I do need them actually, for running experiments, and yes, they do all run at 100% when utilised, for weeks at a time.
I can see the benefit of pre built machines, I plan to get one for my son later this year because I would rather like it if someone else had the hassle of fixing it
Nono, the neice lives in England, in the north. That's why I was so shocked. It was from a qualified teacher, who apparently beleives in teaching shit. I mean, there isn't even an organised religion that believes that. I have taken steps to correct the situation, she is no longer being taught such rubbish.
My US nieces and nephews (of similar age) are already being brought up to accept the religious explanations for evolution and, well, it seems everything. If god didn't do it, it didn't happen, causing a gulf I don't think the two sides of the family can bridge. What frightens me is that they are also being equipped with an arsenal of bizarre counter arguments, being taught how to resist real learning. They live in Chicago. I didn't think this was a hotbed of such thinking....
Your Mr Elliot sounds like a good teacher, I wish my son had someone like that.
I'm afraid my not infrequent rantings about the religion problems in the states are motivated in no small way by the fact that I have several young relatives in the states who are likely to be brought up with anti scientific beliefs, simply due to the educational standards they are experiencing. I already despair as to their attitudes. One half of my family is very open to new ideas and interested in learning, the other is closed and religious, looking for an easy out so they can find certainty without working for it.
However, to be fair, last month I discovered that my six year old English niece (supposedly in the open camp) was being taught in her school that Jesus created the animals! It gets scary, I can tell you.
I saw the ten commandments thing. I don't understand a bar of it to be honest
Most linux users that I have encountered build their own machines, so don't encounter the Microsoft tax anyway.
This might appeal to some new Linux users, but I don't see it. I think of it more as a starting point, or PR move, I doubt this will do much to dent their windows based pc sales.
My current recommendation for people who want computers and aren't insisting on a windows machine is that they go out and buy a mac. I've got ten PCs myself, nine of which run Linux (predominately without an X server running), and one (the one I use for games/document writing) runs windows XP.
You really want your 3- and 6-year olds to inherit the spam-ridden porn-fest we have today? That's just mean. Think of the children!
I don't get this porn fest thing. I use the interwebs all the time, and barely ever see any porn. Where is this porn of which you speak?
The core principle of the internet to me is that anyone can edit it/add to it, or take it in some new direction.
We have Wikipedia, 'Ask a Ninja' and Red vs Blue now. Three things I never would have thought of when I first plugged my 33k modem in, many years ago. My contribution to the web's main attribute is that people keep visiting my site and downloading because they think its a mod for Wow (confusion in the name). Then they discover its really boring...
If non creationists were wrong, it would be that there was another scientific reason for evolution, or, as with what happened with Newtons work in Einstein's time, it could turn out that evolution/natural selection alone are woefully inadequate explanations.
We would absorb the new information, reprint our textbooks and move on, no worries.
If a creationist is proved wrong then the very basis of their personal world view or power base (if they are considered to have authority due to their assertion of their views) is removed. Everything they believe would have to be questioned, and new things, like proof based learning would have to be adopted for them to survive. That's a tall order, and too much for many to cope with, so they are fighting it.
Oh, I didn't think of it like that, smart move then:-)
I met some in their native state a couple of years ago. I asked them for directions to a local store and they started harranguing me to get me to come inside their church. It was a very disturbing experience.
I ended up having to be quite rude to them to make them back off.
True, but it underwent a fundamental change in the middle ages and turned away from science, leading to the current situation where the Muslim world has the highest rate of illiteracy/poor education of any ethnic group.
I've heard the argument 'how do you know the dinosaurs were around 65 million years ago? Where you there?' A few times
To which there is the great reply, 'how do you know about the flood? Where you there?'
If only someone would ask me that question now that I've got that answer.
Alas the only creationists I've met in recent years have been so comical and unable to debate that a decent argument can't even be started. I don't meet that many at work, since I work in evolutionary algorithm development.
the problem is that if you reject evolution and the means by which it is verified, you also reject the very scientific methods required to be a good scientist.
And yes, it is required for computer science. Evolutionary algorithms derived from the natural world are a major part of the field, with application to everything from DNA research
Corne, D. Meade, A. Sibly, R. 'Evolving core promoter signal motifs', Proceedings of the 2001 Congress on Evolutionary Computation, vol. 2, 1162-1169, 2001
to satellite placement: Williams, Edwin, William Crossley and Thomas Lang, 'Average and maximum revisit time trade studies for satellite constellations using a multiobjective genetic algorithm', Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, 49, 3, 385-400 2001
You are currently exporting extreme religions (yup, that's what a lot of uk people think of the Johovahs witnesses that come calling, nut jobs to be avoided at all costs), and working in other countries to prop up creationism. Also there's the funding going to the search for the Ark, and the money being sent to Israel to fund the end time preparation...
Also lots of colleges and universities in the US are having to spend time just convincing religious students to learn scientific subjects, including needing support groups and reassuring people that you can believe in god and study science.
