...is that it's just a hypothesis, based on relatively meaningless survey-based data. One of the most important principles of experimental science is that correlation does not imply causation. Just because the people who play violent video games end up committing more violence doesn't mean the games caused the violence; it's just as reasonable to say that violent people like violent games. This "research," if can be so called, basically comes up with an interesting idea, and then never actually tests it. If they conduct a study where they compare the presence of the relavent genes to the IQs of subjects, then maybe they'll have a case. But merely saying, "Ashkenazi Jews have these diseases, Ashkenazi Jews are smart, therefore these diseases have intelligence as a byproduct" is a false (in the sense of not actually true) conclusion.
You're right about the advanced != evolved point, but his idea that it's almost impossible to get two sentient species to evolve at nearly the same time is still valid. What's the probability that the first species to develop hyperdrive doesn't go and colonize the galaxy, messing up the ecosystems of other worlds and preventing them from ever developing intelligent life?
Actually, as I understand it, DARPA isn't looking for fully robotic semi-autonomous armed combat vehicles as it is looking for fully robotic semi-autonomous armed supply vehicles. That way, all the humans who now are driving the supply vehicles can drive the combat vehicles instead.
Alternatively, this would allow one human in a Jeep to drive and guard a whole supply convoy.
...you can use the Classical Music Seach site. Just type in the melody (any key; it auto-transposes), and it searches for classical songs with that melody. It won't help you with jazz, but if you can't recall the name of a classical piece, this site can help.
All of science is a "theory." Do you think that's air you're breathing now? Or are you a brain in a jar? My theory says the former, but it could be completely and utterly wrong.
Actually, that's what I've been doing for the past school year. My main machine's hard drive died, but all the computer labs have some brower, some IM client, and some word processor; with Gmail for email and data storage, I don't need a personal machine.
What, you're mad that we're lumping all fundamentalist Christians into one group? Fact: There are some Christains who want to take evolution out of schools, put prayer into schools, put the 10 commandments into public courtrooms, etc. Not all Christians agree with these desires; only a small but vocal subset. What should we call this subset? Why not call them "fundamentalist Christians"? We're explicitely saying that not all Christians are this crazy, just a small group of them. What word would you prefer we use to refer to them, if not "fundamentalist"?
Um, Slashdot does have a humor section. Which is where this was categorized (in addition to the Science section, since it is, after all, science humor.)
Slashdot Mirror
...is that it's just a hypothesis, based on relatively meaningless survey-based data. One of the most important principles of experimental science is that correlation does not imply causation. Just because the people who play violent video games end up committing more violence doesn't mean the games caused the violence; it's just as reasonable to say that violent people like violent games. This "research," if can be so called, basically comes up with an interesting idea, and then never actually tests it. If they conduct a study where they compare the presence of the relavent genes to the IQs of subjects, then maybe they'll have a case. But merely saying, "Ashkenazi Jews have these diseases, Ashkenazi Jews are smart, therefore these diseases have intelligence as a byproduct" is a false (in the sense of not actually true) conclusion.
You're right about the advanced != evolved point, but his idea that it's almost impossible to get two sentient species to evolve at nearly the same time is still valid. What's the probability that the first species to develop hyperdrive doesn't go and colonize the galaxy, messing up the ecosystems of other worlds and preventing them from ever developing intelligent life?
*yawn* I'm not even going to bother with the real science.
Actually, as I understand it, DARPA isn't looking for fully robotic semi-autonomous armed combat vehicles as it is looking for fully robotic semi-autonomous armed supply vehicles. That way, all the humans who now are driving the supply vehicles can drive the combat vehicles instead. Alternatively, this would allow one human in a Jeep to drive and guard a whole supply convoy.
...why don't I have a girlfriend?
... will find a way to blame Microsoft for this.
Call him a troll if you want, but someone has already done this.
Which is better Emacs or Vi?
...And if they answer, "There's no way you'll get me started on that debate," you'll know they're truly intelligent.
...you can use the Classical Music Seach site. Just type in the melody (any key; it auto-transposes), and it searches for classical songs with that melody. It won't help you with jazz, but if you can't recall the name of a classical piece, this site can help.
Am I the only one who thinks NASA / JPL needs to outsource the next rovers to a Monster Garage build team?
Yes.
All of science is a "theory." Do you think that's air you're breathing now? Or are you a brain in a jar? My theory says the former, but it could be completely and utterly wrong.
Windows is dying.
What, did you stop your post to prevent Godwin's Law from pwnz0ring you?
The original Slashdot article regarding Robbins's resignation makes no mention of this. Do you have a source?
What, is Gentoo no longer a "maintained distro"?
At least this Indian mathematician is still alive. :)
Even better, at least this Indian mathematician has a name.
Actually, that's what I've been doing for the past school year. My main machine's hard drive died, but all the computer labs have some brower, some IM client, and some word processor; with Gmail for email and data storage, I don't need a personal machine.
I've got one like that too, but mine's cross-platform, open-source, and highly extendable: take a look
Since when did a prank/hack war include getting stories posted to Slashdot? Though admittedly their dance floor is pretty cool.
In conclusion, they're all fine houses.
Yes, but they're not all fine Institutes of Technology.
They forgot the most important evolutionary development of all time. The first one. The ability to evolve.
It's not as obvious as it sounds.
Yes it is. If you've got an imperfect replicator and a limited supply of resources, evolution happens as a natural byproduct.
Ha!
Sincerely,
Caltech
*yawn*
29+ Evidences for Macroevolution
And while you're there, read more of their stuff, such as Evolution is a Fact and a Theory and Can Evolution Make Predictions?
What, you're mad that we're lumping all fundamentalist Christians into one group? Fact: There are some Christains who want to take evolution out of schools, put prayer into schools, put the 10 commandments into public courtrooms, etc. Not all Christians agree with these desires; only a small but vocal subset. What should we call this subset? Why not call them "fundamentalist Christians"? We're explicitely saying that not all Christians are this crazy, just a small group of them. What word would you prefer we use to refer to them, if not "fundamentalist"?
Um, Slashdot does have a humor section. Which is where this was categorized (in addition to the Science section, since it is, after all, science humor.)
Why not include the Columbia prayer study? Oh, yea, because it's been thoroughly discredited. Just like the Belfast study will be soon enough.
One million dollars says homeopathy is a placebo. Do you want to argue with it?