I the previous poster. You expect me to believe what you have to say when you don't even check your sources?
I'm laughing right now, I really am. And I'm sorry you went to such a brainwashing sort of school, that has caused such revulsion towards what is otherwise a fairly moral and peaceful set of ideas. People like you make me glad that I wasn't imbued with such a love or hate of religion that I can't view it objectively and take the good from it.
Are you actually claiming to have proof, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that one side or the other is right?
Please, enlighten us. There are millions of people who are dying to hear this, and an enormous gaggle of scientists who will be out of a job now with nothing left to research. Since you seem to have all the answers, please.
As with so many before you, you assume that just because I don't believe what you do means that I, by default, believe your opponent.
I don't believe either one, and probably never will. There's too many good points on both sides and too many gaping holes on both sides. I've done my research for both sides, as objectively as possible, and I threw up my hands a long time ago. Most people just don't actually look objectively.
Sure it does. A theory is an idea, supported to whatever degree, about something. As much as people throw around the word 'science' when it comes to this argument, they forget that both sides have supposed scientific evidence to support their idea. Furthermore, both sides have some evidence they claim that could just as easily be twisted to support the other side. And neither side looks at the evidence and draws a conclusion; rather, they pick a side and then grab evidence to back it up. That is in stark contrast to the scientific method.
This is exactly why I don't pick a side. Yes, let that sink in.
Neither side has enough evidence to convince me. My opinion is unique I think. It says the world is already here, and it has a lot of problems. How it got here isn't really an issue because that already happened. I can waste energy trying to figure out something that I can't do anything about, OR I can focus on trying to fix some of the problems in the world and make it a better place here, now. The whole "creation versus macroevolution" debate strikes me as being the same as arguing over who spilled the water in the floor. Who cares? The point is, there's now a big puddle there. Let's focus on cleaning it up before somebody slips on it and gets hurt.
None of the things you mentioned would be facts proving themselves. Especially your first "example"--come on! There's absolute proof that the Holocaust happened. We don't have absolute proof of anything that happened millions (or even thousands, for argument's sake) of years ago that none of us got to witness. None of the examples you gave come even close to comparing.
Whether people like it or not, there ARE two major theories that both have evidence that can point to it, and plenty of credible scientists who think it happened that way. The only thing we know 100% is that we don't know 100%. The only reasonable thing to do, then, is to present both of these theories, give them equal time, and let the students draw their own conclusions about which one they're going to accept. I think this is the best way to make new discoveries, actually. If a young, bright, enterprising student is presented with two possible options, harmonizing on some points and conflicting in others, they may want to do more research, test things, and who knows? Maybe they will find the missing links in the fossil record, or maybe they'll find a giant fingerprint of God or something. Whereas if you just present one side and have the students remain ignorant about the other side, they will accept it complacently and not question things much further. That, obviously, would be a bane to discovery, and to progress.
Honestly, why NOT teach both? Look, depending on which way your beliefs slant, you have a little bit of evidence and a lot of faith that it happened that way. Nobody has conclusive proof of either one, so why not teach both major theories?
Yeah, but they don't make you pay anything and withhold their doctrine until you pay up. They are glad to tell you all about the beliefs that make them so happy. What I don't get is why someone will scoff at a person offering them "eternal life" for free, but then turn around and spend money on an even crazier brainwashing by Scientology.
That being said, the Patriot Act sucked and was definitely, along with No Child Left Behind, one of the dumbest things W did. Don't forget, even a lot of hardcore Republicans didn't like him, especially during the second term.
"With web crackdowns like this becoming more and more frequent do you think we will start to see similar (overt) activities from US and European governments?"
You know, ten years ago I'd have said no way. Now... with ridiculous 'security' efforts, the Dems (yeah yeah, mod me down if you must, it's true) trying to make Big Government regulating absolutely everything and taking away freedoms left and right... Sadly, I do think this is possible. And it scares me.
I am the same--good work ethic and I take pride in what I accomplish. I am office-bound now but have been wanting to work from home for some time. What I do is exclusively on the computer and phone, and the only parts of my job I am dissatisfied with are in this physical office--coworkers, frequent interruptions, poor management, etc. Telecommuting would be great, but I doubt it will ever happen around here.
Actually, isn't it funny how much crap ordinary users are willing to put up with? And by funny, I mean god-awful.
I have to hand it to Microsoft's marketing team. They have managed to convince a generation of impatient, want-it-now people who are used to having their every demand met by some piece of specialized equipment... to accept spending a fortune on a computer that will be riddled with viruses and spyware and slow down within a month of purchase, will randomly freeze/BSOD/pop up errors, and need to be rebooted (5 minutes of lost time + countless lost time in the file you were working on that you didn't 'safety save') at any moment. Nobody would put up with a car, a cell phone, hell even a microwave that was this buggy. This is the only industry where the crappiest brand of a product is the most used and most popular, so people believe it's the norm and don't demand improvement.
Excellent post. I started to make a reply of my own and then noticed no less than three of my main points already covered here. I consider Vista to be the downgrade here. Downgrade in performance, downgrade in functionality... upgrade in shiny transparent title bars (read, 80% of memory usage needed to render), but that's about it.
Slashdot Mirror
As someone who also has a differing opinion than the standard two-sided violent battle, I appreciate this post.
Actually, I'm not a fan of either side, but I'm quite happy to have made my way out of your personal sexual life. Thanks! :)
I the previous poster. You expect me to believe what you have to say when you don't even check your sources?
I'm laughing right now, I really am. And I'm sorry you went to such a brainwashing sort of school, that has caused such revulsion towards what is otherwise a fairly moral and peaceful set of ideas. People like you make me glad that I wasn't imbued with such a love or hate of religion that I can't view it objectively and take the good from it.