The very fact that the US is having to deal with holding back the upswelling of anti science philosophy in the classroom is evidence.
And I actually admire the US, if only you could get over this period.
I would love it if the Chinese did that. I was a kid when man walked on the moon last. We had a TV in my classroom when Armstrong and went for their first walk.
I thought the moon was a place in the outback where people hadn't been before (I was only four).
Not wanting to be nasty or anything, but America is going through a bit of a religious experience at the moment, with people rejecting science by the million.
That cannot happen and the US retain their technological advantage.
Point of interest, America was having similer problems pre Sputnik, and when it flew overhead Congress ordered that Science be given a priority in the classroom, and that evolution be taught everywhere. The result? America's rise to technological dominance in the information age.
Now its happening all over again.
You have to ask yourselves, what will the next Sputnik be?
You know what, as unfashionable as it is, you're right about netscape 4 and IE.
At the time I had no idea what Microsoft were doing. I just got so utterly sick of trying to use Netscape that I started casting about for any alternative. IE wasn't great, but it was faster. In 33/56k modem days the speed of IE was an awesome advantage, even if it didn't have the features. I didn't care about what was happening to Netscape, but at that point I had only just got back into computing after an eight year break.
I didn't change from IE until the first version of Firefox came out, or Firebird as it was then. Since that time I have never willingly used IE. If any site requires it I just stop using that site.
alas putting the argument initially in such a confrontational way doesn't help.
You need to get them to really debate. Most won't, and spout the same stuff over and over.
Thing is, two centuries ago everyone was a creationist, we would have been as well, there was no alternative. They are however fighting a losing battle if you look at the numbers. It will likely be another century before creationism is dead, and then only maybe.
Slashdot Mirror
but, but, they are big, and talented :-(
I do need them actually, for running experiments, and yes, they do all run at 100% when utilised, for weeks at a time.
I can see the benefit of pre built machines, I plan to get one for my son later this year because I would rather like it if someone else had the hassle of fixing it
Nono, the neice lives in England, in the north. That's why I was so shocked. It was from a qualified teacher, who apparently beleives in teaching shit. I mean, there isn't even an organised religion that believes that. I have taken steps to correct the situation, she is no longer being taught such rubbish.
My US nieces and nephews (of similar age) are already being brought up to accept the religious explanations for evolution and, well, it seems everything. If god didn't do it, it didn't happen, causing a gulf I don't think the two sides of the family can bridge. What frightens me is that they are also being equipped with an arsenal of bizarre counter arguments, being taught how to resist real learning. They live in Chicago. I didn't think this was a hotbed of such thinking....
Your Mr Elliot sounds like a good teacher, I wish my son had someone like that.
You write a good comment sir.
I'm afraid my not infrequent rantings about the religion problems in the states are motivated in no small way by the fact that I have several young relatives in the states who are likely to be brought up with anti scientific beliefs, simply due to the educational standards they are experiencing. I already despair as to their attitudes. One half of my family is very open to new ideas and interested in learning, the other is closed and religious, looking for an easy out so they can find certainty without working for it.
However, to be fair, last month I discovered that my six year old English niece (supposedly in the open camp) was being taught in her school that Jesus created the animals! It gets scary, I can tell you.
I saw the ten commandments thing. I don't understand a bar of it to be honest
Most linux users that I have encountered build their own machines, so don't encounter the Microsoft tax anyway.
This might appeal to some new Linux users, but I don't see it. I think of it more as a starting point, or PR move, I doubt this will do much to dent their windows based pc sales.
My current recommendation for people who want computers and aren't insisting on a windows machine is that they go out and buy a mac. I've got ten PCs myself, nine of which run Linux (predominately without an X server running), and one (the one I use for games/document writing) runs windows XP.
You really want your 3- and 6-year olds to inherit the spam-ridden porn-fest we have today? That's just mean. Think of the children!
I don't get this porn fest thing. I use the interwebs all the time, and barely ever see any porn. Where is this porn of which you speak?
The core principle of the internet to me is that anyone can edit it/add to it, or take it in some new direction.
We have Wikipedia, 'Ask a Ninja' and Red vs Blue now. Three things I never would have thought of when I first plugged my 33k modem in, many years ago. My contribution to the web's main attribute is that people keep visiting my site and downloading because they think its a mod for Wow (confusion in the name). Then they discover its really boring...
If non creationists were wrong, it would be that there was another scientific reason for evolution, or, as with what happened with Newtons work in Einstein's time, it could turn out that evolution/natural selection alone are woefully inadequate explanations.
We would absorb the new information, reprint our textbooks and move on, no worries.
If a creationist is proved wrong then the very basis of their personal world view or power base (if they are considered to have authority due to their assertion of their views) is removed. Everything they believe would have to be questioned, and new things, like proof based learning would have to be adopted for them to survive. That's a tall order, and too much for many to cope with, so they are fighting it.
go read some oscar wilde
But I don't like uncyclopedia...
why? This is slashdot. It supposed to continue until one of us gets fed up and stops. Besides, I was bored
where are your links to refute my points then?
