StringJunky

Trump, but that's not an option, so if the other lame horse steps aside, a relatively young filly can increase the optical contrast between them and make the voters choice easier. She'd also be the first female Prez, which would be a landmark, just as Obama did. From where I sit Harris would create better optics for the the swing voters who are not overly partisan for either side.

Whatever the cause, it doesn't really matter, Biden's recent behaviour is still evident and can't be disputed. If a person is driving a car erratically, it doesn't matter what caused them to do so, they need taking off the road. You find that out after.

It's quite possible that I'm off the mark. The reason I put my post up was because I thought, maybe wrongly, the focus on purely chemical processes was far too fundamental/low level to be talking about Gaia-type processes in the same breathe.

What about about all the living systems, directly or indirectly modulating the environment according to their needs? Amongst all the various competitions for resources there can be an overarching homeostasis that allows a certain range of organisms to exist simultaneously. within the parameters of that prevailing environment and maintain it. There are also endosymbiotic and ectosymbiotic relationships that between them can modulate their immediate environment. Then you have microscopic organisms and plant life recycling carbon dioxide and other materials whose effects are environmentally global in their effects, so you have hierarchies of organisms all doing their job of maintaining an Earth-sized environment that sustains them together. That's homeostasis in my book. If people want to call that overarching process 'Gaia' that's fine with me. I know what they mean.

What will be, will be. I'm glad I'm closer to dying than being born. Politics is a choice between a shit sandwich and shit on toast. Certainly is this year in the US and UK.

I think one or two here are looking at it the wrong way. NEITHER of the two current challengers are fit to run the country. We want the Dems to win, so sort it and make that possible.

George Clooney, who is a Biden supporter, collecting high-dollar donations for him, has said he should step down.

You need to figure out what 'life' is before you move onto 'mind', then, you do the fancy stuff like 'intention' and 'intelligence'

"You run and you run to catch up with the sun But it's sinking....." - Roger Waters

Can I borrow your crystal ball?

Never seen any images before. Just looked. Yes, they didn't mess about, did they?

Using organic media, I would keep them in the dark at 20-24c to inhibit the mould while covered. They don't initially need light. Mould likes light. Just air, moisture and about that temperature range above until the cotyledons break the surface. The media wants to be pre-moistened, not wet. Squeeze it to make sure then fluff it back up. Put them somewhere dark or low light and the direct sun doesn't touch them. They want a steady temperature. Large seeds put them an inch down. Small seeds, place them on a levellish media surface and sprinkle some media over them. Pop a few holes in the lid for some air exchange and the base for drainage. For a more sterile media, use heat-treated sand with a particle size range 0.045 mm to 0.85mm. Use it with the same procedure as soil. Seedlings don't need feeding for a week or two because it is in the cotyledons. When the cotyledons turn yellow, the nutrient supply is exhausted and feeding is needed. Research first, if not known, whether the seeds need pre-chilling or wintered at 5c. Pot up as above, then chill. Find out how long you need to chill them for from the internet if necessary. Increase the air space a bit more.

@ExternetWhat size range are your seeds or what seed types are they?

swansonT will more ably answer that.

swansonT once mentioned about nuclear decay, where nothing happens then it decays. Time must have elapsed to go from one state to the next, regardless of how long it takes and when...iirc. Time is a continuum, smooth, so scientists have to use a periodic reference to count it. In that sense, I think it would be safe to say "In order for us to count time we need something that periodically changes, but it is not a prerequisite for time to exist" A periodic process is subject to time, but is not time itself.

When we discuss this subject, I always assume you guy's know which side I'm on. It is my fervent hope that the GOP are kept away from leading at least until Trump and his closest acolytes are dead or neutered. It is my opinion that Biden is no longer fit to lead and he needs to bow down with dignity and let Harris, or some other Dem, take reins at the next election. Indeed, we should have been having this conversation some time ago, but the people surrounding Biden have, it seems, been covering up his problems right up until this debate revealed his real state of mind. I don't think it's a blip.

By who? People on his side of the partisan divide don't appear to want him and the clamour is increasing. They want to win the election. Today's AP:

As was said earlier: 'water is wet with Trump'. One doesn't expect it with Biden. It's the swing voters that make the difference and obvious advancing senility could swing it against the Dems.

Yep. Like electrons, people default to the lowest available energy level, or, one could say people move and think in the path of least resistance.

Incorrect. Roger is zapping all over the world standing up for Palestinians and arguing with everyone who will argue with him. He looks bllxed in quite a few vids and has said as much, after flying to yet another protest or interview. He travels in the most "opulent" ways. This is not just a one-off image:

Regarding packing the court. More members should restrict/stabilize how far the partisan needle swings from side to side. When someone retires or dies, the adverse effect on decision making would be reduced. If the Dems took it to 13, that would give them a majority. This is what I mean about 'gloves off' that I mentioned earlier. It can't be done this session though.

Listening to Roger Waters, who's eighty, argue with Piers Morgan last night shows a distinct contrast in demeanor and mental acuity between the two. Roger is still very sharp, commanding and assertive. He certainly kept Morgan on his toes.

Packing the court isn't such a bad idea now, is it? I think it may be 'gloves off' time and start using every legal lever to keep the GOP down until they change course. All I'm seeing now is a slimy bunch of grifters, Even the UK Tories are starting to embrace the GOP ideas... yuk!

In Trump We Trust.

I think it's a bit daft for the GOP and SC majority to show their devious hand before the election and actually winning.