dr.syntax

Fighting whatever powers that be for the right to view this movie " Creation" on the life of Charles Darwin is a cause all who believe in the right to" not believe" here in America, can use as a great rallying issue for a group of people who have rarely stood up for themselves. Let us unite on this one issue and see if we have any courage and whatfor as a group. There are websites throughout this thread to learn all about it. Lets make this our cause and show some political muscle on this one. Suggestions welcomed. ...Dr.Syntax

That creating AI is the worst idea mankind has ever come up with. If it ever happens there will be no means whatsoever of controlling it. It will be given robotic capabilities and there will be no way of stopping it from doing anything it decides to do. It will make other AI units capable of unlimited self improvement,self modification,etc.. Very bad idea, ...Dr.Syntax

modern technology makes it a lot easier or viable to eat a nutritionally complete, vegetarian diet. I don`t dispute that. We evolved as omnivores,I don`t dispute that. What I see as our area of dispute is that because some plants have the ability to respond to certain stimuli, that there is as much reason to believe plants feel pain as there is to think that animals do. I believe it requires a more complex nervous system to feel pain. I would not call the simple, extremely limited abilities of plants to respond to some stimuli a nervous system and I am not saying you would. Or would you ?Animals have evolved complex nervous systems. Some extremely complex ones. From an evolutionary framework I include fish,amphibians, reptiles ,birds, and mammals as having nervous systems whith the necessary components to prococess noxious stimuli [ pain ] much the same as we humans do. Also the more developed these areas of the brain are, in any given species the more sensitive to pain or anything else for that matter, that particular species would be.There is the feeling of fear and terror to consider also. It is processed in some ways differently than pain. Both pain and fear are processed in the lower, more earlierly evolved portions of the brain. One of the systems involved is the limbic system. It is more complex than I wish to try and describe here. To learn about the limbic system go to: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/kinser/Structure1.html . By at least purusing the information and diagrams there you might be able to see why I believe many animals are able to percieve pain and fear in much the same way we people do. Plants simply do not have anything remotely comparable to the limbic system, not to mention the other systems with thier numerous and complex organs of their brains, of animals such as fish,amphibians,reptiles,birds,and mammals . Regards, ...Dr.Syntax

Some recent findings suggest that the: ISULA or Insular Cortex , a prune sized region of the brain located under the frontal lobes on each side of the brain present some sound reasoning that the insula plays a crucial role in addiction of all types and especilly cigarette addiction. People who have sustained injury to the insula have reported an instant and permanent break in a smoking habit. Some article regarding all this in Science ? about 10 years ago. Recent advances in MRI imaging and such providing new tools for research. Significant implications for alcohol and drug addictions. Found a better article with detailed diagrams and such at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insular_cortex . ...DS

My answer is that the record indicates evolution is speeding up. 3.8 billion years of prokariotes,3 billion years of photosythesis,2billion years of eukaryotes,1 billion years of multicellular life,600 million years of simple animals,550 million years of complex animals,500 million years of fish and proto-amphibians,475 million years of land plants,360 millian years of amphibians,300 million years of reptiles,200 million years of mammals,130 million years of flowers,2.5 million years since the appearance of the genus Homo,200,000 years since humans started looking as they do today. Abreviated from source at : http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Timeline_of_evolution . I am sure evolution has had it`s setbacks such as the different catastrophic events that have occured. But from the record it appears to me to be acceleratating significantly. I have no idea about what you are refering to regarding: theory of singularity involving Artifitial Inteligence. Could that be something about an AI robot god of some sort ? Some Sci Fi writers have considered that. ...Dr.Syntax

Evolution,natural selection, predation and the need for it. If it were not for the total indifference of natural selection to the survival of individuals and species we humans would not exist along with all the other organisms. Plants and animals. It is this complete indifference to suffering and death that allowed us to come about. All I have ever argued here is that animals suffer pain, fear,terror much the same as we people do. I would expect that the animals that have evolved those portions of the brain associated with pain and fear,that have those stuctures the most highly developed, experience pain and fear the most. Those areas of the brain are the earlier more primitive structures common to most vertebrates. It`s one of those facts of life that seem so cruel though necessary to me. I also stated I no longer eat meat for that reason. Just because of the cruel nature of evolution does not justify in my mind that it is O.K. to support an industry based upon the production of animals for slaughter, simply so that I might enjoy tastier meals. Many of these animals are treated in very cruel ways from birth to death. In very unnatural ways such as being penned in together to such a degree that they never enjoy a peaceful moment. Predation is a neccessay part of life to keep populations in balance with thier evironments. Also it is crucial to evolution itself . Eating meat is not crucial to human health. There are many other sources for the necessary nutrients we people need to maintain optimum health other than meat. There are places in the world where hunting by humans is crucial to keep certain populations in balance because we have killed off the natural pedators. The deer population of certain areas is a good example. Still, I want nothing to do with it because of the way I feel about all this. Life is full of awful things I choose to not take part in unless I have to. I served as an infantryman in Viet Nam and did two so called tours . I had no problem with killing people trying to kill me for example.These were NVA soldiers wearing uniforms and firing weapons at me and my comrades.I have never been a hunter and I no longer fish. If I had to to survive I would. I guess that old adage: life sucks and then you die has a lot of truth to it. Well,whatever, ...Dr.Syntax

