Lars

So, I think his view is valid.

How on Earth can your view be valid when you advocate two things that fatally conflict with one another? For example, if I define political progress as that of the open society, individualism and opportunity (only instead of using those words I type out a five sentence mumbo jumbo) and then I relate my definition of…[Read more]

I am referring here to his central claim (the stuff in the bold text) and not what follows which is a confusing babble that fails to relate his definition to Christianity and throws in a whole lot of hyper-generalisations about humans (as well as bizarrely with gender/sexuality). It’s an interesting definition however it’s also partially babble.…[Read more]

I really hope that is how it goes down.

That, and that the last human isn’t as sociopathic as humanity has been for most of it’s history. That is, that the last human has a modicum of empathy for others in general and not a blind supporter to policies or laws that pointlessly make life miserable for others. Both of those would work for a great last human.

By the way, do you think that speaking up against religion also “just strengthens the right”?

That depends entirely on the country and the religion being discussed. Criticizing religion (practices not people) is rather uncontroversial in most of northern Europe and society is so secular that right-wing parties wouldn’t have a hope of getting pra…[Read more]

@davis Great post. +1

Not another bloody outrage over false accusations of rape. Jesus fucking christ.

What is bullshit is obsessing about this problem solely through the lens of women accusing rape. There is a bias screaming out in most of these complaints and it focuses on three things. 1 Rape is a different kind of crime than other crimes. 2. Women often claims…[Read more]

yesterday is much less important.

Pity. I used to respect what you had to say and found your commentary, even stuff I disagreed with, useful. But you’ve jumped into the deep end of whatever this is called, and seem to take pleasure in ducking and dodging. I hope you aren’t up to the same trollish antics on other websites.

Tom, for the first time you have ducked and dodged questions and possible answers to your questions. First of all, this was an international effort and no the US taxpayers are not the only contributors. You’ve also totally ignored the fact that the entire project is well documented over the last several years in major respected journals. You’re…[Read more]

Hi Anth, welcome to Atheist Zone!  Thanks for posting your thoughtful story. I’m delighted you are now in such a happy space though.

There is life breathed into its cytoplasm.

Thanks Michael for the very clear and coherent response. Oh how I love reading your replies and trying to figure out how they answer my questions. So I take it as a no for Harry Potter? Is that correct?

there is a non-baryronic presence in the cytoplasm that imbues life which predates this universe.

That is so interesting Michael. So is this non-baryonic presence in cytoplasm, ahem, the realm where Harry Potter and the Easter Bunny dwell? Or is it only reserved for a one grand immense magical being?

A. It’s very probable that any serious and qualified researches would be given or sold the data from the telescopes, or collect their own data somehow…and confirm the results or come up with their own image.

B. The entire project has been documented in multiple journals over the last several years and in published literary books which have…[Read more]

Reg. There aren’t enough apologies in this world….

The thing that helped with mine, Asianne, was the realization that, tragedy notwithstanding, pretty much everybody suffers the loss of their parents at some stage, so when I looked around and saw that people carried on, it kind of helped – sort of like graduating to a new strata of life.

Funnily enough, I have a friend who is around 50ish and who…[Read more]

I’ve read of research saying plants communicate externalia by emitting aromas/odors.

You can say what you like about octopuses being conscious (though my skepticism is 99.9999%) but I would argue, with 100% confidence, that emitting a scent must cross a sufficiently enormous gulf of absent qualities to be considered self-aware, self-reflecting, i…[Read more]

This has not been my experience as a design…

You should directly ask African-American coleagues, women colleagues and any other marginalized people in the office (including those in mid-level and low-level ranks). Ask them directly, clearly, openly, sincerely what their experiences have been like. If they mention experiences, its more than…[Read more]