iNow

You're hitting nails on heads with the above. Absolutely a major chunk of the issue. I will also explore the site you linked. It really does trickle down into the non-Presidential elections, and I suppose what frustrates me most is knowing that there are better people for the job out there (and even some who are actually willing to do it!), but if they haven't raised enough money then they don't even make it on to the ballot from which we all choose the ultimate winner. You're a vegetarian? Well, you can choose from hamburger or chicken.

Yeah... It's pretty sad that a fear of science is preventing the actualization of survival.

I'm not sure it's the best argument for the belief explained presentation, however, I can assure you that the boxes on the chess board are the same color. Easy proof... take screenshot, paste into MS paint, sample colors from both squares, check the RGB numbers. What do you see? A vase or two faces looking at one another?

Look here: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/relativ/airtim.html Relative to the clock that stayed on the ground, the clock in the plane moved to the future. This is clearly more than "just math."

What data? Which study? Who researched this? Where? ... is the beef?

It's always right now.

She's not up there for being a smart chic. I mean, who needs good grades when you're smokin' hot? Hey... If you can do this calculus problem I'll buy you a drink.

I wasn't actually confused, I was just clarifying that I hadn't said what you implied. Also, to be clear, I appreciate your discussing other points. That's a big part of the reason I chose to open the thread... to open my own mind and achieve a broader awareness of the issue. So, you mean that this isn't the case? I've always considered this a perfectly valid approach to the universe.

I'm sorry, what'd you say? I wasn't listening. Double Ditto on that. I absolutely stand behind this, am glad to see more people supporting this, am excited about others who will do the same very soon, and appreciate the fact that we are here discussing it (which means that many people, in fact, already are listening, stepping up, and encouraging others to do the same).

When visualizing it in your mind, try to consider it the same as you would two stars orbiting each other. They would get closer and closer, and they would have a measurable impact on spacetime and the light around them. Eventually, one would swallow the other (since pertubations would prevent them from being EXACTLY the same). Here is a visual in the context of gravitational waves offered by NASA's LISA group: Also, here is some research on actual BHs orbiting: http://www.nrao.edu/pr/2006/binarybh/ See link for more.

Farsight, it's blaringly obvious by now that you will not be taken seriously until you learn the math. Even Einstein had to spend a few years working out the geometries... I'd say you make this your next great endeavor then come back when you are done.

You can use all the collective words you want, like citizens of the US. What I am telling you is that you are wrong the moment you speak of all in one generalized way. You are painting with too broad a brush and you are missing several important details. I personally voted against Bush either time, I personally spoke to all that I could reach to convince them to do the same. I personally voted members to congress that have supported change, and I personally am getting tired of you not recognizing this.

This is actually being challenged by numerous groups. The current consensus is that we could, in a very real way, run out of fresh water by 2050. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1661 http://taiwansecurity.org/Reu/2005/Reuters-011105.htm http://www.wateryear2003.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=3129&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/freshwater_supply/freshwater.html

Can you give us a "for instance?" Hmmm... I'm not sure I follow. I didn't say that money shouldn't be a factor. Regardless, you raised a seperate point so I will ask, what else dictates the final list of 2 or 3 candidates from whom we can choose?

Geoguy, I understand your frustration, but PLEASE... stop lumping the actions of this government on the people ruled by it. It makes me listen to you less, despite the fact that we agree on SO much. mmmkay?

Exactly. When we left Vietnam, there was a clear group which would take the reigns of power. In Iraq, there is no such group, and we must begin each discussion of how to move forward knowing that we are choosing the "least bad" option. Bush's recent speeches are very strange indeed, suggesting our only mistake in Vietnam was that we didn't stay longer. I find this method of drumming up support disrespectful to the soldiers who fought there, the soldiers currently finding, and the public who are being asked to swallow this line of garbage. Here's a news flash: Today President Lyndon Johnson passed a highway beautification bill. The bill basically said that his daughters could not drive in a convertible on public highways.

You're clearly a bright fellow, pioneer, but I do sincerely believe your creativity would prove more fruitful if it were grounded in existing knowledge. There are so many parts about which you speculate incorrectly, and that is a definite limitation in what you offer. Tell us more about how one can measure this hunger valence with anything other than self-report.

Indeed. Nor do party-based actions of the past serve to offer any any valid indication of the efficacy of party-based actions in the present or future.

So where is this ethereal dictator preventing you from being an asshole? I'd suggest that you are substituting the term "dictator" into what is currently understood as "socially accepted norms." Nobody is preventing you from saying what you think. You are your only censor. You can be as un-PC as you want, but you still need others to survive. Why not maximize the group with which you can successfully interact? Start calling your neighbors a bunch of hate filled names and we'll see how many help you when you need them to.

It's acceptable that you speak in gender specific trends, just bear in mind the extreme difficulty in attributing these trends completely to either genetics or environmental learning.

Why does money determine who becomes president of the United States instead of ability, vision, and leadership? If you disagree with my opening premise, that’s fine, but I am opening this thread with that as a maxim, so please do treat it as a given. Money, or more accurately, the ability to raise lots of it, determines the final list of 2 or 3 from which the citizenry can choose when entering the ballot box. On several occasions and for too many years, when I have arrived at the local high school or community college to place my vote, I have felt disheartened knowing that I was not choosing the best person for the job, but I was instead choosing from the lesser of two evils which had been presented me. There will never be a perfect candidate, I concede that. There are too many individual differences across the US populace for one human being to satisfy the desires of all with a voting card. We all have different backgrounds, different hopes, different desires… to which no one human can completely cater. However, I know we can, and must, do better. There are a lot of points above about which we could haggle and polarize, but really what I’m most curious about as I post this is… Why does money determine who becomes president of the United States instead of ability, vision, and leadership? Then, as a follow-up… why do we let it?

What an easy graphic. Thanks! Where'd you get it?

Well, thanks. I sort of was hoping to help the OP since only post #2 touched on this part of their question. I see I was just being lazy, and have found another source also: http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/farid/sciencekids/gravity.html Sciman, hopefully this has answered your question. If not, feel free to ask more. Enjoy mate.

I guess we all need a target for our anger and hatred. Thank goodness for politicians.

To the OPs point, since they do attract each other, how come they don't just smash into one another? Is it something to do with their velocity in another direction, or around the Sun?