when these giant redwoods fall over perhaps from becoming too tall, they still manage to live on. Some of their branchs become new trees. When this fact is taken into account the age of some of these trees has been estimated to be as much as 30,000 years,possibly more. Truly amazing organisms. I appreciate your interest. ...Dr.Syntax

There is a book out that deals with these issues. It is titled :Tears and Tantrums: What to do when babies cry. By Dr.Aletha J. Solter. " In spite of hardships and painful experiences,children can heal themselves from stress and trauma through the natural processes of tears and tantrums..." She has a lot of helpful information at: http://Primal-page.com/solter3.htm . These children need real help and some real answers are provided at that website. ...Dr.Syntax

Lousy parenting+religion = a wide variety of crackpots. ...Dr.Syntax

How could ceasing to slaughter animals be damaging to them ? ...DS

So that means 61% of Americans embrace prepostorous notions of one type or another of how life came to be what it is today in favor of the so very well substantiated facts regarding evolution. And from what else I read in that thread the trend both here and Worldwide is toward religiousity. I find all this not only disturbing but dangerous. The believers are gaining in political strength and becoming more violent in thier insistance that others believe as they do. The current wars the US and it`s allies are engaged in are based on religeous beliefs. There was no talk of CREATIONISM in school when I attended back in the 1950s and 1960s. It was not an issue. Now it`s a big issue and required to be taught in various states. The atheists,agnostics,etc.,amongst us had best start standing up for what we believe in. ...Dr.Syntax

Thank your for that informative response, So if liver cells and bone marrow cells contain stem cells, is it at least in the realm of possibilities that with further research we may some day be able to grow a new kidney or event a heart ? Keep in mind that case of that woman who had a new trachea created using her own bone marrow. It seems it is already being done to some degree. Specically that woman`s trachea. It appears to me we are beyond the verge of this sort of stem cell organ repair/replacement. It is a short read if you haven`t yet read it. Here is the link again: http:http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/11/19/windpipe.transplant/index.html . Thanks for your interest, ...Dr.Syntax

This one is one I really look forward to seeing. Thank you for bringing this movie to my attention. I want to tell you that I am very disturbed that this movie is in effect being censured here in the USA. I am very concerned that censorship is once again upon us. The influence of the religeous right is much more than I had realized. The entire World seems to be moving backwards in a way intellectualy speaking. Look at all the wars being fought now in the name of religion. And the shear numbers of people embracing these old dogmas. I find it very disturbing and frightening. ...Dr.Syntax Merged post follows: Consecutive posts mergedread the telegraph link. We atheist,agnostics,etc.,had better start standing up to this maddness spreading across our World. ...Dr.Syntax

is what I consider defending my statements when I believe them to be correct. Why should I admit to errors I did not commit. By the way pathogens include any disease producing organism including:bacteria,fungi,viruses,certain worms,prions, and probably some others I can`t think of at the moment .Virulence is the relative ablity of a microbe to cause disease. Bacteria are but one of numerous pathogens. Virulence had nothing to do with the question asked. And not all bacteria are pathogens. The vast majority of bacteria are not pathogens. You never acknowledged any of your mistakes in your argument to me. And why you keep on insisting somehow you proved me wrong and that I should treat you as if you are some sort of authority on anything is preposterous. I am showing the same lack of respect you have consistanly shown for me. ...Dr.Syntax

I am using your response to CharonY to show you how you do not stick with the original question asked. That is the question I was answering and none of the other ones created by others as the thread progressed. The question I was responding to is:" what are the characteristics of a bacteria that make it contagious". That is it,nothing else. Nothing about pathogens or virulence. I consider the different ways bacteria spreads about to be:" what are the characteristics of a bacteria that is contagious ? " I don`t care what it is I say: there seems to me to be a group of people in this forum determined to pick it apart anyway they can find or create to do so. I guess that is the way it is. Whatever, ...Dr.Syntax

