I see so many knee-jerk reactions here today. Do any of you even know what is being debated? The debate is revolving around a phrase that has been in the curriculum for 20 years. The phrase is "strengths and weaknesses." It's not even specifically targeting evolution for crying out loud.
Now, I got my B.S. in Physics, so hopefully I can speak with a little authority on understanding the scientific method. The root of the scientific method is indeed identifying and understanding the strengths AND weaknesses of any given scientific theory. Einstein's Theory of Relativity is probably the most tested scientific theory in existence. It has been borne out with tests that go out many decimel places. And yet, scientists still try to understand new data that we come up against that may indicate that there are weaknesses in this theory.
That's all that's being fought over in Texas today: the ability to teach our students how to think critically about science and the world around them. How to take data and understand it. How to challenge a well accepted theory when new data arises AND how to support that theory when the data is strong.
How can ANYONE want to say that the best science education does NOT teach about the "strengths and weaknesses" of a given scientific theory? If we do NOT teach children how to do that, then we fail them miserably and set them up so they cannot defend the scientific theory when it is attacked.
Fine, you want comparisons with other First World countries? Would Britain and Australia be good enough for you?
If so, then you might want to look at this article which shows that Britain, Australia top U.S. in violent crime. Or better yet, look up the statistics yourself on the respective governments' websites. Just google it like other researchers.
It seems that many people have a knee-jerk reaction to hating the US in the same way many posters on/. have a reaction to Microsoft products. When you start looking at the real facts and take into account a larger view of the situation, sometimes you find that your enemy is not the vilified demon that public opinion (or propaganda) has made him out to be.
As much as I d onot think that ours is the government that it should be (see U.S. Constitution), I still think it beats any other form out there today.
1. I studied Greek for three semesters in college (2 of Classical/1 of Koine) so I definitely agree with your points about the expressiveness of other languages. (I was mainly trying to get people to think about the pros/cons of such a situation)
2. I think people say 'touche' in English by saying 'touche'. Seriously, English has got to be one of the most Mongrelized languages in existence. It contains a little German, a little French, a little Greek, a little Latin, etc.etc.etc. Just like other currently living languages are stealing from English, English is (and has) done likewise. The evolution of languages is such a fascinating topic.
On a side note, I remember in my Greek studies that Koine Greek was much simpler of a language than the Classical Greek. My professor indicated that over time languages tend to simplify. One example of this in modern day English is the verb 'to be'. The 'appropriate' conjugation is as follows: I am You are He/She/It is etc.
How long do you think it will be until the following becomes acceptable: I be You be He/She/It be
So what are the downsides to everyone speaking English (or Chinese for that matter)? Aside from the people who are ticked that nobody wants to speak in their language anymore.
Is there any possibility of REAL issues such as exist in our Software monoculture today?
I mean, if English dominated the lingual landscape, then it would make it harder for me to filter out all the spam I keep getting (about 1/3 is currently in Spanish now)
I have just filed for a patent for the process of developing military superiority by placing my weapons higher than everyone else's.
btw, anyone here ever read Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein?
I've yet to single honorable act official or otherwise from microsoft in 2yrs time.
I would state that extending the support on Win98 was an honorable thing for them to do. It certainly did not make them more money (by forcing an upgrade to XP).
oh...wait...this is/. I should have said...
Micro$oft sucks...we must bring them down. heh heh heh...he said $ucks.
Even if your manager has aids and not AIDS, I would be concerned. Now if he has hired some aides or even some young interns, to help him around the office, well, then maybe he is just Bill Clinton.
GEE, LET ME THINK...WHY DO WE NEED CASE-SENSITIVITY IN A LANGUAGE? COULD IT BE BECAUSE CASE CAN ENCODE ADDITIONAL MEANING?
Take the above paragraph as an example. Was I yelling? Sure seems like it. In the same way, additional meaning can be encoded within a programming language by using that little Shift button on your keyboard.
Yes, but how much heavy metals and other chemicals are used in the production of digital cameras? Or, more importantly, in the disposal of last years model?
--- Everything is toxic in sufficient quantity (even "pure" water
I agree Bambi...One other that I think would be interesting to see done in film is Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Especially with today's political climate. Besides, they could do some great special effects when they drop those big rocks on the Earth from the Moon.;-)
Slashdot Mirror
I see so many knee-jerk reactions here today. Do any of you even know what is being debated? The debate is revolving around a phrase that has been in the curriculum for 20 years. The phrase is "strengths and weaknesses." It's not even specifically targeting evolution for crying out loud. Now, I got my B.S. in Physics, so hopefully I can speak with a little authority on understanding the scientific method. The root of the scientific method is indeed identifying and understanding the strengths AND weaknesses of any given scientific theory. Einstein's Theory of Relativity is probably the most tested scientific theory in existence. It has been borne out with tests that go out many decimel places. And yet, scientists still try to understand new data that we come up against that may indicate that there are weaknesses in this theory. That's all that's being fought over in Texas today: the ability to teach our students how to think critically about science and the world around them. How to take data and understand it. How to challenge a well accepted theory when new data arises AND how to support that theory when the data is strong. How can ANYONE want to say that the best science education does NOT teach about the "strengths and weaknesses" of a given scientific theory? If we do NOT teach children how to do that, then we fail them miserably and set them up so they cannot defend the scientific theory when it is attacked.
