Deidre

This is interesting, have you read this, rocket? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation

Unfortunately, this is too true.

This is a curious view, and I'll have to ponder it some.

I agree with this, good points.

Great thoughts so far in this thread.Then, there's all the root causes of cancer, where to begin? An individual has varying degrees of control over potential risks to cancer-causing agents. As has been said here, cancer cells, and how they grow, remain unpredictable and in some cases mysterious. Even after seemingly effective treatments, ''tricky'' cancer cells are able to sort of 'hide' in some patients and resurface at later dates. It's very terrifying in that sense, that doctors think they have the disease under control, but come to find out, they don't. I think there have been trememdous strides though, so at least progress is being made.

This is pretty sobering! I don't imagine robots will replace humans in all lines of work, but it sounds like for tasks that don't require interaction with the general public, etc...robots could be a viable alternative to human employees. Will these robots get pensions and vacations, too? It feels like this happened over night, but honestly, it's been a long time in the making, when we stop and think about it.

I wouldn't skip traditional physics. It's good to build a solid understanding and foundation. We can't run until we learn how to walk, so my advice would be to not skip. Good luck to you with your studies!

My own findings tell me that arrogance points more to someone feeling inadequate. Arrogance is an outward sign to others saying, 'notice me.' If someone is happy with his or her own life, confident and satisfied, in essence 'at peace,' then that type of person has no reason to be arrogant. Arrogance is often perceived as something that naturally happens when someone becomes successful, etc. But, the opposite (in my opine) is true. Usually people who are arrogant, feel that they are inadequate, so no matter how intelligent, successful, attractive, wealthy they may be, they don't feel content with their lives. It's hard for me to completely explain. lol

No, I actually said that I thought arrogance is more of an attitude or character flaw. I don't believe we are helpless with our issues either, just said we all have foibles, and for some, arrogance might be their struggle to overcome. It's usually the byproduct of something else, like feeling inferior or feeling small, and trying to overcompensate. That has just been my thoughts about it, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Mine is just one in a sea of many.

Never mind. Found the answer to my question.

If someone is truly "humble," whether of high intelligence or not, then an observer wouldn't think such a person is arrogant simply based on his or her IQ. (or educational accomplishments) Arrogance is a choice, high (innate) intelligence isn't. Arrogance stems from many things but it is a behavior, a choice to treat others as though he or she is superior to them. In my observations, usually arrogant people feel small and are trying to overcompensate for what they feel they lack as compared to those around them. It can be helpful to try to see that instead of writing the person off because everyone has issues, they just manifest in different ways. We all have our own foibles, I should say but to me, geniuses will only be viewed as arrogant if they choose to act superior due to their intelligence. Of those I know who are of high natural intelligence, they are pretty modest people. To the OP: thanks for clarifying your original point and stating that you weren't being sarcastic. I didn't read your words as a compliment so my apology to you. I should have asked for clarification before leaping to the wrong conclusion.

lol that sounds good If someone wonders why females or really anyone would be put offf here, just read the "arrogance" thread in the general philosophy section. If that is the way people exchange ideas here, by insulting others for no reason, then looks like I don't quite fit here.

I think you are trying to insult me for some reason, as this reply seems sarcastic. So you can answer your own question.

If we knew what happened prior to the Big Bang (what caused it), we probably could be more definitive in our answers, But, all of our known physical laws, including GR (which have so far assumed spacetime to be flat) breakdown at singularities due to the curvature of spacetime.

I'm female, and I'm posting more now. Do I get a cookie or a gold star or something?

Intelligence can be innate, or it can be earned. Arrogance is either a character flaw, or an attitude. Arrogance is often an insecure person's character flaw, for truly confident people don't have anything to prove or brag about. It's usually those who feel inferior to others, even if they possess high intelligence, who exhibit arrogant behavior. So, intelligence doesn't breed arrogance. Insecurity does.

You mean questions that are of a pseudoscience nature? If so, think it's because the answers that follow run a wide spectrum from religious notions, to philosophical, to actual scientific explanations. I've seen this also in other forums, and when you see questions like that, the person posing the question isn't looking for an actual answer, he or she is more than likely, just looking for attention, and the longer the thread drones on, the better for the person. Sad to say that, but that is how I see it. Pages upon pages of posts later, there's no resolution, and you forget what the thread was initially about by that point.

Actually, I think that is a common 'argument' for the evidence of where our consciousness comes from--that the brain produces the mind, the mind being our consciousness. (meaning, our ability to be aware of what is happening around us) Relating to the OP, I don't believe robots will ever be 'conscious,' as to be conscious would mean to be aware. Robots will never be aware of what is happening, they are merely programmed to fulfilling tasks. Fulfilling tasks in an automated, robotic fashion, with no emotion or consciousness of actions.

lol I just voted!

I'm female, but have been lurking mainly. I should post more.

Only bad thing about this, is it looks time consuming!

yes, I agree with this totally. I think at first, I thought the thread intent was implying that people are somehow not responsible for their actions. This makes sense to me, now.

We are responsible for our decisions, regardless of what drives us to make the decisions. Circumstances don't dictate our decisions. If that were the case, we would see only people with fantastic circumstances making good decisions and leading peaceful lives. Events that happen in our lives can shape our subconscious and we may make decisions based on our worldview but we are still responsible for our decisions. I don't disagree that our subconscious mind carries with it thoughts that may be ingrained say from childhood, etc...and that can affect our decisions.

I don't understand what this is illustrating.