Are you actually claiming to have proof, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that one side or the other is right?
Please, enlighten us. There are millions of people who are dying to hear this, and an enormous gaggle of scientists who will be out of a job now with nothing left to research. Since you seem to have all the answers, please.
As with so many before you, you assume that just because I don't believe what you do means that I, by default, believe your opponent.
I don't believe either one, and probably never will. There's too many good points on both sides and too many gaping holes on both sides. I've done my research for both sides, as objectively as possible, and I threw up my hands a long time ago. Most people just don't actually look objectively.
Sure it does. A theory is an idea, supported to whatever degree, about something. As much as people throw around the word 'science' when it comes to this argument, they forget that both sides have supposed scientific evidence to support their idea. Furthermore, both sides have some evidence they claim that could just as easily be twisted to support the other side. And neither side looks at the evidence and draws a conclusion; rather, they pick a side and then grab evidence to back it up. That is in stark contrast to the scientific method.
This is exactly why I don't pick a side. Yes, let that sink in.
Neither side has enough evidence to convince me. My opinion is unique I think. It says the world is already here, and it has a lot of problems. How it got here isn't really an issue because that already happened. I can waste energy trying to figure out something that I can't do anything about, OR I can focus on trying to fix some of the problems in the world and make it a better place here, now. The whole "creation versus macroevolution" debate strikes me as being the same as arguing over who spilled the water in the floor. Who cares? The point is, there's now a big puddle there. Let's focus on cleaning it up before somebody slips on it and gets hurt.
Have you actually done any research on this? Because I have.
http://www.creationscience.com/
Just a start.
None of the things you mentioned would be facts proving themselves. Especially your first "example"--come on! There's absolute proof that the Holocaust happened. We don't have absolute proof of anything that happened millions (or even thousands, for argument's sake) of years ago that none of us got to witness. None of the examples you gave come even close to comparing.
To expound upon that...
Whether people like it or not, there ARE two major theories that both have evidence that can point to it, and plenty of credible scientists who think it happened that way. The only thing we know 100% is that we don't know 100%. The only reasonable thing to do, then, is to present both of these theories, give them equal time, and let the students draw their own conclusions about which one they're going to accept. I think this is the best way to make new discoveries, actually. If a young, bright, enterprising student is presented with two possible options, harmonizing on some points and conflicting in others, they may want to do more research, test things, and who knows? Maybe they will find the missing links in the fossil record, or maybe they'll find a giant fingerprint of God or something. Whereas if you just present one side and have the students remain ignorant about the other side, they will accept it complacently and not question things much further. That, obviously, would be a bane to discovery, and to progress.
Honestly, why NOT teach both? Look, depending on which way your beliefs slant, you have a little bit of evidence and a lot of faith that it happened that way. Nobody has conclusive proof of either one, so why not teach both major theories?
If I had points, I'd mod that up. I never actually thought of it that way.
Yeah, but they don't make you pay anything and withhold their doctrine until you pay up. They are glad to tell you all about the beliefs that make them so happy. What I don't get is why someone will scoff at a person offering them "eternal life" for free, but then turn around and spend money on an even crazier brainwashing by Scientology.
Why? The ACLU falls for stupid crap every day.
You do, I hope, see what Obama wants to do?
That being said, the Patriot Act sucked and was definitely, along with No Child Left Behind, one of the dumbest things W did. Don't forget, even a lot of hardcore Republicans didn't like him, especially during the second term.
Finally, someone who gets it.
"With web crackdowns like this becoming more and more frequent do you think we will start to see similar (overt) activities from US and European governments?"
You know, ten years ago I'd have said no way. Now... with ridiculous 'security' efforts, the Dems (yeah yeah, mod me down if you must, it's true) trying to make Big Government regulating absolutely everything and taking away freedoms left and right... Sadly, I do think this is possible. And it scares me.
Let's ask Tony Stark!
This is SPOT ON. If I could mod you up any more than 5, I would. God. Do you work here in this office?
I am the same--good work ethic and I take pride in what I accomplish. I am office-bound now but have been wanting to work from home for some time. What I do is exclusively on the computer and phone, and the only parts of my job I am dissatisfied with are in this physical office--coworkers, frequent interruptions, poor management, etc. Telecommuting would be great, but I doubt it will ever happen around here.
Hell yeah. Would eliminate the need for parking lots, you'd just drive your chair right inside and up to your desk.
As with so many things, the size at first is not as important as the size of it later.
Oh, beat me to it! :)
Actually, isn't it funny how much crap ordinary users are willing to put up with? And by funny, I mean god-awful.
...It's just unreal.
I have to hand it to Microsoft's marketing team. They have managed to convince a generation of impatient, want-it-now people who are used to having their every demand met by some piece of specialized equipment... to accept spending a fortune on a computer that will be riddled with viruses and spyware and slow down within a month of purchase, will randomly freeze/BSOD/pop up errors, and need to be rebooted (5 minutes of lost time + countless lost time in the file you were working on that you didn't 'safety save') at any moment. Nobody would put up with a car, a cell phone, hell even a microwave that was this buggy. This is the only industry where the crappiest brand of a product is the most used and most popular, so people believe it's the norm and don't demand improvement.
/end rant
Excellent post. I started to make a reply of my own and then noticed no less than three of my main points already covered here. I consider Vista to be the downgrade here. Downgrade in performance, downgrade in functionality... upgrade in shiny transparent title bars (read, 80% of memory usage needed to render), but that's about it.
How I wish there was a "+1 Best Post Ever" modification for you, muffen.