Lars

Interesting. If you program a machine to behave exactly like a cat, is it a cat?  Probably not. At this point in our (human) endeavors we are mimicking human with our attempts to create artificially intelligent behavior as expressed in interacting with the outside world (humans).

If a machine genuinely developed consciousness, it would learn to…[Read more]

Matt wrote:
The more interesting question is: how do we tell a consciousness apart from a simulation of consciousness, given we don’t actually know what consciousness is.

+1

Hang in there Belle

Is he out now, Belle?

Brave is a subjective description, and culture specific.

David Boots wrote:
the islamic faith cannot tolerate dissent and it cannot tolerate a diversity of opinion. It is for most muslims unthinkable to question their church and its dogma.

No. In Turkey, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Kazakhstan, Tunisia there is a notable level of secularism and in some of these a high level of equality and religious…[Read more]

What aspects of ‘bitch’ are you identifying with?

You seem to have been wrestling with inner conflict. I hope now that you feel you have landed on your position (of atheism) there is less turmoil.

Whatever you land on, I hope it makes you feel more settled

@davis Their frustration should not be simply dismissed as silly. +1

@regthefronkeyfarmer This –  “emails from Christians asking me to pray for dead people that I have never met“ had me howling!

Simon Paynton wrote:
I think the religious people would have a point if they were upset that someone complained at the practice, which is, after all, proper respect for the dead, as they see it.

Simply because one is passing through an emotionally difficult time, doesn’t make it suddenly acceptable to insert your world view in a public setting.…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:
are you saying that people actually get “offended” when someone says “happy Christmas”?  Who?  The Offense Bunny?  I get offended that someone might offended by “happy Christmas”, but then I think it must be an urban myth.

Wow Simon. How magnanimous your belittling of non-religious people’s offense to religious commentary in…[Read more]

If you feel anonymity would help 🙂

Beth, why don’t you wander in to HR and point out that although you personally aren’t actually offended, the terminology does expose the company to unnecessary negativity in not complying with the general understanding that religion ought to be kept away from the workplace?

Reg also has a cat called “Thoughts & Prayers” as apparently it does absolutely nothing.

I would probably have replied to the email requesting which particular god needed harassing so I could manifest the appropriate speech. Or something similar- but then again, I was never much of a conforming employee 🙂