> countries like china, iraq, america & cuba etc where there are oppressive regiemes in oparation
What do you mean America has an oppressive regi-&@993549@23..!@335
+
+
+ NO CARRIER
This is exactly why it DIDN'T hit the earth. We all know that confusing unit conversions help protect planets from spacefaring junk.
If so, then you might want to look at this article which shows that Britain, Australia top U.S. in violent crime. Or better yet, look up the statistics yourself on the respective governments' websites. Just google it like other researchers.
It seems that many people have a knee-jerk reaction to hating the US in the same way many posters on /. have a reaction to Microsoft products. When you start looking at the real facts and take into account a larger view of the situation, sometimes you find that your enemy is not the vilified demon that public opinion (or propaganda) has made him out to be.
We may have litigious bastards, but we don't have to worry about an unstable government which leads to bloody military takeovers or dealing with martial law being enforced to keep the peace.
As much as I d onot think that ours is the government that it should be (see U.S. Constitution), I still think it beats any other form out there today.
Now we have to put up with spam on TV as well!
1. I studied Greek for three semesters in college (2 of Classical/1 of Koine) so I definitely agree with your points about the expressiveness of other languages. (I was mainly trying to get people to think about the pros/cons of such a situation)
2. I think people say 'touche' in English by saying 'touche'. Seriously, English has got to be one of the most Mongrelized languages in existence. It contains a little German, a little French, a little Greek, a little Latin, etc.etc.etc. Just like other currently living languages are stealing from English, English is (and has) done likewise. The evolution of languages is such a fascinating topic.
On a side note, I remember in my Greek studies that Koine Greek was much simpler of a language than the Classical Greek. My professor indicated that over time languages tend to simplify. One example of this in modern day English is the verb 'to be'. The 'appropriate' conjugation is as follows:
I am
You are
He/She/It is
etc.
How long do you think it will be until the following becomes acceptable:
I be
You be
He/She/It be
Such as "I be right there with you."
Food for thought.
So what are the downsides to everyone speaking English (or Chinese for that matter)? Aside from the people who are ticked that nobody wants to speak in their language anymore.
Is there any possibility of REAL issues such as exist in our Software monoculture today?
I mean, if English dominated the lingual landscape, then it would make it harder for me to filter out all the spam I keep getting (about 1/3 is currently in Spanish now)
I have just filed for a patent for the process of developing military superiority by placing my weapons higher than everyone else's. btw, anyone here ever read Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlein?
I would state that extending the support on Win98 was an honorable thing for them to do. It certainly did not make them more money (by forcing an upgrade to XP).
oh...wait...this is /. I should have said...
Micro$oft sucks...we must bring them down. heh heh heh...he said $ucks.
You forget that you are on Slashdot. We like to complain that someone else isn't as smart as we are.
Now there's nothing like posting your name, address, and phone number on Slashdot to get a date for the weekend.
Can a little black book get Slashdotted?
Even if your manager has aids and not AIDS, I would be concerned. Now if he has hired some aides or even some young interns, to help him around the office, well, then maybe he is just Bill Clinton.
GEE, LET ME THINK...WHY DO WE NEED CASE-SENSITIVITY IN A LANGUAGE? COULD IT BE BECAUSE CASE CAN ENCODE ADDITIONAL MEANING? Take the above paragraph as an example. Was I yelling? Sure seems like it. In the same way, additional meaning can be encoded within a programming language by using that little Shift button on your keyboard.
Yeah, and Apple based Mac OS X off of FreeBSD. so what?
But what IS the flightspeed of an unladen swallow^H^H^H^H^H^Hpigeon?
Is it just me or does Star Wreck's logo look a lot like the Famous Multi-Armed Indian Goddess of Vomit?
That's why I said "turning" not "flipping" ;-)
Yes, but how much heavy metals and other chemicals are used in the production of digital cameras? Or, more importantly, in the disposal of last years model?
---
Everything is toxic in sufficient quantity (even "pure" water
Of course, I just like BIG words. ;-)
This deserves to be modded +5 funny. "bug up his ass" -- StarShip Troopers too funny
After that article about Steganography on FreeBSD awhile back, I think I finally found a use for it!
I think that I am going to release a new OS named SMODNIM with a tagline "Turning the World of Windows Upside-Down"
I agree Bambi...One other that I think would be interesting to see done in film is Heinlein's Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Especially with today's political climate. Besides, they could do some great special effects when they drop those big rocks on the Earth from the Moon. ;-)
Now I can finally get a spaceship with fricken' lasers!