me, what color is the sky in your world?
I don't know if anyone else has pointed this out, but when you read the HTML version of the books, a cookie is placed with the last page you were on. So you can easily pick up where you left off.
"Colonization, in addition to the logistic and technical diffulties involved, has social problems. If you want a self-sustaining colony capable of perpetuating the race, you need a large population, and you need it to be economically self-sufficient. That means you can't just send scientists - you need engineers, factory workers, politicians, even telemarketers - all the things that make a modern capitalist economy work."
I disagree. It has been proven you can effectively colonize a new planet with middile managers, public telephone cleaners, and hairdressers.
"I read them, and was consistantly dissapointed by the triumph of carictature over character."
In a lot of instances, you're right. But three big ones stand out proving you wrong:
1) Hagrid. A large, clumsy, not-so-bright oaf. But he's also one of Harry's dearest friends and, while not attractive on the outside, has a heart of gold.
2) Severus Snape. I can't think of any character in the series who is described in less flattering terms, except maybe Voldemort himself. Snape is constantly suspected by Harry and Company of being Evil Incarnate, but, while he strayed in his youth, he's now a stand-up guy. He just doesn't like Harry because of history between himself and Harry's father (actually, the author of the MSN article parrots a lot of Snape's complaints, now that I think about it). In the latest book, he's sent off on a mission by Dumbledore that is strongly hinted as being a suicide mission, and he does it bravely.
3) Draco Malfoy. This guy is the epitome of what the MSN author describes as a pampered and privileged jock. Malfoy is described as being very physically attractive, but is nothing more than a spoiled brat. In fact, he and Harry's cousin would get along famously, if Malfoy weren't such a racist pig about non-wizards.
"...in europe, where social policies are much more advanced and education in general is higher, these systems are commonplace. Take Russia for example..."
I don't have a firm opinion on national ID cards, one way or the other, but you can't seriously believe that *Russia* is an example of a "more advanced" society??
"Disclaimer: I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that...."
You're right, there's absolutely nothing wrong with not being gay.
"How about posting a how-to on how to go out, do stuff, and maybe get laid every once in a while. At least this would help the (pathetic) state of affairs."
You don't need to go out to get laid, as long as you have a phone line and the Yellow Pages.
"Seeing as it's a UK company, I can't see how they'd give a shit if it didn't pass US safety requirements."
Let's see, the UK has (IIRC) 60 million citizens. That many live in just two US states (California and New York), both of which have more waterways than Britain.
You're right, I can't imagine why the company would be interested in following US safety rules.
"when me and richard m. stallman (the m stands for 'merryweather', did you know that?) started GNU/hurd back in 1908, we were out to replace the closed-internals of the international business machines (ibm) automatic punch card tabulator..."
You forgot to add that you were both wearing onions on your belts, which was the fashion at the time.
"Incidentally, there might be less confusion if you call them 'Europans' rather than 'Europeans'. There are about half a billion Europeans already, and we don't live anywhere near Jupiter."
I don't know about that. Given the state of European politics, you're definitely not from this planet.
"...and they are able to speak, informing the scientists what is happening to them."
Yeah, but someone yelling "OHMYGODITBUUUURNS!!!!" isn't much better than what they had.
Is it just me, or did all of the languages come off as whiny little primadonnas, complaining that they are not loved and worshipped as much as they themselves think they should be?
For some strange reason, this strikes me as appropriate.
No no, it's:
1: Steal rocket belt from partners.
2:
3: Profit!
"Am I the only person disturbed by the idea that people will go to the moon and strip mine with abandon, and destroy its beauty from the perspective of people on Earth?"
Yeah, God forbid we should mar the face of the moon, leaving giant craters all over the place.
"How about collating SatireWire's articles and publishing a book, a la Dispatches from the 9th CIrcle?"
I'm not sure, I think he might have a book out. He hinted as much in the article.
It might just be anecdotal, but, IME, it's indicative of Google's overall performance.
Surely he's not responsible for feeding one's infant daughter.
That might be a question for your wife....
I just did a quick search on Google for information on The Fightin' Whities (a basketball team in Colorado). The first link that came up is from a newspaper article on the team published two days ago. I can't think of any other search engine that would index something that quickly.