dimreepr

I’m at risk of sending my own thread off topic here but, in the UK the NHS’s biggest drain is, the “ethical” need to keep people alive (for the sake of life). If, along with the “Donor Card” a “Living Will Card” could be kept about ones person many, many millions could be saved, here, at least, in the UK.

I haven’t been here too long but, my observation is, the average thread doesn’t get much above 20 replies, yet some achieve much, much higher. My question is twofold firstly what thread, apart from “The official introduce yourself” thread, has the largest amount of replies and which of these was the most enjoyable debate?

I think you need to define the term “childlike”. Is it that, a capability to have fun, is childlike, or is it just something adults share with children? Isn’t it just a case of them being human?

This is true as of now, but I see no reason it couldn't be extended, legally, to encompass such wishes.

What's the question?

You clearly have no idea of what “evidence” actually means, in that it requires empiricism or proof, if you will, and your book simply doesn’t provide such.

I read a book recently “unseen academicals” by Terry Pratchett, it however, doesn’t provide evidence of trolls or any other fictional characters. Why do you think your book does?

Eugenics was never a good idea; seriously, it’s the thin end of the wedge.

In England, as in America, it is an example of; governance by accountancy, in that education and many other aspects of society is defined by numbers, which if manipulated well enough can show just how well our society is doing. Intelligence hasn’t changed, in general, but the numbers sure do make it seem like they have.

For me it goes deeper still, in that, the Elders saw a way to use these observations (that all agree on) to manipulate the thinking of the tribe in general. Wisdom of the aged, in a simple society, goes a long way. Herd behaviour is exploitable as long as the “herd” is unaware of the scrutiny.

Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner#Superstition_in_the_pigeon after all tell me the difference between religion and superstition.

For me you can’t beat, “heart of gold” powered by the “infinite improbability drive” in “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams.

Lots of the planets flora and fauna now have interdependency with humanity, so our disappearance would have a negative impact on such that is now dependant. The planet really doesn’t care what we do; it’ll just continue to trundle through space.

Could dark matter be explained by variations in the density of the Higgs field?

It’s not pointless, if you’re the one in prison (for stealing a loaf of bread to feed your starving family), and in what universe do you need to supply a solution in order to ask a question? Have you even read the rest of this thread? When do I advocate people shouldn’t be punished? Part of a judge’s job is to decide the punishment, on an individual basis, so things like the ability to pay can be taken into account. Why is it inhumane to put people to work as a punishment? In England community service is a well established form of punishment. Yes I have lots of ideas, one of which would be to act on the point ‘phi for all’ made.

What version of IE are you using? edit spelling correction no e in using

Good point I guess subjectivity does have a lot to do with it, though, given the propensity for psychological manipulation within a lot of cults; it does muddy the waters somewhat. Further to the OP, a lot of religions can be said to have started as a cult, so at what point do they become a religion? Good joke btw Greg.

Sounds very Catholic to me, history shows they have engaged in many of your definitions.

What is the difference between religion and a cult? Is it simply numbers, or is the difference more fundamental? I.e. is brainwashing a factor?

There are approximately 38,000 Christian denominations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations) ranging from the mainstream Catholic, Anglican etc to the outright lunatics at the other end of the scale. Can you really tell me none of the more extreme denominations, or even mid table, don’t actively promote anti-societal ideas? Now back to topic; I take it from your reply you would welcome your version of societies demise?

With this, I couldn’t agree more, having found my way through my own depression. The reasons for unhappiness are many and varied and your family only wants to help (seriously), but naturally, you only consider the situation from your own point of view, they don’t see it the way you think they do. People in general are much more empathic and caring than any of us give ourselves credit for. There are happier days to come my friend, please seek the help 'phi for all' suggests. This is the thinking that motivated the OP. It is the dark side of humanity, and ill considered, because however bad things seem today, a true doomsday scenario is one in which most of us (humans) would die. Do these people think they are going to be the exception? Or are they just a bit peeved that existence didn’t give them the ideal lifestyle?

The doomsayers are growing in number (seemingly) and spreading the doom to all who will listen. My question is; are they warning us or do they, secretly, welcome the devastating scenarios they describe?

LOL yep I did... doh

sammy7, There are plenty of examples where science holds up its hands and says “I don’t know” because, as you say, it happened in the past or is unobserved. This, however, doesn’t mean inference can’t be employed as a very real and compelling answer to whatever the question may be. In astrology the observation that a star wobbles, given our clearly understood knowledge of the physics involved, it is perfectly reasonable to assume such wobbling is the result of a planet orbiting. Science has provided a myriad of evidence to support evolution (just google it), what exactly is your counter proposal to explain everyday observations of our planets flora and fauna.

So, your idea of scientific scrutiny is to listen to a biased video and blindly accept its conclusion. That’s probably why you can’t believe this is a science forum.