dimreepr

I tend to agree with this, we atheists have to be careful not to assume hypocrisy or even stupidity in believers as there are a great many, liberal and scientific, religious people who ask nothing more than to be left alone to believe what they will. Let’s be careful not to dismiss them out of hand as cognitive dissonance effects many for a variety of different reasons; this typically human attitude is not hypocritical of itself.

The culture of each member state is “threatened” in the minds of some of each nation’s populace, at least perceptively. Whilst the reality may not be as dramatic as perceived it’s extremely difficult, politically, to argue against the myriad of specious speeches levelled at the incumbent governments especially in times of economic strife. This IMO will slowly stretch the ties that bind the union, as evident in the recent promise of a referendum (stay in or leave) in the UK. The euro is a worthwhile step in the right direction, unfortunately because not all members signed up and, as inow points out, doesn’t have a central fiscal authority seems to be heading into deeper and deeper waters and treading water can only work for a limited time. So in answer to the OP I think it’s quite possible that the union may disintegrate, despite the fact that it would be a disaster for the region.

If this did happen, then to paraphrase the late great Douglas Adams he/she’d ‘disappear in a puff of logic’.

Thanks for the response and no it wasn’t here. I understand what you mean and initially I thought the guy was genuinely just arguing from a sincere but misinformed position, soon after I realised my mistake and stopped responding (not that he stopped posting ). I had a lingering wish that I had left a little something with him that didn’t descend to that level, so I started this thread, just out of interest, as I’m simply not imaginative enough. Just to be clear I have no intention of using any of these replies.

I know the best thing to do with a persistent troll is to ignore them. Recently I’ve been a target for one; initially it was an appealing debate, however all too soon it descended into unadulterated trolling. As a parting gift I had intended to post a last defining put-down, unfortunately I came up blank; its trickier than you might think, without sounding juvenile or self-indulgent, any ideas?

I agree and it’s not just your country, calling it news is nothing but sensationalism. Let’s be honest with ourselves its car crash T.V. if it was really news and not just the worst things that have happened on any particular day would the majority watch? It seems we like to frighten ourselves, possibly to reassure, that individually things could be worst or maybe we just like to see carnage?

By the article I provided and I am as keen as you are, to learn what these technologies may be. I couldn’t agree more that they should provide a better plan; it is the main reason for my posting this thread.

I have been informed that newer, cheaper and greener technologies already exist for disposing of waste and that incineration may not be the way forward. Can anyone inform me as to what these technologies may be?

try this

The council already recycle 49% and have plans to extend that to 70% so there will, probably, always be un-recyclable waste. So what to do with the rest? It’s the taxpayer’s waste I’m talking about; the hospitals in my area already incinerate their own waste.

My local council wants to spend £500 million on a waste incinerator rather than burying what is not recycled. This has created a lot of passionate opposition; consequently the arguments on both sides are heavily biased. Clearly burying waste is not the way forward and I have my doubts that incineration is much better; does anybody here have a better idea, as to the way forward?

I, for one, would welcome the help of moderators in this. I have sat desperately racking my brains for an appropriate title and, often, have just settled for a bland uninteresting option, that garners little or no response. EDIT/ Having said that I can foresee problems in this approach with some members, perhaps an extra option could be introduced where members could either opt in or out of such help.

Indeed, I foolishly neglected two words, my second sentence should have read “Also this on how it may have affected hurricane sandy."

The BBC2 ‘Horizon’ program doesn’t deny global warming in favour of global weirding, it describes how global warming means these weird weather events become more likely because of global warming.

Don’t worry my friend, I didn’t mean it as a criticism, just further reading and possibly why replies would be less forthcoming. I sincerely hope your right; my doubts however, are fuelled by the seeming need for exotic matter.

Coincidence does not = evidence, have a look at some conclusions based on evidence. Also this on how it affected hurricane sandy.

This has been discussed on this forum before. The maths says it’s possible but it does seem unlikely, for me at least. “Alcubierre says that, “just as happens with wormholes,” you’d need “exotic matter” (matter with “strange properties”) to distort space-time. And the amount of energy necessary to power that would be on par with the mass-energy of the planet Jupiter.” "The Eagleworks team has discovered that the energy requirements are much lower than previously thought. If they optimize the warp bubble thickness and "oscillate its intensity to reduce the stiffness of space time," they would be able to reduce the amount of fuel to manageable amount: instead of a Jupiter-sized ball of exotic matter, you will only need 500 kilograms to "send a 10-meter bubble (32.8 feet) at an effective velocity of 10c."

Triffids

Good point, though easily solved, turn the structure through 90 degrees and gravity would help to lock it especially with a roof on.

I take it, from the op, the structures you intend are buildings, shelters, etc (please correct if I’ve missed the mark). The primary issue you will need to address is accuracy, the tiles will need to fit together precisely to avoid the need for mortar, as with traditional bricks. As for materials, what’s wrong with ceramics? Also look into the internal structure of your tile, to improve strength-to-weight ratios, such as honeycomb or simply hollow.

I’m not sure lucid dreaming can be described as a technique; it’s not actually been conclusively proven that the dreamer is asleep. It’s akin to being immersed in a novel or daydream (some say), however, I have experienced it myself (several times) and it certainly felt like I was asleep, a magical experience. Studies have been done.

For me the distinction comes in the wilfulness of the hatred espoused. This group is pretty obviously wilful in their hatred and disserve nothing but contempt. Other groups seem less wilful and more ignorant in their views; these disserve pity and patient guidance. Exactly where to draw the line in the less obvious cases would need very careful consideration, thankfully, we have moderators for that.

If only this were true, redefine what you will but WAR as far as I can define from history has never resulted in wisdom of any sort (except, maybe, let’s not do that again) and the only revelation is, we won.