Flareon

Yes, and while stupid parents focus on the shallow aspects and create dysfunctional, albeit pretty, kids, the rest of us a bit more rational will help create an improved future humankind: more intelligent, with a healthier psyche, and generally fitter for the environment. And then, let the 'weeding' begin.

It can be. You probably have heard of gravitational waves or ripples in spacetime. Like when a boat sailing through water will leave ripples in its wake, massive moving bodies like stars and blackholes will produce gravitational waves. General Theory of Relativity postulates their existance, but because the waves decrease with distance, they have been too small for us to detect for now.

I suppose what constitutes a disorder or a desireable trait would depend on and change with the environment of the era at hand. I'm sure with the advent of such technology, there will even be a demand for professional advice, from a baby designing consultant, if you will.

You too believe parenting should be a previlege, not a right?

You make it sound like having control is a bad thing. If I had to choose between having too little or too much control, I'd choose the latter. Besides, nature can make mistakes, some very severe. I'm not really "controlling" all that much; I'm simply insuring that nature will "get it right" the first time. I understand that some parents who are "control freaks" may go out of practical bounds and dictate everything down to the last hair follicle, and that might actually prove detrimental to the child. Perhaps measures can be put in place so that there is a limit to the specificity of the design. But wanting your child to be healthy and fit and intelligent is not out of the question.

Not necessarily. Many things--including modern machines and programs--can replicate themselves and not be considered "life." If we wish to discuss exactly what constitutes 'life,' then we can either search for or start another thread.

How about we consider an intermediate species such as the humble ant? They possess technology and "culture," albeit in crude forms...slavery, environmental temperature control, agriculture, social hierarchy, a caste system, learned communication, strategic warfare, etc... Yes, we are far more than bacteria, but are we that much more than an ant colony?

Bubbles?!? By any chance, are you and ChristSlave the one and the same person?

I usually respect your opinions but I really must ask from where you are getting this.

Do not use an infinitive to indicate a purpose. Instead, employ a purpose clause by using, ut + subjunctive, which would literally translate into, "do not use a missile in order to kill a scarab." However, I must ask you, what is "scarabi?" Whatever the noun, it must be an accusative and scarabi must be something, but a known Latin word or an accusative, it is not.

Very good point. Nietzsche would agree. I think hangings, death by firing squads, and death electric shock are quite barbaric, and it's disturbing that they are still legal in some states.

One of the reasons that I cut off my TV cable and no longer watch television.

If you interpret the riddle as crossing the same point at the same time twice heading in the same direction, then yes you may be right. I think razorfane means crossing the same point at the same time going in opposite directions, which would mean there has to be an answer. Now figuring out that answer poses the harder problem. Razor, you said that his being a Buddist monk is significant, did he somehow use his prayer beads as a marker of time or something? But that doesn't explain this "blend" thing.

But stars are also dying, aren't they? The matter left over from supernovae is used to create new stars.

Thanks for taking the time to provide a detailed response. Living in the US, can't say it hurts to hear positives of her war capability. I understand that China is behind in terms of military technology, but how long will that gap last? China has suffered a boom-bust cycle for several generations now, but the recent trends have been larger than any previous economic jump. Beijing is also working doubly to prevent its economy from overheating, something the Japanese in the 80's fail to do. Once China gains economic equality with the west, it will only be a matter of brief time before the economic advantage turns into a militaristic edge that China undoubtedly will grab and run with. If not, why does it seem like so many countries have their pantyhose in a bunch regarding China's growing power? What is the real threat?

Like many kids back in my day, I was somewhat of a dinosaur geek. I would pore over books with these awesome artistic renderings of these deliciously fascinating creatures and sought to learn everything about them. My favorites were the Deinonychus and the Ankylosaurus. I used to watch Dinoriders and would get giddy everytime it came on. Sadly (or not) that little childhood fancy ended with the advent of Nintendo and Mario (NES old school-ha) but I remember it as my first real source of fascination with the scientific world.

Try this. Have someone hold your hand and touch you with your own hand. Conversely, grab someone's hand and touch yourself with his/her hand. Do they feel different? Are the feelings closer to you touching yourself or someone else touching you? I agree with Coquina's feedback theory, with the addition that KNOWING what to expect, or the control aspect when touching yourself has something to do with it as well.

If LSE is what I think it is, then you may very well have greater knowledge in world affairs. However, I still disagree that the US and Japan can overtake China as easily as you say. Please provide some more precise arguments (besides the US naval superiority example) as I would like to know why you think so.

And you think India will side with Japan? In turn the US? In turn the UK? I think not. I didn't say India would side with China automatically, I said IF they want to be involved...sometimes one has to choose between two "evils." You are absolutely right about the past conflicts between China and India, but the relations between China and India have been improving recently, so who really knows. If we took your idea of past conflicts having that great of an effect on present relations, don't forget the US nuked two cities in Japan only a few decades ago...and now look.