Google is your friend.
I don't care whether your a christian or not.
Not available" error.
Strange, works for me.
I chose single examples rather then produce an entire page of links, I am actually doing other things at the moment.
Seems to me you just don't want to admit any problems...
Oh, I didn't think of it like that, smart move then :-)
I met some in their native state a couple of years ago. I asked them for directions to a local store and they started harranguing me to get me to come inside their church. It was a very disturbing experience.
I ended up having to be quite rude to them to make them back off.
I don't. I think it will be either China or India. Possibly another of the far eastern countries, but I couldn't say which.
:-)
At least if the Chinese rise to dominance we might get to leave Earth that Was and buy ourselves Firefly Class ships
True, but it underwent a fundamental change in the middle ages and turned away from science, leading to the current situation where the Muslim world has the highest rate of illiteracy/poor education of any ethnic group.
It's a crying shame.
You know what I'd like to do?
I've heard the argument 'how do you know the dinosaurs were around 65 million years ago? Where you there?' A few times
To which there is the great reply, 'how do you know about the flood? Where you there?'
If only someone would ask me that question now that I've got that answer.
Alas the only creationists I've met in recent years have been so comical and unable to debate that a decent argument can't even be started. I don't meet that many at work, since I work in evolutionary algorithm development.
jehovah's witnesses are so nice (not)
d %5B157%5D=x-157-537000
R L&_udi=B6WSN-4J79KGF-4&_user=10&_coverDate=02%2F10 %2F2006&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c& _acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid= 10&md5=f91bf7d1e0b2f400ab976e4834c79692
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2123546.stm
looking for the ark....
http://www.noahsarksearch.com/
the links between americans extreme religions and isreal/funding of end time stuff
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cm
problems with science in the US classroom
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleU
That enough?
the problem is that if you reject evolution and the means by which it is verified, you also reject the very scientific methods required to be a good scientist.
And yes, it is required for computer science. Evolutionary algorithms derived from the natural world are a major part of the field, with application to everything from DNA research
Corne, D. Meade, A. Sibly, R. 'Evolving core promoter signal motifs', Proceedings of the 2001 Congress on Evolutionary Computation, vol. 2, 1162-1169, 2001
to satellite placement:
Williams, Edwin, William Crossley and Thomas Lang, 'Average and maximum revisit time trade studies for satellite constellations using a multiobjective genetic algorithm', Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, 49, 3, 385-400 2001
No acceptance of evolution, no science...
That has nothing to do with it, nothing at all.
You are currently exporting extreme religions (yup, that's what a lot of uk people think of the Johovahs witnesses that come calling, nut jobs to be avoided at all costs), and working in other countries to prop up creationism. Also there's the funding going to the search for the Ark, and the money being sent to Israel to fund the end time preparation...
Also lots of colleges and universities in the US are having to spend time just convincing religious students to learn scientific subjects, including needing support groups and reassuring people that you can believe in god and study science.
The very fact that the US is having to deal with holding back the upswelling of anti science philosophy in the classroom is evidence.
And I actually admire the US, if only you could get over this period.
Oh yes, they were around, but only as a relatively minor plant. They became dominant after the CT event.
I would love it if the Chinese did that. I was a kid when man walked on the moon last. We had a TV in my classroom when Armstrong and went for their first walk.
I thought the moon was a place in the outback where people hadn't been before (I was only four).
I don't have a tv, although I do watch other peoples from time to time.
I have heard of the vegetation thing, but it was other flora, not grasses, so far as I understand, ferns or somesuch.
Not wanting to be nasty or anything, but America is going through a bit of a religious experience at the moment, with people rejecting science by the million.
That cannot happen and the US retain their technological advantage.
Point of interest, America was having similer problems pre Sputnik, and when it flew overhead Congress ordered that Science be given a priority in the classroom, and that evolution be taught everywhere. The result? America's rise to technological dominance in the information age.
Now its happening all over again.
You have to ask yourselves, what will the next Sputnik be?
probably not, after all, it will become a 'valuable tool for the customer' or some such crap.
You know what, as unfashionable as it is, you're right about netscape 4 and IE.
At the time I had no idea what Microsoft were doing. I just got so utterly sick of trying to use Netscape that I started casting about for any alternative. IE wasn't great, but it was faster. In 33/56k modem days the speed of IE was an awesome advantage, even if it didn't have the features. I didn't care about what was happening to Netscape, but at that point I had only just got back into computing after an eight year break.
I didn't change from IE until the first version of Firefox came out, or Firebird as it was then. Since that time I have never willingly used IE. If any site requires it I just stop using that site.
This just in,
alas putting the argument initially in such a confrontational way doesn't help.
You need to get them to really debate. Most won't, and spout the same stuff over and over.
Thing is, two centuries ago everyone was a creationist, we would have been as well, there was no alternative. They are however fighting a losing battle if you look at the numbers. It will likely be another century before creationism is dead, and then only maybe.