I`ve listened plenty. There are times someone pointed out an error in what I wrote and I agreed and acknowledged the error. This is not one of those times. No use of an anology or attempts to complicate a simple but accurate answer to a simple quetion is going to change that. ...ds

is capable of rejuvenating itself also. I recall that every cell in the liver is replaced about every year or so. Something I ran across recently in an article describes bone marrow as a source of stem cells in adult humans . A well documented case of a woman who had her trachea recreated from stem cells taken from her own bone marrow is available on the web. She was 30 years old when this was done. So there is a usable source of our own stem cells in our own bodies. I don`t have a link for you. But you can google : woman`s own stem cells used to replace trachea. The article should pop up with a picture of her. There was no signs of scarring around her neck. One of the doctors claimed they would be able to do the same with a human heart within 20 years. Pretty exiting stuff. I found a link to that article and it is : http:http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/11/19/windpipe.transplant/index.html . It is a short read and pretty exciting when you consider all that such an accomplishment implies. ...Dr.Syntax

You are as capable screwball ratitionalization as the rest of them. I have explained my answer to the question posted : What are the characteristics of a bacteria that makes it contagious". How can " being transmittable through insect bites " not be a characteristic of a bacteria that makes it contagious. Explain why a bacteria`s method of transmission is not: a characteristic of a bacteria that makes it contagious. The methods of transmission are precisely what makes them contagious. If they lacked a method of transmission they would not be contagious. ...Dr. Syntax

area of your body that has sustained or is sustaining cellular/tissue damage. A cut or a burn, etc.. Of course it is more complex than that. There is what can be called emotional pain. The very young are especially vulnerable to this type of pain. They are totally dependant on others [ usually thier parents ] for thier survival. Infants are born with a very strong need for closeness and comfort on an ongoing basis from someone. Hopefully a loving mother. Often these needs are not met adequately.When these needs are not adequately met the child developes ways of blocking and repressing the pain resulting from unfullfilled need and becomes what is known as a neurotic. Neurosis can manifist itself in numerous ways. Each person comes up with thier own methods of blocking repressed pain wich is constantly changing and ajusting as the neurotic moves on in time. Many of these ways are common and shared among the neurotics. They often form groups with common unreal belief systems. Different religious groups are an example. Or perhaps a group who share a belief system built on the belief that the ability to block pain is a vurtue,things like that. The Greek spartans are famous for that one. It is important to note that such warrior cultural beliefs can and often do benefit the social group these warrior types belong to. But it is also important to note that it can be very harmful and often fatally to the individual adherants to such systems. History is in many respects a record of these different groups fighting it out with each other. To be a good soldier the ability to block pain is a positive attribute. At the same time it is damaging to the individual soldier. There is a heavy price to pay for blocking pain and repressing feelings.These repressed feelings exert a very harmful force upon the entire body. These blocked feelings are always excreting stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline into our systems. Not a good thing. There is an answer to neurosis and it is called Primal Therapy. If you wish to look into that here is a link : http:http://www.primaltherapy.com/SEO/primal_theory_overview.shtml . ...Dr.Syntax

I already acknowledged my poor choice of words. So now you wish to make me out to be a liar over this trivial posting of mine. ...ds

characteristics of a bacteria that is contagious ?" My answer :" Being: airborne,tranmittable through insect bites,sexually transmittable,ones transmittable from eating meat or vegetables,ones that infect through drinking water. Poop related ones ...ds " Perhaps you missed my use of the word being: with it`s accompaning colon. Being airborne is a characteristic of a bacteria that is contagious. Being transmittable through insect bites is a characteristic of a bacteria that is contagious,being sexually transmittable is a charactristic of a bacteria that is contagious, and so on. I am not caving into you on this one. The question never was: " what are common characteristics of contagious pathogenic bacteria". That was not what was asked. Why do you insist on answering a question that was never asked and faulting me for failing to do so ? ...Dr.Syntax ...post script: would you tell an associate: Being sexually transmittable is not a characteristic of a contagious bacteria ? Think about that for a second or two and you know the answer.

it. And I could have worded it better. I would not have given such a thorough discription as you did. But I could have sujested something like : It would have been better to ask how many molecules of ATP can be derived from one molecule glucose ? But I realized that was likely to depend on variables I was unaware of. I did the best I could with my limited knowledge. ...Dr.Syntax

very depressing. I had no idea that statistic was that bad. So I guess a substantial majority of my fellow Americans embrace unbelievable nonsense in favor of reality. I always felt most of the adults and children I met growing up were irrational and not to be trusted. I still do. ...Dr.Syntax

The title: Creation , made me think it was some religious nonsense. From the vids presented it appears to be about the life of Darwin. And well done from what little was available to view. A better title would be: " DARWIN ". How the producers could make such a marketing blunder I do not know. Seems like a worthwhile movie wich is saying alot nowdays compared to what else is out there. ...Dr.Syntax

no, what SinJunior asked was : " What are the characteristics of a bacteria that make it contagious". I answered with some of the characteristics that crossed my mind. I don`t understand what it is I did that is wrong. ...ds